Montreal’s Best Spots for an Affordable Business Lunch
You often ask us for suggestions on where to enjoy a great meal without blowing your budget — luckily, Montreal is full of hidden gems where you can have a pleasant dining experience. Affordable business lunches are no exception, as we know it can sometimes be tricky to find a truly affordable business lunch in Montreal. This list will help you impress your clients or simply swap the lunchbox for a midday outing with colleagues, without overspending.
Going out for lunch with clients or colleagues while treating yourself without breaking the bank is still possible in Montreal. In this selection, you’ll find a variety of spots sure to please your guests — and your wallet.
We also recommend checking out our lists of budget-friendly lunch spots, business lunches that impress, and unique places to have lunch in Montreal.
PREZZE MOLLO
Born from an obvious need in the eastern part of Mile End, where offices and workers abound, PREZZE MOLLO quickly became a go-to spot for a quick lunch or to linger over an aperitivo in a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere. Everything is made in-house, from the pasta and sauces to the focaccia. Fresh, carefully selected ingredients ensure authentic flavors and impeccable quality. It’s one of the best Italian restaurants in Montreal!
Montréal
Porte à Côté - Boire & Manger
Right next to Rose Ross, Porte à Côté offers a simple, affordable, and friendly dining experience. The menu features around ten delicious dishes crafted with the same care as its big brother, but in a more laid-back atmosphere. The drink list showcases fine wines by the glass or bottle, carefully selected beers, and cocktails — with or without alcohol. It’s the perfect spot to eat and drink well, without fuss, whether with friends or solo, right in the heart of Promenade Masson.
Montréal
Myers
If you enjoyed the unique atmosphere of Boxermans, you’ll love Myers, the new spot launched by Éric Berlin and Grégoire Routy, the restaurant’s former owners. Located in a thoughtfully designed space, Myers offers a convivial cuisine that brings a fresh, modern touch to Montreal’s dining scene — a fantastic option for lunch in Montreal!
Montréal
Le Butterblume
Located at the crossroads of Mile End and Little Italy, Butterblume is one of our favorite spots in the area. This place has all the qualities that turn a simple address into a great one. First and foremost, the food — always a good starting point for a restaurant. The warm welcome and attentive service are just as refined as the beautifully plated dishes, while the subtly Scandinavian-inspired décor adds to the pleasure of coming here for lunch or brunch. Your clients or guests will thank you for introducing them to a new spot where talking business becomes a more interesting and original experience.
Montréal
Café Parvis
Café Parvis is one of our favorite spots in downtown Montreal. Just steps from Place des Festivals, this restaurant—where guests always leave happy—is open from early morning until nightfall. Many clients return at lunchtime for a relaxed business lunch.
Montréal
Restaurant Mélisse
Mélisse is a true work of art. The spacious venue feels like a large summer kitchen, making you feel right at home. While the atmosphere is at its peak in the evening, Mélisse also offers a lunch menu — perfect for enjoying refined, fresh cuisine at any time of the day. Head to this Old Montreal address to treat yourself to a delicate and vibrant dining experience.
Montréal
BarBara
BarBara is a charming spot that opened on Notre-Dame West on January 26, 2021. Its concept is versatile: first and foremost, BarBara is a wine bar where great vino flows freely at affordable prices. This is paired with a dispensa (a mini Italian grocery), coffee for early risers, and absolutely fabulous lunches.
Montréal
Biiru
Biiru is Japanese beer. Biirū is also an izakaya right in the heart of downtown Montreal, serving tasty Japanese-inspired cuisine in a lively, festive atmosphere. We recommend visiting Biirū because it’s straightforward, the food and drinks are excellent, and the prices are affordable. Note that Biiru is featured on our lists of beautiful, good, and affordable restaurants in the city, as well as on our guide to unique lunch spots downtown Montreal.
