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    Gus

    4.5 (103 reviews)
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    Gus Photos

    GUS ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Trendy
    Good for groups

    Recommended Reviews - Gus

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    Reviews With Photos

    Gus' famous Margarita!
    Charles N.

    What a fabulous dining experience! Many moons ago, a very good friend of mine, whom I first met through Yelp MTL, invited me to Gus, a discrete restaurant on Beaubien, with casual ambiance, music that is not too loud so you can still each other talk, and a small but high quality gourmet French menu with a Tex-Mex twist won't break the bank. I still have vivid memories of my first visit which started with hand-crafted margaritas, made with the perfect balance of real freshly squeezed lime juice (not the bottled one), a splash of fresh OJ, tequila and triple sec. This was followed by fantastically sautéed Brussels sprouts, with crunchy edges and yet soft and warm insides, finished with gentle touch of acidity and sweetness from the white balsamic caramelization. And then, we feasted on best tasting Caesar Salad ever!Everything was made from scratch, right under our eyes, with whole anchovies, homemade croutons, cheese, sizeable bacon bits... and the best, with full step by step explanations from the Chef himself! Then, I had the chance to attack a huge plate of perfectly seasoned grilled lamb chops topped with fresh mint leaves and crispy deep fried capers that keeps on calling you back for more - they're like "crack"! My pescatarian friendly, and partner in crime, asked for a slight variation with pan fried cod, basted in butter, oh my my, so delicious. And for a mood-boost, since we each had a hard week, we indulged in a few glasses of carefully selected wine pairings, some were private imports. For the final act, a moist and rich chocolate cake with some fine whipped creamed cheese, and the most amazing carrot ever - coming from someone who doesn't like carrot cake! Truth be told, when asked what makes a dining experience at Gus exhilarating? I believe it is the combination of who you are dining with, the impromptu conversations with fellow guests, and David Ferguson (chef, owner, proud father and fantastic teacher), Josh (at the Grill), Ciaran (working his charm), and the crew, who prepare, cook, and serve you with all of their might and soul. Pro Tip: Thinking of date night? Sit at bar to see it all come together like a symphony. One more thing, you must try the steak and/or the surf and turf!

    Cesar Salad
    Bryan H.

    Easily one of the best dining experiences that I've had all year. I was just visiting Montreal for 3 days and stumbled upon this gem of a restaurant. Fortunately I called in same day and was able to get a reservation for 7:30pm on a Wednesday. You absolutely must try the Caesar salad! Definitely the best salad that I've ever had. From the in house dressing, to the spongey croutons, fresh lettuce and flavorful bacon. We also shared the surf and turf which was amazing as well. Some of the biggest scallops I've ever seen, fresh shrimp, and tender steak. I would recommend that everyone in Montreal should try this restaurant, I can't wait to go back!

    Rob P.

    What a hilarious situation. My friend from Belgium won $100 gift card for Gus about 2 years ago and he's been traveling the world with it in case he made it back to Montreal. Last week we both ended up in Montreal at the same time and we're able to use the beat up voucher. The meal did not disappoint and the restaurant was charming along with the staff. We ordered the surf and turf for two for $79 and that alone would have been enough food for us. The scallops were great. The shrimp was great. The meat was great. A little thick on the sauce for me but my friends loved it. We also ordered the horse tartare which I wasn't crazy about and the Caesar salad with caviar on top. Now that was a delicious salad and there was such a large portion of caviar. We didn't save room for dessert but somehow we ended up with a piece of blueberry cheesecake in front of us and it was one of the best pieces of Cheesecake I've ever had. Very light and a blueberries were a special variety from Canada. Overall a fantastic dining experience. I recommend sitting at the bar and being part of the open kitchen. Thanks to all the staff at Gus for a great last night in Montreal!

    Surf & turf
    Audrey L.

