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Shrimp in a red sauce.
Shrimp from Restaurant Le Bordelais.
Restaurant Le Bordelais/Facebook

Where to Eat on Christmas Day in Montreal

Go out rather than staying in

by Eater Staff Updated
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Shrimp from Restaurant Le Bordelais.
| Restaurant Le Bordelais/Facebook
by Eater Staff Updated

Nothing quite invokes the holiday spirit like fine wine, delicious food, and, if you’re lucky, not having to do the dishes. But most Montreal restaurants shut down for Christmas Day or, in some cases, for an extended winter break. That said, some solid food options around town have you covered for December 25 — many with special menus to boot.

Keep in mind, beyond that this map, that Old Montreal and Chinatown are the most reliable bets for eating out on the day — as are many hotel restaurants around town.

Many restaurants on this guide are also open on Christmas Eve and other days around the holiday, but call, or check their websites or social media for precise details.

Is your restaurant open on Christmas? Send us a note and we may add you to the list!

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Le Bordelais

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Opening on Christmas day is a tradition that has been going strong for 40 years now at Le Bordelais, which serves up everything from smoked salmon and shrimp cocktails to steak frites and fish and chips.

1000 Boul Gouin O, Montréal, QC H3L 1K9, Canada
(514) 337-3540
(514) 337-3540

Chand Palace

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Several of Parc-Ex’s Indian restaurants will be open for takeout and delivery on Christmas day. Still haven’t sworn your allegiance to a particular one? Chand Palace’s creamy North Indian curries, fragrant biryani, and mango lassi are worth the try.

989 Rue Jean-Talon O, Montréal, QC H3N 1S9, Canada
(514) 271-6000
(514) 271-6000

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Khyber Pass Restaurant

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Leave the cooking to the team at Khyber Pass, the Plateau’s beloved Afghan BYOB, where diners find hefty servings of meat (the lamb is a crowd favourite), rice, and plenty of other Afghan dishes.

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

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Mon Nan

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Open since 1982, this family-run Chinatown staple is a shoo-in for those looking to treat themselves to a menu of Chinese specialties so extensive that sifting through them is an activity on its own.

43 Rue de la Gauchetière E, Montréal, QC H2X 1P4, Canada
(514) 866-7123
(514) 866-7123

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La Capital Tacos

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Montreal taco favourite La Capital joins many of its Chinatown restaurant neighbours in staying open on Christmas Day. Head there for standout tacos and some killer cocktails to pair.

1096 Boul St-Laurent, Montréal, QC H2Z 1J5, Canada
(514) 873-5255
(514) 873-5255

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Pho Bac

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One of Chinatown’s best pho spots, Pho Bac, will be open this Christmas — as is the case every year.

1016 Boul St-Laurent, Montréal, QC H2Z 1J3, Canada
(514) 393-8116
(514) 393-8116

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Chez Chili

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This favorite for Chinese fare will be open Christmas Day per usual.

1050b Rue Clark, Montréal, QC H2Z 1K3, Canada
(514) 904-1767
(514) 904-1767
A dish covered in fieri chili.
A dish from Chez Chili.
Chez Chili/Facebook

Pincette

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For many, lobster is the epitome of a special occasion food — the crown jewel of dishes worthy of graduation, anniversary, and, yes, most holiday celebrations. Those folks should head to this Old Montreal lobster bar where the crustacean can be grilled, stuffed into ravioli, or atop a luxury poutine on Christmas Day.

94 Rue Saint-Paul E, Montréal, QC H2Y 1G6, Canada
(514) 876-4261
(514) 876-4261

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Gibbys

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Get in the festive mood with a ribeye and Monte Carlo potatoes at this Old Montreal institution.

For some, eating at Gibby’s for Christmas is a tradition, so be sure to reserve.

298 Place d'Youville, Montréal, QC H2Y 2B6, Canada
(514) 282-1837
(514) 282-1837

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Le Pois Penche

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At Le Pois Penché, expect to load up on fresh oysters, an utterly decadent French onion soup, and shrimp cocktail with cognac sauce — and that’s only for starters. The Parisian brasserie is open on Christmas Day if festive and oh-so-French is what you’re after.

1230 Boulevard de Maisonneuve O, Montréal, QC H3G 1M2, Canada
(514) 667-5050
(514) 667-5050

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Gibeau Orange Julep

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Squint a little, and this three-storey-high orange sphere may look like a Christmas ornament tossed aside the Décarie. Stop by to pick up a poutine or burger, but it’s the Julep’s eponymous drink — part-way between an orange juice and a milkshake — that’ll make the trek worth it. They’re open every day.

7700 Boulevard Décarie, Montréal, QC H4P 2H4, Canada
(514) 738-7486
(514) 738-7486

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Duc de Lorraine

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Montreal’s oldest patisserie also does meal service, so along with croissants for breakfast and millefeuilles for dessert, those steering clear of the kitchen this holiday can opt for some surf and turf: a 16-ounce ribeye and lobster tail served with mashed Monte Carlo potatoes.

5002 Chemin de la Côte-des-Neiges, Montreal, QC H3V 1G6, Canada
(514) 731-4128
(514) 731-4128

Maquis Yasolo

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From the same people behind Aliments Yasolo grocery store next door is this Afro-Québécois restaurant, which — lucky for Saint-Henri — will be open on December 25. Expect menu items like charcoal-grilled chicken in jerk seasoning, riz collé (rice with kidney beans), alloco (fried plantains), and a selection of homemade sauces.

