{"id":35061,"date":"2013-02-17T23:47:44","date_gmt":"2013-02-18T03:47:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/?p=35061"},"modified":"2025-09-01T22:21:44","modified_gmt":"2025-09-02T02:21:44","slug":"montreal-food-guide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/35061\/montreal-food-guide\/","title":{"rendered":"Montreal Food Guide: The Best of Everything from Poutine to Beignewiches"},"content":{"rendered":"

When it comes to finding great places to eat and drink on a quick getaway, we’ve often left things to chance, happening upon a hidden gem from the seat of a bike<\/a> or while walking into town from the train station. Although it’s fun to experience something so unexpectedly delicious and off the beaten path, more than a few times we’ve returned home wondering, “What did we miss?”<\/p>\n

In the midst of planning a trip to Montreal on an empty stomach, we called on food maven Megg Sorensen of PopArtichoke to learn where the locals go for poutine, picnic fixings, Sunday brunch, a budget-friendly meal, dumplings, smoked meat and much more.<\/p>\n

Best Poutine | La Banquise | 994 Rue Rachel Est
\n\"Poutine\"

Best New Restaurant | Blackstrap BBQ | 4436 Rue Wellington
\n<\/strong>Nestled away in Verdun, this newcomer to the Montreal food scene should not be missed. This place has authentic Memphis-style BBQ from ribs to chicken to sandwiches, along with classic Southern sides. Their meat is wood-smoked for up to 16 hours, and made daily, so make sure to get there before they run out. Try to save room for their brisket burnt ends poutine, which is absolutely to die for. blackstrapbbq.ca<\/em><\/p>\n

Best Smoked Meat Sandwich | Lester\u2019s Deli | 1053A Rue Bernard<\/strong>
\nLike poutine, smoked meat is a big deal in this town. Schwartz\u2019s gets a lot of press (and a lot of tourists), but if you want to avoid the crowds and get a better sandwich, head to Lester\u2019s. The place is full of history and has lots of menu options; I keep going back for spiced, succulent smoked meat with a pickle and some fries. lestersdeli.com<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n

Best Place for Coffee, Doughnuts, and Free Wifi | Chez Boris | 5151 Avenue Du Parc
\n\"montreal

Best Sunday Brunch | Sparrow | 5322 Boulevard Saint-Laurent
\n<\/strong>There\u2019s no shortage of good brunch spots in Montreal, but I\u2019m partial to Sparrow. Their ever-changing menu is always full of fresh, well-crafted options for meat-eaters and vegetarians alike. Whether it\u2019s brunch, lunch or dinner, this is a popular joint, so it\u2019s best to arrive early or make a reservation. Sparrow is currently cash only, but they have an ATM upstairs. facebook.com\/TheSparrowBar<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

Best Burger and Diner Food on a Budget<\/strong> | Nouveau Palais | 281 Rue Bernard Ouest<\/strong>
\nThe d\u00e9cor at Nouveau Palais is neither new, or worthy of a palace, yet is nothing short of wonderful. Its staff is friendly and informed. Drinks here are cheap and the food always hits the spot. You can get Montreal’s best burger with bacon or cheese, but I never do, because on it\u2019s own it is simple perfection. From the juicy patty to the buttery bun, to the amazing skin-on fries that come mounded beside it, this burger is tops. Oh yeah, and the whole thing is only $10. If you\u2019re in the Mile End neighborhood, do yourself a favor and stop by this little place\u2014you won\u2019t be disappointed. nouveaupalais.com<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

Best Old-school Drinks and Eats | Dominion Square Tavern | 1243 Rue Metcalfe<\/strong>
\nThis restaurant is full of vintage charm and downright delicious offerings. The cocktail list has many classics, and I highly recommend a gin and house-made tonic for flavors that will astound you. Grab a pepperette (also made in house) to snack on while you drink. Their meal options are hearty, comforting dishes with flair. Come on a Sunday to get their roast beef, complete with veggies and Yorkshire pudding. tavernedominion.com<\/a>.<\/i><\/p>\n

Best Pizza and Oysters<\/strong> | Pizzaria Magpie | 16 Rue Maguire<\/strong>
\n\"Pizza

Best Dumplings | Mai Xiang Yuan | 1084 Boulevard Saint-Laurent
\n<\/strong>If you\u2019re like me and love dumplings, head down to Chinatown and find Mai Xiang Yuan. It\u2019s a little place that\u2019s easy to pass by, but once you find it, you won\u2019t forget it. The menu has a few salads and other dishes, but the highlight here are the dumplings, which you can watch being made in the kitchen. There\u2019s a huge list to choose from, and every kind I\u2019ve tasted has been excellent. yelp.com<\/em><\/p>\n

Best Grocery Shop | Jean Talon | 7070 Avenue Henri Julien; Atwater | 138 Avenue Atwater
\n<\/strong>When I first went to Jean Talon market I was just astounded. I perused row after row of fresh, often local produce for really affordable prices. More little shops and restaurants surround it, so you can easily make a whole afternoon trip out of it. On the other side of town lies Atwater, another fantastic, historic market. Both go indoors for the winter, so you can shop and eat year round. marchespublics-mtl.com<\/em><\/p>\n

For more ideas on things to do while in town, read Exploring Montreal on Two Wheels<\/a>. Hungry right now for poutine? Read Where to Get Canada’s Poutine in NYC<\/a>.
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

How to get there:<\/strong> Amtrak\u2019s Adirondack from Penn Station to Montreal provides you with some lovely landscape views for much of the 10-hour ride. Around $63\/one way.<\/p>\n