    The experience at Gus was phenomenal from beginning to end, I am thoroughly impressed. It's been a while since I've had an experience this good. It wasn't a problem making a reservation on a rainy Monday night, but I was incredibly surprised after having eaten here that there wasn't a line out the door. This cozy restaurant, located on the corner of Saint-Dominique & Beaubien, had the perfect atmosphere: perfect lighting, the music at JUST the right volume... great first impression. The menu, written on a chalkboard, seems simple, but the waitress then came and explained every dish (roughly 10 apps and 10 mains, some not actually on the chalkboard) in complete detail. It wasn't just her descriptive memory of the menu, but she actually just seemed extremely knowledgeable about the menu and the wines. Started out with the amazingly soft, chewy house bread, made with rosemary oil and clearly fresh. It. Was. So. Good. Then the oysters (raspberry point from PEI) which were perfectly shucked, and the caesar salad, not as creamy as the usual caesars (and I mean that in the best way) but light and delicious. It is also quite a large serving. Then came our Surf & Turf for 2: a 15oz rib eye with grilled scallops and shrimp. It was easily THE BEST STEAK I've had in a very, very long time. Perfectly seasoned, perfectly cooked and just the right amount of fat left on it to keep it juicy and flavourful. This was served on a bed of mashed potatoes with just the lightest touch of truffle (not overwhelming as most restaurants mistakenly throw on) and surrounded by deliciously grilled shrimp and scallops, in a sauce that coated the bottom of the plate. Every single part of this dish was perfect. Will absolutely be back!

    Camille R.

    Food was good in general but I probably would not come back. I was expecting it to be a bit better. The ceasar salad was very good. The oysters were good as well. We also tried the cevice which I enjoyed but I've had better elsewhere. My main dish was the steak which was good but I was not blown away. I've had better steaks elsewhere. All in all for the price I was not impressed.

    John W.

    Gus isn't a restaurant, it's an experience. The service, attention to detail, menu selection, and execution are exquisite. The best part is this is fine dining without any pretension or sense that some don't belong. If you value amazing food and great ambiance, you belong. The surf and turf is the the reason to come here. Don't leave without ordering. The steak is cooked to perfection, the scallops are plump (and I don't even like scallops), and the shrimp are incredibly flavorful. The mashed potatoes are whipped to a smoothness that you probably haven't experienced. Usually the surf and turf is solely for two people. If you're dining solo I suggest being very pleasant to your server and requesting an exception.

    Gus margarita
    Jason M.

    This place is dope! Came here for a Yelp Elite gathering 4 years ago and totally loved my experience. However, I never came back.... until today! And you know what? It was JUST AS GOOD as I remembered it!!! I'm stoked. This place is real easy to miss on this busy street given the small size of the establishment. When you walk in you realize very quickly this place is perfect for an anniversary or intimate date(s)! Our hostess and waitresses were amazing (and beautiful?) and we were really taken of during our entire stay!!! Loved it. I went with Gus Margarita and Amaretto Sour for drinks and they were just perfect. They made great side companions as we dined happily. As an appetizer I went with their Caesar salad and honestly it was simply the *clap* best *clap* Caesar *clap* salad *clap* I *clap* ever *clap* had *clap*!!!!! The cherry on top of this plate is the fact the dressing is made in-house as the salad is BEING prepared once you order it. It does wonders for the dish!!! They also do it the "traditional" way with anchovies, croutons and capers. JUST THE WAY I LIKE IT. MMMMMmmmmm This is about the closest you'll get me to become a vegetarian. In fact, if everything vegetarian tasted this good, I'd convert from my daily meat plan being a Carnivore and all. As a main I went with their "Duo a Porc" which is basically 2 types of porc in a hearty dish. I dig it. Suggestion though, perhaps a little variety in the dish such as some greens or potatoes would go a long way? Still good but wouldn't have it again. I did try the wife's filet mignon and the meat simply meeeeeelted in my mouth.... divine. For dessert we shared their strawberry shortcake and it was the real deal. Absolutely fantastic!!!!! We almost had a fight and broke out in shenanigans for the scraps. This place is a total 5 stars and only their price-tag impedes me from visiting this place on a regular basis. This is why I need to win the lottery. However, if a special event ever does come up, I know EXACTLY where to go. Merci.

