Monday lunch: where should you go? A few suggestions
If there’s one moment in the week when planning a business lunch or a meal with friends feels almost like a challenge, it’s Monday lunchtime. After the buzz of the weekend, a large number of Montréal restaurants choose to slow things down at lunch (and we totally get why!). The result: endless scrolling through Google Maps, double-checking opening hours, and last-minute plan changes.
That said, even if the options are more limited, they’re far from nonexistent—and they often come with some great surprises. Whether you’re looking to kick off the week with a comforting plate, fit in an efficient lunch between meetings, or simply treat yourself on a grey Monday, there are still plenty of solid options in Montréal.
To spare you the long searches and potential disappointments, we’ve done the work for you. We’ve gathered a selection of spots open on Monday at lunchtime, from tried-and-true favourites to newer standouts. On the menu: pizza, fresh pasta, ramen, American-style diners, and other well-executed pleasures—perfect for breaking the early-week routine.
And if your craving for good food extends into the evening, we also invite you to check out our list of restaurants open on Monday night. In the meantime, here are our suggestions for Monday lunches. Happy discovering, and have a great start to the week!
Myers
Myers is the restaurant from the former owners of Boxermans. It offers fresh, refined cuisine paired with friendly service—a perfect spot for a delicious lunch in Montréal.
Montréal
Au Coin
The BarBara team is behind this beautiful project at the corner of Fairmount and Jeanne-Mance. You’ll find pizza and a selection of fresh dishes, all served in an ultra-welcoming atmosphere with stunning décor. A favourite for dining with family or friends.
Montréal
NDG Luncheonette
NDG Luncheonette is a charming American-style diner in the Notre-Dame-de-Grâce neighbourhood. Open for breakfast and lunch, it serves classic diner fare while highlighting high-quality, locally sourced ingredients.
Montréal
Stellina
Stellina is the big sister to Siamo Noi and Mare, and one of Montréal’s best Italian restaurants. If you’re craving excellent fresh pasta for lunch, you’ll be more than happy here. The service is elegant, as is the décor, and the wine and cocktail list is thoughtfully curated—an ideal choice for a business lunch or an impromptu romantic meal.
Montréal
Neotokyo
When you’re craving a comforting bowl of ramen on Monday at lunchtime, head to Neotokyo. For a quick solo lunch that’s simple yet always satisfying, it’s the perfect spot.
Montreal
Pizzeria Locali
Locali is the pizzeria on Saint-Zotique Street run by the No. 900 group. The team has swapped Neapolitan pizza for a unique dough—a blend of New York–style and Québécois pizza. Beyond their pizzas, you’ll also find excellent starters, pastas, and Italian dishes. The menu brings back the classic comfort foods of our childhood. Bonus: prices are (very) affordable, making it a great place to go with kids.
Montréal
Pumpui
Épicerie Pumpui is a small counter-style restaurant that opened in November 2017 on St-Zotique Street, offering an excellent menu inspired by the flavours of Thailand. The menu features mostly Thai dishes, with a few Southeast Asian influences. Offerings change slightly every day, with curries as the foundation—appearing in soups, noodles, stir-fries, and more. The dishes are comforting, authentically flavoured, and deeply satisfying. To drink, you’ll find a variety of juices, sodas, Thai coffees (quite distinctive), Thai teas (also one of a kind), and in summer, an iced tea with condensed milk.
Montréal
BarBara
BarBara is a lovely spot that opened on Notre-Dame Ouest on January 26, 2020. The menu is crafted by David Pellizari, with a particular focus on fresh pasta and other Italian-inspired delights. During the day, it’s all about focaccia, zeppoli, bombolini, and other grab-and-go bites that make you hungry just thinking about them. The house also boasts a well-stocked wine cellar curated by Catherine Draws, featuring bottles from small producers here and abroad—wines that go down dangerously easily.
Montréal
Mano Cornuto
An Italian café in Griffintown, Mano Cornuto has been hugely popular since it opened. The atmosphere is so welcoming it feels like everyone knows each other. Every day, the team makes its own focaccia in-house. These oven-baked flatbreads are served with a spread of your choice (truffle honey, fig jam, or apricot jam) and ricotta. The rest of the menu is designed to showcase excellent local and Italian products: a few pasta dishes, colourful salads, two generous sandwiches (one available in a vegetarian version), great pastries, and plates of salami or crudo. For dessert, the kitchen serves a delicious doughnut that rounds off any meal perfectly.
Montréal
Monarque
This address is considered one of the city’s must-visits—and also one of the most beautiful restaurants in Montréal. Guests come here to enjoy refined, indulgent French-inspired cuisine. The brasserie menu features dishes that change slightly with the seasons to ensure peak freshness. Fish and seafood bouillabaisse, Cornish hen, sweetbreads, veal meatballs with taleggio, and house dry-aged Prince Edward Island beef are among the standout dishes.The dining room menu—the Monarque’s other section—offers a four-course experience that changes several times throughout the year. No matter the season, the dishes remain carefully executed classics rooted in market-driven cuisine.
