The Best French Restaurants in Montreal
Ah, French restaurants! Whether we go for the classics of French cuisine, like chicken liver mousse, beef tartare or sweetbreads, or for a French brasserie-style menu, French restaurants are places we hold especially dear. Paired with a good bottle, at lunch or dinner, the dishes they serve are as delectable as they are appetizing. We enjoy them in a setting that’s often sophisticated, much like the country’s refined cuisine. Every visit feels like a small celebration.
Then there are the small pleasures that are part of every meal at French restaurants: bread spread with a generous layer of butter, fries stolen from the plate next to ours, and sauce we make sure to finish down to the last drop. Not to mention the famous “we’ll just look at the dessert menu,” which more often than not ends with a crème brûlée or profiteroles to share. These little rituals are a big part of the charm.
Because it’s simple, flavourful and consistent, Tastet never tires of French cuisine. It’s well established in Montréal, so there’s no shortage of French restaurants. The ones we suggest stand out for their setting, their service and their atmosphere, which carry us somewhere else every time. Whether you’re a local or just passing through, there’s always a new table to discover.
From the neighbourhood bistro where they know our order to the grand dining room we book for a special occasion, there’s something for everyone among Montréal’s French restaurants. Some places keep the traditions of France alive, while others reinvent them with the seasons and local products. Many also offer a carefully chosen wine list to match. All of them remind us why we keep coming back to French cuisine.
For more suggestions beyond French restaurants, check out our lists of the best steak frites and the best sweetbreads.
Here is our list of the best French restaurants in Montréal.
L'Express
L’Express opened its doors on December 19, 1980, and the Saint-Denis Street institution has since become known around the world. The menu is resolutely French and changes very little, with daily specials that follow the seasons and what comes in. We keep coming back for the bone marrow, the veal kidneys, the chicken liver mousse with pistachios and the beef tartare. The wine list holds some great finds at reasonable prices, which makes us love it even more!
Montréal
Leméac
Leméac is a restaurant we cherish, and the quality never slips. In an elegant, classic setting, we enjoy unpretentious French brasserie cuisine that’s always perfectly executed. The service is courteous and efficient, and everything is balanced just right. We’re very fond of this place.
Montréal
Bistrot à Franky
In the Mile End, Bistrot à Franky shows the love Francis Blais and the team behind Menu Extra have for French bistro cuisine. Omelette, sole meunière, vin jaune chicken and steak au poivre sit alongside dishes inspired by what’s fresh at the market. People come for precisely executed classics, a thoughtful wine list and the pleasure of lingering at the table.
Montréal
Restaurant La Chronique
Lasting more than 30 years in Montréal’s restaurant scene is quite a feat. Staying this good takes several other things: talent, hard work (plenty of both) and a constant drive to do things well. At La Chronique, Belgian chef Marc De Canck and Quebecer Olivier de Montigny run one of the city’s best fine dining restaurants with French accents.
Montréal
Renoir Restaurant
Sherbrooke Street isn’t always the first place that comes to mind for a gourmet stop. Still, it’s worth leaving the traffic behind for Renoir, the restaurant at the Sofitel Montréal Le Carré Doré hotel. French cuisine is at its best here, and local products get plenty of room on the menu. In a chic, bright setting, we enjoy seasonal cuisine where French know-how meets Quebec terroir.
Montréal
Maison Boulud
Daniel Boulud’s arrival in Montréal delighted food lovers, as you’d expect from a chef of his international stature. Over the years, he has always entrusted Maison Boulud’s kitchens to highly talented chefs. The fine wine list only adds to the restaurant’s charm.
Montréal
Monarque
Monarque is one of the city’s must-visit restaurants, as well as one of the most beautiful restaurants in Montréal. Here, we enjoy excellent French-inspired gourmet cuisine. The space is split in two: a brasserie side, with a more relaxed atmosphere and a more accessible menu, and a chic dining room, serving a table d’hôte at lunch and an upscale four-course menu in the evening.
Montréal
Chez Leveque
A restaurant that has been welcoming guests for more than 50 years obviously deserves a spot on this list. That longevity comes down to a few essentials: excellent cuisine, attentive and thoughtful service, and a setting where you feel at ease. Chez Lévêque carries on a fine French brasserie tradition in Montréal, to the delight of regulars and newcomers alike.
Montréal
Restaurant Au Petit Extra
Open since 1985, Au Petit Extra is a Montréal neighbourhood bistro serving delicious classic French cuisine and an extensive wine list. In an elegant yet relaxed atmosphere, it welcomes a diverse crowd with flavourful, well-executed dishes that change with the seasons.
Montréal
Bouillon Albert
On the corner of Saint-Denis and Rachel streets, Bouillon Albert captures the spirit of Parisian bouillons: traditional French cuisine, affordable prices and the simple pleasure of eating well in a friendly atmosphere. A place to enjoy the classics without waiting for a special occasion!
Montréal
Bistrot Boisselet
In Little Italy, Bistrot Boisselet honours the French classics with precise, comforting bistro cuisine. Steak frites, tartare and veloutés make up a familiar repertoire that the team handles with finesse. A fine wine list rounds out the pleasure of sitting down at this welcoming spot.
Montréal
Brasserie Bernard
On Bernard Avenue in Outremont, Brasserie Bernard pays tribute to French classics while giving them a Quebec twist. The cuisine is flavourful and comforting, the setting welcoming and the atmosphere friendly. It’s a place where we’re just as happy to settle in for lunch as for dinner with friends, enjoying our favourite dishes.
Montréal
Holder
In Old Montréal, Holder is an institution that brings back the pleasure of grand European-style brasseries. We enjoy hearty cuisine and well-executed French classics, from French onion soup to moules marinières. The elegant setting and lively atmosphere make it just as pleasant for a business lunch as for an evening out with friends.
Montréal
Place Carmin
Place Carmin is a French brasserie from Mélanie Blanchette, François Nadon and their team, who are also behind Bouillon Bilk and Cadet. Here, we enjoy delicious French classics in a chic, bright setting. A place we’re always happy to come back to!
Montréal
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