Where to go for a birthday lunch in Montreal?
While backyard birthday parties around our uncle’s above-ground pool are memorable, sometimes we want to treat ourselves a little differently. Indeed, this kind of occasion deserves a good table. Why not make it a birthday lunch in Montreal? Take advantage of your day and go to the restaurant to be pampered a little! Because this kind of occasion does indeed deserve proper celebrating.
Montreal is full of amazing restaurants, perfect for celebrations. There’s something for everyone’s taste, from supper clubs to more traditional dining, to establishments that cater to large multi-generational families.
Work, kids, and the thousand and one responsibilities we juggle daily often make it difficult to gather all our loved ones for a birthday dinner. Plus, restaurant dinners tend to end late. Here’s a great solution: opt for a birthday lunch in Montreal instead!
Lunch is the perfect way to get together and celebrate. Take half a day off work or extend your break time by an hour so you can fully enjoy the occasion. If the birthday party is organized at the last minute, you’ll have a better chance of securing a table at the celebrant’s favorite restaurant. And the best part? The kids will be at school or daycare, meaning you can enjoy a well-deserved break—without having to pay for a babysitter!
To help you plan, we’ve put together a list of fantastic spots for a birthday lunch in Montreal. Featuring restaurants from across the city and a variety of cuisines, it’s the perfect way to mark the occasion with great food and company.
For those who wish to celebrate with a large group in a more intimate setting, we invite you to consult our list of private rooms in Montreal.
Wishing you a memorable birthday lunch!
PREZZE MOLLO
When you feel like grabbing lunch with colleagues and stretching the break just a little longer, Prezze Mollo is the perfect go-to. Located in an office tower, this spot naturally draws in plenty of workers at lunchtime. The Italian dishes are excellent—and the cocktails are just as well crafted.
Montréal
Cafe Gentile West Island
Café Gentile opened a new location in November 2025, this time in the West Island in Dollard-des-Ormeaux. You’ll find all the beloved classics that have made the brand a favorite for years—from pasta and pizza to salads and plenty of other Italian dishes. As for the atmosphere, the place is already a hit and fills up quickly at lunchtime. It’s a great spot to come with clients or colleagues, or with friends for a simple yet satisfying meal.
Dollard-des-Ormeaux
McKiernan Rôtisserie
McKiernan is one of our favorite spots to go with friends! The vibe is laid-back, but in a small group it’s always a great setting for celebration and fun. The menu features generous, seasonal cooking: big fresh salads, well-crafted sandwiches, comforting hot dishes, and indulgent desserts. The service is always friendly, which only adds to the charm. It’s the kind of place where a simple lunch can easily turn into a long, leisurely break over a great drink.
Montréal
Bar Furco
If you’re heading out for a late-afternoon lunch, Furco opens its doors as early as 3 p.m. It’s one of our favorite places to go out—and for good reason! The atmosphere is always lively and fun, and the food is just as good. For a late lunch that naturally turns into the start of a festive evening, you know where to go.
Montréal
3 Pierres 1 Feu
Located at the entrance of Jean-Talon Market, 3 Pierres 1 Feu is the project of chef Paul Toussaint (Kamuy). The menu blends Texas-style BBQ with Caribbean flavours—and the result is seriously delicious! Think grilled fish, smoked brisket, jerk chicken, and plenty of other bold, vibrant dishes. It’s a great spot to go with friends to share colourful, generous plates, sip refreshing cocktails, and take the time to truly relax.
Montréal
BAR EDICOLA
Located on Cypress Street in the heart of downtown, Edicola is a charming little café-bar straight out of Italy. Run by the same team behind Caffettiera, it’s just as perfect for an early-morning coffee as it is for lively lunches. It’s the kind of place you go as a pair when you want to enjoy a great midday moment—without too much noise.
Montréal
Barranco MTL - Peruvian restaurant & cocktail bar
Barranco brings a dose of Peruvian sunshine to lunchtime. You’ll find ultra-fresh ceviches, colourful plates, and festive specialties that make you want to raise a glass. The atmosphere is vibrant without being overwhelming—perfect for a lunch that feels like a celebration.
