The Best Tartares in Montreal
Tartare is a delicious dish made from raw meat or raw fish. Its infinite range of classic and interesting preparations is what makes it so interesting.
Perhaps you’ve asked yourself what the difference is between this dish, a crudo and a carpaccio. Tartare is part of the crudo family, consisting of raw meat or seafood, chopped, and combined with some kind of sauce, vinaigrette and/or other seasoning. Like carpaccios, tartares are defined by the form in which the raw meat is sliced – in this case, it is usually minced or diced rather than thinly sliced.
Many of the addresses on this list are taken from our list of the best French restaurants in Montreal, tartare being a classic dish found in any self-respecting French bistro. The other restaurants are places where tartare is highly appreciated for the way it’s prepared and seasoned.
Whether you’re a fan of red meat or fish tartares, here are our suggestions for the best in town.
L'Express
Under renovation for a few weeks, L’Express remains, without a doubt, the master of the classic tartare! This French institution has been open for more than 35 years and serves Jean-Philippe Tastet’s favourite tartare, which is impeccable. The wine selection is also excellent and very affordable. What more could you ask for?
Montréal
Leméac
Dining at Leméac is always enjoyable because, like L’Express, the quality of the food and the consistency of the dishes doesn’t change. The surroundings are both elegant and classic as are the tartares; a classic steak tartare with matchstick potatoes, or salmon tartare with truffle oil, or a classic salmon tartare. They come either as a starter or main course. Everything at Leméac seems to work just right, including the service, which is courteous and efficient. An indication of Leméac’s success is knowing that it is always busy, every day of the week. Don’t forget the terrace in the summer!
Montréal
Maison Boulud
In this warm and inviting setting, Maison Boulud will serve you one of the best tartares in Montreal. The menu of the prestigious restaurant changes almost daily, but two unique tartares are frequently on the menu: an excellent beef tartare and an excellent salmon tartare. To accompany the meal, enjoy a glass of wine to further enhance the experience. At Maison Boulud, the customer always comes first, making the experience all the more memorable. The summer terraces are also superb! Currently, the tartare is only available for lunch.
Montréal
larrys
Since opening, we’ve talked about Larry’s quite a bit, and the reason is simple: because we like it a lot! The restaurant of about 30 seats offers a succinct and beautifully executed menu. The quality meat in Larry’s tartare is hand cut at their butcher shop (Boucherie Lawrence) up the street, and served with their homemade sourdough bread. It is simple, delicious and well-prepared; as is everything here!
Montréal
Renoir Restaurant
Sherbrooke street is rarely the first street that comes to mind when thinking of gastronomic destinations in the city. However, Renoir challenges this with their exceptional French cuisine. Currently, the beef tartare with oyster pea cream is available on the evening menu. At lunchtime, the Atlantic salmon tartare is served with fries and a green salad. The restaurant also has a terrace in summer.
Montréal
La Fabrique
La Fabrique is a restaurant that we love on St-Denis street, near Sherbrooke. With a completely open kitchen, you can enjoy comforting dishes in a festive atmosphere. Here, the salmon tartare is prepared with feta, apple, sorrel, Thai chili, and tamarind-lime vinaigrette, and served with cranberry toast. On the brunch menu, you’ll again find two other tartares: a tarragon and cheddar beef tartare served with home fries cooked in duck fat, as well as a salmon tartare with fried egg and rice salad with bean sprouts.
Montréal
Le Filet
Le Filet is one of Montreal’s best restaurants. Even though it opened in 2011, it has remained relatively under the radar but everyone who dines here knows that Le Filet is exceptionally good. This is a restaurant where the customer is treated with the utmost attention and respect. Given the name of the establishment, it is not surprising that the menu revolves around fish and seafood. Their tartare is made with tuna and served with a confit egg and nori. An exquisite Japanese-inspired tartare!
Montréal
Restaurant Gus
Gus is a comforting restaurant where you can eat generous and delicious dishes. Adopted by many since its opening, we suggest this place if you want to eat well in a friendly atmosphere. On the menu, the dishes may seem simple, but they are exceptionally well done. Expect generous portions with lots of freshness and flavour!
Montréal
Tri Express
Tri Express is not only one of Montreal’s top sushi restaurants, but Tri also makes one of the best tartares around! This small address is very welcoming and the popularity of the place speaks to its excellence. There are Japanese pollock tartares, lobster tartare à la Tri, and tartares made with red tuna, fresh salmon, yellowtail tuna, shrimp or scallops. They are served as sushi or sashimi and are well worth the detour.
Montréal
Salle Climatisée
The menu at Salle Climatisée changes about every week, but they often feature tasty beef tartares. Enjoy one with a good glass of wine or bubbles.
Montréal
Bistro La Franquette
This lovely Westmount bistro serves simple and tasty French cuisine, including beef tartare served club sandwich style on homemade brioche.
Westmount
Tuck Shop
While the menu at Tuck Shop changes daily, you will often find tartare on it. Right now, the beef tartare is served with smoked oysters with aioli and Jerusalem artichokes.
Montréal
Bar Datcha
Kabinet, the small cocktail bar adjacent to the famous Datcha nightclub, has a new mission. After enlarging the space, the owners decided to change the direction of the address and turn it into a restaurant. The menu revolves around French brasserie classics from the 1970s. Jean-Michel insists on respecting the techniques and traditions behind them. A must-try in French gastronomy, the delicious beef tartare is aged for 90 days on site.
Montréal
Foiegwa
Foiegwa offers decadent, comforting cuisine. You’ll find revisited French classics at relatively affordable prices, including several tartares in main course format. The menu remains more or less the same, but changes with the seasons.
Montréal
Holder
Located in Old Montreal and open for some twenty years, this large European-style brasserie serves tasty, well-executed dishes. People come here for the festive side of the establishment, but also for its tasty cuisine. The menu rarely changes, but the dishes are well executed and well mastered. There are two classic tartares (salmon and beef), which are fresh and delicious, and can be enjoyed as either a starter or a main course.
Montréal
Bar George
Bar George offers an excellent English-inspired menu in a magnificent space. Although the place is renowned for its delicious cocktails, their food menu of home-grown products, with Irish and English accents, is very good. The menu is simple on the surface, but the ingredients are of the highest quality and the technical mastery is evident in every dish. Such is the case with the beef tartare – simple, classic, but oh so delicious!
Montréal
SAE LOW
Sae Low is a charming neighbourhood café-buvette in Villeray. The menu is delicious and unpretentious, with hints of Asian influences. We love their variation on tartare: donburi-style rice bowl with fermented chili paste.
Montréal
SAE LOW
Le Sae Low est un charmant café-buvette de quartier à Villeray. On y trouve un beau petit menu délicieux et sans prétention, avec des touches d’influences asiatiques. On adore leur variation du tartare : bol de riz de style donburi avec une pâte de piment fermentée.
Montréal
Restaurant Limousine
Limousine is Laurent Dagenais’ very first restaurant. Nestled in Saint-Lambert, this highly anticipated project, with its elegant and festive atmosphere, offers a gastronomic and cocktail experience that lives up to its ambitions. His take on tartare remains classic but is prepared with confit egg yolks and elevated by Beemster cheese.
Saint-Lambert
