When winter’s chill settles over Montreal, one thing’s for sure: the city’s culinary scene continues to shine brightly. Embark with us on a gastronomic adventure through the metropolis’ most Instagrammable restaurants. These places perfectly combine delicious cuisine and fairytale decor, creating moments as good to savor as they are to share on your social networks.
1. Perles et Paddock – A charming oasis in Griffintown
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403 Rue des Seigneurs
Welcome to Perles et Paddock, nestled in the heart of Griffintown. Lovingly converted from a garage, this elegant venue boasts a bar bathed in an immense glass roof and a cascade of greenery. Blush-colored chairs and eccentric light fixtures complete the decor, making this one of the city’s most sparkling gems.
2. Restaurant Mélisse – When Design Becomes a Work of Art
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719 Rue William
Push open the door of Restaurant Mélisse in Old Montreal, and you’ll be transported into a tableau vivant worthy of the latest design trends. Wicker chairs, a pastel color palette, hanging plants, dazzling chandeliers, mosaic floors, and marble and grass accents create an airy dining room that lends itself to all your photographic desires. And let’s not forget the terrace, which is just as charming as the dining room when the sun comes out!
3. Bar-St-Denis – Hidden Elegance in La Petite-Patrie
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6966 Rue Saint-Denis
Imagined by two former Au Pied de Cochon chefs, Bar-St-Denis on rue Saint-Denis in La Petite-Patrie is a marvel. An orange bar with a wavy design runs along one side of the space, while a brick wall opposite is adorned with dark, reflective tables. A dark palette creates a captivating contrast, making the imposing ceiling light with its brass beehive motif shine even brighter.
4. Henri Brasserie Française – Opulence at Phillips Square
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1240 Phillips square
Under the spell of Henri Brasserie Française, named in honor of Henri Birks and nestled in the new Hotel Birks. Dazzling intricate moldings frame the ceiling, while plush velvet seating, brass accents and beautiful herringbone parquet create a warm, elegant ambience. A brasserie that invites you to indulge your sweet tooth in a setting worthy of a Hollywood Golden Age film.
5. McKiernan Luncheonette – Industrial charm in Verdun
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5524 Rue Saint-Patrick
In Verdun, the McKiernan Luncheonette welcomes you to an industrial setting that has it all. Biergarten-style tables and chairs, whimsical nautical objects, high ceilings, original wooden floors and columns, and string lights create an atmosphere that makes you want to settle in for hours. A real jewel in the heart of the Montreal winter.
6. Monarque – A Culinary Epic in Saint-Jacques
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406 Rue Saint-Jacques
Prepare to be dazzled by Monarque’s grandiose space, divided into bar, bistro and dining room. The windowed kitchen is the centerpiece, with elements such as brick, warm wood tones, metallic accents, leather seating and a beautiful marble floor with a fan pattern, creating a warm, refined ambience. A place where every meal becomes a gourmet experience.
7. Hoogan et Beaufort – Gourmet Elegance at Molson Street
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4095 Rue Molson
It’s impossible to have a bad meal at Hoogan et Beaufort, where chef Marc-André Jetté’s cuisine is as elegant as his spectacular presentations. The bright design of the dining room, with its 30-foot-high wooden ceiling, is both chic and comfortable, centered around a wrap-around bar and open fireplace. Two terraces also offer sunny moments to appreciate this exceptional place.
8. Elena – An Explosion of Color on Notre-Dame Street
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5090 Rue Notre-Dame
Winner of enRoute magazine’s decor of the year award, Elena’s pizzeria is as much a feast for the eyes as it is for the palate. The space is elegant, with many bright colors adorning its soft velvet banquettes. The long marble bar is lined with bright yellow stools, with an electric blue artwork that would be the perfect setting for your next Instagram post.
9. Le Serpent – Industrial Chic at Prince Street
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257 Rue Prince
Le Serpent’s industrial chic comes to life in the space of a renovated former factory in Old Montreal. High ceilings and aged cement columns form the backbone of the space, bathed in diffused light from large windows. The monochromatic gray palette is dramatically complemented by funky orange fixtures. A place where industrial past meets contemporary style with uncluttered elegance.
10. Le Blossom – A Symphony of Flavors under a Pink Tree
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1101 Boulevard de Maisonneuve
If you’re on Instagram, you’ve probably already come across Le Blossom’s central pink tree in your news feed. It’s time to head to this Japanese restaurant and sake bar to enjoy a meal around the tree and take a photo that will dazzle your ‘gram. The rest of the space is equally enchanting, with a long bar on one side and an intriguing lighting system that zigzags through the restaurant like a lightning rod.
11. Ibérica – A Tapas Escapade on Peel Street
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1450 Rue Peel
Barcelona-style tapas life is alive and well at Ibérica, a downtown Montreal establishment designed by Montreal design star Zebulon Perron. The cathedral ceiling is adorned with two impressive diamond-shaped chandeliers that dominate the lively dining room. Aged walls, plush circular banquettes and funky lighting fixtures are among the standout design elements of this hip spot.
12. Un Po Di Piu – Italy à la Mode de Montréal
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3 Rue de la Commune
Italy invites itself to Montreal at Un Po Di Piu! This Old-Montreal restaurant takes its inspiration from the Italian dolce vita, transforming from a café to an all-day spritz bar, with delicious bites to boot. The restaurant is made up of three spaces with a gorgeous Instagram-worthy mosaic floor in each corner.
13. Jiao – Breathtaking scenery at Notre-Dame Street
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399 Rue Notre-Dame
Jiao is certainly one of Montreal’s most magnificent restaurants, with a breathtaking decor that includes a Manga mural and imposing light fixtures. It’s the perfect place to grab a drink and a snack after work, or to linger until the last note. The menu offers dim sum classics as well as revisited dishes in a setting that invites relaxation.
14. Damascus – An Enchanted Journey Along Van Horne Avenue
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1201 Avenue Van Horne
In a setting worthy of the Thousand and One Nights, Damascus offers guests a magical culinary experience along the spice route. Offering wonderfully spicy Middle Eastern dishes, every corner of Damascus serves as the perfect backdrop for your Instagram posts. A must-see destination for food lovers looking for a unique sensory experience.
15. La Petite Dinette – A Quebecois-Vietnamese Retro Fusion
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4186 Rue Saint-Denis
If you’re a fan of Archie comics and vintage American diners, La Petite Dinette is for you. Bright colors, vinyl seating, Formica tables with chrome accents and checkered floors are reproduced with finesse. The menu, meanwhile, offers a unique fusion of Quebec and Vietnamese classics, adding a touch of creativity to this retro experience.
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