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At Le Virunga, chef Maria-José de Frias brings pan-African flavours to Quebec ingredients.
Le Virunga/Facebook

Where to Eat in the Plateau

From downright iconic to under-the-radar, here are 22 essential places to dine well in the neighbourhood

by Joel Balsam, Valerie Silva, and Eater Staff Updated
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At Le Virunga, chef Maria-José de Frias brings pan-African flavours to Quebec ingredients.
| Le Virunga/Facebook
by Joel Balsam, Valerie Silva, and Eater Staff Updated

Montreal’s “bohemian” ilk may have ventured off to new frontiers, but the Plateau, with its highly walkable streets and colourful early-20th century facades, continues to impress — especially in the food department.

The neighbourhood offers some of the city’s most iconic restaurants (Schwartz’s, Au Pied de Cochon, Ma Poule Mouillée) and foods (poutine, Portuguese chicken, smoked meat), but there are other must-try options. The Plateau’s main strips — St-Laurent, Duluth, Mont-Royal, and St-Denis — feature the bulk of the restaurants, but it’s worth perusing side streets for lesser-sung neighbourhood gems. And while Mile End is officially part of the Plateau-Mont-Royal borough, the neighbourhood is covered on a different map.

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Le Filet

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With more than a decade to its name, this Mont-Royal Avenue destination is celebrated for chef Yasuhisa Okazaki’s elegant seafood-laden menu blending French and Japanese influences. From the team behind Le Club Chasse et Pêche and Le Serpent, Le Filet is similarly chic and also a fine pick for a special night out.

219 Avenue du Mont-Royal O, Montréal, QC H2T 2T2, Canada
(514) 360-6060
(514) 360-6060

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Barranco

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Named after a cool, colourful seaside neighbourhood in Lima, this St-Denis newcomer dishes causas (mashed potato terrines filled with ingredients like avocado, grilled octopus, shrimp, and more); pollo a la brasa, the nation’s famous crispy-skinned roast chicken; chicharrón (succulent fried pork) in taco and sandwich form; and a whole gamut of mahi-mahi ceviche. Its weekend brunch is also worth checking out.

4552 R. Saint-Denis, Montréal, QC H2J 2L3, Canada
(514) 282-9000
(514) 282-9000

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Chez Doval

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Fittingly located steps away from Parc du Portugal on Marie-Anne Street, this rustic, no-fuss Portuguese spot has been a neighbourhood stalwart for nearly 50 years. The focus is on traditional, home-style cooking, with garlicky shrimp and salt cod fritters as starters and charcoal-grilled meats and fish — the sardines are delicious — for the main act. Add some house wine to wash it all down.

150 Rue Marie-Anne, Montréal, QC H2W 1A5, Canada
(514) 843-3390
(514) 843-3390

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Noren

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When it comes to flavour, this pint-sized, family-run Japanese lunch counter punches far above its weight. Noren’s short, affordable menu zooms in on takoyaki (octopus balls) and okonomiyaki (savoury pancakes), but incorporates weekly bento boxes and specials into the mix, with veggie soba noodles and Hiyashi (chilled) udon recently making appearances. Seating inside is limited, but takeout is always an option.

77 Rue Rachel O, Montréal, QC H2W 1G2, Canada
(514) 397-1141
(514) 397-1141

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Le Majestique

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A prime example of what happens when great dining intersects with a more casual bar setting. From happy hour oyster specials and beef tataki to an iconic 12-inch hot dog and some of the best French fries in town, everything Le Majestique does is superb. And it’s open daily until 3 a.m.

4105 Boul. Saint-Laurent, Montréal, QC H2W 1Y7, Canada
(514) 439-1850
(514) 439-1850

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Café Chez Téta

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A Plateau newcomer and 2021 Eater Award winner, this café’s name honours its founder’s “téta” (“grandmother” in Lebanese.) A simple formula of Lebanese salads, dips, and piping hot manouché flatbreads with spiced meat, za’atar, cheese, and more has proven to do the trick, especially when followed by a hot cardamom or halva latte and a slice of sfouf (turmeric cake).

