Chez Alexandre et Fils is one of the rare downtown institutions that has managed to evolve without losing the character that made it iconic. Since 1977, Alain CretonâPeel Streetâs unofficial mayorâhas welcomed guests like friends, whether theyâre regulars from the block or champagne-soaked Formula 1 fans. A French bistro at heart, it also carries the DNA of a British pub upstairs, a holdover from Cretonâs early business savvy and a small revolution in licensing that made it the first place in Quebec to serve draft British beer. The menu reads like a love letter to brasserie classicsâonion soup, foie de veau, duck confit, tartare, musselsâbut regularly makes space for seasonal flavours, updated riffs, and indulgent lunch or brunch prix fixes. Itâs a place where you can show up for oysters and a glass of wine, or go full tilt with lobster pasta and profiteroles. Either way, expect old-world charm, proper service, and the feeling that youâve stepped into someoneâs very well-appointed home.
Mentioned in
Where to eat at the best French restaurants in Montreal
From old-guard bistros to new-school brasseries, these spots still know how to impress: Classic technique, Québécois twists, and the places doing it right.
Buy-right. Shop local. Support small business. Choose from a hand-picked selection of prints from local photographers, makers and artisans.
Want to know whatâs happening in Montreal?
We curate local content into a weekly news bulletin so you can find out whatâs going on around town in one place. Sign up to stay informed.