Montreal's best restaurants of 2024 according to local writers and photographers

Montreal’s food scene in 2024 wasn’t just about where to eat—it was about the experiences that lingered long after the last bite.

To capture the essence of the year, we turned to the critics, photographers, and bloggers who are spending their lives chasing the next great meal. From cutting-edge omakase counters to neighbourhood haunts that feel like a second home, their picks paint a vivid picture of a city constantly redefining its culinary identity.

This year saw bold experiments like Heni’s innovative flavours and Okeya Kyujiro’s immersive tasting menus alongside the comforting nostalgia of La Spada’s pasta and Bouillon Albert’s French classics. Korean BBQ joints, Filipino gems, and reimagined bistros shared the stage with intimate wine bars and communal hotspots like An Choi Plaza.

With every meal, Montreal’s dining culture proved it’s not just about eating—it’s about connection, creativity, and moments you’ll keep talking about long after the plates are cleared.

Where did you love to eat in 2024, new or old?

Clay Sandhu, Food Editor for Cult MTL, @claysandhu: “I had two particularly memorable meals at Heni — what Soufian, Noah and Julien are trying to do feels novel and necessary and very well executed.”

Victor Yu, @randomcuisine: "I've visited Claire Jacques eight times this year, including a few occasions where I simply indulged in their desserts after dining elsewhere."

Alison Slattery, @twofoodphotographers: “I am a sucker for Korean BBQ & one of my favourite places to get that is at Pony BBQ. I have to give a shout-out to Tuck Shop here as well, it's a classic. I also love to hit up a few of my neighbourhood favourites like Gino's, Alma, Jun I, Ohayo, and Byblos. On the other side of town lives a little amazing Filipino joint called Buboy, try it! Also, Deux Becs (is worth the) drive all the way across the river for those babies.”

Natacha Guiragossian of @natachaeats: “Regashi for their great attention to detail with good quality fish; Pichai is a really unique and vibrant flavors and such a special place, one of my favorite restaurants. Papito for its beautifully cooked meats over charcoal or wood-fired grills; perfect for a large group and their dishes are designed to be shared. Bona Fide has very warm and comforting Italian dishes with an elevated twist. Also the contemporary Italian restaurant La Spada with lots of delicious comforting pasta dishes, and Bouillon Albert, an affordable restaurant with French classics!”

Alessandro Rea and Michael Grande of @mangiabeneboys: “La Spada, Regashi, Casavant, Rendez-Vous, Mikado, Kazamaza, Knuckles, Gia, and RYU, just to name a few. These spots kept us going back for more, food was always delicious, as were the overall vibes.”

Charles Nguyen of @mtlcharles: “An Choi Plaza's shareable Vietnamese dishes, great service, and cozy atmosphere have made it a favourite this year! The fried rice and soft shell crab dish is so tasty with a crisp glass of white wine!”

Daniel Brombeg, co-founder of @themain: “This year we kept going back to the classics. Places like Nouveau Palais, Épicerie Pumpui, Dobe & Andy, and neighbourhood spots like La Matraca. On the new side, Marci hit it out of the park twice, and Bangluck was a casual surprise. Boulangerie Carlota for pastries.”

Tommy Dion of @lecuisinomane: “Alma (et Terraza Luz). À quel point Lindsay et Juan réussi bien à nous transmettre leur passion et leur amour dans chaque verre, chaque assiette, chaque tortilla de maïs nixtamal. Ensuite, quelques repas mémorables au Cabaret l’Enfer, Mon Lapin, Violon, Heni… Je dois aussi mentionner l’audacieux Chez Jean-Paul !” 

Ivy Lerner-Frank, @ivylernerfrank: “I'm incredibly attached to my Little Italy neighbourhood. We've got a rotation going of San Gennaro, Pumpui/Pichai, Bar St-Denis, Impasto-Gema, Kahera, coffee at Caron, summer sandwiches in the market (Roxy!) and Mon Lapin for special occasions. The opening of Even Coffee in the old Dispatch location has been great; the baristas are really skilled (and kind); their specialty coffee is consistently good.  And Wills is really hitting its stride as a place for community.”

Rachel Cheng, @rachelhollycheng: “Between the warm interior, excellent playlists, and of course, amazing pizzas, Marci just knocks it out of the park for me. I start with a dirty martini (perhaps one of the most affordable in Montreal restaurants these days), follow with a veg, and to go full circle, add the martini pie with Castelvetrano olives.”

Scott Usheroff, @cravingcurator: "Hai Di Lao, Snowdon Deli, Mon Lapin, Nolan, Au Pied de Cochon, Cabane d'à Côté, Mano Cornuto, Christina’s, Bar Saint Denis, Bossa, Heni, Cabaret L'enfer, Parapluie, Bistro Amerigo, Beauty’s, Hof Kelsten, Smoke Meat Pete, and Liverpool House."

What was your best restaurant meal of 2024?

Clay Sandhu, Food Editor for Cult MTL, @claysandhu: “I had a baby this year. After 6 months, my wife and I had our first date night at Le Violon. It was perfect. Restaurants should make occasions special — they nailed it.”

