When we talk about Montreal to those who haven’t yet visited, or when we look for videos of the city and its many influencers (now called content creators), one neighborhood is always highlighted for its cool factor: the Plateau-Mont-Royal.
It’s a neighborhood that sits, literally, on a plateau (a flat piece of land) on the eastern slope of Mont-Royal. It’s the neighborhood of artists, theaters, French expatriates and musicians.
It’s also one of the best places to eat in the city, and for those visiting Montreal, we’ve got a list of 8 restaurants to try…
1.le Darling
Bar Darling is a popular restaurant for big lunches with friends, first dates and early evening cocktails.
The menu includes salads, chicken sandwiches and the perfect steak frites.
Where: Bar Le Darling, 4328 boulevard Saint-Laurent
2 Au Pied de Cochon
The Au Pied de Cochon restaurant is a true institution of great cuisine with a sugar shack to boot, where reservations are fully booked from January 1.
It’s a restaurant for gourmets and engagement parties – or for every day, depending on your level of hedonism.
Where: Au Pied de Cochon, 563 rue Duluth Est
3.le Jardin de Panos
This old-fashioned, family-run Greek restaurant has the best moussaka in Montreal, a heart-warming ambience and the city’s most beautiful terrace in summer.
Where to eat? Le Jardin de Panos, 521 Avenue Duluth Est
4.St-Viateur Bagel & Café
Montreal’s must-try bagel is for those who take to heart the title of world’s best bagel , which is contested between Montreal and New York delis.
For the rest of us, it’s just a really, really good bagel – to be eaten with a large black coffee.
Where? St-Viateur Bagel & Café, 1127 Avenue Mont-Royal Est
5.Coco Disco Club
The young restaurant Coco Disco Club has the decor of a bistro in the South of France in the 70s, very cold martinis, small dishes to share that change with the seasons and a dish of caviar-springs.
We go there for the gossip, to impress a finance bro and to listen to Vendredi Sur Mer while eating sardines.
Where: Coco Disco Club, 251 Avenue Duluth Est
6.small fish dumpling
Montreal’s most famous dumpling spot always has its windows fogged up.
In addition to dumplings favored by students living on the Plateau and music producers between listening sessions, the restaurant makes heart-warming Chinese classics.
Where: Petit Poisson Dumpling, 3936 Boulevard Saint-Laurent
7.Schwartz’s
Schwartz’s has been a Montreal institution since the 1930s, and its smoked meat is known the world over. We warn you, you’ll have to wait in line-but it’s worth it.
In the words of Anthony Bourdain, “you can’t not come here when you’re in Montreal”.Where? Schwartz’s, 3895 Boulevard Saint-Laurent
8.Patati Patata
For French fries (poutine or otherwise), we recommend Patati Patata, and for the more courageous, a trip to the Big In Japan speakeasy next door…
Where? Patati Patata, 4177 Boulevard Saint-Laurent
Enjoy your meal!