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Where to Eat Around Palais des Congrès

Escape that conference for a lovely lunch or a delicious dinner, from noodles to fine French fare.

by Mallory Frayn
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by Mallory Frayn
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Montreal’s convention centre, the Palais des Congrès, brings crowds to the area for conferences and conventions alike. While the building itself houses some fast, casual food options (mostly chains), local restaurants offer up dining experiences that are more than mere sustenance. Chinatown restaurants like Nouilles de Lan Zhou and Qing Hua offer expedient service with a negligible price tag, whereas heavy hitters like Toqué and L’Orignal are better geared towards a sit-down meal where neither time nor money are any object.

The Palais des Congrès is somewhat wedged between multiple neighbourhoods, so if you want further suggestions for the areas nearby, check out Eater’s guides to Chinatown and Old Montreal.

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Eater maps are curated by editors and aim to reflect a diversity of neighborhoods, cuisines, and prices. Learn more about our editorial process. If you buy something or book a reservation from an Eater link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics policy.

Qing Hua Dumpling

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This St. Laurent mainstay is one of Chinatown’s best options for dumplings of all kinds, but especially for their xiaolongbao (soup dumplings). Pork and broth mix for a self-saucing effect of sorts, but take care not to end up with a burnt mouth from the hot liquid inside them.

1019 Boul St-Laurent, Montréal, QC H2Z 1J4, Canada
(514) 903-9887
(514) 903-9887

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Nouilles de Lan Zhou

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Palais des Congrès borders Chinatown, so it would be a shame to miss out on beloved local noodle shop Nouilles de Lan Zhou. Noodles are hand-pulled on-site and come in a variety of thicknesses, complete with an array of accoutrements to choose from, and plenty of beef and chili oil.

1006 Boul St-Laurent, Montréal, QC H2Z 9Y9, Canada
(514) 800-2959
(514) 800-2959

Terrasse Place D'Armes

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Come summertime in Montreal, saddling up at the nearest terrasse (in this case, a rooftop) with a brew and some bites is a must. Nearest to Palais des Congrès is Terrasse Place d’Armes in the Hotel Place d’Armes. Finger food features heavily here, with plenty of beer, wine, and cocktails to wash it all down.

F8, 55 Rue Saint-Jacques, Montréal, QC H2Y 3X2, Canada
(514) 904-1201
(514) 904-1201
Terrasse Place d’Armes/Facebook

La Finca Coffee & office

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Just up the hill from Palais des Congrès is coffee shop and co-working space La Finca. Perfect for a mid-morning coffee and pastry, or a light lunch (think soups, salads, and sandwiches, all made from scratch). Open until 6 p.m. on weekdays and 5 p.m. on weekends.

1067 Rue de Bleury, Montréal, QC H2Z 1N1, Canada
(514) 903-8911
(514) 903-8911
La Finca/Facebook

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Tiradito

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Japanese-Peruvian restaurant Tiradito offers one of the more interesting menus in the area, with dishes ranging from ceviches to yucca fries and papas rellenas. Tropical-leaning cocktails don’t hurt either when it comes to blowing off steam after a long work day. If you’re looking for booze more than food, consider downstairs bar, Pelicano.

1076 Rue de Bleury, Montréal, QC H2Z 1N2, Canada
(514) 866-6776
(514) 866-6776
Tiradito/Facebook

Also featured in:

Invitation V

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Burgers, brunch, and bowls all grace the menu at this vegetarian restaurant on St. Jacques Street. Open for brunch, lunch, and dinner, their plant-based cuisine is available all throughout the day.

201 Rue Saint-Jacques, Montréal, QC H2Y 1M6, Canada
(514) 271-8111
(514) 271-8111
Invitation V/Facebook

Toqué!

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Whether it’s being written off as a business expense or not, a meal at Toqué is one of the best that Montreal has to offer, and one of the finest versions of Québécois cuisine out there. Go all in with the multi-course tasting menu for dinner or, if work isn’t paying for it, get a taste of the more affordable lunch table d’hôte (with wine pairings, of course).

900 Place Jean-Paul-Riopelle, Montréal, QC H2Z 2B2, Canada
(514) 499-2084
(514) 499-2084
Toqué/Facebook

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L'Orignal

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Having been in business for over a decade now, L’Orignal has proven its staying power in Old Montreal’s competitive restaurant scene. Focusing on fancy takes on rustic Quebec cuisine, and local products served without pretense, menu items range from deer shank stew to lobster risotto with chanterelles.

479 Rue Saint Alexis, Montréal, QC H2Y 2N7, Canada
(514) 303-0479
(514) 303-0479
L’Orignal/Facebook

Crew Collective & Café

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This opulent café in a former bank is ideal for both working solo and hosting meetings. Plus, it offers coffee, tea, and pastries to boot, as well as a small selection of on-the-go breakfast and lunch items.

360 Rue Saint-Jacques, Montréal, QC H2Y 2N1, Canada
(514) 285-7095
(514) 285-7095
Crew Collective & Café/Facebook

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LOV

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LOV’s original McGill Street location garnered an obsessive following for this plant-based, eco-friendly restaurant, offering all-vegan options to rival their meaty counterparts. Who needs a cheeseburger when there’s jackfruit barbecue burgers and kimchi fries to be had instead?

