The Best French Restaurants in Montreal

les meilleurs restaurant francais montreal

It should come as no surprise that Tastet never… ever, tires of French cuisine. The simplicity, flavours and consistency made it an easy choice for us when deciding what list to right next – French cuisine won by a landslide. Taking into account all aspects of the restaurants, the decor, service and atmosphere, each address on this list will  sweep you off your feet and into the magical streets of Paris. 

Seeing as we are in Montreal, a city with a long history of French colonization, French cuisine is one of the cornerstones of the city’s vibrant and diverse food scene. The restaurants that have been included in this list, the best French restaurants in Montreal, are all establishments that we go to because we trust their consistency and love their execution of French classics. Especially if you are in the mood for a little decadence, nothing tastes better than a plate of amazingly prepared tatare or a dish of Duck Confit.

Bon appétit! 

If you are looking for any other recommendations for other types of cuisines, consult our lists of the best Italian restaurants in Montreal or our list of the best Korean restaurants in Montreal. If you are in need of some more specific recommendations that still fall under the category of French cuisine, check out our list of the best croissants in Montreal or our list of the best addresses that serve tartares in the city.

L’Express

L’Express opened over 30 years ago and this rue Saint-Denis landmark has garnered an international reputation.  The cuisine is very French, and the new chef who took over the kitchen has made very few changes to the menu.  We return for their classics such as bone marrow, kidneys, chicken liver mousse or the selection of tartares. The wine list is extremely affordable and we love it all the more.

3927 Rue Saint-Denis
Montréal

Leméac

Leméac is one of our very cherished spots where the quality is always consistent. In an elegant and classic setting, choose from a classic French brasserie menu with flavourful dishes and reasonable prices. The service here is always courteous and efficient; everything is balanced just right. This is a restaurant worth going to!

1045 Avenue Laurier Ouest
Montréal

Place Carmin

Place Carmin is a French brasserie type restaurant. The project is the work of Mélanie Blanchette and her team (Bouillon Bilk, Cadet). You can enjoy tasty dishes signed François Nadon in a chic decor. A young address to discover absolutely!

740 Rue William
Montréal

La Chronique

Surviving more than 20 years in Montreal’s restaurant business is most certainly a feat. And succeeding to remain at the top of their game at the same time, says something else – a great deal of talent and hard work,  and a desire to always want to do everything well.  With La Chronique, Marc de Canck from Belgium and Olivier de Montigny of Quebec offer one of the best tables in town to enjoy cuisine served with French accents.  

104 Avenue Laurier Ouest
Montréal

Renoir

Rue Sherbrooke doesn’t naturally come to mind as a location to find good cuisine. Saying that, stopping at Renoir restaurant, inside the Sofitel is definitely one place to try.  This is French cuisine at its best and Renoir is very much taking advantage of local produce in the preparation of their dishes.  And as a bonus, knowing that the delicious pastry selections are backed by an award-winning Meilleur Ouvrier de France, any time spent at Renoir is always worth it.

1155 Rue Sherbrooke Ouest
Montréal

Maison Boulud

Daniel Boulud’s arrival in Montreal was cheered by the city’s gourmets.  Some years later, everyone gathered to celebrate the star’s announcement of bringing chef Romain Cagnat into the kitchen. The latter prepares unusual dishes that have a distinct French touch and character. The presence of David Goirand and her wines only add to the charm of Maison Boulud.

1228 Rue Sherbrooke Ouest
Montréal

Henri Brasserie française

Henri French Brasserie welcomes its clientele in a luxurious space to enjoy excellent French cuisine. The downtown restaurant is located in the chic Birks Hotel building. It serves classic French cuisine, embellished by the richness of Quebec and Canadian ingredients, in a luxurious yet casual setting.

1238 Rue du Square-Phillips
Montréal

Monarque

Monarque is one of the city’s most beautiful restaurants and welcomes its clientele to enjoy excellent French-inspired gourmet cuisine. Divided into two sections, Monarque has a brasserie side with a more casual atmosphere and a more accessible menu, and a chic dining room, where you can enjoy an upscale four-course menu served in a very elegant setting.

406 Rue Saint-Jacques
Montréal
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