Le Serpent is an italian restaurant in Old Montreal, Montreal.
Le Serpent is a sleek Italian-leaning bistro in a converted foundry in Old Montreal, plating confident pasta and grilled mains near the Fonderie Darling.
Editorially verified July 1, 2026 by Lewis Vaughan, TableJourney editor. Source.
Must order: A plate of pasta and whatever is grilled over coals.
Tip: The concrete room is loud and fun; book the early seating for a slightly calmer meal.
Address: 257 Rue Prince, Montreal, QC H3C 2N4
Ferreira Cafe is the polished Portuguese institution on Rue Peel in downtown Montreal, grilling whole fish and pouring deep Portuguese wine since 1996.
Order: Grilled whole fish and the salt cod, with a glass of Douro red.
Tip: The fixed-price lunch is the value move; dinner is a splurge worth booking ahead.
Tuck Shop is a snug, no-sign neighbourhood restaurant in Saint-Henri, Montreal, cooking a short, market-driven menu of pasta, fish and Quebec produce.
Order: Whatever pasta or fish is on the short handwritten menu.
Tip: There is no sign and few tables; book ahead and trust the room to steer you through the short menu.
Joe Beef is the Little Burgundy landmark that rewrote Montreal dining, serving decadent, seafood-heavy French-Quebecois cooking on Rue Notre-Dame.
Signature: Foie gras double down, Lobster spaghetti
Order: The lobster spaghetti and whatever seafood is chalked on the board.
Tip: Reservations are hard; try the walk-in bar or book a month out for the tiny dining room.
Liverpool House is Joe Beef's brighter sibling in Little Burgundy, Montreal, pouring natural wine over Italian-leaning plates and lobster spaghetti.
Order: The lobster spaghetti and a bottle from the natural list.
Tip: It is a touch easier to book than Joe Beef and just as good; go for the same kitchen, lighter room.
Vin Mon Lapin, from the Joe Beef family in Little Italy, Montreal, placed fifth on North America's 50 Best in 2026 for its snacks and natural wine.
Order: Whatever oyster or vegetable snack is on the handwritten card.
Tip: Book the day reservations open a month ahead; a few counter seats are held for walk-ins.
Damas brought high-end Syrian cooking to Outremont, Montreal, plating charcoal kebabs, muhammara and cherry-sauced meatballs in a jewel-box room.
Signature: Muhammara, Cherry kebab
Order: The cherry kebab and a spread of cold mezze to start.
Tip: Order family style and share widely; the mezze are the reason to come.
