Snow crab: Where to find it in Montreal?
In Quebec, the rhythm of life is dictated by the seasons. The same holds true in our kitchens, where seasonal ingredients hold a place of honour throughout the year. Think maple syrup, strawberries, corn, and so many others whose arrival on store shelves brings joy to everyone, year after year. One of the most anticipated seasons in the province, especially for restaurateurs and fine dining enthusiasts, is crab season. We are fortunate to find this highly sought-after crustacean right in our own backyard, prized for its delicious meat. The most well-known? Snow crab, without a doubt. It has ten long legs containing firm yet tender meat, with a delicate flavour that reveals itself with great subtlety.
Snow crab season begins with the arrival of spring and stretches through to June. The best time to get your hands on fresh, and even live, crabs is in April, at the start of the season. This is when restaurateurs stock up to craft delicious special menus celebrating their love of snow crab.
Here is the list of places offering snow crab in Montreal! It goes VERY fast, we strongly recommend reserving in advance.
First, for those who prefer to enjoy it in the comfort of their own home, we have also put together a list of places where you can pick some up to go.
Where to buy your crab to enjoy at home?
Oyster Blood & Épicerie Mange-Tout: Home delivery available — reserve quickly!
Poissonnerie La Mer: During snow crab season, you will find live snow crab and freshly cooked snow crab legs at La Mer.
Le Cinqàsept: New shipment of live crabs every week — reserve online.
Conserva: Crabs available at the grocery, hurry in.
Odessa: Cooked crabs have been available for a few days now — act fast.
Where to find snow crab at a restaurant?
See the addresses below — enjoy!
Molenne
Molenne is part of this new generation of Montreal breweries designed for every occasion, from drinks with friends to more festive meals. Located in the Mile End, the address charms with its distinctly Montreal spirit, its lively atmosphere, and its cuisine that puts seafood front and centre. It is also a top destination for seafood platters, as well as one of the best spots to enjoy fresh oysters. Throughout the season, the kitchen will welcome crab, sea urchin, and scallops depending on supplier availability. A perfect destination to savour the very best the sea has to offer.
Montréal
La Cave du Parapluie
La Cave du Parapluie has quickly carved out a prime spot in Little Italy with its free-spirited, festive, and spontaneous approach. Conceived as the more laid-back little sister of Le Parapluie, the address focuses on small sharing plates, plenty of fish and seafood — often raw — along with a menu that evolves according to new arrivals and the team’s inspirations. Throughout the season, the kitchen will feature surprise dishes centred around snow crab, a great reason to visit more than once.
Montréal
Hoogan et Beaufort
Hoogan et Beaufort has established itself as one of Rosemont’s standout dining destinations, both for the talent of chef Marc-André Jetté and for its spectacular industrial setting at the heart of the Shops Angus. Guests come for precise, contemporary cuisine deeply rooted in Quebec’s finest products, always delivered with great finesse. Good news for crab lovers — it will be on the menu at least through the first week of May, with fresh shipments arriving every week.
Montréal
Joséphine
Joséphine is one of those Plateau addresses where you come as much for the atmosphere as for the food. On Saint-Denis, the kitchen offers bistro-style cuisine designed for sharing, where fish and seafood take centre stage without overshadowing a selection of meats and fresh pastas. In season, its terrace is also among the most beloved on rue Saint-Denis. This month, the restaurant celebrates snow crab with a seasonal platter served on ice and accompanied by fresh garnishes — a simple, light, and indulgent format designed to be enjoyed at any time.
Paris
Le Chien Fumant
Le Chien Fumant remains one of the Plateau’s most beloved addresses, with its carefully crafted cuisine, warm hospitality, and remarkable ability to reinvent itself while continuing to surprise year after year. The restaurant stands as a reliable favourite for a great meal in the neighbourhood, with a menu that is always thoughtful and distinctive. Throughout the season, crab will be celebrated in a variety of ways, guided by the chef’s inspiration.
Montréal
Bar OTTO
Le Bar Otto is one of the best Japanese addresses in the city, offering a refined and elegant experience. In a setting that blends tradition and modernity, the establishment presents a menu inspired by Japanese street food, complemented by a lovely wine list. Throughout the season, guests can also discover a special dish combining uni, ikura, and sweet crab meat — even better paired with a sparkling sake.
Montréal
Restaurant GIWA
Giwa brings a contemporary and refined Korean experience to Verdun, driven by the vision of chef Alex Woo. The address stands out for its modern cuisine, both precise and creative. Throughout the season, crab will make several appearances across a variety of dishes — a great opportunity to discover this restaurant that deserves far more attention.
Montréal
Café Miracolo
Miracolo is one of the most romantic addresses on boulevard Saint-Laurent, with its eclectic décor, festive atmosphere, and personality-driven Italo-Québécois cuisine. The menu draws from Italian classics while making ample room for local products. Throughout the season, the restaurant will also offer the classic snow crab served on ice, as well as a pasta version — two very good reasons to pay it a visit.
Montréal
Annette bar à vin
Much like its big brother Hoogan et Beaufort, Annette will also be making room for crab on its menu. At this Shops Angus wine bar, Marc-André Jetté and Mila Rishkova have crafted an elegant and contemporary address where seasonal sharing plates, a thoughtful wine selection, and a lively atmosphere come together for a particularly memorable experience. A wonderful option for enjoying crab this season.
Montréal
Restaurant Hélicoptère
Hélicoptère is one of the must-visit addresses in Hochelaga-Maisonneuve and ranks without question among Montreal’s finest restaurants. Guests come for a particularly impressive tasting menu offered at a still-accessible price point, as well as for its refined local cuisine and a carefully curated wine selection. Throughout the season, Hélicoptère will also feature snow crab depending on availability and the chef’s inspiration.
Montréal
Leméac
Leméac is one of Montreal’s finest French brasseries, celebrated for its commitment to quality, professional service, and elegant atmosphere. A true institution in the city, the restaurant delivers consistently well-executed brasserie cuisine with a deeply held eco-responsible ethos. In season, don’t miss their snow crab starter, served with a lemon and tarragon mayonnaise — a classic worth savouring before mid-May!
Montréal
Tuck Shop
Tuck Shop has been one of Montreal’s standout institutions since 2010. In a warm and relaxed setting, the restaurant serves simple, flavourful food that is consistently well executed, along with the polished service it is known for. This season, crab will also be making an appearance on the menu, and since quantities are limited early on, the team recommends booking early.
Montréal
Jatoba
Jatoba has established itself as one of the city’s most impressive dining destinations, both for its spectacular decor and the experience it offers. In this vast downtown space, chef Olivier Vigneault’s Japanese cuisine stands out for its precision, elegance, and attention to detail. Throughout the season, the restaurant will also be giving snow crab a prominent place through delicate creations designed to highlight all the finesse of the product.
Montréal
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