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Coffee in teal cup, with food-filled bowl, and hand picking up cutlery. Le Elsdale/Facebok

13 Places to Dine Alone in Montreal

Where to go for a solo meal — and to not have to share with anyone

by Ivy Lerner-Frank Updated
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by Ivy Lerner-Frank Updated
Le Elsdale/Facebok

There’s something to be said for dining alone, by choice or by circumstance. Whether it’s a quick meal with a book (or a phone), a conscious choice to focus on savouring each bite in silence, or a solo business or pleasure trip, it can be fun to mix things up for a meal alone, away from the familiarity of home. After all, a change is as good as a break, right?

From upscale brasseries to more prosaic lunch spots, here’s a list of some of our favourite places to enjoy your own company.

For updated information about the coronavirus situation and related regulations, please visit the official sites of the Quebec government and Montreal’s public health authority (Santé Montréal).

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Le Super Qualité

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The ever-changing thali at Le Super Qualité is the perfect meal for one: veg or non-veg, the stainless steel katori bowls are filled with delicious options of sambhar, minced vegetables in thoran South Indian style, yogurt, and pickles surrounding a mound of rice and crispy pappadum. If a thali is too much for one person, Super Qualité’s chicken bargar or masala dosas are individually portioned, too, and just as delicious. 

1211 Rue Bélanger, Montréal, QC H2S 1H7, Canada
(514) 398-0184
(514) 398-0184
Le Super Qualité/Facebook

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Café San Gennaro

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Little Italy pizza al taglio spot San Gennaro is worth the visit just to see what’s on offer at any given time. In the early morning there’s breakfast pizza with a tiny baked egg and roasted tomato; later in the day there’s salsiccia e rapini, margherita, and a traditional tomato pie (among others). Add an old school coffee and a cannoli to your order and take up a prime spot at the counter looking out onto St-Zotique.

69 Rue Saint-Zotique E, Montréal, QC H2S 1K7, Canada
(514) 273-6868
(514) 273-6868

Le Elsdale Buvette de Quartier

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This Rosemont café moves effortlessly from daytime to evening service, warmly welcoming customers indoors and outdoors on their large summertime terrasse. The seasonal menu changes slightly as the day goes on, with bright sandwich combinations, inventive pastas, homemade pastries and signature cocktails with local ingredients. 

2381 Rue Beaubien E, Montréal, QC H2G 1N3, Canada
(514) 725-9769
(514) 725-9769

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Bar Henrietta

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With its long bar and extensive (and tasty) small plates menu, this Laurier West bistro offers a compact menu well worthy of exploration. Start with manchego popcorn and ease towards ceviche, polenta, or a charcuterie plate and end with homemade sweets.

115 Av. Laurier O, Montréal, QC H2T 2N6, Canada
(514) 276-4282
(514) 276-4282

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Otto Bistro

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It’s a two-person operation at the Plateau’s Bistro Otto: Chef Hiroshi at the burners and the delightful Dominique at the bar. The menu changes daily but the high quality of the sashimi, the inventive noodle dishes — from ramen bowls (in two sizes) to uni carbonara and lobster mazemen — make this a place to return to over and over again.

143 Avenue du Mont-Royal E, Montréal, QC H2T 1N9, Canada
(438) 383-4700
(438) 383-4700

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L'Express

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L’Express ticks all the boxes for a chic night out on your own. Loved by Montrealers for its vintage feel, classic French fare, and reasonable wine list, tuck into a corner table for an intimate meal, or sit at the bar and be part of the bustle. 

3927 Rue Saint-Denis, Montréal, QC H2W 2M4, Canada
(514) 845-5333
(514) 845-5333
Randall Brodeur/Eater Montreal

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Schwartz's Deli

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There might be a lineup, but no matter: there’s always good conversation to overhear or participate in with locals and tourists. Eating is cheek-by-jowl at Schwartz’s: since the mingling (and the smoked meat) is what it’s all about, embrace it. Get a pickle, some coleslaw, and a cherry coke, and get ready to get lost in thought.

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

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Restaurant Fleurs et Cadeaux

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One of Chinatown’s newest additions, this food, sake, and wine bar in a former flower shop has all the right elements for a night out for one, including artfully prepared chirashi bowls and bento boxes ideal for solo dining.

1002 Rue Saint-Urbain, Montréal, QC H2Z 1K6, Canada
(514) 866-4411
(514) 866-4411

Yin Ji Chang Fen

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Open from morning to night, Yin Ji Chang Fen’s got congee, steamed rice rolls, and dim sum morsels, and a window to all the street life that is Sainte-Catherine’s Shaughnessy Village. Portions are ample for one person; check out the meal specials, too, when they’re available. The kind, efficient staff here make anyone feel at home. 

