Jatoba: Very classy dining in downtown Montreal

The chef at Jatoba is Olivier Vigneault. Originally from Quebec City, Vigneault previously worked at the now-closed restaurant Yuzu in Quebec City, as well as at Marabout, Miso, Kaizen with Park, and eventually at Restaurant Park. He is young and unpretentious, deeply in love with his menu, and has a little sparkle in his right eye when he steps out of the kitchen to talk about his dishes.

Behind the large-scale project that is Jatoba are Antonio Park and Nicolas Urli, whom you may know from Restaurant Hà and Flyjin. We are very fond of Nicolas Urli. We find that he fully invests himself in his work, is passionate about his craft, and develops bold projects that make our beautiful city even more exciting. The project also includes Marco Benatar, partner at Flyjin, as well as Alexandre Besnar and Patrick Hétu of A5 Management. I didn’t know them very well before, but they are worth knowing; they reportedly have around fifteen establishments in Montreal, on the North Shore, and on the South Shore.

Jatoba is located in the former Philips Lounge space. The decor is magnificent, truly one of the most beautiful restaurants in Montreal. A big round of applause to La Chambre Design, who also created spaces such as Suwu, Appartement 200, and Namos. From the small classic bistro lamps above the bar by Lambert & Fils to the details of the chairs, banquettes, and tables, and the juxtaposition of white tiling with the original windows and moldings, everything is chic and beautiful. And the terrace. There are 100 seats including the bar inside the restaurant, and 70 seats on the terrace. Guests can enjoy this beautiful space overlooking the kitchen and the downtown skyline for at least three seasons out of four. Magical. The terrace is also featured in our guide to the most beautiful restaurant terraces in Montreal.

For those with a generous budget, the place will charm your companion or impress your guests. The Jatoba experience is best enjoyed with the seafood platter, the chef’s specialty. It is impressive and memorable. The rest of the menu features both small and larger plates that are easy to share and perfect for celebrating.

For those with a more modest budget like mine, the restaurant still offers the possibility of ordering several reasonably priced and delicious plates, such as the wonderful dumplings, excellent tuna or beef tataki, vegetable sides, or fried rice. Keep in mind that the portions are quite generous. The rest of the menu includes salads, fish, seafood, meats, poultry, and vegetables. For those with a sweet tooth, the desserts by Kimberly Estrada are must-tries. There are four of them, and they are all excellent.

Jatoba also holds a bar permit, making it a great place for happy hour or a quick drink. You can enjoy affordable wines and delicious cocktails.

Good news. As of September 16, 2025, Jatoba marks the return of its much-anticipated lunches. An express menu at $55 is offered along with a reduced à la carte menu, from Tuesday to Friday, from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. It’s perfect for a business lunch with clients or colleagues.

For all these reasons, this establishment is featured on our list of must-visit restaurants in Montreal.

Written by Élise Tastet


Updated on April 17, 2026

Make a suggestion