19 Montreal Bars With Primo Eats

Just who serves the best bar food in this city anyway?

by Tim Forster, Heather Vandenengel, and Ashley Joseph Updated Jul 23, 2019, 12:38pm EDT

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by Tim Forster, Heather Vandenengel, and Ashley Joseph Updated Jul 23, 2019, 12:38pm EDT

Cordova/Facebook

Praise be the bar snack, the savoury and, often, salty finger food that staves off hunger. Often used as a substitute for a real dinner, it extends and complements drinking sessions and should be respected in its own right. From free popcorn on the house to dressed up takes on bar snack classics, and even some fine dining options these are the best bars in the city for snacking.

It bears mention that not all bar food is born equal, nor do they all inhabit the same plane of classiness (or price, for that matter). This map appreciates the bar snack's myriad varied formats, from Bifteck's free popcorn (likely served for the purpose of making customers really thirsty so they purchase more beer), or Snack 'n' Blues' free candy, through to charcuterie, cheese, and oyster plates at Pullman or tapas at Cordova.

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Le Blind Pig

Hochelaga’s American brewpub-inspired, bar de quartier has strong comfort snack game, from burgers to poutines.

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3882, rue Ontario Est, Montreal, QC H1W 1S6, Canada

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Yïsst

This popular Petite-Patrie pub and beer bar serves up assorted finger foods, flatbreads, party mixes, and, des noix pimpés.

901 Saint-Zotique Est, Montreal, QC, Canada

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Isle de Garde

At this beer bar, pair Quebec craft beers with beer bar snacks like beef jerky, pork rillette and crisp Belgian-style frites.

1039 rue Beaubien Est, Montreal, QC H2S 1T3, Canada

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Bar St-Denis

With two former Au Pied de Cochon chefs among its owners, it’s a no-brainer that the food at this new-ish Petite-Patrie haunt is good. Expect bar staples like beef bavette or a burger, but some dishes that draw on co-owner Emily Homsy’s Egyptian heritage too — all served with a very well-rounded bar program.

6966 Rue Saint-Denis, Montréal, QC H2S 2S4, Canada

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Vices & Versa

With an almost obscene number of beer lines hooked up to Quebec microbrews, Vices et Versa in Little Italy accompanies those with an extremely beer-appropriate set of bar snacks that are particularly appetizing in these winter climes: poutine with beer sauce, burgers, bacon mac and cheese, or just straight-up cheese and charcuterie.

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6631 boul. Saint-Laurent, Montreal, QC H2S 3C5, Canada

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Snack 'n' Blues

The most extensive free snack selection can be found at this beloved Mile End dive, with its table of gummies and sweets at the front and bowls of chips, pretzels and popcorn available from the bar.

5260 boul. Saint-Laurent, Montreal, QC H2T 1S1, Canada

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Henrietta

In the Laurier Avenue space formerly inhabited by Baldwin Barmacie, Henrietta serves up small Portuguese bites featuring cured meats, seafood and cheese, in a classy space that has a touch of art déco, and a touch of upscale Euro-hotel to it.

115 Avenue Laurier O, Montréal, QC H2T 2N6, Canada

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Le Red Tiger

Cocktails and south-east Asian beers accompanied by innovative Vietnamese snacks at this Village bar. Spring rolls, sticky rice, shrimp and grilled beef all figure, and sometimes there's even balut, a semi-grown fertilized egg delicacy, if you're feeling adventurous.

1201 de Maisonneuve Est, Montreal, QC H2L 2A1, Canada

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Also featured in:

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Buvette Chez Simone

All bar snacks at this always-bustling Mile End wine bar are good, but the charcuterie, cheese plates and roast chicken stand out.

4869 ave. du Parc, Montreal, QC H2V 4K7, Canada

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Réservoir

This Plateau brewpub has had no equal when it comes to bar food, ever since beloved neighbourhood restaurant Hôtel Herman (RIP) took over. Don’t expect nachos and pogos here: dishes like cucumbers with pepper yogurt and mint, or Nordic shrimp with radish and verbena, are refined and make for a harmonious pairing with their expertly curated list of beer offerings.

9 ave. Duluth Est, Montreal, QC H2W 1G7, Canada

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Else's

The piled-high nachos, shrimp tacos and sliders are always a favorite at this neighbourhood corner bar with a restaurant license (i.e. you must purchase food with your drinks — at least until the Quebec government changes that law).

156 rue Roy E., Montreal, QC H2W 1M2, Canada

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Bar Bifteck

The free, super-salty popcorn at this St-Laurent sort-of dive can lead to perpetual rounds of cheap pitchers.

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3702 boul. Saint-Laurent, Montreal, QC H2X 2V4, Canada

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Pamplemousse

Beer bar Pamplemousse already excels at its drink offerings (which go well beyond a great beer selection), but chef Pelopieas Brisson-Tsavoussis’s food options shouldn’t be skipped — with touches of India and the Caribbean in options like jerk cauliflower and naan pizza, it’s innovative, yet still ideal for drinking.

