Returning to Montreal after 10 years 🥹

[chloro_phyll]

Bonjour/hi!

I lived in Montreal 2011-2016 - I long for those days and return to the vibe/headspace of that era whenever I seek comfort.

My favorite eats at the time were: Kouign-Amann, the Cuban at Olive et Gourmando, Foie Gras Poutine at Au Pied de Cochon, Steak Frites at L’Express, chicken/fries/poutine at Romados/Ma Poule Mouillée, the Djaj at Omnivore, the Barros Luco at La Chilenita, Antep Kabab, Kazu, Hung Phat, among others.

Returning à la metropole, what are some incredible spots that have opened since? Or what has stayed amazing? I’m coming from LA, so I’m definitely spoiled with bounty. In MTL, I most miss Portuguese, French, Lebanese (garlic sauce/spicy potatoes/shawarma), Syrian, Greek, and sandwiches.

What would be some dinner spots that you’d recommend making reservations for? Do Au Pied de Cochon/Joe Beef/Bullion Bilk still reign supreme? Or are they of the 2010s?

Grateful for any/all thoughts/insights!

Merci bien/thank you!!

[robert]

Mon Lapin and L’Express are the places I most want to go back to. And Fromagerie qui lait cru!?!

Marchés publics de Montréal | Fromagerie qui lait cru !?!

Montreal dinners -- advice please!

Went to Au Pied de Cochon at 9:30 on Saturday. They’d sold out of most of what I was going to order including andouillettes and white asparagus. Bread was excellent. Great butter. Foie gras cromesquis were fun. Breading seemed a bit heavy, never had another version to compare. Fries in the regular poutine were great when they first came out. Got soggy fast. Curds were not squeaky. [amandine] Fiddleheads (not mentioned on the menu) were the best part of the amandine. Maple syrup worked bett…

[prima]

I really enjoy dining at Au Pied de Cochon and Garde Manger.

Garde Manger (Montreal)

Huge thanks to @caleb for recommending Garde Manger, and to @set0312 for conveniently soliciting Montreal recommendations just a few weeks before my own impromptu trip up north. Garde Manger is a seafood-focused modern French (or Quebecois?) restaurant that wouldn’t be out of place in LA’s dining scene. Menu [image] [image] Drinks Decent but not extraordinary. [image] [image] [image] Razor Clams Good but given the price tag, I wouldn’t bother, I think. [image] Oysters (Two kinds…

I have dined at Au Pied de Cochon 4 times. I like to dine at the bar.

For upscale Portuguese seafood, Café Ferreira on Peel is my go-to.

Milos is still great.

For upscale casual food, I like Foxy. (same owners as Olive + Gormando)

Foxy (Montreal)

@caleb absolutely killed it with the recommendations for Montreal dining. (This report is very late; our meal at Foxy was like two days after Garde Manger). Menu [chrome_39jW6TF5Fy] Grilled broccoli I’m not really a broccoli person but the pickled whatever it was was pretty good. [image] Oysters Good but not as amazing as those at Garde Manger. [image] Homemade feta & pita the homemade pita was great, but the mixture of feta, pear, red wine, & almond was amazing. [im…

For refined Syrian food, I like Damas.

Here is my trip report from October 2025. I’ll post my next trip report here on FoodTalkCentral.

3 Days in Montreal, a trip report

I like this Patisserie

rhubarbe

[set0312]

L’Express is still a vibe

[prima]

I like Elena and I follow their IG account

This weekend’s sandwich special:

I think I need to make a spring trip to Montreal.

When will you be in Montreal and how long are you staying?