Some travelers choose a city break based on cultural offerings, picking the best museums and galleries. Others look for cities with lively nightlife or opt for destinations hosting festivals or events. But for many tourists, the food is the most exciting part of any trip. These travelers wake up on the first day of their journey excited by all the culinary delights that await them, from sprawling markets offering local delicacies to late-night street food and independent restaurants serving unforgettable dishes.
Montreal: A Great Destination for Foodies
Montreal is a fantastic destination for food lovers. Why? Simply because the city lives for food. From traditional recipes handed down through generations to new Quebec food inventions and exotic flavors worldwide, chefs across the city continue to surprise and delight food enthusiasts’ palates.
While it’s impossible to showcase everything Montreal brings, here are a few options from the city’s phenomenal culinary scene. So, pack your bags and prepare for a delicious food tour on a Montreal trip!
- Montreal-Style Bagel
To discuss Montreal’s food scene, one must mention its iconic dishes. At the top of the list is the famous Montreal-style bagel. Unlike its New York counterpart, the Montreal bagel is more minor, denser, and slightly sweeter. It is often boiled in honey-sweetened water before baked in a wood-fired oven.
Fairmount Bagel (open 24/7), St-Viateur (founded in 1957), Monkland, Mont-Royal, and Bagels Le Trou are five legendary spots where locals and tourists flock to taste these delicious creations. Dig in and be amazed!
- Poutine
Poutine is a must-try Canadian specialty, especially if you are on a food tour in Montreal. This chaotic heap of fried potatoes, thick gravy, and cheese curds originated in the 1950s and has recently experienced a renaissance, spreading across Canada and beyond.
Gourmet versions of the dish have appeared in trendy restaurants in Montreal, but the traditional recipe is still available in many places. That means picking up the basic version – thick-cut home fries, rich homemade gravy, and fresh cheese curds – at a roadside potato stand.
Chez Claudette (351 Laurier Ave E) is one of Montreal’s best spots for trying poutine. With over 40 choices of the typical ingredient trio, the poutine menu includes select gravies and meats (sausage, chicken, beef, or pulled pork) alongside eggs, beans, and veggies.
- Shish Taouk
Shish Taouk, or Shis Tawook, is the most popular meat snack on the streets of Montreal. It’s a local variant of chicken shawarma – marinated, boneless chicken roasted on a vertical spit, then sliced and stuffed into pita bread with pickled vegetables and hummus.
There is some confusion over the dish’s name—Shish Taouk and Shawarma. They mean different things in different parts of the Middle Eastern culinary diaspora, so make sure you know what you’re ordering. If you ask for “shawarma,” you will likely be served beef.
The undisputed king of Shish Taouk is Boustan Restaurant. Boustan is a Lebanese-Canadian fast-food restaurant chain that has been slicing and serving meat since 1986. At its original location on De Maisonneuve Boulevard, you can find a chair, order, and become part of a tradition.
Montreal’s culinary scene is an adventure, offering a blend of tradition and innovation that caters to every taste and budget. From the sweet and dense Montreal-style bagels to the indulgent and comforting poutine and the flavorful and satisfying Shish Taouk, there’s something for every foodie to enjoy.
But these three dishes are just the tip of the iceberg. Montreal’s diverse food scene also includes mouthwatering smoked meat sandwiches, exquisite French pastries, and a wide array of international cuisines, reflecting the city’s multicultural vibe. Explore public markets like Jean-Talon and Atwater, where you can sample local produce, cheeses, and gourmet treats.
Whether you’re a seasoned foodie or a curious traveler, Montreal promises an unforgettable culinary journey. So, if you’re ever in the city, get ready to eat through one of the most exciting food cities in the world!
