Alma: upscale Mexican cuisine

Opened on May 11, 2018, Alma is the project of Lindsay Brennan and Juan Lopez Luna, who have created a place where you can enjoy outstanding Catalan natural wines alongside beautiful dishes with Mexican flavors, inspired by the Mediterranean coast and Quebec products, in a part of Outremont that truly needed it.

Alma is a Spanish and Italian word meaning “soul.” After spending significant time in Catalonia, Lindsay (formerly of Farine and Salle à Manger) drew deeply from her experiences and memories there to develop a concept that brings together great wine and great food. “In Catalonia, people talked a lot about vino con alma—wines with soul. That inspired me tremendously. I reflected a lot on this idea, which ties into hospitality as a whole, and that’s how Alma was born,” explains the co-owner and sommelier.

Following the success of their now-closed restaurant Farine, the two owners dreamed of creating a new, intimate space where wine and food would be thoughtfully paired. “Juan and I wanted to share Mediterranean cuisine and wines from producers we truly love. It’s a concept we were eager to bring to life here, in a cozy neighborhood setting in Montreal.”

A return to roots

Since the pandemic, Alma has undergone a significant evolution. The couple also opened Tinc Set, a wine and tapas bar next door, which closed in 2025. Alma now offers a tasting menu, and since 2023, Juan has been drawing on his Mexican roots to refine dishes inspired by his upbringing. At the heart of Alma’s cuisine is ancestral corn, highlighted through the traditional process of nixtamalization. This age-old method, inherited from pre-Columbian civilizations of the Americas, celebrates both craftsmanship and Mexican terroir, producing tortillas with incomparable flavor and texture.

Today, Alma is tucked away on a quiet residential street in Outremont. The calm of the neighborhood perfectly suits the restaurant’s intimate and welcoming character. The décor, designed by the owners along with family and friends, is simple, comfortable, and warm. There are about twenty seats inside, with a lovely terrace in the summer adding a few more tables—now one of our favorite terraces in Montreal. The atmosphere is soft and convivial, much like the discreet nature of the owners. It’s a space made for the pleasure of eating and drinking well.

Exceptional Catalan wines

As for the wine list, Lindsay has carefully curated it—and the result is truly impressive. Inspired by her travels and time in Catalonia, the selection highlights outstanding small producers and offers beautiful discoveries in natural wine. These wines are imported by Importations Vin i Vida, and most are exclusive to Alma. That’s why Alma also ranks among our top spots for organic wine in Montreal. “Since we want to cater to a neighborhood clientele, the wine list evolves to make room for new discoveries.”

“Carte blanche” menu and taco omakase

Alma also offers a “carte blanche” tasting menu, allowing guests to explore a broader selection from their ever-growing cellar, featuring emotional wines from winemakers close to the team, as well as older vintages. This nine-course menu, always centered on sharing and the “land and sea” concept, showcases local products and fresh seafood, always accompanied by ancestral corn.

In addition, once a month on Sundays, the restaurant hosts a seven-course tasting menu focused on tortillas and nixtamalized corn, featuring a guest chef—an omakase-style taco experience. These are unique evenings not to be missed.

Juan (formerly of Farine and Salle à Manger) created the entire menu, drawing from Mexican, Italian, Catalan, and French influences that have long inspired him. We highly recommend trying his famous handmade corn tortillas—he is a pioneer of gourmet Mexican cuisine in Quebec. Everything is absolutely delicious and pairs beautifully with the wines on offer. The cuisine is both simple and deeply flavorful, clearly crafted with care. Each dish is an invitation to travel.

“We’re incredibly excited to share our discoveries with both locals and visitors, and to offer experiences that bring together wines from our friends and Juan’s cuisine. It’s truly a dream come true,” says Lindsay.

Given the restaurant’s well-deserved popularity and limited seating, reservations are essential. Group bookings are limited to six people due to the size of the space. (Note that with the carte blanche menu, the owners have chosen to require payment at the time of booking—a concept that has become increasingly common, especially since the pandemic, as this menu is considered an experience akin to a performance.) The five-course option, a shorter version of the carte blanche menu, does not require prepayment.

We truly fell in love with this charming address. Not only are the owners warm and passionate, but the offering is exceptional—beautiful wines and exquisite small plates. A must-visit.

Enjoy your meal!

Written by Jean-Philippe Tastet
Photography by Alison Slattery

Updated on April 06, 2026

Make a suggestion