Comforting Restaurants in Montreal
Montréal is full of restaurants, and some truly stand out for their especially comforting atmosphere and cuisine. It’s hard to explain exactly what makes a place “comforting.” It’s like a hug—an embrace that carries us into a world of trust and joy. These comforting restaurants usually serve warm, soothing dishes and, above all, offer a cozy or family-style ambiance that puts anyone at ease. They’re just as enjoyable in winter as they are in summer, since they feel like home in every season. Friendly service and delicious food allow everyone to enjoy a good meal in happiness and good spirits. We have a real soft spot for all of these addresses.
Don’t hesitate to call ahead to make a reservation, especially if you’re a large group. When you have a reservation, you’re always more relaxed—and the experience becomes even more comforting. And if you can no longer make it, it’s always best to call and let them know; restaurateurs will truly appreciate it.
We all need to warm our hearts with good comfort food from time to time. Tastet therefore presents a list of comforting restaurants where you’ll find delectable cuisine and an enveloping atmosphere. Whether with friends, family, colleagues, or even on your own, everything about these comforting restaurants will do your heart—and your stomach—good.
Feel free to check out our lists of the best pho soups in Montréal, as well as the best Indian, Chinese, and Thai restaurants. If you enjoy this list, you’ll no doubt also love our lists of the most beautiful restaurants in Montréal and the best beautiful, good, and affordable restaurants.
Enjoy your meal—and treat yourself!
Au Pied de Cochon
The restaurant features a welcoming, no-frills décor, with one of the first fully open kitchens in Montréal—a move that, at the time, aimed to highlight authenticity and a laid-back, good-natured spirit. The atmosphere at Au Pied de Cochon is always lively, and its cuisine unapologetically excessive. The menu reflects its owner, Martin Picard: extreme, intense, and generous. Since opening in 2001, the restaurant has earned international acclaim—always positive. A true Montréal institution and undeniably one of Québec’s finest restaurants in Montréal. Photo: Alison Slattery
Montréal
Le Chien Fumant
Le Chien Fumant is a small Plateau Mont-Royal restaurant that has been charming guests since the day it opened. Warm and comfortable, the space features a simple, classic décor. The intimate size of the dining room, combined with attentive and friendly service, makes for a deeply comforting experience. On the menu, you’ll find revisited classics, executed with great care and precision. Pure happiness, enjoyed plate by plate, in this little Plateau house.
Montréal
Liverpool House
At Liverpool House, you’ll find the same sense of conviviality and generosity as at its famous neighbor, Joe Beef. Set in a colorful, beautifully decorated space, Liverpool House is one of Montréal’s most comforting restaurants. The menu offers high-quality dishes that are both original and generous, including oyster platters and seafood specialties. You’ll also find a thoughtfully curated wine list to perfectly accompany your meal. It’s an ideal spot for a festive, gastronomic evening. Photo: Alison Slattery
Montréal
Nora Gray
Nora Gray is, in our opinion, one of Montréal’s must-visit restaurants: the atmosphere is intimate, the drinks are excellent, the service is warm, and the food is outstanding. The menu, crafted by chef Emma Cardarelli, showcases Italian-inspired cuisine—earning the restaurant a place among Montréal’s best Italian addresses. The small dining room seats about forty guests and features wood-paneled walls, leather banquettes, and a large bar, creating a cozy and inviting ambiance. The front-of-house team is welcoming and plays a key role in shaping the overall experience.
Montréal
Restaurant Gus
Gus Restaurant is a comforting neighborhood spot where generous, delicious dishes take center stage. Embraced by many since its opening, it’s a great choice if you’re looking to eat well and leave fully satisfied in a friendly, relaxed atmosphere. The intimate 26-seat space opens onto the kitchen, with about ten seats at the bar. Whether you’re enjoying a hearty meal solo at the bar, on a date, or with friends, the restaurant is welcoming and pleasant. You come here for flavorful comfort food: dishes that seem simple but are thoughtfully executed, generous portions packed with flavor—alive and fresh!
Montréal
Luciano Trattoria
Luciano Trattoria serves Italian delights just like nonna would make them. The concise menu focuses on family-style Italian cooking, prepared simply with fresh ingredients. Don’t be fooled by the short offering—everything on the menu is absolutely delicious. Doing a little less, but doing it very well. Our favorite? The pasta. The dining room is bright, and we love sitting at the small counter or at the bar. The kitchen is open, yet conversation flows easily. The restaurant is open from Wednesday to Saturday evenings.
Montréal
Le Petit Italien
We titled our article on Le Petit Italien “the reopening of a comforting classic on Bernard Street,” and that pretty much says it all. A team of longtime staff members who had previously worked at the restaurant took over the beloved spot and worked to restore its legendary essence. Mission accomplished: many food lovers are once again strolling down Bernard Street to rediscover the cherished atmosphere of Le Petit Italien.
