10 Must-Try Montreal Food Favorites

Whether you’re from Montreal or just visiting, you should know that this city is a stunning blend of French charm and American personality, enticing women over 50 with a harmonious combination of the historical and the contemporary, from stunning architecture to great food. 

In this article, we will focus on what makes Montreal distinct from other places: its amazing food! So, here are 10 must-try Montreal food favorites unique to the city and worth sharing with the world!

Must-Try Montreal Food

1. Bagels 

New Yorkers may dislike a sweeter, softer, and less dense bagel, but it is one of the city’s most famous exports, along with smoked meats. St-Viateur is Montreal’s best-known bagel shop, but Fairmount’s main rival is just a few blocks away and has a loyal following.

At St-Viateur, you can see the bagels being baked right in front of you on a large wood-burning stove in a small but cozy space. Nonetheless, Montreal bagels are unique because of their natural sweetness and crunchy texture. Water with honey and wood-fired ovens make the bagels crunchy and sweet.

2. Smoked Meat

Even in Montreal’s icy winter, customers queue up to get their hands on the succulent and tender meat served on rye with mustard. In these days of tourist traps and celebrity owners like Céline Dion, Schwartz’s Jewish Deli still does things right, even though it’s 90 years old.

If you like bagels, smoked meat is surely for you. Large, flavorful slabs of smoked brisket piled high on rye bread drenched in yellow mustard unite all Montrealers, regardless of which side of St. Laurent Boulevard they cheer for.

3. Orange Julep at Gibeau Orange Julep

At Gibeau Orange Julep, car-hops on rollerblades greet customers at this retro drive-in. But those days are long gone, though the outdoor speakers that blast 1960s music continue to do so. Summer is the best time of year to enjoy Julep’s orange drink, whose recipe is shrouded in mystery and speculation.

The Julep’s signature drink, a milkshake-like concoction of orange juice and milk, is a great option for those who want to get their fill of poutine or hamburgers.

4. “Steamé” 

This food is a no-fuss casse-croûte at its finest. If you’re craving a steamé (a steam-cooked hot dog), head to Chez Ma Tante for some coleslaw and relish. Other sure bets include poutine and the Michigan hot dog. Everything from national chains to neighborhood hangouts to world-famous hot dog counters does its unique take on the classic and remains distinctively Montreal.

5. Wilensky’s Special

Wilensky, a quaint lunch counter and luncheonette, has been in business for 82 years, is beloved by the neighborhood’s residents and international celebrity chefs. Here, the “Wilensky special” is what you’ll be getting: a sweet egg roll with cheese and mustard sandwiched between 100% all-beef salami and bologna.

All-beef salami and bologna on a kaiser roll with optional cheese and mandatory mustard make up the most popular options on the menu. Also, please do not request that the crew skip the mustard.

6. Poutine

For poutine, we could tell you to go to La Banquise, but is that necessary? No. Classic neighborhood casse-croûtes should carry on the traditional Québécois dish of fries, gravy, and cheese curds, and Chez Claudette excels at this.

There’s no avoiding or denying it: Montrealers love poutine, and it ranks right up there with Celine Dion as the world’s second-best culinary gift from Quebec. It’s hard to beat this dish after a night on the town, with its melted cheese and gravy smothering the fries.

7. Portuguese Chicken at Ma Poule Mouillée

Even though this Portuguese rotisserie isn’t the city’s oldest, it has some of the longest lines for its Piri Piri chicken, which is available as a combo plate with seasoned fries and a token salad, as a sandwich in a traditional dusty Papo Seco bun, or as poutine. 

One of these dishes has become something of an icon. Many choose it over the much more well-known La Banquise across the street of Ma Poule Mouillée for its obscenely large portion and combination of spicy chorizo and Piri-Piri/gravy.

8. Pâté Chinois

Despite its name, Pâté Chinois is not a Chinese dish but rather a Canadian version of a shepherd’s pie prepared by Chinese cooks. Ground beef, whole or creamed corn, and mashed potatoes make up this traditional dish known as Pâté chinois. In most Quebec cafeterias like La Binerie Mont-Royal, this comfort food staple is served with tomato ketchup on the side – as customary. 

However, there is still no conclusive answer to where it originated. Thus, it is considered one of Quebec’s greatest mysteries. But, Pâté Chinois is widely believed to have been adapted from Shepherd’s Pie by Chinese cooks working on the Canadian Railway in the late nineteenth century.

9. Dic Ann’s Burger

Since its inception in Montreal North more than 60 years ago, Dic Ann’s has grown into a citywide burger chain. When it comes to their thin patties and almost-thin buns, the spicy meat sauce is what sets them apart.

Burgers at this locally owned fast food restaurant are known for their meat sauce-slathered press burgers. A resurgence of the brand has resulted in the opening of new locations across the city in recent years, making it easier for people to enjoy slim burgers.

10. Foie Gras Doubledown

Joe Beef’s creators drew inspiration from KFC’s “bacon, two different kinds of melted cheese, the Colonel’s secret sauce, pinched in between two pieces of Original Recipe chicken filets.” Fried chicken serves as the “bread” in this sandwich. 

As a result, Joe Beef invented the “foie gras double down.” Foiled foie gras, double-smoked bacon, maple syrup, smoked cheese, and mayo made with rendered duck fat is sandwiched between two slices of breaded foie gras and a drizzle of brown sugar apple juice.

Discover your Montreal Food Favorites, Today!

Montreal has the highest number of restaurants per Capita in Canada and the second in North America after New York. This foodie capital has many great choices, from small local eateries to international chef celebrities. Undoubtedly, these iconic dishes are a must-add to your itinerary!

In Montreal, food is a way of life, and locals have a long list of favorite restaurants, take-out options, and neighborhood eateries and cafes to try. When it comes to poutine, bagels, or even foie gras, you may have to return to Montreal multiple times before deciding on your favorites. 

Whether you’re looking for a five-star dining experience or a casual meal at a local diner, Montréal has something for everyone. Do you want to try out Montreal food? Go ahead, and enjoy the unique flavors!

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