1579 Boul St-Laurent, Montréal, QC H2X 2S9, Canada

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Pullman

Snack on mini-bison burgers or cheddar and bacon gougères for savory bites or chocolate truffles for a sweeter tooth at this intimate, Anthony Bourdain-approved wine bar.

3424 Avenue du Parc, Montreal, QC H2X 2H7, Canada

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Unibar

In the same vein of cheeseburger perfection as St-Henri’s Loïc, Montrealers can now get the one of the city’s favourite fast food burgers alongside a glass of natural wine, beer or a cocktail at this newly opened Old Montreal spot.

404 Rue Saint-Sulpice, Montréal, QC H2Y 1Z5, Canada

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Also featured in:

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Burgundy Lion

Burgundy Lion has been pouring endless beers and doing British food but without the stodge for the Little Burgundy and Sud-Ouest crowds since well before hordes of restaurateurs invaded Notre-Dame West. Cod fish cakes, scotch eggs, and Brit staples like fish and chips and bangers and mash all figure royally on the menu.

2496, rue Notre-Dame Ouest, Montreal, QC H3J 1N5, Canada

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Also featured in:

Cordova

Get your fill of pan con tomate, jamón ibérico, preserved seafood and seasonal Spanish-inspired small plates — plus excellent coffee and cocktails — at this St-Henri gem.

4606 Rue Notre-Dame Ouest, Montréal, QC H4C 1S4, Canada

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Also featured in:

Loïc

Loïc may be a bar first and restaurant second, but you’d never know judging by the food. In addition to refined seasonal offerings — asparagus with burrata, aioli and lemon, scallops with Quebec peas and beurre blanc, cavatelli with ragu bianco, morels and parmesan — it also nails the ultimate bar menu staple with a perfect cheeseburger and crinkle-cut fries.

5001 Rue Notre-Dame Ouest, Montréal, QC H4C 1T2, Canada

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Bar Palco

One of the early settlers since Verdun lightened the laws which almost completely banned bars from the borough, it could seem dismissive to call Palco "the best" in the area, just because of the relative lack of competition. But Palco is indeed very good, with a menu that straddles light and heavy quite neatly, from a beet carpaccio to poutine with parsnip and sweet potato.

4019 Rue Wellington, Verdun, QC H4G 1V6, Canada

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Le Blind Pig

3882, rue Ontario Est, Montreal, QC H1W 1S6, Canada

Hochelaga’s American brewpub-inspired, bar de quartier has strong comfort snack game, from burgers to poutines.

Open in Google Maps

3882, rue Ontario Est, Montreal, QC H1W 1S6, Canada

Visit Website

Yïsst

901 Saint-Zotique Est, Montreal, QC, Canada

This popular Petite-Patrie pub and beer bar serves up assorted finger foods, flatbreads, party mixes, and, des noix pimpés.

901 Saint-Zotique Est, Montreal, QC, Canada

Visit Website

Isle de Garde

1039 rue Beaubien Est, Montreal, QC H2S 1T3, Canada

At this beer bar, pair Quebec craft beers with beer bar snacks like beef jerky, pork rillette and crisp Belgian-style frites.

1039 rue Beaubien Est, Montreal, QC H2S 1T3, Canada

Visit Website

Bar St-Denis

6966 Rue Saint-Denis, Montréal, QC H2S 2S4, Canada

With two former Au Pied de Cochon chefs among its owners, it’s a no-brainer that the food at this new-ish Petite-Patrie haunt is good. Expect bar staples like beef bavette or a burger, but some dishes that draw on co-owner Emily Homsy’s Egyptian heritage too — all served with a very well-rounded bar program.

6966 Rue Saint-Denis, Montréal, QC H2S 2S4, Canada

Visit Website

Vices & Versa

6631 boul. Saint-Laurent, Montreal, QC H2S 3C5, Canada

With an almost obscene number of beer lines hooked up to Quebec microbrews, Vices et Versa in Little Italy accompanies those with an extremely beer-appropriate set of bar snacks that are particularly appetizing in these winter climes: poutine with beer sauce, burgers, bacon mac and cheese, or just straight-up cheese and charcuterie.

Open in Google Maps

6631 boul. Saint-Laurent, Montreal, QC H2S 3C5, Canada

Visit Website

Snack 'n' Blues

5260 boul. Saint-Laurent, Montreal, QC H2T 1S1, Canada

The most extensive free snack selection can be found at this beloved Mile End dive, with its table of gummies and sweets at the front and bowls of chips, pretzels and popcorn available from the bar.

5260 boul. Saint-Laurent, Montreal, QC H2T 1S1, Canada

Visit Website

Henrietta

115 Avenue Laurier O, Montréal, QC H2T 2N6, Canada

In the Laurier Avenue space formerly inhabited by Baldwin Barmacie, Henrietta serves up small Portuguese bites featuring cured meats, seafood and cheese, in a classy space that has a touch of art déco, and a touch of upscale Euro-hotel to it.

115 Avenue Laurier O, Montréal, QC H2T 2N6, Canada

Visit Website

Le Red Tiger

1201 de Maisonneuve Est, Montreal, QC H2L 2A1, Canada

Cocktails and south-east Asian beers accompanied by innovative Vietnamese snacks at this Village bar. Spring rolls, sticky rice, shrimp and grilled beef all figure, and sometimes there's even balut, a semi-grown fertilized egg delicacy, if you're feeling adventurous.

