Montréal en Lumière 2026: Restaurants to Discover
For more than a quarter of a century, Montréal en Lumière has been lighting up the city by celebrating local gastronomy. This one-of-a-kind festival brings together renowned chefs, artists, and epicureans to showcase the richness of Montréal’s culinary scene. This year’s program promises to be just as indulgent as it is diverse, with a wide range of events to discover.
Chez Canton returns to set up shop on the second floor of the Maison du Festival! The perfect refuge to warm up with friends or family while enjoying a decadent fondue.
The Village Gourmand, presented by Miele in collaboration with Radio-Canada, is also back! Expect a free and varied lineup featuring workshops, culinary demonstrations, talks—and a brand-new addition: Frèloca, a live gourmet duel highlighting the very best of the city’s emerging culinary talent, performed in front of an audience and entirely free of charge.
Brunchs en Lumière are also making a much-anticipated return, ready to satisfy late-night cravings after Nuit blanche. Ten Montréal restaurants—including Régine Café, Montréal Plaza, Pois Penché, and Darna Bistroquet—will be serving up delicious brunches (the perfect cure for post-party mornings).
Under the theme “65 Years of History: A Bite of Montréal Gastronomy,” the Bonnes Tables Air France are back in full force. More than 80 restaurateurs will be offering exclusive dining experiences. These one-of-a-kind menus are available only during Montréal en Lumière and can be explored via our interactive map!
Here are some must-try gourmet highlights not to be missed this year :
Leméac X Stelio Perombelon X Patrice Demers
From February 20 to March 7, Leméac is going back to its roots to celebrate its 25th anniversary. For the occasion, the French restaurant welcomes back its very first two chefs: Stelio Perombelon and Patrice Demers (Sabayon)—two talents who helped shape Leméac into what it is today. Alongside current chefs Olivier Belzile and David Courteau, à la carte dishes will be offered, staying true to Leméac’s philosophy. Guests can build their own three-course menu or simply order the dishes that catch their eye. A food and wine pairing curated by head sommelier Yan Faraire will also be available.
Damas X François Rousset-Martin
Restaurant Damas welcomes winemaker François Rousset-Martin for a collaboration celebrating Syrian cuisine and Jura wines. Sourced from small parcels on the steep slopes of the Jura, Rousset-Martin’s wines reveal savory, lightly spiced notes with hints of walnut—an exquisite match for the depth and warmth of Alnirabie’s cuisine. The duo, composed of chef Fuad Alnirabie and François Rousset-Martin, will craft a menu highlighting the expertise of French vineyards and the heritage of Syrian gastronomy.
Rôtisserie La Lune X Riad Nasr
Staying true to tradition, the Rôtisserie La Lune team will celebrate poultry on Monday, February 23, in collaboration with chef (and close friend!) Riad Nasr of Le Veau d’Or, Frenchette, Le Rock, and Wild Cherry in New York. Winemakers David Chapel and Michele Smith from Régnié in Beaujolais will also be honored guests for the evening (18+ event).
Siamo Noi X Buonanotte
Over two lively evenings, Siamo Noi will revive the golden years of the legendary Buonanotte, which energized Boulevard Saint-Laurent for 27 years. On February 24 and 25, chef Marco Bertoldini will prepare a special menu featuring several Buonanotte classics, recreating the same festive atmosphere of the iconic former venue, at $150 per person. A wine pairing will also be available for $75. This event is 18+.
Bar St-Denis X Martin Picard – Bar St-Denis X Normand Laprise
Bar St-Denis welcomes two of Québec’s most influential culinary figures for Montréal en Lumière! On February 25, chef Martin Picard (Au Pied de Cochon, Cabane à Sucre au Pied de Cochon, and Cabane d’à Côté) teams up with David Gauthier, chef and co-owner of Bar St-Denis, to recreate iconic dishes from Club des Pins, where Martin worked in the late 1990s until its closure. Then, on March 3, Martin’s mentor takes over the kitchen: chef Normand Laprise of Toqué!. This second collaboration will also be steeped in nostalgia, revisiting creations from Citrus, the last restaurant Normand led before opening Toqué!.
Molenne X Hugue Dufour
On February 24 and 25, restaurant Molenne welcomes chef Hugue Dufour (formerly of Toqué! and Au Pied de Cochon), who recently announced his return to Québec after spending the past fifteen years in New York. Over two evenings, he joins forces with Molenne’s chef Louis-Joseph Rochefort to deliver a one-of-a-kind culinary experience.
Written by Jean-Philippe Tastet
Photography by Mikael Lebleu