    Side dish of roasted vegetables
    Deborah K.

    Our first (and only) visit to Gus was on my birthday. We made a reservation 24 hours in advance to be sure that we'd have a decent table. We walked in and were seated at a tiny table for 2 with an extra chair stuck on the side. Needless to say, the three of us weren't exactly comfortable in such a cramped space. The waitress came over and took our drink order first and the drinks were delivered quite quickly. She came back a while later to go through the menu with us. We really appreciated that she explained each item in detail, although we would have liked to have actual menus in our hands rather than having to look at a chalk board at the other end of the restaurant. We ordered 2 Caesar salads and one gravlax for appetizers. The kitchen was kind enough to make one Caesar without anchovies as our son has an allergy. The dressing was delicious on both salads and the gravlax was also very nice. For our main dishes, we had one tartare de cheval, one bavette de boeuf and one pork chop. The tartare was served with frites, grilled bread and a side order of grilled vegetables. It was very good, but the tartare (albeit a huge portion) could have used some acid (maybe a little mustard). The bavette de boeuf was served with a gratin of potatoes and was quite tasty. The pork chop was served with mashed potatoes (lovely and smooth and well-seasoned) and a jus with tomatillos. The dish was really well-balanced but the pork chop was overcooked without even a hint of pink. All in all, the meal was good but not a good as we had anticipated after reading reviews on Yelp. For almost $300 for three people (including drinks), we were left wanting. The staff were friendly and efficient, so there was no complaint on that front. We live far too far away to visit on a regular basis, but to be honest we probably wouldn't go back in a hurry even if we lived closer. There are just too many other more desirable options in the area.

    The Gus margarita
    Daniel B.

    On the strength of the caesar and tomato salads, I bestow upon thee a 5 star rating. My wife and I were fortunate to snag a 7pm reservation in this tiny Little Italy restaurant this past Saturday night. We enjoyed a stellar meal. Our biggest problem was that we didn't get to sample everything on the menu given that our appetites had sadly reached their capacity after the first hour. I started the meal with one of their lime margaritas. This is the real deal folks. Real lime, slightly sweet, slightly bitter, and served with floating micro ice crystals from having been shaken in the mixer. It tasted like a holiday to me. Fresh doughy bread was then placed on the table alongside a couple of homemade spicy salsas and some delicious corn relish. Dipping my buttered bread in these condiments while sipping my margarita, I was one happy camper before even ordering a morsel of food off the menu. We ordered liberally, choosing the caesar salad with caviar, the tomato and burrata salad as well as the salmon tartare to start. I have to agree with the majority of reviewers that the caesar salad at Gus is one of the best you will ever enjoy. The dressing is a perfect balance of creamy, salty, and fishy (anchovies?). Hidden within the crispy leaves of romaine, you will find little pieces of treasure in the form of fried bread croutons and crispy lardons. With the added optional caviar (for an extra few dollars), this dish hits every pleasure centre in your brain at the same time. It's kind of like medication without the side effects. The same goes for the heirloom tomato salad. I don't know what they did to these tomatoes, but the result was a slightly acidic and ultra fresh concoction mixed with burrata cheese and the same delicious fried bread croutons. This simple salad is better than any other simple tomato dish I have tasted anywhere. The salmon tartare didn't distinguish itself from other restaurants' versions, but it certainly was prepared nicely and tasted fresh. While I love avocado, this dish features it a little too prominently. Most bites contained as much if not more avocado than salmon. For our main, we succumbed to the hype of hundreds of online reviews and got the surf and turf for 2. This is essentially a large sliced cut of ribeye, about 5 large scallops and 5 decently sized shrimp, served atop pureed mashed potato in a creamy pool of sauce. The dish certainly has a wow factor in terms of presentation. With regard to taste, I would give the dish 4 stars out of five. The steak is quite tasty as are the scallops. The shrimp were average. They lacked a little size as well as a rich grilled flavour that I was hoping for. The potato puree was spread a bit too thin and was essentially drowned by the pool of sauce covering the entire platter. Despite the simplicity and opulent presentation of this dish, I cannot say this is the best example of scallops, shrimp, and steak I have ever sampled. They are prepared very well, but unlike the salads we enjoyed, I can find better versions of the surf and turf components at other establishments if I look hard enough. Granted, Gus' version of the surf and turf will beat 80% of other restaurants, so please go ahead and order this as you likely won't be disappointed. I realize that I'm setting the bar extremely high as the dish is objectively very good. That said, I would argue that it is restaurant Gus that set these high standards with some of their other dishes. For dessert, we shared a perfectly prepared tarte tatin. The apples were deeply caramelized and browned while retaining their shape and taste. The crust was thin and laced with butter. Despite being stuffed to the gills, this is the type of dessert that makes you a little sad once you take that last bite and realize that the meal is over. The chef clearly has a vision of a greatest hits menu. It reminds me of any number of classic rock albums where every song knocks you over the head without relenting. Kind of like Appetite for Destruction, Back in Black, or Nevermind. Next time, I've got to try those foie gras nachos. Next time can't come soon enough!