Montréal
Neotokyo
This cyberpunk-inspired noodle bar serves delicious ramen soups, mazemen (brothless ramen), a few classic sides, and a short list of sake and Japanese-flavored cocktails. The spot proudly features on our list of beautiful, good, and affordable restaurants in Montreal. It’s packed every lunchtime—and it’s easy to see why!
Montreal
Mano Cornuto
An Italian café in Griffintown, Mano Cornuto has been very popular since it opened! Everyone seems to know each other thanks to its warm and welcoming atmosphere. In the kitchen, James Baran draws inspiration from Italian cafés to create a fresh, enjoyable menu that impresses your guests at any time of the day.
Montréal
Monopole
Monopole is a small café and snack bar serving the Old Montreal and Griffintown neighborhoods. It’s a quiet, relaxed, and friendly spot in an area that really needed just that. The lunch menu, crafted by Caroline Roy (Olive et Gourmando, Pullman), changes with the seasons and available ingredients. You’ll find sandwiches, salads, soups, and a few daily specials.
Montréal
Lundis au soleil
Lundis au Soleil thrives as a charming neighborhood snack bar, perfect for lingering at lunch or in the evening. True to its name, Lundis au Soleil brings a touch of comfort to locals with an accessible and flavorful menu.
Montréal
Brasserie Bernard
Brasserie Bernard is ideal for a pleasant lunch, pairing flavorful dishes with a friendly atmosphere. The spot is also perfect for a calm and enjoyable evening, offering refined feel-good cuisine at lunch and dinner alike. The ambiance is peaceful, making it a great place for good conversation — it’s featured on our list of restaurants where you can actually hear yourself talk.
Montréal
Holder
Holder is a Montreal institution that feels like it has always been here. Located in Old Montreal and open for about twenty years, this spacious European-style brasserie serves flavorful, well-executed dishes. For those looking to eat quickly at lunchtime, Holder offers an express lunch menu with daily specials that change regularly. This chic Old Montreal spot is the perfect place to enjoy a midday meal without spending a fortune.
Montréal
Le Bar Darling
Part of the Holder brothers’ family of establishments (Holder restaurant, Majestique bar, Brasserie Bernard, and Waverly bar), Darling opened its doors in March 2017 at the corner of Boulevard Saint-Laurent and Marie-Anne Street. For lunch, it offers slightly heartier and refined dishes that change weekly according to seasonal ingredients. The spot is also perfect for lingering or enjoying a drink at any time of day. A true success!
Montréal
Réservoir - Brasseur
For over 20 years, people have been coming here for a drink and a bite — sometimes one drink, sometimes several, and plenty of small plates. The décor has changed very little, and the overall atmosphere remains warm and welcoming. In nice weather, a street-level terrace complements the upstairs patio. Whether at lunch or dinner, diners seated at tables or the bar seem to appreciate this modest spot, where regulars have made it feel like a second home. The Réservoir remains a brasserie but is featured on our list of bars with the best food, offering a delicious lunch menu at reasonable prices.
Montréal
Arte & Farina
Moved in 2022 to a stunning new location on Sainte-Catherine Street, Arte & Farina offers a journey to Italy right in the heart of the Village. At lunchtime, fresh pasta and prepared dishes join the menu. The ricotta gnocchi — true little clouds served with tomato sauce and fresh mozzarella — are always available, as are the tagliatelle al ragù. They also serve a small selection of privately imported Italian wines carefully chosen by Ivana, along with a few classic cocktails.
Montréal
larrys
The Larrys is a must-visit small café-restaurant-bar located in the former Lawrence spot at the corner of Boulevard Saint-Laurent and Fairmount East. Owned by the same team behind Lawrence restaurant and Boucherie Lawrence — Sefi Amir and Marc Cohen — this charming spot comes highly recommended. Think of The Larrys as a European-style café: open all day, seven days a week, where you can grab coffee and snacks for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. It’s also featured on our list of great Mile End lunches under $10.
Montréal
