L'Express is a french restaurant in Plateau, Montreal.
L'Express is the Paris-style bistro on Saint-Denis, a Michelin-recommended classic feeding Montreal tartare, marrow and cornichons past midnight since 1980.
Editorially verified July 1, 2026 by Lewis Vaughan, TableJourney editor. Source.
Signature dishes: Steak tartare, Bone marrow
Must order: The steak tartare cut to order, with a jar of cornichons.
Tip: It runs late daily; a solo seat at the zinc bar is the easiest table in the city.
Address: 3927 Rue Saint-Denis, Montreal, QC H2W 2M4
Au Pied de Cochon is Martin Picard's temple of Quebecois excess on Avenue Duluth in Montreal, home of foie gras poutine and the theatrical duck in a can.
Signature: Foie gras poutine, Duck in a can
Order: Foie gras poutine and the canard en conserve.
Tip: Portions are enormous and rich; come hungry and plan to share every dish.
Au Pied de Cochon is Martin Picard's temple of Quebecois excess on Avenue Duluth in Montreal, home of foie gras poutine and the theatrical duck in a can.
Signature: Foie gras poutine, Duck in a can
Order: Foie gras poutine and the canard en conserve.
Tip: Portions are enormous and rich; come hungry and plan to share every dish.
Vin Papillon is the Joe Beef group's vegetable-forward wine bar in Little Burgundy, Montreal, turning charred produce and natural wine into a walk-in classic.
Order: The rotating grilled and roasted vegetable plates.
Tip: Walk-in only; put your name down early and drink a glass next door while you wait.
Nora Gray is Emma Cardarelli's dim, clubby southern-Italian room on Saint-Jacques in Montreal, pouring amaro over hand-cut pasta and a cult wine list.
Order: The pasta of the night and a negroni to start.
Tip: The bar seats are first-come and the easiest way in on a busy weekend.
Elena is the Nora Gray team's sunny coffee, pizza and wine room in Saint-Henri, Montreal, spinning sourdough pizza and Italian small plates off Notre-Dame.
Order: A blistered sourdough pizza and a spritz.
Tip: Daytime is coffee and pastries; the pizza and wine crowd arrives after five.
Marconi is Mehdi Brunet-Benkritly's inventive bistro near Little Italy in Montreal, plating clever, short-menu seasonal cooking off Avenue Mozart.
Order: Whatever the two-line menu is doing with the day's produce.
Tip: The menu changes constantly and is short; ask the room what to order and trust it.
Cadet is a Bib Gourmand bar and bistro on the Main in downtown Montreal, matching a smart natural wine list with sharp, snacky plates until late.
Order: The tartare and whatever seafood snack is on the board.
Tip: The bar takes walk-ins and stays lively late; it is a strong pre or post-show stop.