227 Rue Rachel E, Montréal, QC H2W 1E4, Canada
(514) 733-2364
(514) 733-2364

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Le Réservoir

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Long looked to for its craft beer, Le Réservoir has seen more culinary traction since the owners of the now-closed (but not forgotten) Hôtel Herman came on board six years ago. Their efforts have yielded fantastic results — think haddock accras, chicken terrine, and sea bass ceviche — in a much more casual setting than their previous venture. And the beer is still exquisite.

9 Avenue Duluth E, Montréal, QC H2W 1G7, Canada
(514) 849-7779
(514) 849-7779

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Maison Publique

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A noted gastropub that favours flavours and ingredients from across Canada, chef Derek Dammann’s 10-year-old establishment on the corner of Marquette and Gilford has a deliciously heavyset menu filled with starches, carbs, and proteins. Expect dishes like baked oysters with marmite, carrots with whipped ricotta, foie gras parfait, or pasta with pork ragu, but note that the restaurant regularly updates its chalkboard menu.

4720 Rue Marquette, Montréal, QC H2J 3Y6, Canada
(514) 507-0555
(514) 507-0555

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Yokato Yokabai

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Sharing a space with sibling izakaya Ichigo Ichie, this Drolet Street ramen bar is a knockout. Kevin Fung, who also owns Imadake in Westmount, opened Yokato Yokabai in 2015 — and it seems to have been packed ever since. With all-organic ingredients, noodles made daily, and flavour-packed tonkotsu (pork), torikotsu (chicken), gomami (sesame), and vegan mushroom broths, how could it not be?

4185 R. Drolet, Montréal, QC H2W 2L5, Canada
(514) 282-9991
(514) 282-9991

Chez Claudette

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Chez Claudette may not be the most popular poutine peddler in the neighbourhood (that title undoubtedly goes to La Banquise or Ma Poule Mouillée). Still, its take on the Québécois trifecta of fries, gravy, and cheese curds has a well-deserved reputation as among the city’s best. Though the 40-year-old casse-croûte was once a 24-hour haunt, note that it now closes at 10 p.m. daily.

351 Avenue Laurier E, Montréal, QC H2T 1G7, Canada
(514) 279-5173
(514) 279-5173

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Chez José Café

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Open for just over a quarter-century, this iconic Duluth Avenue café serves breakfasts and lunches that are worth the visit. Its Portuguese breakfast with fried eggs and chorizo, saucy sandwiches stuffed with omelette, and tomato-based seafood soup are go-tos, but its vegan options, sweets, and smoothies are great, too.

173 Avenue Duluth E, Montréal, QC H2W 1H4, Canada
(514) 663-2381
(514) 663-2381

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Schwartz's

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With an original smoked meat spice recipe and delicatessen that goes back to 1928, Reuban Schwartz’s legacy lives on in one of the most famous restaurants in the city. If endorsements from celebrities and long lines outside its doors aren’t convincing enough, a “fatty” with a side pickle will be. Superstar singer Céline Dion now proudly owns the restaurant.

3895 Boul St-Laurent, Montréal, QC H2W 1X9, Canada
(514) 842-4813
(514) 842-4813

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La Panzeria

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There’s no scarcity of top-notch Italian eats on the island, but cuisine from the country’s Apulian region is hardly well-represented. Not so at La Panzeria, a daytime spot in a basement locale on St-Denis. Here, diners will find regional specialties like orecchiette (the signature ear-shaped pasta of Apulia), focaccia Barese (dimpled bread with cherry tomatoes), panzerotti (glorious pockets of melted cheese and tomato), and the panino Polignano (a sandwich filled with fried octopus and burrata).

4084 R. Saint-Denis, Montréal, QC H2W 2M5, Canada
(514) 219-1110
(514) 219-1110

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Le Virunga

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Behind this six-year-old Rachel Street spot is a mother-daughter duo expertly wielding Quebec ingredients into pan-African flavours. Think tender, slow-cooked meats (oxtail, goat, etc.), nut-encrusted fish, and some seriously stunning cocktails. The restaurant’s wine list is also 100 percent South African.

