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9 Excellent Restaurant Wine Lists in Montreal

From smart sommeliers to curated private-import bottles, these restaurants can juice you up well

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While food and atmosphere usually reign supreme when choosing a restaurant, today it’s easier than ever to check those boxes while also finding a great wine list on top of them. Whether in the mood for hearty Italian and French fare, or something a little lighter like Vietnamese or salad, here’s where to find some of the best wine lists in the city — from lower ABV natural wines to bold Barolos.

Note that this map only focuses on restaurants — a guide to wine bars can be found over here, and it includes places like Le Vin Papillon, which straddle the line between restaurant and wine bar.

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One of the most unique restaurants on the guide, Café Denise in Parc-Ex offers Asian-inspired bites like pork and shrimp dumplings, xun duck, and tofu hua, as well as an impressive — and unexpected — wine list, boasting natural wine wunderkinds like Partida Creus and Cantina Marilina.

The Saint-Henri haunt — a little sibling to Italian darling Nora Gray — has one of the most exciting wine lists in the city largely thanks to co-owner and sommelier Ryan Gray. Head to the sought-after pizza joint for natural wines from vineyards outside of Montreal, right through to Italy, France, and beyond.

Réservoir

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Yes, it’s a microbrewery, but wine aficionados would be doing themselves a disservice to overlook Réservoir. Since being taken over by the owners of the late, great Hôtel Herman, this understated gastro pub has collaborated with some of the best winemakers in Quebec in the past, and regularly offers local options on their natural-leaning wine list.

Maison Boulud

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Unsurprisingly, chef Daniel Boulud’s Montreal outpost is home to some of the more traditional (but equally delicious) Old World bottles. Here’s where to come for big, bold Barolo and Cabernet Sauvignon options. Spend some time gazing into the display cellar or chat with the sommelier, and you’ll usually also find fresher offerings like natural rosé and Gamay.

Joe Beef

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Joe Beef (along with neighbouring Vin Papillon and Liverpool House) have become a hub for natural wine lovers from all over the country since opening its doors in 2005. Thanks to award-winning sommelier Vanya Filipovic, expect to find fun, fresh wine by the glass or bottle.

Candide

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Farm-to-table, ultra-local cuisine at its finest, Candide offers a seasonal menu (which changes monthly) from chef-owner John Winter Russell alongside carefully selected wine pairings for each dish, courtesy of sommelier Emily Campeau. Known for the four-course tasting menu, which highlights local ingredients as much as possible, here’s where to come for an expertly curating food and wine pairing.

Bord'Elle

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Head to Bord’Elle for a decadent dinner or a night on the town — without having to sacrifice a good glass of wine. Expect a range that spans from biodynamic Gérard Bertrand by the glass, to high end champagne for celebrations.

LOV (multiple locations)

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Alongside local, organic, vegan fare, LOV also offers a handful of great organic wine options. Expect to find everything from natural Greek reds to sparkling skin contact (orange) wine. There are a few options by the glass, but most of the particularly exciting wines are sold exclusively by the bottle.

Mandy's

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By now, most people know Mandy’s as one of the top salad spots in the city, but many haven’t realized that it’s well worth it to take time to dine in at the Old Montreal location, which skews fancier and more formal than the other Mandy’s locations (which don’t sell alcohol). Ryan Gray (of Elena and Nora Gray) works with the salad shop to curate a selection of lighter wines to pair with your salad — think everything from Quebec ice wines to zesty Italian reds.

Denise

One of the most unique restaurants on the guide, Café Denise in Parc-Ex offers Asian-inspired bites like pork and shrimp dumplings, xun duck, and tofu hua, as well as an impressive — and unexpected — wine list, boasting natural wine wunderkinds like Partida Creus and Cantina Marilina.

Elena

The Saint-Henri haunt — a little sibling to Italian darling Nora Gray — has one of the most exciting wine lists in the city largely thanks to co-owner and sommelier Ryan Gray. Head to the sought-after pizza joint for natural wines from vineyards outside of Montreal, right through to Italy, France, and beyond.

Réservoir

Yes, it’s a microbrewery, but wine aficionados would be doing themselves a disservice to overlook Réservoir. Since being taken over by the owners of the late, great Hôtel Herman, this understated gastro pub has collaborated with some of the best winemakers in Quebec in the past, and regularly offers local options on their natural-leaning wine list.

Maison Boulud

Unsurprisingly, chef Daniel Boulud’s Montreal outpost is home to some of the more traditional (but equally delicious) Old World bottles. Here’s where to come for big, bold Barolo and Cabernet Sauvignon options. Spend some time gazing into the display cellar or chat with the sommelier, and you’ll usually also find fresher offerings like natural rosé and Gamay.

Joe Beef

Joe Beef (along with neighbouring Vin Papillon and Liverpool House) have become a hub for natural wine lovers from all over the country since opening its doors in 2005. Thanks to award-winning sommelier Vanya Filipovic, expect to find fun, fresh wine by the glass or bottle.

Candide

Farm-to-table, ultra-local cuisine at its finest, Candide offers a seasonal menu (which changes monthly) from chef-owner John Winter Russell alongside carefully selected wine pairings for each dish, courtesy of sommelier Emily Campeau. Known for the four-course tasting menu, which highlights local ingredients as much as possible, here’s where to come for an expertly curating food and wine pairing.

Bord'Elle

Head to Bord’Elle for a decadent dinner or a night on the town — without having to sacrifice a good glass of wine. Expect a range that spans from biodynamic Gérard Bertrand by the glass, to high end champagne for celebrations.

LOV (multiple locations)

Alongside local, organic, vegan fare, LOV also offers a handful of great organic wine options. Expect to find everything from natural Greek reds to sparkling skin contact (orange) wine. There are a few options by the glass, but most of the particularly exciting wines are sold exclusively by the bottle.

Mandy's

By now, most people know Mandy’s as one of the top salad spots in the city, but many haven’t realized that it’s well worth it to take time to dine in at the Old Montreal location, which skews fancier and more formal than the other Mandy’s locations (which don’t sell alcohol). Ryan Gray (of Elena and Nora Gray) works with the salad shop to curate a selection of lighter wines to pair with your salad — think everything from Quebec ice wines to zesty Italian reds.