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Where to Eat in Outremont

Fancy French, cozy cafés, and wonderful wine spots in leafy part of town

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The affluent, old-money borough of Outremont can seem oddly removed from the areas around it, with sprawling green spaces and mansions all over, and a sizeable Hasidic population (which extends into MIle End). But beyond the tree-lined residential streets, a small but notable restaurant scene has been bubbling up for years. Now, it’s reached a boiling point, led by some serious heavyweights on Van Horne, Bernard and Laurier West. Here the best of those places for your next outing in Outremont.

Looking to eat next door in Mile End? There’s a whole other map for that.

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Café Prague

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Specializing in a wide range of desserts, this homey café uses a large blackboard to showcase daily Czech breakfast specials — known as chlebicky — and pastries. Have a seat at the counter or grab a table by the window for a leisurely breakfast as you people watch the Outremonters stopping by for a quick hello and coffee to-go.

Provisions

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A favourite for anyone who thrives on A to Z dining experiences, Provisions is a true force to be reckoned with. The name speaks for itself: the restaurant uses a chalkboard to inform guests of everything the kitchen has in stock and systematically utilizes each ingredient (unless otherwise notified) to serve creative five- and seven-course dinners for $65 or $75 respectively. The wine selection, loaded with private imports, is impressive, too. Check out the Provisions butcher shop down the street as well, open daily.

There’s little else to be said about Damas other than “wow”. Impressing diners and critics alike since moving to its Van Horne location in 2015, the Syrian restaurant excites guests with cold and hot mezzes (think baba ghannouj, fattouch salad, mouhammara, and kibbé stuffed with lamb, pistachio and pomegranate), an epic mixed grilled platter, and numerous Syrian specialties such as braised lamb over saffron rice. Cocktail lovers are also well-served by an extensive list. Save room for dessert and mint tea with orange blossom to finish it all off.

Bloomfield

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Brainchild of Caroline Dumas, original founder of the admired Soupesoup franchise (although she since left the company), this friendly-but-small Outremont bistro weaved its way into hearts since opening in 2017. The ethos had remained relatively simple: keep ingredients local whenever possible, cook simple, affordable and flavourful dishes (a seasonal menu), and always strive to be that welcoming place where locals gather and talk over a glass of organic wine. Catch Bloomfield’s weekend brunch too, served alongside Stumptown coffee.

Les Fillettes

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As one of the early adapters on the slowly trend-ifying strip of new Van Horne restaurants, Les Fillettes consistently delivers on both quality and style. With a notable wine list to back its brunch, lunch and dinner services, this French bistro focuses heavily on seafood and meats, with colourful splashes of vegetables — think tuna, salmon and duck tartares, marinated octopus with confit tomatoes and Israeli couscous, and Quebec lamb seasoned with mint and coriander. The brunch menu is simple and straight to the point, dollar oysters are available every Tuesday night, and a private room is available for special occasions. The beautiful, sprawling terrasse is also arguably one of Montreal’s best.

DJ Poulet

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Having hit the scene in the sizzling summer of 2017, this Congolese rotisserie chicken spot is confident in its spicy recipes. Beyond the chicken, sides also hail from the Congo and Côte d’Ivoire, including attieké (fermented cassava — a nutty, starchy root vegetable) and alloco (fried plantains with chile and onion). They’re worthy add-ons to your quarter, half, or full chicken order.

Boxermans

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A solid stop for wine and small plates, Boxermans does a tidy selection of cheese, charcuteries, and simple yet creative meat and vegetable dishes, courtesy of chef-owner Grégoire Routy (ex-Hôtel Herman, Marconi). It’s mostly an evening spot, but head by for Thursday or Friday lunch to catch some rays on the back alley terrasse. Closed on Sundays.

Caffè della Pace

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When owner Rivka Cymbalist imagined a space where people of all walks of life were welcome, she came up with the concept of Caffè della Pace (the Peace Café). With her son Giacomo running the kitchen, there’s house-made treats, such as bread, pastries, jams and sauces, as well as several soups, sandwiches and salads, and a decent espresso.

As one of the hottest new restaurants to hit the scene in 2018, Alma self-identifies as a Catalan wine bar, serving plates of sustainable seafood, mid-sized fresh pasta and organic vegetable dishes. At the helm is Juan de Dios Lopez Luna, owner of Mile End bakery Farine, alongside sommelier Lindsay Brennan. Having opened on a quiet residential street, Alma aims to please, and can do so easily with its sunny terrasse in the summer months. Drop by Sunday afternoons for a classic Catalan vermut — a set-price tapas and cocktail combination.

