The 10 Best Foods In Montreal You Have To Try

There are a few must eat Montreal foods that a trip to the city isn’t complete without.

I feel a little spoiled having grown up in Montreal because we have really good food scene. I mean, it isn’t Italy’s pasta and pizza, or even France’s baguette and cheese. But Montreal has the bagel (sorry New York), Orange Julep, and don’t even get me started on poutine!

So are you ready to try the best foods in Montreal!? Let’s dive in!

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Best Foods In Montreal You Have To Try

1. Poutine (Obviously!)

French fries + cheese curds + gravy = poutine. Need I say more?

Seriously, this is comfort food a la max and a must eat in Montreal! Fried potatoes with delicious warm gravy and cheese curds for protein. If the poutine in made properly, the cheese curds don’t melt, they become squeaky as you bite into them.

Vegetarian? No problem! Most of the places in the city actually make poutine with vegetarian gravy (and they’re some of the best in the city too).

Most Montrealer’s don’t even know that some of their favourite poutines are actually vegetarian. Like Montreal classic, Orange Julep (more on that in a bit!). 

My favourite traditional poutine though is at Patati and Patata. A delicious vegetarian gravy with the perfect fries to cheese ratio.

If you’re looking for something a bit different, L’Gros Luxe serves a tater tot poutine (also veggie gravy). YUM! For the largest selection, go to La Banquise, they have every poutine imaginable there (P.S. it’s also 24 hours!).

You can also head to local Quebec fast food chain, La Belle Province (La Belle Pro as we like to refer to it), which translates to the beautiful province. 

2. Smoked Meat

You cannot come to Montreal and not try the smoked meat! In my mind it’s like the superior pastrami or corned beef (but I might be a bit biased!).

The main spot to hit up for one of these sandwiches is none other than Schwartz’s Deli on Saint Laurent. This Montreal historical landmark is THE place to go for smoked meat downtown. But, because of that, there will no doubt be a line when you go.

An alternative to waiting for a table is to order your sandwich to go. It’s a MUCH shorter line and you end up with the same food. The restaurant itself also isn’t the nicest… I don’t think they’ve renovated since it opened in 1928. 

Make sure to order your meat medium, lean smoked meat is nowhere near as good. 

3. Bagels (Fairmont Or St. Viator)

An absolute must eat Montreal is the bagel. The Montreal bagel is is the real bagel! You haven’t even tried bagels until you’ve tasted a Montreal bagel. So, step aside New York and see how the pros do it!

For starters, it’s an actual bagel, not a glorified roll with a tiny hole in it.

It’s also dipped in honey to give a slight sweetness to it and a beautiful shiny golden brown finish. Then you top it with poppy or sesame seeds (or both!). Once you try these, I swear, you won’t be able to go back to anything else!

There are two rival places to go for your iconic Montreal bagel fix; Fairmont and St. Viator. In my mind, they’re both equally as good.

If you visit St. Viator you can pick up one of the best coffees in the city at Café Olympico down the street. But, if you go to Fairmont, you can try a famous Wilensky sandwich and ice cream from Kem Coba (both local Montreal food tour favourites!). 

There’s no shame in picking up a dozen bagels Saturday morning and eating one straight from the bag on your way home. Plain, simple, warm, and deliciously gooey on the inside as it melts in your mouth.

3.5 Bagel, Lox, & Cream Cheese

If you can wait until you get home, a classic way to enjoy your fresh out of the oven bagel is with lox and cream cheese. Lox is our fancy way of saying smoked salmon.

I also like to buy whipped cream cheese, it’s a lot lighter. Traditional toppings are capers and onions, with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice!

You can find this Montreal classic at almost every brunch spot in the city. I even like add it to my afternoon tea spread, as a best foods in Montreal twist! (P.S. Here’s all my tips to planning a top-notch afternoon tea!)

4. The Secret Cheese Bagel

The Montreal cheese bagel… and no, I’m not talking about an Asiago bagel….what even are those… cheese on top of a bagel? No, I’m talking about something that’s so much better.

This is a pastry common in the Jewish community in Montreal. As far as I know, this is the only city I’ve seen it in. It’s pastry dough (almost like a croissant) filled with ricotta cheese. You can, of course, eat it as is. But heat it up, add some yogurt on top with some fresh fruit, and voila!

The best part is, you don’t have to save this for dessert. This is one of my family’s favourite guilty pleasure meals! We get ours at Yagel Bagel in the West Island of Montreal. You can go into any kosher-style bakery to find these must eat Montreal delights! 

5. The Wilensky Special

You can only find the Wilensky special at none other than Wilensky’s. This family run light lunch spot goes back to 1932 with Moe Wilensky. When Moe passed away, his son and daughter stepped up to continue the Wilensky name. Come one, you can’t get more family run and wholesome than that!

You have to order the Wilensky special when you head there for lunch. It’s a pressed grilled beef salami and bologna sandwich, with a hint of mustard.