    Tim K.

    I have waited 2 years to go back to Gus. Long story short, during a Yelp Halloween party in Montreal, I won $100 gift certificate for this restaurant. Unfortunately, I had to leave the day after. So I kept the certificate in my travel bag, in case I ever ended up in Montreal for dinner. Work finally brought me here. I and a friend decided to treat ourselves and go all out. We started with horse meat tartare which is really good and definitely a suggestion for people that have never tried horse. To accompany the horse we ordered the Ceasar Salad, with caviar. OMG!!! Maybe the best salad in my life. Not only because of the caviar but everything was so fresh and tasty. To make the whole experience complete, we went for a surf and turf. Which didn't come with lobster, but with a bunch of scallops and shrimp and an awesome thick creamy sauce. I have to admit... I was happy we had to walk down on the way back because I felt like falling down at any point. So much good food... I thought I was going to explode. The staff was amazing, friendly. The atmosphere, in general, is cozy. Like sitting in your own living room but you have David cooking you amazing food.

    The best Onion Soup I've had
    Michael C.

    I'm a little late writing this review, but came back to do so because they deserve it. We had an all-around amazing experience even though something caught fire in the kitchen causing the alarms to go off, which is quite unpleasant to the ears. They had to open the doors to the freezing temps to air out, then had to "reset" the kitchen which delayed all the orders an extra 20 minutes. Who cares?! The folks were great and the meal was delicious. Can't wait to be in Montreal again. We were two Americans and a native who hadn't been before. She said she can't wait to bring some friends back. The onion soup was the best I've had. The Caesar salad, bavette de beouf, and moules et frites were all so outstanding that we shared everything.

    Small place and kitchen but simply amazing!!!
    Andrea S.

    I discovered this place by another elite member Went out with one of my besties for dinner We simply loved!!! The chef is amazing, the stuff is great The food is more than delicious and they are super attentionated to details and your food allergies I'm not a super fun of pepper sauce, but their home made are to die for, they have 3 kinds but preferred is the middle one, sweet and hot... I got an oysters, 2 starters and 2 main dishes We got the lamb shops and the duck confit The lamb were super delicious and they have some great wines too that go well as an accord with your meal. Can't wait to go back!!!

    Surf and turf
    Isabelle R.

    Five stars in all departments. The feeling I got entering, whilst there, and leaving was all just so welcoming and real. The chef is soooooo committed to his clientele and it shows at every second. He is so relaxed while he cooks that it would make anyone at ease. The staff is all quite similar too; friendly, welcoming, knowledgable and honest. Gus is comfort food at its finest. The place itself is super cute. We sat at the bar and the whole dining experience was exactly that- an experience. I felt we went through adventures, both culinary and visual while there. Almost magical. I didn't want to leave. I wanted to move in. The oysters were perfect. The squid and octopus salad was very good- especially the octopus part- I would have made it only with octopus if I had the choice... The Caesar salad had crispy pancetta chunks and bread fried in olive oil that all blended and melted in my mouth. The onglet de boeuf had layers of flavour and the portions were all huge (as opposed to many of these new "tapas style" restos opening these days). The scalloped potatoes on that dish were so so good I can't even come close to describing them. The lemon tart was fabulous. Homemade baguette, homemade pickled pepper and homemade roasted corn relish all come on the side as delicious accompaniments. Oh- the cocktails are fantastic too! This restaurant totally has a Joe Beef vibe to it- meat, seafood, cozy, large portions, heart. If that's what you like in a culinary experience, go to Gus and I guarantee you won't be disappointed. I cannot wait to go back and I sure hope it doesn't change.