Montréal
Impasto
Impasto is one of Montréal’s best Italian restaurants. Led by chefs Stefano Faita and Michele Forgione, the restaurant has earned a special place in the hearts of Petite Italie locals and the city at large thanks to its festive atmosphere and professional service. The menu offers authentic, comforting Italian cuisine with a Montréal twist, all served in an elegant, refined setting.
Montréal
Foxy
Foxy, a Griffintown favorite, is known for its warm atmosphere and fire-inspired cuisine. With comforting, generous, and perfectly executed plates, it has earned its place among our favorite restaurants. It’s the kind of spot where you want to linger, share, and come back again and again.
Montréal
Leméac
Leméac’s menu hasn’t changed much over the past ten years—but why change a winning formula? A large, carefully refined menu developed over time ensures there’s something for everyone. You’ll find beautifully executed French brasserie classics here, along with one of the most comforting desserts in the city: the famous pain perdu (!!).
Montréal
Molenne
Molenne is a Montréal brasserie designed for every occasion: drinks with friends, a light meal, a birthday celebration, eventually a morning coffee, a business lunch, or more festive gatherings with champagne and caviar. The restaurant aims to be open seven days a week, day and night, with lunch service offered five days a week.
Montréal
Oncle Lee
“Oncle Lee,” our Chinese friends told us, is a bit like saying “Uncle Réjean”—a kind, familiar character you’re always happy to see. This one comes to life through the combined efforts of chef Andersen Lee, Mélanie Blanchette, François Nadon, and Émile Collette (Bouillon Bilk, Cadet, Place Carmin). The chef has built a strong résumé, notably in Mélanie’s restaurants and in François’s kitchens. A native of Brossard with deep Chinese roots, he offers comforting yet refined cuisine inspired by China.
Montréal
Pasta Pooks
Luca Vinci, known as Pasta Pooks (formerly of Mano Cornuto and Impasto), Victor Petrenko—nicknamed Coach Vic (Double’s)—Martin Pariseau (formerly at Menu Extra), Kai Fox, and “Big Sexy” have opened a counter in Little Italy. No, it’s not a new boy band hitting the city, but rather a group of passionate friends launching a counter serving succulent pasta and generous sandwiches.
Montréal
Rôtisserie La Lune
Rôtisserie La Lune, led by the team behind Mon Lapin, opened its doors in December 2024. Located in the same neighborhood, the restaurant pays tribute to traditional Québécois rotisserie, with a unique and creative signature. In spring 2025, it was awarded a Bib Gourmand by the Michelin Guide.
Montréal
Pumpui
Épicerie Pumpui is a small restaurant-counter that opened in November 2017 on Saint-Zotique Street, offering an excellent menu inspired by the flavors of Thailand.
Montréal
Bouillon Albert
Bouillon Albert revisits the tradition of French bouillons—small restaurants offering affordable cuisine in an unpretentious setting. The concept couldn’t be more timely in these uncertain economic times, providing a much-appreciated break for our wallets.
Montréal
Restaurant Chez Jean-Paul
Chez Jean-Paul cultivates a simple yet beautiful idea: reinventing childhood memories. The cuisine plays with contrasts, mischievously balancing the unsettling and the comforting. Think Rimouski sea urchin topped with a chicken butter that recalls Sunday roast chicken at our grandmothers’ homes. This tension fuels the entire experience: an intimate dining room, relaxed yet solid service, and creative plates that move and surprise.
Montréal
Gino’s Negroni & Lasagna
What could be more comforting than lasagna? Gino’s concept is simple: lasagna and Negronis, offered at reasonable prices, in a beautiful setting with a festive, welcoming atmosphere. A winning formula, especially popular with parents looking for a fun, affordable family night out.
Montréal
Satay Brothers
With Satay Brothers, the owners bring a little piece of the Southeast Asian cuisine they grew up with to Montréal. While the satay skewers gave the restaurant its name, the laksa soup remains one of the most beloved dishes on the menu—for both guests and owners alike. So comforting!
Montréal
Le Piment Rouge Beaumont
Le Piment Rouge maintains uncompromising standards in its kitchen. No frozen vegetables make it onto the menu; General Tao is prepared with capon instead of chicken, and most ingredients are organic. For Hazel Mah, respecting Chinese culinary traditions is essential. You’ll quickly notice that the dishes served here stand apart from what we typically know of Sichuan cuisine in Montréal.
Montréal
Le Taj
More than 30 years after opening, Le Taj—located in the heart of downtown—continues to serve some of Montréal’s best Indian cuisine. You’ll find classics like tikka, korma, vindaloo, and other exquisite specialties, carefully selected by owner Mr. Vinood Kapoor. The exotic décor is beautiful, and the service is impeccable and warm. For buffet lovers, the restaurant also offers a delicious and very generous lunch buffet. One of our favorites!
Montréal
Pho Tay Ho
Pho Tay Ho embodies everything we love about Vietnamese cuisine: flavor, comfort, consistency—and of course, pho soups. The restaurant stands out for its Northern Vietnamese cooking, warm and bursting with flavor.
Montréal
