Au Petit Extra has been quietly shaping Montréal’s bistro scene since 1985—less flashy than its Plateau peers, but every bit as essential. Set next to the art deco cabaret Lion d’Or (which it also supplies with food), this Centre-Sud fixture draws an eclectic mix: artists, hospital workers, old-guard regulars, and curious newcomers. The dining room leans classic with white tablecloths, wood chairs, and weathered mirrors, while the kitchen—led by Louis-Philippe Daoust—delivers French staples with the kind of precision that only comes from doing it for decades. Think duck done every way, soupe de poisson with pastis, or a vol-au-vent packed with sweetbreads and pearl onions. The menu shifts with the seasons, but not for novelty’s sake—just enough to keep the regulars engaged. With a well-priced, wide-reaching wine list (including 30+ by the glass) and one of the city’s better lunch table d’hôte offerings, Au Petit Extra lives up to its name. Not flashy, just quietly, consistently excellent.
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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.
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