1201 de Maisonneuve Est, Montreal, QC H2L 2A1, Canada

Visit Website

Buvette Chez Simone

4869 ave. du Parc, Montreal, QC H2V 4K7, Canada

All bar snacks at this always-bustling Mile End wine bar are good, but the charcuterie, cheese plates and roast chicken stand out.

4869 ave. du Parc, Montreal, QC H2V 4K7, Canada

Visit Website

Réservoir

9 ave. Duluth Est, Montreal, QC H2W 1G7, Canada

This Plateau brewpub has had no equal when it comes to bar food, ever since beloved neighbourhood restaurant Hôtel Herman (RIP) took over. Don’t expect nachos and pogos here: dishes like cucumbers with pepper yogurt and mint, or Nordic shrimp with radish and verbena, are refined and make for a harmonious pairing with their expertly curated list of beer offerings.

9 ave. Duluth Est, Montreal, QC H2W 1G7, Canada

Visit Website

Else's

156 rue Roy E., Montreal, QC H2W 1M2, Canada

The piled-high nachos, shrimp tacos and sliders are always a favorite at this neighbourhood corner bar with a restaurant license (i.e. you must purchase food with your drinks — at least until the Quebec government changes that law).

156 rue Roy E., Montreal, QC H2W 1M2, Canada

Visit Website

Bar Bifteck

3702 boul. Saint-Laurent, Montreal, QC H2X 2V4, Canada

The free, super-salty popcorn at this St-Laurent sort-of dive can lead to perpetual rounds of cheap pitchers.

Open in Google Maps

3702 boul. Saint-Laurent, Montreal, QC H2X 2V4, Canada

Visit Website

Pamplemousse

1579 Boul St-Laurent, Montréal, QC H2X 2S9, Canada

Beer bar Pamplemousse already excels at its drink offerings (which go well beyond a great beer selection), but chef Pelopieas Brisson-Tsavoussis’s food options shouldn’t be skipped — with touches of India and the Caribbean in options like jerk cauliflower and naan pizza, it’s innovative, yet still ideal for drinking.

1579 Boul St-Laurent, Montréal, QC H2X 2S9, Canada

Visit Website

Pullman

3424 Avenue du Parc, Montreal, QC H2X 2H7, Canada

Snack on mini-bison burgers or cheddar and bacon gougères for savory bites or chocolate truffles for a sweeter tooth at this intimate, Anthony Bourdain-approved wine bar.

3424 Avenue du Parc, Montreal, QC H2X 2H7, Canada

Visit Website

Unibar

404 Rue Saint-Sulpice, Montréal, QC H2Y 1Z5, Canada

In the same vein of cheeseburger perfection as St-Henri’s Loïc, Montrealers can now get the one of the city’s favourite fast food burgers alongside a glass of natural wine, beer or a cocktail at this newly opened Old Montreal spot.

404 Rue Saint-Sulpice, Montréal, QC H2Y 1Z5, Canada

Visit Website

Burgundy Lion

2496, rue Notre-Dame Ouest, Montreal, QC H3J 1N5, Canada

Burgundy Lion has been pouring endless beers and doing British food but without the stodge for the Little Burgundy and Sud-Ouest crowds since well before hordes of restaurateurs invaded Notre-Dame West. Cod fish cakes, scotch eggs, and Brit staples like fish and chips and bangers and mash all figure royally on the menu.

2496, rue Notre-Dame Ouest, Montreal, QC H3J 1N5, Canada

Visit Website

Cordova

4606 Rue Notre-Dame Ouest, Montréal, QC H4C 1S4, Canada

Get your fill of pan con tomate, jamón ibérico, preserved seafood and seasonal Spanish-inspired small plates — plus excellent coffee and cocktails — at this St-Henri gem.

4606 Rue Notre-Dame Ouest, Montréal, QC H4C 1S4, Canada

Visit Website

Loïc

5001 Rue Notre-Dame Ouest, Montréal, QC H4C 1T2, Canada

Loïc may be a bar first and restaurant second, but you’d never know judging by the food. In addition to refined seasonal offerings — asparagus with burrata, aioli and lemon, scallops with Quebec peas and beurre blanc, cavatelli with ragu bianco, morels and parmesan — it also nails the ultimate bar menu staple with a perfect cheeseburger and crinkle-cut fries.

5001 Rue Notre-Dame Ouest, Montréal, QC H4C 1T2, Canada

Visit Website

Bar Palco

4019 Rue Wellington, Verdun, QC H4G 1V6, Canada

One of the early settlers since Verdun lightened the laws which almost completely banned bars from the borough, it could seem dismissive to call Palco "the best" in the area, just because of the relative lack of competition. But Palco is indeed very good, with a menu that straddles light and heavy quite neatly, from a beet carpaccio to poutine with parsnip and sweet potato.

4019 Rue Wellington, Verdun, QC H4G 1V6, Canada

Visit Website