Where to eat and drink?

A few steps from the Place des Festivals and a stone’s throw from the St-James United Church square (parvis is French for church square), Café Parvis is open from early morning until late at night. In a warm décor featuring large windows, a magnificent wood floor and a jungle of green plants, you can enjoy tasty pizzas—Roman and Neapolitan style—as well as hearty brunches on weekends. 

The menu features cod cakes, grilled octopus, root vegetable risotto and beef tenderloin with chanterelle sauce—dishes whipped up with care and a touch of originality, to be shared casually in a festive, not to say super-charged, atmosphere! Furco’s design, by the famous Zébulon Perron, enhances the raw materials of this former fur warehouse on Mayor Street. 

The owners of Café Parvis and Bar Furco, key figures on the Quartier’s gourmet scene, are also the head honchos at Papito Restaurant. The most recent of the three establishments is a friendly place where you can enjoy meats cooked over charcoal or in a wood-fired oven, as well as variations on vegetables with unusual seasonings. As for the décor, it’s striking and deliberately made from odds and ends. The result is a warm, accessible atmosphere. 

At the corner of Saint-Denis and De Maisonneuve Streets, French classics are celebrated with a respect for tradition at the chic brasserie Le Molière. Here, elegance and know-how are combined with a warm, unpretentious welcome in a cozy setting. On the menu: beef tartare, veal kidneys, scallops, bavette or prime rib. You’d think you were in Paris. 

Here, the lines are pure, the furnishings elegant, the colours light and nuanced, never garish. In this uncluttered, pleasant environment, which often turns festive at the end of the evening, the menu lines up dishes to share that feature products from land or sea. Shrimps, mussels and tuna tataki share the spotlight with duck breast and veal cheeks, among other delights concocted with finely selected local produce. 

Now a veritable institution, and one that connoisseurs say is here to stay, Bouillon Bilk is founded on outstanding culinary expertise. Dishes are inspired by the classics, but with creative twists, and above all, they’re finely executed. Among other gourmet pleasures, regulars can’t get enough of scallop carpaccio or foie gras: spectacular presentation skills elevate the plates to a whole new level. 

Did you say originality and fusion? That’s spot on! This pan-Caribbean restaurant pays tribute to the culinary richness of the islands, brilliantly combining the finesse of French cuisine with the comfort of classic Québécois snacks. On the menu, bold creations like poutine with ribs served with sweet plantain and spicy sauce, or the tasty Jambalaya djondjon. The ambience? Wonderfully warm and Caribbean. 

Omma has been cookin up delicious Korean dishes on Ontario Street since 2017. The luminous décor, designed by Jessica Wee, catches the eye of passers-by: a big wow effect in this still low-key corner of the Quartier. The menu features classics like bibimbap and sesame rice, as well as tasty starters like pajun and mandoo. A friendly, festive place to enjoy authentic comfort food. 

Authentic Quebec cuisine that blends traditional and contemporary is a pretty rare find in the city. Under the direction of chef Xavier Dahan, Bivouac serves up boreal gastronomy with sheer inventiveness. Seafood and wild meats are presented in a warm, elegant atmosphere, where terroir meets innovation. Bonus: the restaurant has one of the most beautiful terraces in the Quartier and offers a breathtaking view. 

Describing itself as a “gourmet food hall”, Le Central makes Montreal gastronomy accessible to everyone by bringing together in one huge space a wide range of restaurants reflecting the diversity of the local scene. From oysters and pizzas to healthy bowls and decadent charcuterie platters, this is diversity to the nth degree. People come here to make culinary discoveries in a chic and lively atmosphere. 

Describing itself as a “gourmet food hall”, Le Central makes Montreal gastronomy accessible to everyone by bringing together in one huge space a wide range of restaurants reflecting the diversity of the local scene. From oysters and pizzas to healthy bowls and decadent charcuterie platters, this is diversity to the nth degree. People come here to make culinary discoveries in a bustling, stylish atmosphere, while enjoying fast, relaxed service. 

For a bite to eat that will satisfy the tastes of the whole family or a bunch of friends, could be better than what’s on offer on the lower level of Complexe Desjardins? The food court was refurbished in 2020 and is now home to some twenty affordable fast-food restaurants. Sandwiches, fast-food classics, Chinese noodles and Thai dishes, grilled meats, pastas and pizzas, healthy bowls and veggie delights—there's something for everyone. 

This institution needs no introduction, but let’s give it a shot anyway, because it’s so much fun to talk about the nostalgic atmosphere of this temple of steamed hot dogs, which opened its doors in 1912. The original décor of this legendary snack-bar has been almost entirely preserved, even though it had to relocate across the street in 2010. In addition to the legendary steamed hot dogs, the menu features poutines, burgers, onion rings and other sweet fried foods. 

Café Pista, nestled near Saint-Laurent metro station, offers a warm and friendly experience, where every cup of coffee has a story to tell. Pastries, sandwiches and specialty coffees roasted on site blend together in a neighbourhood café atmosphere in the heart of downtown. In the evening, on Thursdays and Fridays, the place turns into Vin Public, an intimate bar where you can enjoy wine and light fare in a cozy atmosphere.