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New AmericanDowntown
Deville Dinerbar is a glossy downtown Montreal diner, plating truffle-butter popcorn shrimp and spiked milkshakes under retro neon on Rue Stanley.
OrderThe popcorn shrimp and a spiked milkshake to share.
TipIt leans indulgent and photogenic; go for the milkshakes and fried starters, not restraint.
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French bistroSaint Henri
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.
OrderThe Foiegwa burger, or the escargots and steak frites.
TipLate-night weekends are the vibe; the burger and a martini is the classic order at the bar.
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New AmericanVilleray
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.
OrderThe cheeseburger with a side of fries and a maple milkshake.
TipIt nails the diner classics with better ingredients; the burger and a shake is the whole point.
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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.
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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.
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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.