$$$$
JapanesePlateau
Yokato Yokabai is a lively Hakata-style ramen shop on Rue Drolet in Montreal's Plateau, simmering a rich tonkotsu broth many locals rate the city's best.
OrderThe classic tonkotsu ramen with extra chashu.
TipOrder the tonkotsu and add a flavoured egg; the counter fills fast at both lunch and dinner.
$$$$
JapaneseDowntown
Otto Yakitori is a late-night izakaya near downtown Montreal, grilling charcoal skewers and pouring sake and highballs until one in the morning.
OrderA run of charcoal yakitori skewers with a highball.
TipIt runs late for the neighbourhood; go after ten for skewers and drinks when other kitchens have closed.
$$$$
JapaneseDowntown
Jatoba is a slick pan-Asian room off Square Phillips in downtown Montreal, plating robata skewers, sushi and Korean-leaning share plates in a buzzy room.
OrderA spread of robata skewers and the sushi of the day.
TipIt fills with a downtown after-work crowd; the robata grill and share plates are built for a group.
$$$$
SteakhouseGriffintown
Grinder is a lively Griffintown steakhouse and wine bar in Montreal, plating aged cuts, tartare and seafood towers with an ambitious cellar on Rue Notre-Dame.
OrderA shared cote de boeuf or the beef tartare to start.
TipIt leans loud and celebratory; the shareable big cuts and the wine list are the reason to come.
$$$$
JapaneseDowntown
Ryu is a polished downtown sushi bar on Rue Peel in Montreal, turning out creative maki and sashimi, a reliable mid-range Japanese pick downtown.
OrderThe signature rolls and a mixed sashimi plate.
TipThe Peel location is central and busy at lunch; the creative maki are the strength over the nigiri.
$$$$
New AmericanMile End
Nouveau Palais is a retro Mile-Ex diner in Montreal, a 1960s luncheonette reborn as a chef-driven room where comfort classics and burgers run late.
OrderThe burger or the fried chicken, with a slice of pie.
TipIt keeps a genuine diner counter and runs late on weekends; the burger and a milkshake never miss.