851 Rue Rachel E, Montréal, QC H2J 2H9, Canada
(514) 504-8642
(514) 504-8642

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Luna

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This cozy BYOB has been filling the need for quality Korean food in the neighbourhood since its opening in 2018. Luna offers traditional dishes like bibimbap, bulgogi, and japchae on handmade Kwangjuyo pottery. Note: On Fridays and Saturdays, its tasting menu format is mandatory.

CA, 917 Rue Rachel E, Montreal, QC H2J 2J2, Canada
(514) 528-2813
(514) 528-2813

Icehouse

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In 2011, Texas-born Nick Hodge set out to carve out space for a tiny Tex-Mex restaurant in the Plateau, and the result was immediately satisfying. Fans of American fare would do well to try Ice House’s bucket of fried chicken (some of Montreal’s best), Dr. Pepper pork ribs, and oyster or shrimp po’ boy. Whatever you pick, be sure to accompany it with a Bourbon lemonade.

51 Rue Roy E, Montréal, QC H2W 2S3, Canada
(514) 439-6691
(514) 439-6691

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Ma Poule Mouillée

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For easy picnic provisions to carry over to nearby Parc Lafontaine, stop off at Portuguese rotisserie Ma Poule Mouillée. Its sandwich, which stuffs piri piri-slathered chicken into a powdery bun, and poutine, piled high with sliced bird, chorizo, and São Jorge cheese, are both excellent bets, with the latter offering sturdy competition to La Banquise across the street. Seating is available on-site, though expect ongoing bustle from the never-ending stream of customers passing through.

969 Rachel St E, Montreal, QC H2J 2J2, Canada
(514) 522-5175
(514) 522-5175

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Khyber Pass

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If you’re looking for anything less than a feast, steer clear of this Duluth BYOB, which serves up hefty, flavourful platters of Afghan food. Despite an issue a few years back that resulted in the restaurant taking down its famous wooden facade, Khyber Pass remains as strong as ever — and its lamb dishes are just as good.

506 Avenue Duluth E, Montréal, QC H2L 1A7, Canada
(514) 844-7131
(514) 844-7131

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Au Pied de Cochon

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The Plateau has seen many newcomers in the last couple of decades, but no one could forget when chef Martin Picard first shone a light on Québécois cuisine in 2001. His Duluth Avenue establishment takes hearty dishes like poutine and pouding chômeur and inserts them into the fine dining arena. In the late winter to early spring, be sure to visit Au Pied de Cochon’s seasonal sugar shack in St-Benoît de Mirabel, and in the summer, picnics in the adjacent orchard promise to be fun and filling.

536 Avenue Duluth E, Montréal, QC H2L 1A9, Canada
(514) 281-1114
(514) 281-1114

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L'Express

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For a classic Parisian-style bistro, look no further than this Montreal institution. Operating since 1980, L’Express is one of the few restaurants deemed crème de la crème by local critics and beloved by locals and tourists alike. Whatever chef Jean-François Vachon is doing (hint: French classics), he’s doing it right.

3927 Rue Saint-Denis, Montréal, QC H2W 2M4, Canada
(514) 845-5333
(514) 845-5333

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Arepera

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Arepera stands out on Prince Arthur Street with a colourful dining room and some very satisfying Venezuelan fare. As its name suggests, arepas — corn cakes stuffed with shredded meats, grated cheese, and veggies — are the specialty. And thanks to the use of corn flour, the spot is a particular favourite among gluten-free diners.

73 Rue Prince Arthur E, Montréal, QC H2X 1B4, Canada
(514) 508-7267
(514) 508-7267

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Sushi Momo

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Chef Christian Manuel Ventura Alatorre opened Sushi Momo in 2014, serving creative vegan rolls sure to please even the most ardent sushi lovers. Following its runaway success, Alatorre launched Casa Kaizen, a meat-free Mexican-meets-Japanese fusion spot, and vegan torta restaurant Nopalito — both also in the Plateau.

3609 Rue Saint-Denis, Montréal, QC H2X 3L6, Canada
(514) 825-6363
(514) 825-6363
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Le Filet

219 Avenue du Mont-Royal O, Montréal, QC H2T 2T2, Canada

With more than a decade to its name, this Mont-Royal Avenue destination is celebrated for chef Yasuhisa Okazaki’s elegant seafood-laden menu blending French and Japanese influences. From the team behind Le Club Chasse et Pêche and Le Serpent, Le Filet is similarly chic and also a fine pick for a special night out.

