There’s a certain joie de vivre about Montreal. It’s an intoxicating city with fabulous restaurants that’ll pull you in and won’t let you go. The largest French-speaking city outside of France is unlike any other city in Canada, with evident European roots and a certain know-how when it comes to enjoying life’s pleasures to the fullest.

The city thrives in the summer months when al fresco dining and cinq-a-sept cocktails reign supreme. But it’s equally appealing in the cooler months when locals burrow inside for hearty multi-course meals and, of course, a fair share of wine and hot toddies to keep warm in the below-freezing climate.

Montreal is a food lover’s paradise year-round. And while the dream would be to eat and drink your way through every neighborhood, there are certain gems that are worth penciling into the top of your list. We spoke to Jon Cercone, Managing Partner at Taverne sur le Square and Founder of Brommelier, Michele Forgione, Executive Chef and Co-owner of Impasto, Pizzeria Gema, and Chez Tousignant, and Jeremie Fallisard, Executive Chef for the Barroco Group, to get to know the very best haunts in the city at the moment—through the eyes of the food and wine professionals who know it best.

Morning

Cercone: “Definitely Arthurs Nosh Bar. Avoid peak hours, so you don’t have to wait too long. The perks here are that the neighborhood has a few cool coffee shops—and even a bookstore—to help kill time while you wait for a table. They are known for their pancakes, but their other food is also top-notch, so I always opt for the ‘side pancake’ option. Save room for a scoop of chocolate ice cream next door at Dalla Rose.”

Fallisard: “I also love going to Arthurs. My go-to order is on their brunch menu: the Grand Slam, which is made up of syrniki [cheese pancakes], fried eggs, bacon, fried chicken, and maple syrup.”

Cercone: “Olive et Gourmando is also perfect for that ‘I can’t decide whether to eat lunch or breakfast’ crowd. A few blocks away there is Mélisse—elite-level brunch.”

Forgione: “Nothing beats a classic breakfast at Beauty’s with a freshly squeezed glass of orange juice!”

Lunch & Afternoon

Cercone: “Lunch in Montreal has always been tough, and the pandemic only made that harder. Fewer people at the office mean fewer restaurants finding the need to open. Off the beaten path you have McKiernan, where you’ll find tons of ‘market fresh’ shareable options and also foosball—very important.”

Forgione: “I recommend the bánh mi at Sandwicherie Sue. The bread is crisp and light while the interior, the actual crumb, is like cotton candy—making the texture perfect for the add-ins that make a báhn mi the ultimate sandwich.”

Cercone: “The porchetta sandwich at Bossa is also pretty elite, and you can’t miss out on their cannoli. Wellington Street is pedestrian-only in the summer, and a quick pit stop before and after a nice walk on the waterfront there is perfect.”

Dinner & Evening

Cercone: “Vin Papillon is great for a glass of fun bubbles and a plate of jambon de La petite Bourgogne. Or oysters next door at Vinette with a sharp bottle of white burgundy. Both wine lists, and Joe Beef’s, are curated by Max Campbell, a top dude.”

Forgione: “My go to is Leméac. I love French cuisine. I was culinarily trained as a French chef; therefore I have an affinity for it. I get the steak frites. It’s a classic, and you can’t beat it with a side salad and handmade mayo for the crispiest frites ever.”

Cercone: “The seafood platter and champagne at Garde Manger—a restauranto that remains one of the top tables in the city—are also top-notch. I also recommend hitting up the knish with caviar at Beba. Just let them do their thing there, both food- and wine-wise.”

Fallisard: “Hands down, the best place in the city for dinner is Kazu. I go there and almost order the entire menu. Nothing beats Japanese comfort food.”

Cercone: “The top table in the city—maybe even in Canada, and probably more—is Mon Lapin. Not only is the food and wine in the hands of Vanya [Filiponic, the sommelier] and Marco [Marc-Olivier Frappier, the chef] but their staff are just as knowledgeable and sharp. The scallop croque-monsieur is the move. This is another place where I never look at a menu.”

Late Night

Cercone: “The Mecca of late-night dining is L’Express. Classic room and servers. A wine list with older vintages that no one really has, and is also very affordable. You always end up splurging because of how cheap the list is.”

Forgione: “I was born into a bagel-making business. My uncle Mario owned one of the largest bagel factories in the province. At one time, he had 14 wood-fired bagel ovens in his now-defunct Bellechasse bakery. All that is to say: I’m a bagel connoisseur and aficionado. My go-to is St Viateur, and the fave has always been a hot out of the oven poppy seed bagel with a container of cold cream cheese to dunk it straight into. Best late-night snack ever, especially during a hot Montreal summer night out.” 

Fallisard: “The Cloakroom in the Golden Square Mile and Bar Waverly in Mile-End are my favorite cocktail bars, and where I spend my weekends!”