Italian$$little-italyTue-Sun 11:00-22:00
Pizzeria Napoletana has fed Montreal's Little Italy since 1948, a cash-only, BYOB institution on Rue Dante turning out thin-crust pizza and hearty pasta.
Order: A thin-crust pizza and a plate of pasta, with a bottle of your own wine.
Tip: It is cash-only and bring-your-own-wine, with no reservations; arrive early to beat the queue.
New American$$$downtownMon-Sun 11:30-23:00
Deville Dinerbar is a glossy downtown Montreal diner, plating truffle-butter popcorn shrimp and spiked milkshakes under retro neon on Rue Stanley.
Order: The popcorn shrimp and a spiked milkshake to share.
Tip: It leans indulgent and photogenic; go for the milkshakes and fried starters, not restraint.
French bistro$$$saint-henriMon-Thu 17:30-23:00; Fri-Sun 09:30-23:00
Foiegwa is a neon-lit French-American diner in Saint-Henri, Montreal, plating steak frites, escargot and a cult double cheeseburger late into the night.
Order: The Foiegwa burger, or the escargots and steak frites.
Tip: Late-night weekends are the vibe; the burger and a martini is the classic order at the bar.
New American$$villerayTue-Sun 11:30-22:00
Chez Tousignant is a retro snack bar in Villeray, Montreal, upgrading the casse-croute with a griddled cheeseburger, steamed hot dogs and hand-cut fries.
Order: The cheeseburger with a side of fries and a maple milkshake.
Tip: It nails the diner classics with better ingredients; the burger and a shake is the whole point.
Japanese$$plateauMon-Thu 11:30-22:00; Fri-Sat 11:30-23:00; Sun 11:30-22:00
Yokato Yokabai is a lively Hakata-style ramen shop on Rue Drolet in Montreal's Plateau, simmering a rich tonkotsu broth many locals rate the city's best.
Order: The classic tonkotsu ramen with extra chashu.
Tip: Order the tonkotsu and add a flavoured egg; the counter fills fast at both lunch and dinner.
Japanese$$downtownThu-Mon 17:00-01:00
Otto Yakitori is a late-night izakaya near downtown Montreal, grilling charcoal skewers and pouring sake and highballs until one in the morning.
Order: A run of charcoal yakitori skewers with a highball.
Tip: It runs late for the neighbourhood; go after ten for skewers and drinks when other kitchens have closed.