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Joséphine: A lovely restaurant on Saint-Denis Street

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Located on Saint-Denis Street, between L’Express and Bouillon Albert, Joséphine, known for its delicious seafood platters, unveiled its brand-new identity earlier this year. With a refreshed menu and a complete interior makeover, the restaurant now welcomes Djo, a one-of-a-kind piano bar connected to the main dining room—marking an exciting new chapter in its evolution.

A project by the duo Cathy Deschambault and Jason-Neil Tremblay-Leblanc, also behind Clébard, Joséphine has positioned itself since opening in 2018 as a warm, welcoming neighbourhood restaurant. Its bistro-style cuisine and convivial atmosphere place shared experiences at the heart of the concept. In summer, its 30-seat terrace is also considered one of the prettiest on Saint-Denis Street, according to Tastet.

A Refined Menu, Signature Dishes & Friendly Prices

Jason explains that his goal was to make the Joséphine experience more accessible. To that end, the owners brought in chef Vincent Desaulniers, who trained under Alexandre Gosselin (Chez Victoire) and Marc-André Jetté (Hoogan & Beaufort), to redesign the menu. Among the new dishes, the lobster ravioli has already become a standout favourite. While seafood remains the house specialty, meat lovers won’t be left out—the pappardelle with duck confit, made with fresh house-made pasta, is as comforting as it is delicious. A definite must-try! The vegetarian starter of grilled zucchini and peppers has also quickly won over regulars.

Although the menu is fairly consistent—aside from a few chalkboard specials—new dishes are introduced on the first two Thursdays of every month through La Table des Chefs, an event bringing together 16 guests around the large central table for a five-course tasting menu specially designed for the occasion by the chef.

Tuesdays at Joséphine mean all-you-can-eat mussels for $25, while Wednesdays are oyster night with oysters at $1.25 each. We recommend grabbing a seat at the oyster bar and letting Jason, who truly wears all the hats, create custom platters just for you. A four-course tasting menu is also available for $49 per person—a great opportunity to discover or rediscover the restaurant at a friendly price.

The cocktail menu, crafted by mixologist Thomàs Ross, evolves with the seasons. As for the wine list, it offers a varied selection, ranging from classic appellations to more niche bottles from small producers. It was curated by head maître d’ Hugo Côté, who leads the dining room team and has proven to be a wonderful addition to the establishment. With a service style that’s both relaxed and unpretentious, it almost recalls the golden days of the iconic Continental, which once occupied the space.

Djo: The Piano Bar That Brings Joséphine to Life

The restaurant space was completely redesigned by Bianca Jodoin Design, in collaboration with Jason, who oversaw the renovations, in order to welcome Djo, its brand-new piano bar. A striking green grand piano now takes center stage in a room accented with vibrant colors and lush greenery, creating a warm, lively atmosphere.

Available for private events—birthdays, holiday parties, product launches, and 5 à 7s—this annex can accommodate up to 65 guests in cocktail-party format. It also hosts dinner-and-a-show evenings featuring guest pianists.

Now firmly established as a go-to destination on the Plateau Mont-Royal, Joséphine promises evenings filled with music, festivity, and great food—perfect for an intimate night out, a meal with friends, or a special event.

We wish them the very best with this exciting new chapter!


Photography by Joséphine





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