Hélicoptère restaurant: a favourite spot in Hochelaga

Opened in July 2018, Hélicoptère is a little gem in Hochelaga. Driven by a delightful team, this project is an address you absolutely must discover; both the food and the drinks are excellent. After several months of renovations, the restaurant is back — more beautiful and refined than ever.

Chef-owner David Ollu previously worked at one of Montréal’s must-visit restaurants, Bouillon Bilk. After some time, David wanted to spread his wings and create two projects of his own: Hélicoptère restaurant and Hélico café. Since the very beginning, both locations have been among our favourites in the city!

Hélicoptère is named after the familiar term used to describe the maple seeds that spin to the ground in autumn. “The name felt like a great reflection of Quebec and its emblem, the maple tree. These ‘helicopters’ are the seeds and fruit of those trees; they represent well our journey — mine and my team’s — many of whom left Bouillon Bilk to grow and start a new project,” David explains.

The result of a skillful collaboration between co-chefs David, Hugo Schmidt, Alexandra Nolan and Steven Peyre, along with sommelier Karolane Bérubé, Hélicoptère occupies a dual-frontage space at the corner of Avenue La Salle and Ontario Street East. The rear space houses Café Hélico, which serves delightful sweet and savoury creations by David throughout the day. In the evening, the experience transitions to Hélicoptère, welcoming guests into a charming and inviting space.

Renovated by Les deux marteaux and designed by Mise à Jour Studio, the restaurant’s interior is now exceptionally welcoming. The team crafted a warm and bright environment that celebrates raw materials and natural textures, reflecting the very spirit of the restaurant. The hand-blown glass light fixtures by Marc-André Fontaine, already present in the space, were reworked by Studio Botté to integrate seamlessly into the new décor. The result? A warm, contemporary atmosphere that feels timeless — perfect for lingering around the table. In her role as general manager and maître d’hôtel, Mélissa Ross ensures that you feel truly at home here.

Sharing is at the heart of Hélicoptère’s philosophy. Whether in the opening process, the team’s approach, or the entirely homemade dishes, everything is deeply collaborative.

The plates, created by David, beautifully showcase seasonal products and are designed with them in mind. The dishes enjoyed here are delicate, thoughtfully presented and absolutely flavourful. The menu evolves weekly to reflect market arrivals and to allow the kitchen team to have fun constantly inventing new flavour combinations. For the optimal experience, we recommend trying their tasting menu — you won’t be disappointed, we promise!

The restaurant’s excellent wine list is full of exciting discoveries, including many natural, organic and biodynamic wines. The team’s enthusiasm shines through the selection of unique local products, which allows them to craft cocktails that are both refined and playful. The venue also offers a few local beers on tap.

“With Hélicoptère, I love that we now have direct contact with our guests. I’ve spent years cooking without the chance to exchange with people; in that same spirit of sharing, I love that we finally have this closeness with those we cook for,” says David.

The restaurant is open in the evening from Tuesday to Sunday. Charming and dynamic team, delectable dishes and a stunning space — Hélicoptère is a true gem at the heart of Hochelaga. It is also featured on our list of the best addresses in the neighbourhood.

For all these reasons, this establishment ranks among our must-visit restaurants in Montréal!

Written by Sydney Carter
Photography by Alison Slattery

Last update: November 24, 2025

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