The Best Caesar Salads in Montreal
The Best Caesar Salads in Montreal
Where to enjoy the best Caesar salads in the city?! The origin of this salad remains a mystery, but it certainly gets a lot of attention. The first Caesar salad is said to have been created in the 1920s by Italian restaurateur Caesar Cardini at his restaurant in Tijuana, Mexico. Rumor has it that the chef served it after a stock shortage forced him to improvise with whatever ingredients he had on hand. So no, the Caesar salad isn’t named after the famous Roman emperor, sworn enemy of Asterix and Obelix!
The traditional Caesar salad is made with romaine lettuce, croutons, parmesan, and sometimes even hard-boiled eggs. In its modern version, bacon or capers are often added. The key ingredient is the dressing, made from grated parmesan, olive oil, anchovies, and egg yolk. The Caesar salad enjoys worldwide popularity, so much so that it’s not tied to a particular cuisine. No matter what kind of restaurant you enter, you’re likely to find it on the menu.
Montreal is home to several restaurants offering excellent Caesar salads. The hardest part was not finding them, but choosing the best ones! This dish often appears in two places on the menu: as an appetizer or as a main course, often enhanced with strips of grilled or breaded chicken. Like all classic dishes, chefs love to put their own spin on it, which explains the wide variety and quality of Caesar salads found in Montreal restaurants. It’s often said that the simplest and best-executed recipes are the most satisfying to eat, and the Caesar salad is surely proof of that.
Here are our suggestions for where to find the best Caesar salads in the city.
Mano Cornuto
An Italian café in Griffintown, Mano Cornuto has been very popular since its opening! The atmosphere is so welcoming that it feels like everyone knows each other. In the kitchen, James Baran draws inspiration from Italian cafés to prepare a fresh, enjoyable menu for any time of day. Their Caesar salad is particularly good: heart of romaine lettuce, white anchovies, Caesar dressing, lemon oil, and capers. (photo: Craving Curator)
Montréal
Elena
Elena restaurant in St-Henri is one of the best Italian spots in the city and one of our absolute favorites! On the menu, you’ll find a selection of antipasti, three house-made salads, house-made pasta (some of the best in Montreal), and amazing pizzas—which have now earned a spot on our list of the best pizzas in Montreal—along with a meat dish, a fish dish, and two sides. Their Caesar salad, made with kale, radicchio, croutons, and a tahini dressing, is incredibly good!
Montréal
Dorsia
This very chic spot in Old Montreal offers one of the best Caesar salads in the city, presented in a very elegant way! The salad is crisp, with just the right amount of dressing (which means, a lot!), plenty of fresh anchovies, and a crumble of sourdough bread to add some crunch. A must-try if you’re visiting!
Montréal
Restaurant Gus
Gus is a charming neighborhood restaurant offering comforting cuisine with simple ingredients, all crafted with passion. Here, you can enjoy an excellent Caesar salad made fresh to order: the ingredients are mixed with each order to preserve the flavors and freshness until the very last moment. The generous salad is served with small Italian piccoricci peppers. You can also add an extra of caviar to the salad or, in season, have it accompanied by lobster. Definitely worth trying!
Montréal
maps pizza
Maps Pizza offers a delicious Caesar salad! Sucrine lettuce, anchovy dressing, parmesan, and sourdough breadcrumbs—simple and refreshing, it’s the perfect complement to the house’s delicious pizzas.
Montréal
Taverne Sur Le Square
Tavern sur le Square offers delightful market-driven cuisine with French and Italian influences. Here, you can enjoy an excellent Caesar salad made with baby romaine, crispy capers, and a creamy anchovy dressing. A true delight!
Westmount
Cafe Gentile Westmount
Café Gentile in Westmount offers an elegant and modern decor inspired by classic Italian restaurants. Always bustling, the spot serves a menu of reimagined classics. One of the highlights is their Caesar salad: romaine lettuce, house-made Caesar dressing, croutons, and Parmigiano Reggiano. Simply delicious!
Westmount
Le Petit Italien
Le Petit Italien serves delicious pasta in a very friendly atmosphere. The menu features classic Italian dishes—nothing complicated, just simple and tasty. As for the house Caesar salad, it can be enjoyed as an appetizer or a main course with added chicken. It’s made with romaine lettuce, Caesar dressing, and the twist comes from a parmesan crumble, replacing the traditional croutons.
Montréal
Bar Henrietta
AlthoughBar Henrietta is known for its famous Manchego popcorn, their kale Caesar salad is equally popular. With bacon, croutons, Grana Padano, and lemon, all served atop a mountain of kale, it’s a safe bet to pair with a good bottle of wine.
Montréal
Mandy's
Who in Montreal hasn’t tasted one of the salads from the many Mandy’s restaurants? Perfect for takeout for a quick lunch or to enjoy on-site for a delightful moment, Mandy’s has built a solid reputation over time—and for good reason! You can never get tired of these fresh, generous salads, and one of our favorites is the Jules Caesar salad. It’s both creamy and crunchy, striking the perfect balance between Caesar dressing, bacon, and crunchy pitas served in abundance. Parmesan and mozzarella are also part of the mix. For an extra boost, you can add a protein like chicken.
Montréal
Pizzeria Magpie Mile End
Looking for a relaxed evening in a warm atmosphere? Magpie Pizzeria in Mile-End is the place to be. Known for its artisanal, wood-fired Neapolitan-inspired pizzas, this pizzeria excels not only in the art of thin-crust pizza but also in its Caesar salad. The key ingredients—creamy house-made Caesar dressing, perfectly grilled pancetta, and fresh herbs—come together to delight your taste buds.
Montréal
La Spada
La Spada offers a classic Caesar salad (romaine lettuce, croutons, pancetta, parmesan, and white anchovies) that definitely deserves its place on this list!
Montréal
Marci Café - Restaurant
Le Marci offers a kale Caesar salad topped with beautiful white anchovy fillets that satisfy all cravings! The portion is generous, and the price is fair.
Montréal
Bernies Pizza Martini Bar
Bernies offers a super classic yet delicious Caesar salad that instantly takes us back to our childhood! It’s the perfect companion to their excellent pizzas and cheesy garlic bread rolls.
Dollard-des-Ormeaux
Miracolo
The Caesar salad at Miracolo, featuring sucrine lettuce and mortadella bacon, is simply divine. Just like the restaurant itself!
Montréal
