Dining Solo: The best addresses to eat alone
When you sit down at a restaurant and observe the other customers around you, it often feels like you’re surrounded by couples, young families, or groups of friends. However, the restaurant industry is experiencing a growing trend: more and more customers are choosing to enjoy a solo dining experience. People are finally beginning to realize that it is perfectly normal and socially acceptable to eat alone, whether it’s for brunch, a quick lunch, or a memorable dinner.
Taking the time to indulge yourself is essential. Want to celebrate the end of a long week? Book a table at a great restaurant and treat yourself to an evening just for you. Looking for a moment of peace on a Sunday morning? Enjoy a delicious brunch and a comforting cup of coffee. And if your day has been more challenging than usual, why not treat yourself to a well-deserved break with a great lunch? Every moment is a perfect opportunity to reconnect with yourself.
With that in mind, we have carefully selected restaurants where dining alone becomes a true experience. We highly recommend sitting at the bar when possible: it’s the perfect spot to observe the energy of the kitchen or bar, interact with the staff, and enjoy your meal in a relaxed atmosphere. Many of the restaurants on this list were chosen with this idea in mind, as they offer spaces that make solo dining particularly enjoyable.
There’s no need to lower your head when asking for a table for one. On the contrary, consider it an opportunity to fully savor your meal without distractions. The establishments on this list are perfect for a date with yourself, offering quality food, attentive service, and a welcoming atmosphere.
Here is our list of the best restaurants to eat alone in Montreal.
Il Miglio
This restaurant, which is part of our list of the best Italian restaurants in Montreal, offers a few appetizers, meatballs, pasta dishes — including lasagna and stuffed pasta — and more. You can accompany everything with a good glass of wine and finish your meal with a delicious tiramisu. Il Miglio is the perfect option for a solo Italian lunch!
Montréal
Bar Henrietta
If you are looking for a great wine bar to have a drink and a bite to eat, look no further! Bar Henrietta offers a very interesting wine list full of carefully selected mostly natural private imports. There are also delicious classic cocktails executed with brio as well as Quebec beers on draught. As for food, you will find all sorts of tasty small plates that change regularly. In sum, a Mile-End staple for your next me-time outing.
Montréal
Pumpui
This little counter-restaurant opened its doors in the heart of Little Italy and offers an excellent menu bursting with Thai flavours. Inside, you’ll find a few charming booths, a window-facing counter with stools, as well as several food products from South Asia. Basically, Pumpui is an inviting space that offers excellent food and products, to be enjoyed in house, in a nearby park, or at home. It is one of our favourite Thai restaurants in Montreal.
Montreal
L'Express
If you’re looking to feel like a true Montrealer, come have lunch alone at one of Montreal’s most iconic restaurants! L’Express has been making its mark for almost 40 years now, and there’s no sign of it slowing down. While scrupulously respecting the recipe for classic French brasserie cuisine, the menu at L’Express is both creative and festive. There’s nothing we don’t like about L’Express. A classic to try without hesitation!
Montréal
Café Parvis
Whether it’s for lunch downtown, a late night drink or a delicious evening meal, Café Parvis is sure to satisfy. Whatever time of day, the space is bright, welcoming, and lively. The house food offer is mainly centered around light pizzas (which are among the best pizzas in town), but they also offer other small gourmet dishes. There are salads, falafels, as well as nice brunches on weekends. To accompany everything, we invite you to consult their judiciously prepared wine list which changes regularly. Perfect for those who like to try new things. When we go alone, we like to sit at the bar. You can even work there if you want!
Montréal
Cadet
Cadet is the sibling address of the popular restaurants Bouillon Bilk and Place Carmin. The regularly changing menu offers small dishes (although they really aren’t that small). A person with a light appetite could be satisfied with one of the more robust dishes. It is recommended to have one or two per person, depending on your hunger. The plates are delicately prepared, and their wine list offers interesting products that perfectly accompany their menu. The service is excellent and efficient. A superb and delicious address that you will never tire of!
Montréal
Patati Patata Jean-Talon Friterie Deluxe
Patati Patata is an unpretentious, friterie de luxe that has been serving up delicious, homemade casse-croûte classics for over 20 years! We come here to enjoy a good burger or a poutine in a simple, relaxed, and welcoming atmosphere. The house also offers classic, yet decadent breakfasts at any time! Patati Patata is a Montreal classic that never goes out of style. There is also a location at the Jean-Talon Market. Try it the next time you have a craving for comfort food.
