Top 10 Restaurants in Montreal

What is it? Monarque is a fine dining restaurant on Rue Saint-Jacques, located a five-minute walk from the Notre-Dame Basilica of Montreal. The establishment holds the no. 10 spot on the 2024 Canada's 100 Best list.

Why we love it: It earns its place on the national leaderboard by balancing classic French technique with contemporary execution, maintaining an impressive 4.76 rating across over 2,000 reviews. While the pricing reflects a high-end experience, the setting manages a rare duality, pairing the formal requirements of a smart and elegant dress code with a distinctly romantic atmosphere.

Good to Know: The layout at Monarque includes a terrace that provides a distinct vantage point for experiencing the restaurant's French-inspired menu.

What is it? Bar George is a restaurant housed within Le Mount Stephen at 1440 Rue Drummond. It sits an eight-minute walk from the Musée des beaux-arts de Montréal and is less than a ten-minute walk from Sainte-Catherine Street.

Why we love it: It manages to anchor a modern, international menu inside a historic property without feeling like a museum piece. While many of its neighbors lean toward casual or strictly traditional, Bar George succeeds by balancing its luxury setting with a broad culinary scope that appeals to the 4,000-plus reviewers who have given it a 4.73 rating.

Good to Know: The dress code at Bar George is smart and elegant, so choose your footwear carefully before heading over from your visit to Place Ville Marie.

What is it? Perché sits at 153 Rue Saint-Amable, a six-minute walk from the Notre-Dame Basilica of Montreal. This Japanese-influenced restaurant offers a menu focused on sushi and grills in an environment that prioritizes fine dining.

Why we love it: It manages to pull off a rare balancing act, sitting just 500 meters from the heavy foot traffic of Old Montreal while maintaining an atmosphere that feels intentionally private. The combination of sushi and charcoal grills justifies the higher price point, attracting a clientele that expects a refined, romantic setting away from the city's more crowded thoroughfares.

Good to Know: The terrace at Perché provides a distinct vantage point for those looking to dine outdoors while staying within the historic streetscape near Place Jacques-Cartier.

What is it? L’Express sits on Saint-Denis, roughly a ten-minute walk from Saint Catherine Street and the Quartier des Spectacles. It is a traditional French restaurant that holds a place at number 52 on the 2024 Canada's 100 Best list.

Why we love it: While many Montreal dining rooms chase trends, L’Express finds a reliable consistency in classic French cooking that explains its 4.73 rating from thousands of diners. The price point reflects its status as a luxury fine dining destination, offering an experience that justifies the premium over the surrounding Saint-Denis storefronts.

Good to Know: The smart and elegant dress code at L’Express matches the formal, traditional style of the room, so leave the casual wear for your walk back toward the Musée d'art contemporain de Montréal.

What is it? Atwater Cocktail Club is an international, modern restaurant located at 512 Atwater Ave. It sits a ten-minute walk from the Lachine Canal National Historic Site and holds the distinction of having the Bartender of the Year according to Canada’s 100 Best, as well as a win in the bartenders award category at North America’s 50 Best Bars.

Why we love it: While many cocktail bars in Montreal treat their food as an afterthought, this venue balances a rigorous, award-winning bar program with a thoughtful modern menu. It is an approachable, mid-priced destination that manages to feel romantic without leaning into the usual tropes, earning a strong 4.74 rating from nearly two thousand guests.

Good to Know: The dress code at Atwater Cocktail Club is strictly smart and elegant, so pair your outfit with the room's high-end, intimate aesthetic before heading over from the nearby Atwater Market.

What is it? Il Pagliaccio is a Michelin-starred destination on Avenue Laurier Ouest. It sits less than a ten-minute stroll from the high-end shopping boutiques of the surrounding blocks and is a manageable 2.2-kilometer trek from Saint Joseph's Oratory of Mount Royal.

Why we love it: This restaurant separates itself from the local field by wedding modern, creative techniques with traditional Italian roots. The 4.83 rating reflects a level of fine dining consistency that keeps the room buzzing, making it a rare, reliable choice for those seeking a romantic atmosphere in a competitive, high-price bracket.

Good to Know: The kitchen’s modern approach to Italian fine dining demands a smart and elegant dress code, so save the casual layers for your walk through nearby Parc du Mont-Royal.

What is it? Mon Lapin sits at 150 Rue Saint-Zotique Est, a fifteen-minute walk from the Jean-Talon Market. This Michelin-starred restaurant holds the no. 25 spot on La Liste and is recognized by Canada's 100 Best.

Why we love it: While many Montreal dining rooms rely on stiff formality, Mon Lapin delivers a contemporary, creative take on French cuisine that manages to feel both high-end and consistently relaxed. The kitchen balances the technical precision required of a Michelin-starred venue with a fluid menu, justifying its place among the country’s most celebrated tables.

Good to Know: The terrace at Mon Lapin offers a prime vantage point to experience their creative French menu, provided you adhere to the smart and elegant dress code.

What is it? Terrasse Carla sits on the sixth floor at 985 Boul. Saint-Laurent. This fine dining destination sits a four-minute walk from the Musée d'art contemporain de Montréal and is positioned within 500 meters of Place des Arts.

Why we love it? While many spots in the Quartier des Spectacles cater to the pre-show rush, Terrasse Carla provides a rare, quiet luxury with its terrace views. The kitchen bridges the divide between French and Vietnamese culinary traditions with a focus on seafood, balancing a sophisticated price point against a consistently high guest approval rating.

Good to Know: The smart and elegant dress code at Terrasse Carla is best navigated by opting for structured layers, as the transition from the interior dining room to the open-air terrace can bring a sharp shift in the evening temperature.

What is it? Les Enfants Terribles sits at 3 Place Ville-Marie. It is a three-minute walk from the Eaton Centre Montréal and is positioned within an easy stroll of both Place des Arts and the Musée d'art contemporain de Montréal.

Why we love it: This restaurant offers a blend of French and modern, creative cuisine that prioritizes a luxury dining experience. With 6006 reviews contributing to a 4.50 rating, it sustains its reputation through a consistent focus on fine dining and an elevated perspective from its terrace.

Good to Know: Les Enfants Terribles maintains a smart and elegant dress code, so trade your daytime tourist layers for something sharp before arriving to take in the view.

What is it? Toqué! sits on Place Jean-Paul-Riopelle, a three-minute walk from the Musée d’art contemporain de Montréal. The restaurant holds the number 18 spot on Canada’s 100 Best list and carries a four-star rating from the Forbes Travel Guide.

Why we love it? The kitchen bridges the gap between French techniques and farm-to-table sourcing, earning the venue a Wine Spectator Excellence Award. It avoids the pretense of typical luxury dining, relying on a consistent creative output that explains why over 1,400 diners rate it so highly.

Good to Know: Given the strict smart and elegant dress code, Toqué! functions best as a choice for a romantic evening when you want to lean into the refined side of Montreal’s dining scene.