Montréal
Helena
Located in Old Montréal, Helena is the restaurant of Portuguese-born chef Helena Loureiro. In this elegant space on McGill Street, guests enjoy Portuguese-inspired cuisine that is both classic and modern. The menu features hot and cold tapas (pastéis de bacalhau, mexilhão à portuguesa, scallops, chouriço assado, and more), as well as standout meat and fish dishes (ensopado de borrego, octopus salad, sardine fillets, etc.). The restaurant also boasts an excellent selection of Portuguese wines, many available through private import.
Montréal
Chand Palace
Open since 2011, Chand Palace is a very small, modest Indian restaurant serving flavourful thalis and other Indian specialties at affordable prices. Like many Indian restaurants in the neighbourhood, the décor is quite simple. People come here above all to eat well—which is why it’s one of our favourite spots for delicious food at low prices. Chand Palace offers authentic, home-style Indian cooking.
Montréal
La Bête A Pain
Located on Fleury Ouest Street, Bête à Pain Ahuntsic is the very first location of the beloved bakery group (Bête à Pain Griffintown and Bête à Pain Laval) and one of Montréal’s best bakeries. Part bakery, café, counter, and restaurant, it has a certain je ne sais quoi that makes you want to linger longer than planned. A feeling clearly shared by many—the space is almost always full.
Montréal
Olive et Gourmando
Olive et Gourmando is a legendary café in the heart of Old Montréal. The spot serves brunch, lunch, and excellent pastries. Our favourite dish on the menu is the panini Poached Eggs on Your Face. Other must-orders include the Cubana sandwich, French toast, and the decadent house-made brownie.
Montréal
Le Bar Darling
The café-bar-restaurant Darling has taken over the former iconic Les Bobards space. Completely reimagined, the only element left from the original layout is the location of the main bar around the central column. Located on Saint-Laurent Boulevard, Darling offers excellent lunch options. In the kitchen, chef Alejandro Vega prepares delicious shareable plates. We particularly love the unique décor and the fact that it’s both a beautiful café to work from during the day and the perfect place to wrap things up with drinks and great bites with friends.
Montréal
Arthurs Nosh Bar
This charming little restaurant on Notre-Dame Ouest has it all: stunning décor, attentive service, and a relaxed atmosphere. The menu changes with the seasons, featuring heartier dishes in winter and lighter fare in summer. The entire menu at Arthurs Nosh Bar is exceptionally good—fresh, creative, and a heartfelt tribute to Jewish cuisine.
Montréal
Greenspot
Greenspot is a deli in the Saint-Henri neighbourhood where you can enjoy excellent diner-style comfort food in a retro, friendly atmosphere. It’s home to one of Montréal’s best poutines, one of the city’s top burgers, delicious milkshakes, and great hot dogs. What more could you ask for when a craving for classic Québecois casse-croûte hits?
Montréal
Patati Patata Friterie de Luxe
Patati Patata is a no-frills, high-quality fry shop that has been serving delicious casse-croûte classics for over 20 years. The concept is simple: a “pataterie” offering comfort food favourites at affordable prices. People come here to enjoy a great burger or poutine in a relaxed, warm, and unpretentious setting. You can also visit their second location at Jean-Talon Market.
Montréal
Arte & Farina
Arte & Farina quickly built a reputation for its divine Italian pastries and delicious Roman-style pizzas. This neighbourhood Italian bakery invites guests on a culinary journey to Italy. At lunchtime, fresh pasta and prepared dishes are added to the chalkboard menu. The ricotta gnocchi—little fluffy clouds served with tomato sauce and fresh mozzarella—are always available, as are the tagliatelle al ragù. Everything is a delight.
Montréal
Omnivore St-Laurent
Omnivore is a Middle Eastern–inspired “healthy fast food” restaurant with a flavourful menu. In a warm, welcoming atmosphere, the spot serves quick and delicious dishes. It’s just as appealing for vegetarians as it is for fans of grilled meats. In the summer, everything is available to go—perfect for enjoying your meal in the park right across the street. They also have a second location on Saint-Denis Street.
Montréal
Helico
Hélico is a charming little café that opened in Hochelaga in 2018. Very popular in the neighbourhood, this spot is well worth a visit for its delicious offerings—we consider it one of the best cafés in the city where you can also eat exceptionally well. The short menu, created by David Ollu, features simple, flavourful, and fresh dishes for breakfast and brunch. The food follows the seasons and market availability: one of the city’s best breakfast sandwiches, refreshing salads, cold soups, and other comforting plates are all on offer.
Montréal
Gentile Pizza Parlour
Gentile Pizza Parlour is a New York–style pizzeria located in Westmount. The beautiful space was designed by Zébulon Perron. In the kitchen, Daniel Krystal, with 12 years of experience, works under the direction of Nelson Maceira to deliver a flavourful menu. Beyond the pizzeria, Gentile also operates two of the city’s iconic cafés—one on Avenue du Parc and another right next to the new pizzeria. The café is also open on Mondays!
Westmount
Buvette Beaubien
Buvette Beaubien is a true neighbourhood gem where you instantly feel at home. In a warm, convivial atmosphere, guests share generous, accessible dishes paired with a well-curated selection of affordably priced wines. In summer, the much-loved terrace adds to the pleasure. With a private room for events and an evolving menu showcasing local flavours, this buvette perfectly embodies the festive, generous spirit of Beaubien Est.
Montréal