Montréal
Isle de Garde - Brasserie
Located on Beaubien East, Isle de Garde is a superb craft brewery with a very inviting terrace in the summer (one of the most beautiful bar terraces in the city, and therefore certainly one of the busiest in the neighbourhood). The place offers a menu of classic and comforting dishes. While we eat very well here — from fried chicken, to gnocchi, to pulled pork chili — Isle de Garde is better known for its beer offering. The walls of the counter display a series of 24 beers brewed on site, which change constantly. Whether for lunch or dinner, Isle de Garde is a friendly and unpretentious microbrewery to try. Settling in for lunch and work in the afternoon is one of the neighbourhood’s best kept secrets 😉
Montréal
vinvinvin
Vinvinvin offers a wide range of wines to discover in a colorful and charming space. A varied and truly delicious offer of northern climate “living” wines await. There is also a menu of delicious small dishes prepared with local ingredients. The team is friendly and warm, and the service is attentive and professional. Don’t hesitate to ask for a bit of guidance. It’s not for nothing that vinvinvin is now part of our list of the best wine bars!
Montréal
Pho Bang New York
This Chinatown staple offers tasty Vietnamese dishes at low prices. There are Tonkinese soups, grilled meats, pork vermicelli, beef rice, imperial rolls and more. However, one of the main reasons to come here is to enjoy one of the best Phở soups in Montreal! Whether it’s for lunch or an evening meal, you’ll definitely feel comforted by one of their authentic dishes.
Montréal
Yokato Yokabai Ramen
Yokato Yokabai Ramen is a small, discreet ramen restaurant at the corner of Drolet Street and Rachel Street. In our opinion, it serves one of the best, if not the best ramen in Montreal. The establishment is also one of the top Japanese restaurants in the city!
Montréal
Leméac
Leméac is a stylish French brasserie, one of the best, that has surpassed the 20-year mark. The restaurant is still going strong; its continued popularity demonstrates the owners’ commitment to satisfying their customers and offering a quality product.
Montréal
Birbante
Nestled on Saint-Laurent Boulevard in Montreal, Birbante invites its guests to immerse themselves in an Italian experience where tradition and modernity meet. Settle in at the bar, where the team is warm and friendly, ensuring you’re in good hands.
Montréal
Montréal Plaza
Montréal Plaza is one of those places where you go to enjoy a great bite and a good drink with friends, for a date, or to celebrate an occasion with a group. But it’s also a place you’ll love to settle into alone at the bar. It’s the kind of legendary spot where you feel at ease, even on a date with yourself.
Montréal
Juliette Plaza
Next door to the legendary Montréal Plaza, separated only by a quirky little curtain, Juliette Plaza will celebrate its official opening on February 28, 2024. The establishment stands out for its unique atmosphere and the high quality of its cuisine, served both at lunch and dinner, clearly reflecting the signature touch of the prestigious team from the neighboring institution.
Montréal
Entre-Deux
At Entre-Deux, you’ll be welcomed in a lighthearted and friendly atmosphere, where you’ll enjoy great food paired with impeccable service. Settle in at the bar and indulge in one of their delicious martinis.
Montreal
Regashi
An izakaya is the Japanese equivalent of a French bistro, and regashi is a Japanese term that evokes heritage. This name was carefully chosen to represent the restaurant on Atwater Avenue, embodying the legacy of Thierry-Tri Du-Boisclair, the chef and co-owner, who draws from his dual cultural background. Naomie and Thierry will welcome you like family and ensure you have a memorable evening.
Montréal
Mano Cornuto
Mano Cornuto is a popular Italian café in Griffintown, known for its lively atmosphere and café-inspired Italian cuisine. The menu highlights both local and Italian products, with options for every time of day, and the bar offers a variety of drinks, including cocktails and wines.
Montréal
larrys
This Larrys is a must-visit café-restaurant-bar in the city, located in the former space of Lawrence at the corner of Saint-Laurent Boulevard and Fairmont East. From the same owners as Lawrence — Sefi Amir and Marc Cohen — the establishment is absolutely charming, and we highly recommend it to everyone.
Montréal
Verdun Beach
Verdun Beach is not just a bar with great drinks; it’s also an excellent eatery! From light bites to hearty meals, the spot satisfies everyone’s cravings. The owners complement this offering with Verdun Beef, a lunch counter featuring a highly affordable “casse-croûte” menu.
Montréal
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