    Delicious sweet yam and marshmallows. I am in food heaven

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    Years later I still compare their Caesar salad to every single one I eat. It was fantastic!

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    Gus Reviews in Other Languages

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    Monarque - Bone marrow topped with escargot was 10/10

    Monarque

    4.5(290 reviews)
    4.9 kmVille-Marie
    $$$

    This was my "nice" meal during my very short trip to Montreal last weekend, and it turned out to be…read morea great choice. There are 2 sides of the restaurant: the more casual order what you want brasserie side and then the fancier multi-course chef menu side. I chose the brasserie side, where I had a reservation for a bar seat - turns out that wasn't really that necessary as there were several individual bar seats open; A group would probably have a difficult time getting a seat on a Friday evening though. For drinks, I had a paper plane and a last word. Those are my two go to cocktails for nicer bars, and they pulled them off fantastically (they also knew what I was talking about which is kind of rare for the last word). For an extra nice touch, they clipped an actual paper plane to the paper plane drink. Fun! For food, I ordered the Duck Confit. It was super crispy on the outside, but the meat was super tender and juicy and melted off of the bone. My mouth is watering while thinking about it. It also came with bread service. For dessert I had the tiramisu. I would give it a 4/5 - it was a little more bland than others I've had - not bad at all, but not my favorite one of all time. They seem to be serious about their coffee (see pictures). Since I was sitting right in front of it I had to order one to go with the tiramisu. I had a basic americano, and it was a great addition. My only real complaint is the bar seating felt a little bit exposed as the main walkway through the restaurant goes along the bar seating. Drinks 5/5, Service 5/5, Food 5/5, Ambience 4/5

    First meal in Montreal and what an experience! We dined in the brasserie side of the restaurant…read more Even though more casual dining, still experienced elevated food and service. We started with oysters from PEI and New Brunswick. Loved that they let you choose the units so we only ordered 4 (2 each). We also had as appetizer their foie gras parfait and tomatoes from our garden. Both we wonderful choices. The tomatoes were perfect for the season with a beautiful balance of tomatoes, stracciatella and focaccia. Foie is a classic and loved the grilled bread and pickled vegetables to accompany it. Our entrees were the lamb rump, braised shoulder and butcher cut steak and frites which was the hangar steak. The lamb was delicious and very hearty in a good way. The steak was perfectly prepared and the frites stayed warm the entire meal with their presentation. We ended with their house fav passion fruit pavlova. Light and airy texture with lovely flavor. Nice way to compete the meal!

    Photos
    Monarque - Kitchen view from our table!

    Kitchen view from our table!

    Monarque - Grilled squid

    Grilled squid

    Monarque - Dining room

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    Dining room

    Joe Beef - Appetizer of lobster salad on a crispy wafer.

    Joe Beef

    4.3(881 reviews)
    5.9 kmSud-Ouest
    $$$

    Had dinner here while in town with my husband as he raved about it from his prior trips to MTL and…read moreWOW. He was not wrong. We ordered a variety of things (including things we wouldn't usually order to try and enjoy the full experience). We had a special that they were having that night similar to a charcuterie board, croquettes, hangar steak, lobster spaghetti, fries, bread and pickle, and a scallop soup type dish (I forget what it was called and honestly it was my absolute favorite most unique dish). The service is outstanding and our server was so knowledgeable and helpful. The space is small and intimate - perfect for a date night!