219 Avenue du Mont-Royal O, Montréal, QC H2T 2T2, Canada
(514) 360-6060
(514) 360-6060

Barranco

4552 R. Saint-Denis, Montréal, QC H2J 2L3, Canada

Named after a cool, colourful seaside neighbourhood in Lima, this St-Denis newcomer dishes causas (mashed potato terrines filled with ingredients like avocado, grilled octopus, shrimp, and more); pollo a la brasa, the nation’s famous crispy-skinned roast chicken; chicharrón (succulent fried pork) in taco and sandwich form; and a whole gamut of mahi-mahi ceviche. Its weekend brunch is also worth checking out.

4552 R. Saint-Denis, Montréal, QC H2J 2L3, Canada
(514) 282-9000
(514) 282-9000

Chez Doval

150 Rue Marie-Anne, Montréal, QC H2W 1A5, Canada

Fittingly located steps away from Parc du Portugal on Marie-Anne Street, this rustic, no-fuss Portuguese spot has been a neighbourhood stalwart for nearly 50 years. The focus is on traditional, home-style cooking, with garlicky shrimp and salt cod fritters as starters and charcoal-grilled meats and fish — the sardines are delicious — for the main act. Add some house wine to wash it all down.

150 Rue Marie-Anne, Montréal, QC H2W 1A5, Canada
(514) 843-3390
(514) 843-3390

Noren

77 Rue Rachel O, Montréal, QC H2W 1G2, Canada

When it comes to flavour, this pint-sized, family-run Japanese lunch counter punches far above its weight. Noren’s short, affordable menu zooms in on takoyaki (octopus balls) and okonomiyaki (savoury pancakes), but incorporates weekly bento boxes and specials into the mix, with veggie soba noodles and Hiyashi (chilled) udon recently making appearances. Seating inside is limited, but takeout is always an option.

77 Rue Rachel O, Montréal, QC H2W 1G2, Canada
(514) 397-1141
(514) 397-1141

Le Majestique

4105 Boul. Saint-Laurent, Montréal, QC H2W 1Y7, Canada

A prime example of what happens when great dining intersects with a more casual bar setting. From happy hour oyster specials and beef tataki to an iconic 12-inch hot dog and some of the best French fries in town, everything Le Majestique does is superb. And it’s open daily until 3 a.m.

4105 Boul. Saint-Laurent, Montréal, QC H2W 1Y7, Canada
(514) 439-1850
(514) 439-1850

Café Chez Téta

227 Rue Rachel E, Montréal, QC H2W 1E4, Canada

A Plateau newcomer and 2021 Eater Award winner, this café’s name honours its founder’s “téta” (“grandmother” in Lebanese.) A simple formula of Lebanese salads, dips, and piping hot manouché flatbreads with spiced meat, za’atar, cheese, and more has proven to do the trick, especially when followed by a hot cardamom or halva latte and a slice of sfouf (turmeric cake).

227 Rue Rachel E, Montréal, QC H2W 1E4, Canada
(514) 733-2364
(514) 733-2364

Le Réservoir

9 Avenue Duluth E, Montréal, QC H2W 1G7, Canada

Long looked to for its craft beer, Le Réservoir has seen more culinary traction since the owners of the now-closed (but not forgotten) Hôtel Herman came on board six years ago. Their efforts have yielded fantastic results — think haddock accras, chicken terrine, and sea bass ceviche — in a much more casual setting than their previous venture. And the beer is still exquisite.

9 Avenue Duluth E, Montréal, QC H2W 1G7, Canada
(514) 849-7779
(514) 849-7779

Maison Publique

4720 Rue Marquette, Montréal, QC H2J 3Y6, Canada

A noted gastropub that favours flavours and ingredients from across Canada, chef Derek Dammann’s 10-year-old establishment on the corner of Marquette and Gilford has a deliciously heavyset menu filled with starches, carbs, and proteins. Expect dishes like baked oysters with marmite, carrots with whipped ricotta, foie gras parfait, or pasta with pork ragu, but note that the restaurant regularly updates its chalkboard menu.