Alison Slattery, @twofoodphotographers: “Juliette Plaza, Parcelles… I had the most amazing vegan dinner at Tendresse in November, and a few other hits included Le 9e and Satay Brothers.”

Victor Yu, @randomcuisine: "I've had the pleasure of experiencing Les Mal-Aimés' 10-course tasting menu twice, once in the Fall and again in the Winter. From the impeccable service to the showcase of locally sourced ingredients from the Eastern Townships, it's truly an unforgettable culinary journey."

Natacha Guiragossian of @natachaeats: “Mastard. Every bite was a WOW. I was blown away. Incredible meal from start to finish.” 

Alessandro Rea and Michael Grande of @mangiabeneboys: “Looking back at 2024, we’ve had some amazing meals, and it’s always so hard to narrow it down. But it would have to be between the Vitello Saltimbocca from La Spada and the Duck Breast from Casavant. We also want to shout out the Pandan crême brulée from Regashi, one of our favourite desserts we’ve had this year.”

Charles Nguyen of @mtlcharles: “It's a toss-up: First, I had a fantastic time at Gus! The grilled flank steak and lamb chops were cooked to perfection, and the deep-fried caper berries and homemade chili sauce were a delicious surprise. The tableside Caesar salad and a margarita were the perfect additions. For a fun night out, definitely sit at the bar, you won't stop laughing, the chef-owner David Angus Ferguson is wonderful! To top it all off, one of the best QPR (quality price ratio) meals you'll have in town.” 

Second, Okeya Kyujiro's 25-course omakase blew me away! Yes, it's a splurge, but it's an experience I'll never forget. Every dish was a masterpiece, engaging all my senses—the stunning visuals, the perfectly timed music, the incredible textures, the intoxicating aromas, and, of course, the absolutely divine taste. It's worth saving up for!” 

Daniel Brombeg, co-founder of @themain: “I had an amazing time at Keung Kee I won’t forget. Also: It's not Montreal, but it's still in Québec: Chez Saint-Pierre in Bic was memorable in so many ways. Coming in at nearly five hours long, this was more of a performance than a meal and an incredible one at that.” 

Tommy Dion of @lecuisinomane: “J’ai eu deux repas absolument spectaculaire au Cabaret l’Enfer.”

Scott Usheroff, @cravingcurator: "Still gotta be a Snowdon Deli club roll with a kreplach soup, grilled karnatzel, full sour dill pickle, hot order of fires with vinegar and ketchup and a Cott black cherry. Every time."

Ivy Lerner-Frank, @ivylernerfrank: “The first meal we had at Le Violon, with that silky hand-cut beef tartare with tahini, gochuchang sweetbreads with rapini, tuna tonnato with purslane, supergreen gnocchi  – and their basque cheesecake with chocolate.”

Rachel Cheng, @rachelhollycheng: “Biking over to Violon at the end of summer and letting their team guide my table through a perfect meal, from cocktails to wine, from starters to the soft serve ice cream. Dishes were thoughtful without being fussy, and the whole dining room was incandescent, every element buzzing at just the right frequency.”

Bonus: What was your favourite pop-up of 2024? 

Scott Usheroff, @cravingcurator: "The Double's first birthday with the crew from Mon Lapin and Plongoire was Anything Menu Extra puts their hands on. More notable for me are the Ateliers Jean Brillant event and the Pearl Morissette pop-up. The Toque alumni pop-up with Charles-Antione Crête, Steve Molnar, and Angus An. Mano and Aliments Viens Sugo. Gia and Harrison Sewchuk's Eastern Promises. Bar St-Denis x Laurent Dagenais, Nolan's rotisserie night, Franquette and Dave McMillan's schnitzel night, so many, I need to stop…"

Alison Slattery, @twofoodphotographers: “Terraza Luz, the tacos by Juan were something else.”

Victor Yu, @randomcuisine: "Terraza Luz, the best kept secret in Montreal, is located behind Alma. Everything on the menu is homemade, including the tortillas, which are crafted with heritage corn using centuries-old techniques."

Tommy Dion of @lecuisinomane: “La dernière édition du festival Montréal en Lumière.”

Ivy Lerner-Frank, @ivylernerfrank: “The taco popups at Terraza Luz behind Alma were so much fun this summer: we loved wandering over Saturday afternoons, sitting around the big table with friends, and eating tacos from the heritage corn of Juan Lopez Luna's home town, Tlaxcala. Juan's embrace of his Mexican roots and the evolution of his cooking over the past few years has been a real joy to be a part of. Terraza Luz and the monthly omakase collabs (do they count as pop-ups too?) have been real windows into how chefs work, and work together.

Also? Those magical, delicious Cara Mia dinners by Emilie Noel and Michelle Marek!” 

Rachel Cheng, @rachelhollycheng: “A big highlight of summer 2024 was the Ferias dance parties at Wills, where the kitchen started serving Chicago hot dogs before briefly adding them to the menu. If I was in town during a Corner Pizza pop-up, you'd better believe that I was there getting a pepperoni pie with the obligatory cup of Caesar dressing to dip the corners into. I also loved the Mokili pop-up at Bonheurs d'Occasion, where Epepe did his spin on the South African 7 colours meal, and the Castelfranco tomato soup pop-up with a grilled cheese I still think about.”