    I've been wanting to come to Joe Beef for years. I've been to Liverpool several times but I've…read morenever been able to get a reservation for Joe Beef. This time, I was prepared. My entire Montreal trip was planned around getting this reservation. The food here is good. It reminds me of what restaurants used to do; cook for enjoying instead of just paying the bills. When you start to cook for just the money, you lose the risk taking and excitement from the food. Firstly, the restaurant is very hot. They need to check their AC or maybe they're just choosing to be very European. But that aside our waiter was very good and friendly. He really helped make our dinner fun and memorable. The beef tartare was ok. The sweetbreads were probably the best I've ever had anywhere. The double down is their riff on the KFC sandwich where they used two pieces of fried chicken as bread, instead these guys used two pieces of fried foie gras. It's rich, fatty, and delicious. You do not want to eat more than what they've given but it was every bit enjoyable. The pasta and sausages were good as well. But the strawberry sorbet dessert was so damn good and exactly what I needed to cool down. I had a great experience and highly recommend Joe Beef.

    Photos
    Joe Beef - Inside

    Inside

    Joe Beef - Strip steak with potatoes and bone marrow for 2

    Strip steak with potatoes and bone marrow for 2

    Joe Beef - House white (CAD $21) and perfect martini (CAD $19)

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    House white (CAD $21) and perfect martini (CAD $19)

    Reuben's Deli and Steakhouse - Old Fashion super smoked meat.

    Reuben's Deli and Steakhouse

    4.0(765 reviews)
    4.4 kmVille-Marie
    $$

    First time eating at Reuben's. We came in from a rain storm with 2 young children. From the moment…read morewe walked in, the host, a sweet older gentleman, offered us paper towels to dry up, since we were soaken wet even with umbrellas. He seated us in the booth and got our little children settled in with coloring material. He was so gentle spoken with our children, and for that matter, the entire staff was! Our family felt welcomed and not a bother. You would be surprised at how few places make us feel this way, even though our children are calm little beings. Ok, now... to the food! When I hear brisket, I think of Texas styled BBQ, this brisket is different, this is a deli style brisket, think Reuben Sandwiches. The brisket was sliced so thin and was juicy, it was delicious! Our kids had kids meals and in their opinion, the best part was the ice cream at the end . I highly recommend eating here! The staff is friendly, the food is great and overall, just a comfortable place to be! Tip the staff well, trust me, by the time the bill arrives you will already have experienced their top notch service. I don't have pictures to share because we were hungry and ate everything up before I could remember to snap some photos!

    We stumbled on this establishment this evening and it did not disappoint. We had a brief 5 - 10…read moreminute wait but it was well worth it for in house smoke meats/seafood. We had the the spinach and artichoke dip to start which was really good. I had the original Reuben which was memorable with the in house smoked corned beef brisket. The pumpernickel bread was awesome as well. My wife had the smoked lox bagel sandwiches ch with the fried capers and that too was amazing. Bonus points for the Molson Export Ale on draft which was a nice change of pace from all of the craft drafts I've been having.