4720 Rue Marquette, Montréal, QC H2J 3Y6, Canada
(514) 507-0555
(514) 507-0555

Yokato Yokabai

4185 R. Drolet, Montréal, QC H2W 2L5, Canada

Sharing a space with sibling izakaya Ichigo Ichie, this Drolet Street ramen bar is a knockout. Kevin Fung, who also owns Imadake in Westmount, opened Yokato Yokabai in 2015 — and it seems to have been packed ever since. With all-organic ingredients, noodles made daily, and flavour-packed tonkotsu (pork), torikotsu (chicken), gomami (sesame), and vegan mushroom broths, how could it not be?

4185 R. Drolet, Montréal, QC H2W 2L5, Canada
(514) 282-9991
(514) 282-9991

Chez Claudette

351 Avenue Laurier E, Montréal, QC H2T 1G7, Canada

Chez Claudette may not be the most popular poutine peddler in the neighbourhood (that title undoubtedly goes to La Banquise or Ma Poule Mouillée). Still, its take on the Québécois trifecta of fries, gravy, and cheese curds has a well-deserved reputation as among the city’s best. Though the 40-year-old casse-croûte was once a 24-hour haunt, note that it now closes at 10 p.m. daily.

351 Avenue Laurier E, Montréal, QC H2T 1G7, Canada
(514) 279-5173
(514) 279-5173

Chez José Café

173 Avenue Duluth E, Montréal, QC H2W 1H4, Canada

Open for just over a quarter-century, this iconic Duluth Avenue café serves breakfasts and lunches that are worth the visit. Its Portuguese breakfast with fried eggs and chorizo, saucy sandwiches stuffed with omelette, and tomato-based seafood soup are go-tos, but its vegan options, sweets, and smoothies are great, too.

173 Avenue Duluth E, Montréal, QC H2W 1H4, Canada
(514) 663-2381
(514) 663-2381

Schwartz's

3895 Boul St-Laurent, Montréal, QC H2W 1X9, Canada

With an original smoked meat spice recipe and delicatessen that goes back to 1928, Reuban Schwartz’s legacy lives on in one of the most famous restaurants in the city. If endorsements from celebrities and long lines outside its doors aren’t convincing enough, a “fatty” with a side pickle will be. Superstar singer Céline Dion now proudly owns the restaurant.

3895 Boul St-Laurent, Montréal, QC H2W 1X9, Canada
(514) 842-4813
(514) 842-4813

La Panzeria

4084 R. Saint-Denis, Montréal, QC H2W 2M5, Canada

There’s no scarcity of top-notch Italian eats on the island, but cuisine from the country’s Apulian region is hardly well-represented. Not so at La Panzeria, a daytime spot in a basement locale on St-Denis. Here, diners will find regional specialties like orecchiette (the signature ear-shaped pasta of Apulia), focaccia Barese (dimpled bread with cherry tomatoes), panzerotti (glorious pockets of melted cheese and tomato), and the panino Polignano (a sandwich filled with fried octopus and burrata).

4084 R. Saint-Denis, Montréal, QC H2W 2M5, Canada
(514) 219-1110
(514) 219-1110

Le Virunga

851 Rue Rachel E, Montréal, QC H2J 2H9, Canada

Behind this six-year-old Rachel Street spot is a mother-daughter duo expertly wielding Quebec ingredients into pan-African flavours. Think tender, slow-cooked meats (oxtail, goat, etc.), nut-encrusted fish, and some seriously stunning cocktails. The restaurant’s wine list is also 100 percent South African.

851 Rue Rachel E, Montréal, QC H2J 2H9, Canada
(514) 504-8642
(514) 504-8642

Luna

CA, 917 Rue Rachel E, Montreal, QC H2J 2J2, Canada

This cozy BYOB has been filling the need for quality Korean food in the neighbourhood since its opening in 2018. Luna offers traditional dishes like bibimbap, bulgogi, and japchae on handmade Kwangjuyo pottery. Note: On Fridays and Saturdays, its tasting menu format is mandatory.

