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Where to Dine Solo in Montreal on Valentine's Day

by Ian Harrison
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by Ian Harrison

Some Montreal restaurants play well for couples on February 14. But solo diners? Not so much. When Valentine's Day wallops us with glitter, chocolates, Hallmark cards and insipid cinnamon candy next Friday, singles may want to give the likes of Le Club Chasse et Pêche, Toqué!, Europea and Ferreira Café a wide berth.

At other restaurants, however, you can blend. And nosh well. And drink. And forget your implacable, relentless loneliness.


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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.

Dinette Triple Crown

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Nicole Turcotte has a way with retro cocktails and Colin Perry delivers proper Kentucky-style meat and threes. Triple Crown is a neighbourhood spot, first and foremost, so relax: all the bridge and tunnel nuzzlers are a couple blocks over in Little Italy.
6704 rue Clark, Montreal, Quebec, H2S 3E9, Canada
(514) 272-2617
(514) 272-2617

Maison Publique

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You know that Eater Chef of the Year Derek Dammann and co. have chops. And look at that bar. Sidle up, order a cider or Laurentide, or avail yourself of the superb wine list, and start with a few small plates. Or whatever, just get a Herculean steak.
4720 rue Marquette, Montreal, Quebec, H2J 3Y6, Canada
(514) 507-0555
(514) 507-0555

The Sparrow

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The hipster gastropub vibe at Sparrow serves as a kind of antidote to obnoxious pda. And besides, the cocktail list is sufficiently formidable.
5322 boul. Saint-Laurent, Montreal, Quebec, H2T 1A5, Canada
(514) 690-3964
(514) 690-3964

Pizzeria Magpie

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Magpie may serve the best Margherita in Montreal, so there is that. And the scene is totally unpretentious too, with a few barstools for solo diners, a small wine list, good beers and drinks and a chill, family vibe.
16 rue Maguire, Montreal, Quebec, H2T 1B8, Canada
(514) 507-2900
(514) 507-2900

Leméac

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Leméac is romantic, sure, but Richard Bastien's restaurant is not too erudite to close the door on loners. That long bar accommodates ten.
1045 ave. Laurier Ouest, Montreal, Quebec, H2V 2L1, Canada
(514) 270-0999
(514) 270-0999

L'Express

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A quintessential bistro welcomes solo diners with open arms. L'Express is that place in Montreal.
3927 rue Saint-Denis, Montreal, Quebec, H2W 2M4, Canada
(514) 845-5333
(514) 845-5333

Brasserie T!

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Yes, a lot of couples congregate at Brasserie T! for your average Friday dinner service - that pre-orchestra crowd and all. But - big but - there is a bar and a superb burger and frites.
1425 rue Jeanne-Mance, Montreal, Quebec, H2X 2J4, Canada
(514) 282-0808
(514) 282-0808

Dominion Square Tavern

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Excellent cocktails, pub grub and a come-as-you-are atmosphere makes this Downtown spot a go-to for singles - or otherwise.
1243 rue Metcalfe, Montreal, QC H3B 2V5, Canada
(514) 564-5056
(514) 564-5056

Kazu

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Kazu borders on uncomfortably busy, with long lines inevitable on a Friday - except perhaps if you happen to be alone and ask to sit at the bar. Which is the best way to enjoy this no-nonsense Japanese pub, by the way.
1862 rue Ste-Catherine O., Montreal, Quebec, H3H 1M1, Canada
(514) 937-2333
(514) 937-2333

Maïs

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A crack bar staff, led by the singular Lon Benattar, doles out masterful cocktails and chefs William Cody, Gil MacNutt et al have a way with legit Mexican-ish stoner food. Reserve a spot at the bar before a gaggle of Ubisoft programmers get to them first.
5435 boul. Saint-Laurent, Montreal, Quebec, H2T 1S5, Canada
(514) 507-7740
(514) 507-7740

Liverpool House

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The bar at Liverpool House is part salon, part cultural nerve centre, part party. The likes of hipster-in-res Christopher Morgan mans the scene and, of course, food and wine both tops. Settle in.
2501 rue Notre-Dame Ouest, Montreal, Quebec, H3J 1N5, Canada
(514) 313-6049
(514) 313-6049

Grumman 78

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Grumman 78 is convivial but not at the expense of a solo diner's self-indulgent privacy. Sit at the bar, enjoy the wine list, the artful plates and the dessert cart.
630 rue de Courcelle, Montreal, Quebec, H4C 3C7, Canada
(514) 290-5125
(514) 290-5125
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Dinette Triple Crown