Le Bilboquet

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If you’ve ever walked down the western end of the Bernard strip in the sizzling heat, there’s likely a crowd here. With creative ice cream flavours like King Kong (banana ice cream with chocolate chunks), Cacaphonie (dark chocolate ice cream with chunks of white chocolate and whole cashew nuts) and the ever-popular Brou Ha! Ha! (vanilla ice cream with brownies, caramel swirl, pieces of chocolate covered toffee and praline bits), and sorbets too, Bilboquet is one of those crèmeries that’s become synonymous with summer in Montreal. Its products are also available in some grocery stores and markets.

Café Souvenir

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Offering a simple breakfast as well as an all-day lunch and dinner menu, Café Souvenir is mostly revered for the former. Simplicity is key, with brunch specials served with two eggs, choice of bread, choice of meat, potatoes, and fresh fruit. If you happen to stop by for dinner, the Burger Souvenir De Luxe or the Couscous Royal are both solid options for $15 each.

Les Enfants Terribles

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Now with a total of six restaurants in Montreal and beyond, this part-French, part-Québécois bistro has evolved from one sidewalk-style brasserie into a small empire. While their restaurant atop Place Ville Marie may be more of an attention-seeker, the original location on Bernard is still well-known for its sizeable terrasse, which gets nothing short of over-crowded once the warmer weather hits. Lunch, dinner, brunch and kids’ menus are all available, with generally comforting items such as tartares, grilled fish, short ribs and bavette taking the cake.  

Lester's Deli

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Since 1951, this deli has dished out countless smoked meat sandwiches and platters to patrons of all types. Having famously served former Canadian Prime Minister Daniel Johnson and former Quebec premier Lucien Bouchard at the same time (without a political battle erupting on the spot) long-time owner Billy Berenholc notably referred to Montreal’s most iconic meat as “the equalizer, the peacemaker.” While there are some outdoor seats in summer, it’s best to sit at the counter and to enjoy the full experience. Closed Sundays.

Leméac

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The jury is still out on whether Leméac is best known for its lunch service, its late-night after-10 p.m. menu (appetizer and main for $28), or its spectacular brunches that earned the restaurant celebrity-like status on its social media. The regular menu focuses heavily on classics like beef tartare with matchstick potatoes, duck leg confit, mussels and fries, and Cornish hen, while brunch attracts drooling diners with its Norwegian plate, made up of salmon gravlax, Nordic shrimp caraway bread and cucumber salad, or the crowd favourite, poached eggs, smoked salmon and Spanish caviar on blinis.

Chez Leveque

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A true French brasserie in the heart of Montreal, this Laurier W locale offers traditional fare such as black pudding, terrine, snails, smoked trout, veal brains and kidneys, charcuterie, and lobster and oysters hand-picked depending on the season. With lunch and 10 p.m. menus set at just $25 each, the restaurant continues to shine after 47 years in business.

Café Prague

Specializing in a wide range of desserts, this homey café uses a large blackboard to showcase daily Czech breakfast specials — known as chlebicky — and pastries. Have a seat at the counter or grab a table by the window for a leisurely breakfast as you people watch the Outremonters stopping by for a quick hello and coffee to-go.

Provisions

A favourite for anyone who thrives on A to Z dining experiences, Provisions is a true force to be reckoned with. The name speaks for itself: the restaurant uses a chalkboard to inform guests of everything the kitchen has in stock and systematically utilizes each ingredient (unless otherwise notified) to serve creative five- and seven-course dinners for $65 or $75 respectively. The wine selection, loaded with private imports, is impressive, too. Check out the Provisions butcher shop down the street as well, open daily.

Damas

There’s little else to be said about Damas other than “wow”. Impressing diners and critics alike since moving to its Van Horne location in 2015, the Syrian restaurant excites guests with cold and hot mezzes (think baba ghannouj, fattouch salad, mouhammara, and kibbé stuffed with lamb, pistachio and pomegranate), an epic mixed grilled platter, and numerous Syrian specialties such as braised lamb over saffron rice. Cocktail lovers are also well-served by an extensive list. Save room for dessert and mint tea with orange blossom to finish it all off.

Bloomfield

Brainchild of Caroline Dumas, original founder of the admired Soupesoup franchise (although she since left the company), this friendly-but-small Outremont bistro weaved its way into hearts since opening in 2017. The ethos had remained relatively simple: keep ingredients local whenever possible, cook simple, affordable and flavourful dishes (a seasonal menu), and always strive to be that welcoming place where locals gather and talk over a glass of organic wine. Catch Bloomfield’s weekend brunch too, served alongside Stumptown coffee.

Les Fillettes

As one of the early adapters on the slowly trend-ifying strip of new Van Horne restaurants, Les Fillettes consistently delivers on both quality and style. With a notable wine list to back its brunch, lunch and dinner services, this French bistro focuses heavily on seafood and meats, with colourful splashes of vegetables — think tuna, salmon and duck tartares, marinated octopus with confit tomatoes and Israeli couscous, and Quebec lamb seasoned with mint and coriander. The brunch menu is simple and straight to the point, dollar oysters are available every Tuesday night, and a private room is available for special occasions. The beautiful, sprawling terrasse is also arguably one of Montreal’s best.