    Photos
    Reuben's Deli and Steakhouse - Lots of pickled vegetables

    Lots of pickled vegetables

    Reuben's Deli and Steakhouse - SMOKED MEAT MAC & CHEESE SKILLET

    SMOKED MEAT MAC & CHEESE SKILLET

    Reuben's Deli and Steakhouse - Poutine fries

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    Poutine fries

    Bar George - Seafood tower

    Bar George

    4.3(318 reviews)
    4.3 kmVille-Marie
    $$

    Dining at Bar George was one of the highlights of our quick 24-hour layover in Montreal. We stayed…read moreat Le Mount Stephen Hotel without doing much research on dining options, assuming we'd just find something nearby. But before even checking in, we had to walk through Bar George ~ and instantly knew we wanted to eat there. We were lucky enough to grab a last-minute reservation, and Julien took a good care of us throughout the evening. His recommendation of the Beef Wellington was spot on (it's already one of our favorite dishes), but this was hands down the best we've ever had. I ordered the lobster risotto, which was excellent with just the right amount of spice. My son had the 10 oz striploin steak with homemade fries (chips), and it was absolutely delicious. I also loved the Canadian touch of coarse salt on the steak, plus the option to choose between Béarnaise or peppercorn sauce. Julien also mentioned their pastry chef placed second in a NY competition, and the desserts absolutely lived up to that reputation. We tried the pineapple and coconut pavlova and the "lick me hazelnut" ~ both beautifully presented and incredibly delicious. We also ordered iced coffee and a latte, and noticed something interesting: this was the second place where we found Canadian coffee to be smooth and mild ~ such a nice change from the often bitter, over-roasted American coffee. Yes, dinner was a bit steep ($300+), but it was worth every penny. Between the rich history, stunning design, outstanding service, and unique cuisine, I would highly recommend Bar George. I would absolutely love to come back!!

    food for dinner was awesome, service great, in our hotel. I can't give it 5 stars because while…read morebreakfast toast is delicious. the dinner bread with a $10 day charge was very meh!

    Photos
    Bar George - Grandfather clock

    Grandfather clock

    Bar George
    Bar George - One of the dining room rooms

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    One of the dining room rooms

    Damas - Shish Borek dumplings

    Damas

    4.7(511 reviews)
    1.0 kmOutremont
    $$$

    Top 5 dining experience of my life! We started with the fattoush, which turned my salad-hating…read morehusband into a believer. We followed that up with the batata harra, which were spicy, acidic, crispy little morsels of perfection. We rounded out the meal with the lamb and hummus dish, along with the filet mignon and little pickled peppers. Everything was perfection. Beyond the amazing food, the restaurant itself was beautiful and service was friendly, attentive, but never intrusive or annoying. These guys are doing everything right. I don't know when I'll be back in Montreal, but I can promise I will be right back here when that happens.

    5:45 pm dinner on the patio, with nicholas as our server. the outdoor patio made for a relaxed…read moreearly evening setting, while the interior has a much more dramatic, intimate feel, with dark wood, ornate hanging lanterns, patterned tile floors, warm lighting, and rich middle eastern inspired details. it has a distinctly upscale and atmospheric feel that suits the restaurant's refined take on syrian cuisine. service was impeccable throughout the meal. nicholas and his team was attentive, professional, and genuinely on top of everything without being intrusive. the pacing was well handled, and we never felt neglected or rushed. the level of service definitely matched the upscale setting and was one of the stronger parts of the experience. we ordered the meat platter for two, which was $220. the meatballs were easily the standout for me, juicy, flavourful, and probably the best part of the platter. the beef was good, but the prime rib was overcooked and the chicken was quite dry. at $220, i honestly expected more, particularly from a restaurant with this level of reputation and positioning. the uneven cooking was disappointing and kept the platter from being the highlight it should have been. the fattoush salad was much more successful. it was light, fresh, and refreshing, with plenty of herbs and pops of pomegranate. this was actually my favourite dish of the meal. the freshness and acidity worked especially well alongside the richer grilled meats. the grilled octopus was another highlight. it was tender, nicely grilled, and had a good texture without being tough or chewy. overall, the experience was a mix of excellent service, a beautiful setting, and some genuinely memorable dishes. the fattoush, grilled octopus, and meatballs were all standouts, while the prime rib and chicken fell short of expectations. the impeccable service and atmosphere certainly elevated the evening, but given the $220 price tag for the meat platter, i was expecting a more consistently impressive meal.

    Photos
    Damas - Interior

    Interior

    Damas - Rack of Lamb

    Rack of Lamb

    Damas - Hibiscus sipper

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    Hibiscus sipper

    Au Pied de Cochon - Duck in a Can (after plating)

    Au Pied de Cochon

    4.2(1.5k reviews)
    2.8 kmPlateau-Mont-Royal
    $$$

    Honestly, one of the best food experiences I've had while up in Montreal. While it seems pretty…read morechill and laidback at a glance, this spot was busy and bustling (and sorta cute as a pseudo casual spot for a more memorable date night). The fois gras nigiri was pricey, but was definitely worth the try - especially with how the fois gras melting upon contact with the tongue and how the fats and flavors meld together through the rice, it was simply divine. Though my favorite would probably be the Duck in a Can, which was surprisingly tender and juicy. The flavor was pleasant and savory, and I didn't really feel much of a gamey taste at all when I tried it. As someone who normally doesn't enjoy duck, I thought this dish was really quite lovely. Anyway, would probably come back to this spot in the future if I was ever back in the area.