464 Rue McGill, Montréal, QC H2Y 2H2, Canada
(514) 287-1155
(514) 287-1155
LOV/Facebook

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Qing Hua Dumpling

1019 Boul St-Laurent, Montréal, QC H2Z 1J4, Canada

This St. Laurent mainstay is one of Chinatown’s best options for dumplings of all kinds, but especially for their xiaolongbao (soup dumplings). Pork and broth mix for a self-saucing effect of sorts, but take care not to end up with a burnt mouth from the hot liquid inside them.

1019 Boul St-Laurent, Montréal, QC H2Z 1J4, Canada
(514) 903-9887
(514) 903-9887

Nouilles de Lan Zhou

1006 Boul St-Laurent, Montréal, QC H2Z 9Y9, Canada

Palais des Congrès borders Chinatown, so it would be a shame to miss out on beloved local noodle shop Nouilles de Lan Zhou. Noodles are hand-pulled on-site and come in a variety of thicknesses, complete with an array of accoutrements to choose from, and plenty of beef and chili oil.

1006 Boul St-Laurent, Montréal, QC H2Z 9Y9, Canada
(514) 800-2959
(514) 800-2959

Terrasse Place D'Armes

F8, 55 Rue Saint-Jacques, Montréal, QC H2Y 3X2, Canada

Come summertime in Montreal, saddling up at the nearest terrasse (in this case, a rooftop) with a brew and some bites is a must. Nearest to Palais des Congrès is Terrasse Place d’Armes in the Hotel Place d’Armes. Finger food features heavily here, with plenty of beer, wine, and cocktails to wash it all down.

F8, 55 Rue Saint-Jacques, Montréal, QC H2Y 3X2, Canada
(514) 904-1201
(514) 904-1201
Terrasse Place d’Armes/Facebook

La Finca Coffee & office

1067 Rue de Bleury, Montréal, QC H2Z 1N1, Canada

Just up the hill from Palais des Congrès is coffee shop and co-working space La Finca. Perfect for a mid-morning coffee and pastry, or a light lunch (think soups, salads, and sandwiches, all made from scratch). Open until 6 p.m. on weekdays and 5 p.m. on weekends.

1067 Rue de Bleury, Montréal, QC H2Z 1N1, Canada
(514) 903-8911
(514) 903-8911
La Finca/Facebook

Tiradito

1076 Rue de Bleury, Montréal, QC H2Z 1N2, Canada

Japanese-Peruvian restaurant Tiradito offers one of the more interesting menus in the area, with dishes ranging from ceviches to yucca fries and papas rellenas. Tropical-leaning cocktails don’t hurt either when it comes to blowing off steam after a long work day. If you’re looking for booze more than food, consider downstairs bar, Pelicano.

1076 Rue de Bleury, Montréal, QC H2Z 1N2, Canada
(514) 866-6776
(514) 866-6776
Tiradito/Facebook

Invitation V

201 Rue Saint-Jacques, Montréal, QC H2Y 1M6, Canada

Burgers, brunch, and bowls all grace the menu at this vegetarian restaurant on St. Jacques Street. Open for brunch, lunch, and dinner, their plant-based cuisine is available all throughout the day.

201 Rue Saint-Jacques, Montréal, QC H2Y 1M6, Canada
(514) 271-8111
(514) 271-8111
Invitation V/Facebook

Toqué!

900 Place Jean-Paul-Riopelle, Montréal, QC H2Z 2B2, Canada

Whether it’s being written off as a business expense or not, a meal at Toqué is one of the best that Montreal has to offer, and one of the finest versions of Québécois cuisine out there. Go all in with the multi-course tasting menu for dinner or, if work isn’t paying for it, get a taste of the more affordable lunch table d’hôte (with wine pairings, of course).

900 Place Jean-Paul-Riopelle, Montréal, QC H2Z 2B2, Canada
(514) 499-2084
(514) 499-2084
Toqué/Facebook

L'Orignal

479 Rue Saint Alexis, Montréal, QC H2Y 2N7, Canada

Having been in business for over a decade now, L’Orignal has proven its staying power in Old Montreal’s competitive restaurant scene. Focusing on fancy takes on rustic Quebec cuisine, and local products served without pretense, menu items range from deer shank stew to lobster risotto with chanterelles.

479 Rue Saint Alexis, Montréal, QC H2Y 2N7, Canada
(514) 303-0479
(514) 303-0479
L’Orignal/Facebook

Crew Collective & Café

360 Rue Saint-Jacques, Montréal, QC H2Y 2N1, Canada

This opulent café in a former bank is ideal for both working solo and hosting meetings. Plus, it offers coffee, tea, and pastries to boot, as well as a small selection of on-the-go breakfast and lunch items.

360 Rue Saint-Jacques, Montréal, QC H2Y 2N1, Canada
(514) 285-7095
(514) 285-7095
Crew Collective & Café/Facebook

LOV

464 Rue McGill, Montréal, QC H2Y 2H2, Canada

LOV’s original McGill Street location garnered an obsessive following for this plant-based, eco-friendly restaurant, offering all-vegan options to rival their meaty counterparts. Who needs a cheeseburger when there’s jackfruit barbecue burgers and kimchi fries to be had instead?

464 Rue McGill, Montréal, QC H2Y 2H2, Canada
(514) 287-1155
(514) 287-1155
LOV/Facebook