DJ Poulet

Having hit the scene in the sizzling summer of 2017, this Congolese rotisserie chicken spot is confident in its spicy recipes. Beyond the chicken, sides also hail from the Congo and Côte d’Ivoire, including attieké (fermented cassava — a nutty, starchy root vegetable) and alloco (fried plantains with chile and onion). They’re worthy add-ons to your quarter, half, or full chicken order.

Boxermans

A solid stop for wine and small plates, Boxermans does a tidy selection of cheese, charcuteries, and simple yet creative meat and vegetable dishes, courtesy of chef-owner Grégoire Routy (ex-Hôtel Herman, Marconi). It’s mostly an evening spot, but head by for Thursday or Friday lunch to catch some rays on the back alley terrasse. Closed on Sundays.

Caffè della Pace

When owner Rivka Cymbalist imagined a space where people of all walks of life were welcome, she came up with the concept of Caffè della Pace (the Peace Café). With her son Giacomo running the kitchen, there’s house-made treats, such as bread, pastries, jams and sauces, as well as several soups, sandwiches and salads, and a decent espresso.

Alma

As one of the hottest new restaurants to hit the scene in 2018, Alma self-identifies as a Catalan wine bar, serving plates of sustainable seafood, mid-sized fresh pasta and organic vegetable dishes. At the helm is Juan de Dios Lopez Luna, owner of Mile End bakery Farine, alongside sommelier Lindsay Brennan. Having opened on a quiet residential street, Alma aims to please, and can do so easily with its sunny terrasse in the summer months. Drop by Sunday afternoons for a classic Catalan vermut — a set-price tapas and cocktail combination.

Le Bilboquet

If you’ve ever walked down the western end of the Bernard strip in the sizzling heat, there’s likely a crowd here. With creative ice cream flavours like King Kong (banana ice cream with chocolate chunks), Cacaphonie (dark chocolate ice cream with chunks of white chocolate and whole cashew nuts) and the ever-popular Brou Ha! Ha! (vanilla ice cream with brownies, caramel swirl, pieces of chocolate covered toffee and praline bits), and sorbets too, Bilboquet is one of those crèmeries that’s become synonymous with summer in Montreal. Its products are also available in some grocery stores and markets.

Café Souvenir

Offering a simple breakfast as well as an all-day lunch and dinner menu, Café Souvenir is mostly revered for the former. Simplicity is key, with brunch specials served with two eggs, choice of bread, choice of meat, potatoes, and fresh fruit. If you happen to stop by for dinner, the Burger Souvenir De Luxe or the Couscous Royal are both solid options for $15 each.

Les Enfants Terribles

Now with a total of six restaurants in Montreal and beyond, this part-French, part-Québécois bistro has evolved from one sidewalk-style brasserie into a small empire. While their restaurant atop Place Ville Marie may be more of an attention-seeker, the original location on Bernard is still well-known for its sizeable terrasse, which gets nothing short of over-crowded once the warmer weather hits. Lunch, dinner, brunch and kids’ menus are all available, with generally comforting items such as tartares, grilled fish, short ribs and bavette taking the cake.  

Lester's Deli

Since 1951, this deli has dished out countless smoked meat sandwiches and platters to patrons of all types. Having famously served former Canadian Prime Minister Daniel Johnson and former Quebec premier Lucien Bouchard at the same time (without a political battle erupting on the spot) long-time owner Billy Berenholc notably referred to Montreal’s most iconic meat as “the equalizer, the peacemaker.” While there are some outdoor seats in summer, it’s best to sit at the counter and to enjoy the full experience. Closed Sundays.

Leméac

The jury is still out on whether Leméac is best known for its lunch service, its late-night after-10 p.m. menu (appetizer and main for $28), or its spectacular brunches that earned the restaurant celebrity-like status on its social media. The regular menu focuses heavily on classics like beef tartare with matchstick potatoes, duck leg confit, mussels and fries, and Cornish hen, while brunch attracts drooling diners with its Norwegian plate, made up of salmon gravlax, Nordic shrimp caraway bread and cucumber salad, or the crowd favourite, poached eggs, smoked salmon and Spanish caviar on blinis.

Chez Leveque

A true French brasserie in the heart of Montreal, this Laurier W locale offers traditional fare such as black pudding, terrine, snails, smoked trout, veal brains and kidneys, charcuterie, and lobster and oysters hand-picked depending on the season. With lunch and 10 p.m. menus set at just $25 each, the restaurant continues to shine after 47 years in business.