    This is hearty Québécois cuisine, perhaps so hearty it's exactly what the pioneers needed to…read moresurvive the early harsh Montréal winters! Indeed the signature move of the chef, Martin Picard, is to elevate traditional, rustic Québécois "peasant food" into world-class fine dining. With the philosophy of unapologetic excess in every dish comes a line up of starters and mains packed with foie gras, butters, and oils in every corner. While the flavors in each dish by themselves are delicious, the onslaught of richness may not be for everybody, and it seemed deliberately without a palate cleanser or lighter counterbalance. In fact, knowing what we were getting into, we ordered an accompanying green salad, and the wait staff forgot to bring it out! We were outright denied anything but sheer gluttony. Our meal consisted of the foie gras poutine, duck in a can, and green tagliatelle. The mantra of excess here meant foie gras melding with cheese curds and gravy on the poutine. Their unique "duck in a can" involved packing quite literally a can with fatty duck breast, foie gras, buttered cabbage, herbs, and gravy, and blasting it all together with heat for 27 minutes. The result is a delicious stew of decadence, for which I wish I had more bread to dip and devour. Even the tagliatelle was bathing in a rich, oily pesto that provided no reprieve from the onslaught. We didn't try the namesake dish of the restaurant, the stuffed pig's foot (le pied de cochon), but seeing it served was an experience and nicely highlighted the elevated "peasant food" aspect of the entire affair. Very unique! Overall I had an excellent experience trying the local cuisine and this more decadent approach to dining. While it's fun sometimes to break culinary rules, I did overall find myself missing a more balanced meal that could feel more sustainable and less coronary artery disease-inducing. I think as long as you know what you're getting into, it's worth a visit, but probably not several!

    Photos
    Au Pied de Cochon - Inside of the restaurant

    Inside of the restaurant

    Au Pied de Cochon - Foie Gras Nigiri

    Foie Gras Nigiri

    Au Pied de Cochon - Cromesqui

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    Cromesqui

    L'Express - Got cheese salad 5/5

    L'Express

    4.3(750 reviews)
    2.9 kmPlateau-Mont-Royal
    $$$

    This is the kind of neighborhood bistro you'd expect to find in Paris--only cleaner and friendlier…read more The service was exceptional: attentive, welcoming, and perfectly paced without being overbearing. The food was excellent. We enjoyed the steak frites, duck confit, fish soup, and the complimentary cornichons, which were a lovely touch. By the time we were ready for dessert, they had sold out of the île flottante, which was disappointing, but the crème brûlée and tarte au citron more than made up for it. Both were outstanding. A wonderful meal from start to finish, and a place we'd happily return to.

    L'Express is my go-to foolproof French restaurant perfect for dining with friends who came to…read morevisit me in Montreal . You get a casual yet elegant fine French dining vibe effortlessly. No reservation needed for parties under two, plus it stays open till 1 AM, super convenient for flexible travelers. A local staple with countless loyal regulars, famous for its signature bone marrow and homemade pickles. Warm welcoming atmosphere, friendly seasoned staff, free bread and pickles right after seating. Must-try picks: rich bone marrow, smooth chicken liver mousse, tender duck confit and fresh beef tartare. Classic authentic French classics served in genuine local style. They have an amazing affordable wine list with massive collections.

    Photos
    L'Express
    L'Express - Rillette l'Express - tender, shredded pork shoulder mixed with duck fat and herbs, served with toasted bread, pickles, and mustard

    Rillette l'Express - tender, shredded pork shoulder mixed with duck fat and herbs, served with toasted bread, pickles, and mustard

    L'Express - Latte

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    Latte

    Gus - seafood - Updated August 2026

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