CA, 917 Rue Rachel E, Montreal, QC H2J 2J2, Canada
(514) 528-2813
(514) 528-2813

Icehouse

51 Rue Roy E, Montréal, QC H2W 2S3, Canada

In 2011, Texas-born Nick Hodge set out to carve out space for a tiny Tex-Mex restaurant in the Plateau, and the result was immediately satisfying. Fans of American fare would do well to try Ice House’s bucket of fried chicken (some of Montreal’s best), Dr. Pepper pork ribs, and oyster or shrimp po’ boy. Whatever you pick, be sure to accompany it with a Bourbon lemonade.

51 Rue Roy E, Montréal, QC H2W 2S3, Canada
(514) 439-6691
(514) 439-6691

Ma Poule Mouillée

969 Rachel St E, Montreal, QC H2J 2J2, Canada

For easy picnic provisions to carry over to nearby Parc Lafontaine, stop off at Portuguese rotisserie Ma Poule Mouillée. Its sandwich, which stuffs piri piri-slathered chicken into a powdery bun, and poutine, piled high with sliced bird, chorizo, and São Jorge cheese, are both excellent bets, with the latter offering sturdy competition to La Banquise across the street. Seating is available on-site, though expect ongoing bustle from the never-ending stream of customers passing through.

969 Rachel St E, Montreal, QC H2J 2J2, Canada
(514) 522-5175
(514) 522-5175

Khyber Pass

506 Avenue Duluth E, Montréal, QC H2L 1A7, Canada

If you’re looking for anything less than a feast, steer clear of this Duluth BYOB, which serves up hefty, flavourful platters of Afghan food. Despite an issue a few years back that resulted in the restaurant taking down its famous wooden facade, Khyber Pass remains as strong as ever — and its lamb dishes are just as good.

506 Avenue Duluth E, Montréal, QC H2L 1A7, Canada
(514) 844-7131
(514) 844-7131

Au Pied de Cochon

536 Avenue Duluth E, Montréal, QC H2L 1A9, Canada

The Plateau has seen many newcomers in the last couple of decades, but no one could forget when chef Martin Picard first shone a light on Québécois cuisine in 2001. His Duluth Avenue establishment takes hearty dishes like poutine and pouding chômeur and inserts them into the fine dining arena. In the late winter to early spring, be sure to visit Au Pied de Cochon’s seasonal sugar shack in St-Benoît de Mirabel, and in the summer, picnics in the adjacent orchard promise to be fun and filling.

536 Avenue Duluth E, Montréal, QC H2L 1A9, Canada
(514) 281-1114
(514) 281-1114

L'Express

3927 Rue Saint-Denis, Montréal, QC H2W 2M4, Canada

For a classic Parisian-style bistro, look no further than this Montreal institution. Operating since 1980, L’Express is one of the few restaurants deemed crème de la crème by local critics and beloved by locals and tourists alike. Whatever chef Jean-François Vachon is doing (hint: French classics), he’s doing it right.

3927 Rue Saint-Denis, Montréal, QC H2W 2M4, Canada
(514) 845-5333
(514) 845-5333

Arepera

73 Rue Prince Arthur E, Montréal, QC H2X 1B4, Canada

Arepera stands out on Prince Arthur Street with a colourful dining room and some very satisfying Venezuelan fare. As its name suggests, arepas — corn cakes stuffed with shredded meats, grated cheese, and veggies — are the specialty. And thanks to the use of corn flour, the spot is a particular favourite among gluten-free diners.

73 Rue Prince Arthur E, Montréal, QC H2X 1B4, Canada
(514) 508-7267
(514) 508-7267

Sushi Momo

3609 Rue Saint-Denis, Montréal, QC H2X 3L6, Canada

Chef Christian Manuel Ventura Alatorre opened Sushi Momo in 2014, serving creative vegan rolls sure to please even the most ardent sushi lovers. Following its runaway success, Alatorre launched Casa Kaizen, a meat-free Mexican-meets-Japanese fusion spot, and vegan torta restaurant Nopalito — both also in the Plateau.

3609 Rue Saint-Denis, Montréal, QC H2X 3L6, Canada
(514) 825-6363
(514) 825-6363