Another one of their main attractions is their old school soda fountain – and it’s not just for looks! They still use it today to serve tasty homemade sodas. Like cherry-cola, root beer, and cream soda to name a few. You can even mix and match them as you please, there’s no judgement here!

6. Winter Specialty: Tire sur la Neiges (Tire D’érables Aka Maple Taffy)

If you’re visiting Montreal in the winter you’re in for a real delight (well despite all the snow that’s in store for you!).

To make use of all the snow we get we came up with a sweet treat. It’s very simple to make too, using only two ingredients. Take some hot maple syrup and pour it over (preferably) clean snow.

The best way to enjoy some maple taffy is to make a day out of it and visit a sugar shack (aka a Cabanes à Sucres). You can visit anytime from February to April.

It’s a whole day affair; horse-drawn carriage rides, seeing how you get maple syrup from the tree, and sitting down with a nice meal at the end.

You’re not completely out of luck if you’re visiting in the summertime. If you find yourself in Mont Tremblant, you can usually get your hands on some at Cabane à Sucre de la Montagne. 

See how it’s done!

7. Rockaberry Pie

You can’t consider yourself a Montrealer if you don’t have a favourite Rockaberry pie. My favourite is their blueberry cheesecake crumble! But you can’t really go wrong with anything you order here.

Rockaberry is the original dessert restaurant, opening it’s first restaurant in 1989. It’s way before Cacao 70 and Juliette et Chocolat (two other loved Montreal dessert restaurants).

You can go here for a meal, but the real prize are their larger than life pie slices they give you!

8. Montreal Staple: Orange Julep

This Montreal food gem has been around since 1932. It’s known for serving Orange Juleps, a frothy orange flavoured drink. I’ll be honest with you, you’ll either love it or hate it!

It’s like the greasy spoon of the city, the perfect spot for late-night eats and the local hang out spot. You can’t miss it right off the highway – it’s literally a giant orange ball. You can’t go inside, it’s all takeout orders here.

Grab a hot dog, some vegetarian poutine, grilled cheese, but you can’t forget your Julep!

But, as I said, you’ll either find it the best thing in the world, or you’ll be asking why I sent you there!

(It’s not that far from downtown because it’s across the street from Namur metro station).

8.5 Best Food Montreal (For Late Night Bites): Boustan Garlic Potatoes

If you can’t make it all the way to Orange Julep for your late night fix, you can always stop at Boustan for some classic garlic potatoes. 

On Crescent, it’s one of the most convenient places to go to after your night out of partying. (FYI Crescent street is where the Montreal party scene is). 

9. Grab a Beer at Au Dieu du Ciel

To finish off your day of trying the best foods in Montreal, head to Au Dieu du Ciel to relax with some local beer. This is a must for any beer lover. It’s the ultimate local hang out where you can pick up local brewed beer since 1998. 

Being a huge fan of Belgian beer, I love their beer because it reminds me of my favourite Belgian brews that I can’t find here. They even make their way towards Belgian style quadrupel standards (don’t know what I’m talking about? Read more about the wonders of Belgian beer).

10. Local Montreal Food Tour: Gryphon D’Or Tea Room

My best foods in Montreal list wouldn’t be complete without my favourite tea spot making an appearance. Now, it isn’t downtown, but it’s worth making your way to. 

Gryphon D’Or Tea room has the best selection of tea and the most delicious scones you’ll ever try! You can go here for high tea (just make sure to make a reservation in advance) or stop by for brunch. 

It’s a pretty small place but you usually don’t have to wait too long. 

Planning A Trip To Montreal? Hotel Recommendations

I love going on staycations at Hotel Nelligan in the Old Port of Montreal. It’s in a great location, walking distance to everywhere you need to be. When you stay there you can’t miss out on their unique roof top terrace above the hotel. See room rates & availability.

I’ve also stayed at the newly built Homewood Suites in Montreal Midtown (west of the city) and I’d highly recommend it if you’re looking for a hotel that isn’t in the city centre. But they also have a branch downtown as well. It has a little kitchenette in every room and breakfast is included. Even though it isn’t downtown, you aren’t far from it. It’s walking distance to the Namur metro station, which will get you downtown in less than 20 minutes. See room rates & availability.

Here are some other alternatives I’ve heard about if you’re looking to stay in Downtown Montreal;

If you’re looking to stay in the heart of Downtown Montreal check out Auberge Les Bons Matins. This is a one of a kind stay perfect for a romantic getaway in Montreal. In this charming inn in Montreal, you’ll get a taste of local life. See room rates & availability.

You can also stay Le Square Phillips Hôtel & Suites if an auberge isn’t your style. Le Square Phillips Hôtel & Suites is in a supreme location in between the orange and the green metro line that get you anywhere else in the city. Breakfast is also included with your stay! See room rates & availability

For more accommodation options in Montreal, see Booking.com.

What to know the inside scoop on what makes a true Montrealer? Read my post about it!

Read More Montreal Guides!

• Easy Bike Paths Near Montreal
• How to Fit in Like a Local in Montreal
• Discover Local Montreal: The West Island

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