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platter with egg tarts, bao, and other dim sum Imperial/Facebook

Where to Eat on Christmas Day in Montreal

Why not celebrate over dim sum, poutine, or some solid Afghan cuisine?

by Eater Staff Updated
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by Eater Staff Updated
Imperial/Facebook

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.

Old Montreal and Chinatown are the most reliable bets for eating out on the day — as are many hotel restaurants around town. But you can also head to the Plateau for Afghan cuisine at Khyber Pass, Park-Ex for some North Indian fare at Chand Palace, or to the Julep for something that feels oh so Montreal.

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

Health experts consider dining out to be a low-to-moderate risk for the vaccinated. For updated information and regulations, please visit the official sites of the Quebec government and Montreal’s public health authority (Santé Montréal).

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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.

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

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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

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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Le Taj

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Another spot that makes it possible to enjoy a feast on Christmas Day. Le Taj is open on the 25th for all your thali, tandoori, naan, and curry needs.

2077 Rue Stanley, Montréal, QC H3A 1R7, Canada
(514) 845-9015
(514) 845-9015

Also featured in:

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

Also featured in:

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

Also featured in:

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. If you are among those who hold lobster in high esteem, then 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

Also featured in:

Auberge Le Saint-Gabriel

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Québécois cuisine served in a capacious, historic building is the proposal at the iconic Auberge Le Saint-Gabriel. It’s also open for New Year’s Eve.

426 Rue St Gabriel, Montréal, QC H2Y 2Z9, Canada
(514) 878-3561
(514) 878-3561

Also featured in:

Restaurant Impérial

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If you see dim sum in your Christmas future, make your way to Restaurant Impérial. Fill your table with lotus leaf-wrapped sticky rice with chicken, pork, shrimp and mushrooms, steamed barbecue pork buns, and more from Impérial’s extensive offering.

998 Boul St-Laurent 6th floor, Montréal, QC H2Z 9Y9, Canada
(514) 379-4664
(514) 379-4664

Also featured in:

Mon Nan

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Open since 1982, this family-run Chinatown staple is a shoo-in if you are looking to treat yourself 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

Also featured in:

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

Also featured in:

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

Also featured in:

Khyber Pass Restaurant

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Leave the cooking to the team at Khyber Pass, the Plateau’s beloved Afghan BYOB, where you’ll 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

Also featured in:

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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.

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

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

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

Le Taj

2077 Rue Stanley, Montréal, QC H3A 1R7, Canada

Another spot that makes it possible to enjoy a feast on Christmas Day. Le Taj is open on the 25th for all your thali, tandoori, naan, and curry needs.

2077 Rue Stanley, Montréal, QC H3A 1R7, Canada
(514) 845-9015
(514) 845-9015

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

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

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. If you are among those who hold lobster in high esteem, then 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

Auberge Le Saint-Gabriel

426 Rue St Gabriel, Montréal, QC H2Y 2Z9, Canada

Québécois cuisine served in a capacious, historic building is the proposal at the iconic Auberge Le Saint-Gabriel. It’s also open for New Year’s Eve.

426 Rue St Gabriel, Montréal, QC H2Y 2Z9, Canada
(514) 878-3561
(514) 878-3561

Restaurant Impérial

998 Boul St-Laurent 6th floor, Montréal, QC H2Z 9Y9, Canada

If you see dim sum in your Christmas future, make your way to Restaurant Impérial. Fill your table with lotus leaf-wrapped sticky rice with chicken, pork, shrimp and mushrooms, steamed barbecue pork buns, and more from Impérial’s extensive offering.

998 Boul St-Laurent 6th floor, Montréal, QC H2Z 9Y9, Canada
(514) 379-4664
(514) 379-4664

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 if you are looking to treat yourself 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

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

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

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 you’ll 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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