Mentioned by Spotted by Locals Montreal
Our favorite authentically local restaurants in Montreal
"Following on the success of their Italian restaurant Nora Gray, a pizza-focused restaurant seemed to be a no-brainer in a city screaming for more choicely crafted Neapolitan style pies. Once this plush and sleek Italian modern eatery from Ryan Gray, Emma Cardarelli and Marley Sniatowsky opened, it stole the show: Their wood-burning oven turns pies into what many agree is the best in town—no small feat when considering how much Little Italy capitalized on the dish for the longest time. A combination of Gray’s wine savvy, Cardarelli’s recipes and seasonal coordination makes this location inimitably cool and accomplished."
"If you have limited time in Montreal, Elena should be one of the first reservations you make. This bright, colorful Italian spot is one of the best restaurants in the entire city and it’s a great place to celebrate an anniversary or kick off a bachelor/bachelorette weekend. You come here for the wood-fired pizza - the margherita is near perfect - but the pastas are just as excellent and you’ll want to try a few, along with a bottle or two from their long natural wine list."
"Ronen Baruch and Saleh Seh's Mediterranean fare is the foundation which built this neighbourhood institution worth the ride out to the edge of Lachine. We've got mad love for theor equally cheap sabich with its runny egg and roasted egglplant and meatless takes on shawarma and shishtaouk by using shiitake in lieu of chicken, but the namesake falafel—crunchy chickpea balls, veg and sauce stuffed until brimming in a warm and fluffy pita bread—is our current favourite here. Never mind the time it'll take for a central islander to get out, this place's food makes it a home away from home."
"While this spot’s a bit of a trek for anyone with their sights set on Downtown Montreal and other immediately surrounding hoods, we can assure you that the trip here is worth it. The shiitake mushroom shawarmas alone, stuffed with toppings until brimming, make for a solid cheap eat that you’ll be hitting up time and again after that first taste. Just make sure to try more than just that, as the menu here is surprisingly full of other equally delicious choices."
"Since 2015, Falafel Saint-Jacques has been a hidden jewel, serving delicious, original and affordable Middle Eastern veggie cuisine. This counter service resto is one of our best healthy-veggie spots in Montreal!. The house specialty are the excellent falafels it serves – soft, fresh and tasty, and among the best falafels in Montreal!"
"The Eater Restaurant of the Year for 2019, Moccione earned quick accolades from critics and peers alike, who were quick to praise the homey, laid-back atmosphere at this Italian restaurant. With very limited seating in a simple yet charming space, and a strong focus on fresh ingredients (the pastas are all handmade daily) the food is an obvious highlight, and the vibe is just right. Tip: look to make a reservation well in advance."
"Former sous-chef at world-renowned restaurant Toqué is back with this new co-venture. Moccione is, by comparison, a simpler place and focuses instead on creating a warm atmosphere that makes visitors feel right at home. They serve simple Italian dishes with authentic ingredients alongside a comprehensive wine list, each the product of many years of experience and expertise."
"If fine dining is what you’re out for, then look no further than Moccione, a prime selection in the Velleray district. While Montreal is known for having long-established Italian restaurants, they’re also in the business of innovation. Moccione has quickly established itself among the city’s best with dishes such as the maccheroni Bolognese with Parmigiano."
"Ordered on-line.PLEASE put some ketchup or mayo with dry-dry burger (beef, bread and goat cheese) - there are no sauce in burger, no ketchup or mayo on ..."
"Approached the hostess for a table but manager arrived, grabbed me a stool, and made a place at the bar for me!"
"We can’t make a list of the best sushi in Montreal without naming Sakura Gardens — after all, it is Justin Trudeau’s favourite restaurant. We can understand why: their simple menu offers a variety of authentic Japanese recipes."
"This West Island landmark is owned by family friend, Angelo Colicchio. He gives of himself in every dish he serves. He has been feeding my family for as far back as I remember."
"It's a restaurant, an Italian grocery store and an ice cream shop all rolled into one. You can have a great meal here featuring generous portions of tasty osso bucco and pastas that are made in-house daily, topped with amazing sauces. There are giant salads, a good selection of veal and chicken dishes, pizzas and calzones, and specialties such as braised rabbit and roasted veal shank."
"Not only have they stood the test of time, but they’ve expanded to more than just a fine dining restaurant. Attached to the restaurant is a cafe and gelateria with homemade authentic Italian gelato. They probably have the best vanilla gelato we’ve tasted in Montreal, with flecks of vanilla bean, bursting with flavour."
"The rundown: Before Caroline Andrieux came along, the Darling Foundry was just another abandoned industrial building on the edge of Griffintown. Andrieux, who has a history of transforming unoccupied buildings into art spaces, is the founder and artistic director of the visual arts centre that launched here in 2002; before that, she spent the second half of the ’90s cultivating an artistic community in this neighbourhood. The Foundry has two rooms, but they aren’t always in use."
"Fonderie Darling is a unique visual arts centre under the umbrella of Montreal’s Quarter Ephemere, a group which reclaims abandoned industrial buildings in the city and converts the spaces into art venues. Their mission is to increase awareness of local art while at the same time drawing attention to these desolate urban spaces. Fonderie Darling is part art gallery, part artists studio block, and all heart."
"At Fonderie Darling, be ready to find urban and industrial visual arts with eco-conscious undertones. Right now, the gallery is showing a series of colourful cartoon-like paintings by Vincent Larouche, as well as a huge exhibition in its main hall inspired by aquatic life in the St-Lawrence river. Oh, and don’t forget to stop by the EmballeToi!"
"Many historical buildings in Vieux-Montreal are still standing in their original form, even if they're now being used as something other than what they were built for — or turned into a museum. Consider this little tour if you're looking to feel as if you've stepped back in time... or, Europe, at least."
"This historic home commemorates the accomplishments of Cartier, an important Father of Confederation. It is the only Victorian-style interior open to the public in Montréal."