Montréal
SHAY
On weekends, Shay opens at lunchtime and serves modern Middle Eastern cuisine, rich in colour and aroma. With its beautiful décor and shareable plates, it’s an ideal spot for a weekend lunch that often ends up lingering a little longer.
Montréal
Ramen Nakamichi
In Mile End, you’ll find some of the city’s best ramen at Ramen Nakamichi. Beyond their delicious dishes, the spot also offers a superb selection of wines and spirits—just enough to set a festive tone. Still, Ramen Nakamichi remains a warm, comforting address: you don’t come here to party, but rather to eat very well without taking things too seriously, with a good glass of sake in hand.
Montréal
Isle de Garde - Brasserie
Open every day at noon, Isle de Garde is a go-to spot for all occasions. Along with an excellent selection of house beers, the lineup of wines, cocktails—and even sake—is delightful and very reasonably priced. Share a few plates, or if you’re feeling up to it, go all in on the Samuel Jack Royal with Cheese, the bar’s iconic burger.
Montréal
Satay Brothers
The Satay Brothers project is a fun and welcoming place where you can enjoy dishes that take your taste buds on a journey. During the summer season, lunch is served at the Atwater Market counter!
Montréal
Gia Vin & Grill
At Gia you can enjoy traditional Abruzzo grilled meats and a fine selection of Italian wines.
Montréal
Leméac
The Montreal institution Leméac is a chic French brewery—one of the best—that has recently passed the 15-year mark. Still going strong, the popularity of the address reflects the owners’ concern to satisfy their customers and offer a quality product.
Montréal
Mano Cornuto
Every day, the house prepares its own focaccias. These oven-baked flatbreads are offered with your choice of spread (truffle honey, fig or apricot jam) and ricotta cheese. The rest of the menu is designed to showcase excellent local and Italian products.
Montréal
Restaurant Mélisse
The recommended approach at Mélisse is to share several small dishes. Their delicate mezzes are each as comforting, balanced and fresh as the next.
Montréal
BarBara
This wine bar located on Notre-Dame West, open from morning to night, offers an Italian-inspired menu and great wines (mostly from private importation). BarBara Vin is part of our list of the best wine bars in Montreal. In the summer, we suggest you grab a table on their large terrace and soak up the sun.
Montréal
Bar George
It is without a doubt one of the most beautiful establishments in Montreal (also on our list of the most beautiful bars) and a staple in the city. Bar George offers a delectable cocktail menu as well as an excellent English-inspired menu. It is the perfect place for a festive, Instagrammable lunch.
Montréal
Le Butterblume
The cuisine at Butterblume is refined without being precious. The dishes here are delicate and of a lovely and surprising subtlety. You will find the boutique next door to the restaurant, to spoil yourself a little more on your birthday.
Montréal
Impasto
Impasto is one of the best Italian restaurants in Montreal and has become a must in the city. We invite you to finish your meal with their cannolis—they’re decadent and so good.
Montréal
Bottega
Bottega has been making some of the best pizza in Montreal since opening in 2006; plus, we think it’s the best Neapolitan pizza in the city. The talented mother Giovanna and her son Fabrizio make most of the recipes at Bottega. For those of you on the North Shore, we invite you to visit their second location on Saint-Martin Boulevard in Laval.
Montreal
Le Bar Darling
To our delight, Darling now offers fresh and hearty lunch dishes as well as an excellent brunch menu (the latter is served from Friday to Sunday only). We love this café-resto-bar for its food, its wine list, and its unique and funky decor.
Montréal
Place Carmin
For a festive weekday lunch in the Old Port, Place Carmin is the place to be. The menu—created by chef François Nadon—is composed of gastronomic dishes, but in a brasserie style at affordable prices. A dozen desserts are also on the menu, perfect to end your birthday meal right.
Montréal
Myers
If you enjoyed the unique vibe of the now-closed Boxermans, you’ll love Myers, the new spot opened by its former owners. Located in Outremont, it offers delicious lunches in a relaxed atmosphere by day, and transforms into a private dining space in the evening for festive gatherings. A great option for lunching in Montreal.
Montréal