6704 rue Clark, Montreal, Quebec, H2S 3E9, Canada
Nicole Turcotte has a way with retro cocktails and Colin Perry delivers proper Kentucky-style meat and threes. Triple Crown is a neighbourhood spot, first and foremost, so relax: all the bridge and tunnel nuzzlers are a couple blocks over in Little Italy.
6704 rue Clark, Montreal, Quebec, H2S 3E9, Canada
(514) 272-2617
(514) 272-2617

Maison Publique

4720 rue Marquette, Montreal, Quebec, H2J 3Y6, Canada
You know that Eater Chef of the Year Derek Dammann and co. have chops. And look at that bar. Sidle up, order a cider or Laurentide, or avail yourself of the superb wine list, and start with a few small plates. Or whatever, just get a Herculean steak.
4720 rue Marquette, Montreal, Quebec, H2J 3Y6, Canada
(514) 507-0555
(514) 507-0555

The Sparrow

5322 boul. Saint-Laurent, Montreal, Quebec, H2T 1A5, Canada
The hipster gastropub vibe at Sparrow serves as a kind of antidote to obnoxious pda. And besides, the cocktail list is sufficiently formidable.
5322 boul. Saint-Laurent, Montreal, Quebec, H2T 1A5, Canada
(514) 690-3964
(514) 690-3964

Pizzeria Magpie

16 rue Maguire, Montreal, Quebec, H2T 1B8, Canada
Magpie may serve the best Margherita in Montreal, so there is that. And the scene is totally unpretentious too, with a few barstools for solo diners, a small wine list, good beers and drinks and a chill, family vibe.
16 rue Maguire, Montreal, Quebec, H2T 1B8, Canada
(514) 507-2900
(514) 507-2900

Leméac

1045 ave. Laurier Ouest, Montreal, Quebec, H2V 2L1, Canada
Leméac is romantic, sure, but Richard Bastien's restaurant is not too erudite to close the door on loners. That long bar accommodates ten.
1045 ave. Laurier Ouest, Montreal, Quebec, H2V 2L1, Canada
(514) 270-0999
(514) 270-0999

L'Express

3927 rue Saint-Denis, Montreal, Quebec, H2W 2M4, Canada
A quintessential bistro welcomes solo diners with open arms. L'Express is that place in Montreal.
3927 rue Saint-Denis, Montreal, Quebec, H2W 2M4, Canada
(514) 845-5333
(514) 845-5333

Brasserie T!

1425 rue Jeanne-Mance, Montreal, Quebec, H2X 2J4, Canada
Yes, a lot of couples congregate at Brasserie T! for your average Friday dinner service - that pre-orchestra crowd and all. But - big but - there is a bar and a superb burger and frites.
1425 rue Jeanne-Mance, Montreal, Quebec, H2X 2J4, Canada
(514) 282-0808
(514) 282-0808

Dominion Square Tavern

1243 rue Metcalfe, Montreal, QC H3B 2V5, Canada
Excellent cocktails, pub grub and a come-as-you-are atmosphere makes this Downtown spot a go-to for singles - or otherwise.
1243 rue Metcalfe, Montreal, QC H3B 2V5, Canada
(514) 564-5056
(514) 564-5056

Kazu

1862 rue Ste-Catherine O., Montreal, Quebec, H3H 1M1, Canada
Kazu borders on uncomfortably busy, with long lines inevitable on a Friday - except perhaps if you happen to be alone and ask to sit at the bar. Which is the best way to enjoy this no-nonsense Japanese pub, by the way.
1862 rue Ste-Catherine O., Montreal, Quebec, H3H 1M1, Canada
(514) 937-2333
(514) 937-2333

Maïs

5435 boul. Saint-Laurent, Montreal, Quebec, H2T 1S5, Canada
A crack bar staff, led by the singular Lon Benattar, doles out masterful cocktails and chefs William Cody, Gil MacNutt et al have a way with legit Mexican-ish stoner food. Reserve a spot at the bar before a gaggle of Ubisoft programmers get to them first.
5435 boul. Saint-Laurent, Montreal, Quebec, H2T 1S5, Canada
(514) 507-7740
(514) 507-7740

Liverpool House

2501 rue Notre-Dame Ouest, Montreal, Quebec, H3J 1N5, Canada
The bar at Liverpool House is part salon, part cultural nerve centre, part party. The likes of hipster-in-res Christopher Morgan mans the scene and, of course, food and wine both tops. Settle in.
2501 rue Notre-Dame Ouest, Montreal, Quebec, H3J 1N5, Canada
(514) 313-6049
(514) 313-6049

Grumman 78

630 rue de Courcelle, Montreal, Quebec, H4C 3C7, Canada
Grumman 78 is convivial but not at the expense of a solo diner's self-indulgent privacy. Sit at the bar, enjoy the wine list, the artful plates and the dessert cart.
630 rue de Courcelle, Montreal, Quebec, H4C 3C7, Canada
(514) 290-5125
(514) 290-5125