Montreal's never been short on weird and/or wonderful dining destinations and experiences, but few in the city’s history have leaned into spectacle quite like Au Lutin qui Bouffe.
Past its old-world façade, one would find a landmark of indulgence and eccentricity, a place where diners could savour a plate of tournedos Rossini while a tiny piglet was bottle-fed at the next table.

But the whimsy of Au Lutin qui Bouffe's fine French cuisine and now-infamous piglet photography sessions would over time develop into a darker story of crime, ambition, and a tragic end—but together, these stories would cement the restaurant’s place in the city’s lore.

For readers who care about Montreal
Create a free account to read this story and access 3 articles per month, plus our weekly Bulletin.








![The Bulletin: Disco Chinois, Dolly Parton Pinball, and Gambling Laboratories [Issue #170]](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fthemain.ghost.io%2Fcontent%2Fimages%2F2026%2F02%2FCCM-montrealchinois-web-2__1_.jpg&w=256&q=75)







![The Reeds: A Novel [Stamped by Author]](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.shopify.com%2Fs%2Ffiles%2F1%2F0601%2F1709%2F0544%2Ffiles%2FIMG_9098.heic%3Fv%3D1730301494&w=3840&q=75)