1861 Rue Sainte-Catherine O, Montréal, QC H3H 1M2, Canada
(514) 932-3621
(514) 932-3621
Yin Ji Chang Fen/Facebook

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Kumamoto Ramen

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Inspired by the anonymity of Ichiran “flavour concentration booth” ramen shops, the long dining hallway at Kumamoto might feel more like a library corridor than a restaurant: each individual table has walls on either side that create an intimate experience between the diner and their bowl. Orders are taken without having to speak to a server; once your meal is delivered, the blinds go down and you can slurp away in total privacy.

1812 Rue Sainte-Catherine O, Montréal, QC H3H 1M1, Canada
(514) 935-0777
(514) 935-0777
Kumamoto Ramen/Facebook

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Monarque

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This elegant Old Port establishment offers two options: the brasserie side with à la carte meals and a less formal (though no less elegant) vibe, and a dining room with swish banquettes and a table d’hôte menu. Take your pick and prepare to be pampered. 

406 Rue Saint-Jacques, Montréal, QC H2Y 1S1, Canada
(514) 875-3896
(514) 875-3896

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Club Social P.S.

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The cozy round bar at Club Social P.S. behind Elena in Saint-Henri has about ten stools facing the centre bar, making it conducive to chatting with your neighbour. The menu is the same as in the main dining room; if there’s no space in the back, just ask for a seat at the bar in front. Summertime is particularly nice (and social) here, with seating on several levels and fairy lights.

5090 Rue Notre-Dame Ouest, Montréal, QC H4C 1T1, Canada
(514) 379-4883
(514) 379-4883
Ryan Gray/Club Social P.S.

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Falafel Yoni

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Crispy vegan orbs await at Falafel Yoni, both in Verdun and on the St-Viateur strip between Parc and St-Laurent. Tucked into pita or served with salad, on a plate, with hummus, or just on their own with some za’atar fries. The real deal is the sabich sandwich, though, full of eggplant-y goodness and more than a drizzle of their signature amba mango sauce.

4549 Rue Wellington, Verdun, QC H4G 1W8, Canada
(514) 424-5473
(514) 424-5473
Falafel Yoni/Facebook

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Le Super Qualité

1211 Rue Bélanger, Montréal, QC H2S 1H7, Canada

The ever-changing thali at Le Super Qualité is the perfect meal for one: veg or non-veg, the stainless steel katori bowls are filled with delicious options of sambhar, minced vegetables in thoran South Indian style, yogurt, and pickles surrounding a mound of rice and crispy pappadum. If a thali is too much for one person, Super Qualité’s chicken bargar or masala dosas are individually portioned, too, and just as delicious. 

1211 Rue Bélanger, Montréal, QC H2S 1H7, Canada
(514) 398-0184
(514) 398-0184
Le Super Qualité/Facebook

Café San Gennaro

69 Rue Saint-Zotique E, Montréal, QC H2S 1K7, Canada

Little Italy pizza al taglio spot San Gennaro is worth the visit just to see what’s on offer at any given time. In the early morning there’s breakfast pizza with a tiny baked egg and roasted tomato; later in the day there’s salsiccia e rapini, margherita, and a traditional tomato pie (among others). Add an old school coffee and a cannoli to your order and take up a prime spot at the counter looking out onto St-Zotique.

69 Rue Saint-Zotique E, Montréal, QC H2S 1K7, Canada
(514) 273-6868
(514) 273-6868

Le Elsdale Buvette de Quartier

2381 Rue Beaubien E, Montréal, QC H2G 1N3, Canada

This Rosemont café moves effortlessly from daytime to evening service, warmly welcoming customers indoors and outdoors on their large summertime terrasse. The seasonal menu changes slightly as the day goes on, with bright sandwich combinations, inventive pastas, homemade pastries and signature cocktails with local ingredients. 

2381 Rue Beaubien E, Montréal, QC H2G 1N3, Canada
(514) 725-9769
(514) 725-9769

Bar Henrietta

115 Av. Laurier O, Montréal, QC H2T 2N6, Canada

With its long bar and extensive (and tasty) small plates menu, this Laurier West bistro offers a compact menu well worthy of exploration. Start with manchego popcorn and ease towards ceviche, polenta, or a charcuterie plate and end with homemade sweets.