3763 Rue Notre-Dame Ouest, Montréal, QC H4C 1P8, Canada
(514) 248-4498
(514) 248-4498

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Le Bordelais

1000 Boul Gouin O, Montréal, QC H3L 1K9, Canada

Opening on Christmas day is a tradition that has been going strong for 40 years now at Le Bordelais, which serves up everything from smoked salmon and shrimp cocktails to steak frites and fish and chips.

1000 Boul Gouin O, Montréal, QC H3L 1K9, Canada
(514) 337-3540
(514) 337-3540

Chand Palace

989 Rue Jean-Talon O, Montréal, QC H3N 1S9, Canada

Several of Parc-Ex’s Indian restaurants will be open for takeout and delivery on Christmas day. Still haven’t sworn your allegiance to a particular one? Chand Palace’s creamy North Indian curries, fragrant biryani, and mango lassi are worth the try.

989 Rue Jean-Talon O, Montréal, QC H3N 1S9, Canada
(514) 271-6000
(514) 271-6000

Khyber Pass Restaurant

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

Leave the cooking to the team at Khyber Pass, the Plateau’s beloved Afghan BYOB, where diners find hefty servings of meat (the lamb is a crowd favourite), rice, and plenty of other Afghan dishes.

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

Mon Nan

43 Rue de la Gauchetière E, Montréal, QC H2X 1P4, Canada

Open since 1982, this family-run Chinatown staple is a shoo-in for those looking to treat themselves to a menu of Chinese specialties so extensive that sifting through them is an activity on its own.

43 Rue de la Gauchetière E, Montréal, QC H2X 1P4, Canada
(514) 866-7123
(514) 866-7123

La Capital Tacos

1096 Boul St-Laurent, Montréal, QC H2Z 1J5, Canada

Montreal taco favourite La Capital joins many of its Chinatown restaurant neighbours in staying open on Christmas Day. Head there for standout tacos and some killer cocktails to pair.

1096 Boul St-Laurent, Montréal, QC H2Z 1J5, Canada
(514) 873-5255
(514) 873-5255

Pho Bac

1016 Boul St-Laurent, Montréal, QC H2Z 1J3, Canada

One of Chinatown’s best pho spots, Pho Bac, will be open this Christmas — as is the case every year.

1016 Boul St-Laurent, Montréal, QC H2Z 1J3, Canada
(514) 393-8116
(514) 393-8116

Chez Chili

1050b Rue Clark, Montréal, QC H2Z 1K3, Canada

This favorite for Chinese fare will be open Christmas Day per usual.

1050b Rue Clark, Montréal, QC H2Z 1K3, Canada
(514) 904-1767
(514) 904-1767
A dish covered in fieri chili.
A dish from Chez Chili.
Chez Chili/Facebook

Pincette

94 Rue Saint-Paul E, Montréal, QC H2Y 1G6, Canada

For many, lobster is the epitome of a special occasion food — the crown jewel of dishes worthy of graduation, anniversary, and, yes, most holiday celebrations. Those folks should head to this Old Montreal lobster bar where the crustacean can be grilled, stuffed into ravioli, or atop a luxury poutine on Christmas Day.

94 Rue Saint-Paul E, Montréal, QC H2Y 1G6, Canada
(514) 876-4261
(514) 876-4261

Gibbys

298 Place d'Youville, Montréal, QC H2Y 2B6, Canada

Get in the festive mood with a ribeye and Monte Carlo potatoes at this Old Montreal institution.

For some, eating at Gibby’s for Christmas is a tradition, so be sure to reserve.

298 Place d'Youville, Montréal, QC H2Y 2B6, Canada
(514) 282-1837
(514) 282-1837

Le Pois Penche

1230 Boulevard de Maisonneuve O, Montréal, QC H3G 1M2, Canada

At Le Pois Penché, expect to load up on fresh oysters, an utterly decadent French onion soup, and shrimp cocktail with cognac sauce — and that’s only for starters. The Parisian brasserie is open on Christmas Day if festive and oh-so-French is what you’re after.

1230 Boulevard de Maisonneuve O, Montréal, QC H3G 1M2, Canada
(514) 667-5050
(514) 667-5050

Gibeau Orange Julep

7700 Boulevard Décarie, Montréal, QC H4P 2H4, Canada

Squint a little, and this three-storey-high orange sphere may look like a Christmas ornament tossed aside the Décarie. Stop by to pick up a poutine or burger, but it’s the Julep’s eponymous drink — part-way between an orange juice and a milkshake — that’ll make the trek worth it. They’re open every day.

7700 Boulevard Décarie, Montréal, QC H4P 2H4, Canada
(514) 738-7486
(514) 738-7486

Duc de Lorraine

5002 Chemin de la Côte-des-Neiges, Montreal, QC H3V 1G6, Canada

Montreal’s oldest patisserie also does meal service, so along with croissants for breakfast and millefeuilles for dessert, those steering clear of the kitchen this holiday can opt for some surf and turf: a 16-ounce ribeye and lobster tail served with mashed Monte Carlo potatoes.

5002 Chemin de la Côte-des-Neiges, Montreal, QC H3V 1G6, Canada
(514) 731-4128
(514) 731-4128

Maquis Yasolo

3763 Rue Notre-Dame Ouest, Montréal, QC H4C 1P8, Canada

From the same people behind Aliments Yasolo grocery store next door is this Afro-Québécois restaurant, which — lucky for Saint-Henri — will be open on December 25. Expect menu items like charcoal-grilled chicken in jerk seasoning, riz collé (rice with kidney beans), alloco (fried plantains), and a selection of homemade sauces.

3763 Rue Notre-Dame Ouest, Montréal, QC H4C 1P8, Canada
(514) 248-4498
(514) 248-4498

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