115 Av. Laurier O, Montréal, QC H2T 2N6, Canada
(514) 276-4282
(514) 276-4282

Otto Bistro

143 Avenue du Mont-Royal E, Montréal, QC H2T 1N9, Canada

It’s a two-person operation at the Plateau’s Bistro Otto: Chef Hiroshi at the burners and the delightful Dominique at the bar. The menu changes daily but the high quality of the sashimi, the inventive noodle dishes — from ramen bowls (in two sizes) to uni carbonara and lobster mazemen — make this a place to return to over and over again.

143 Avenue du Mont-Royal E, Montréal, QC H2T 1N9, Canada
(438) 383-4700
(438) 383-4700

L'Express

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

L’Express ticks all the boxes for a chic night out on your own. Loved by Montrealers for its vintage feel, classic French fare, and reasonable wine list, tuck into a corner table for an intimate meal, or sit at the bar and be part of the bustle. 

3927 Rue Saint-Denis, Montréal, QC H2W 2M4, Canada
(514) 845-5333
(514) 845-5333
Randall Brodeur/Eater Montreal

Schwartz's Deli

3895 Boul. Saint-Laurent, Montréal, QC H2W 1X9, Canada

There might be a lineup, but no matter: there’s always good conversation to overhear or participate in with locals and tourists. Eating is cheek-by-jowl at Schwartz’s: since the mingling (and the smoked meat) is what it’s all about, embrace it. Get a pickle, some coleslaw, and a cherry coke, and get ready to get lost in thought.

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

Restaurant Fleurs et Cadeaux

1002 Rue Saint-Urbain, Montréal, QC H2Z 1K6, Canada

One of Chinatown’s newest additions, this food, sake, and wine bar in a former flower shop has all the right elements for a night out for one, including artfully prepared chirashi bowls and bento boxes ideal for solo dining.

1002 Rue Saint-Urbain, Montréal, QC H2Z 1K6, Canada
(514) 866-4411
(514) 866-4411

Yin Ji Chang Fen

1861 Rue Sainte-Catherine O, Montréal, QC H3H 1M2, Canada

Open from morning to night, Yin Ji Chang Fen’s got congee, steamed rice rolls, and dim sum morsels, and a window to all the street life that is Sainte-Catherine’s Shaughnessy Village. Portions are ample for one person; check out the meal specials, too, when they’re available. The kind, efficient staff here make anyone feel at home. 

1861 Rue Sainte-Catherine O, Montréal, QC H3H 1M2, Canada
(514) 932-3621
(514) 932-3621
Yin Ji Chang Fen/Facebook

Kumamoto Ramen

1812 Rue Sainte-Catherine O, Montréal, QC H3H 1M1, Canada

Inspired by the anonymity of Ichiran “flavour concentration booth” ramen shops, the long dining hallway at Kumamoto might feel more like a library corridor than a restaurant: each individual table has walls on either side that create an intimate experience between the diner and their bowl. Orders are taken without having to speak to a server; once your meal is delivered, the blinds go down and you can slurp away in total privacy.

1812 Rue Sainte-Catherine O, Montréal, QC H3H 1M1, Canada
(514) 935-0777
(514) 935-0777
Kumamoto Ramen/Facebook

Monarque

406 Rue Saint-Jacques, Montréal, QC H2Y 1S1, Canada

This elegant Old Port establishment offers two options: the brasserie side with à la carte meals and a less formal (though no less elegant) vibe, and a dining room with swish banquettes and a table d’hôte menu. Take your pick and prepare to be pampered. 

406 Rue Saint-Jacques, Montréal, QC H2Y 1S1, Canada
(514) 875-3896
(514) 875-3896

Club Social P.S.

5090 Rue Notre-Dame Ouest, Montréal, QC H4C 1T1, Canada

The cozy round bar at Club Social P.S. behind Elena in Saint-Henri has about ten stools facing the centre bar, making it conducive to chatting with your neighbour. The menu is the same as in the main dining room; if there’s no space in the back, just ask for a seat at the bar in front. Summertime is particularly nice (and social) here, with seating on several levels and fairy lights.

5090 Rue Notre-Dame Ouest, Montréal, QC H4C 1T1, Canada
(514) 379-4883
(514) 379-4883
Ryan Gray/Club Social P.S.

Falafel Yoni

4549 Rue Wellington, Verdun, QC H4G 1W8, Canada

Crispy vegan orbs await at Falafel Yoni, both in Verdun and on the St-Viateur strip between Parc and St-Laurent. Tucked into pita or served with salad, on a plate, with hummus, or just on their own with some za’atar fries. The real deal is the sabich sandwich, though, full of eggplant-y goodness and more than a drizzle of their signature amba mango sauce.

4549 Rue Wellington, Verdun, QC H4G 1W8, Canada
(514) 424-5473
(514) 424-5473
Falafel Yoni/Facebook