Montreal Dining

Indisputably, French cuisine plays a starring, if not dominant, role on the Montreal dining scene. Yet other cultures -- notably Chinese, Eastern European, Greek, Italian, Portuguese and Thai -- provide sufficient diversity for culinary feasting at area restaurants representing some 75 ethnic groups. Even the familiar takes on added dimension in Montreal, where a McDonald's near Notre-Dame Basilica operates in a house that was once the home of Antoine Larnet de la Mothe Cadillac, founder of Detroit. Restaurants offer fare ranging from appetizers of sweet breads in gingerbread crust to entrees of chicken legs stuffed with pistachio paste. Bring-your-own-wine restaurants on Prince-Arthur Street and the Square Saint-Louis are popular year around.  Days tend to start with café au lait sipped at a leisurely pace while evening meals often end with platters of Quebec-produced cheese. While diners can order a la carte, the table d'hote -- two to four-course offerings -- are typically more economical. For pricier splurging, the menu degustation -- a five- to seven-course tasting showcase -- includes soup, salad, fish, sherbet, meat dish, dessert and coffee or tea. Such a meal, along with a bottle of wine, can last for hours and provide a lifetime of memories

Some of the best food experiences are to be found in one of the following places:

Troika
2171 Crescent Street, Montreal, QC H3G2C1
+1 514 849 9333
With a romantic décor of red and gold, Troika, one of Montreal's finest Russian restaurants, offers an atmosphere worthy of a tsar. Discretely tucked away in a basement at the end of Crescent Street, Troika promises a relaxing dining experience safe from the hustle and bustle of the busy downtown scene. Since 1962, the restaurant has offered a fine assortment of Russian and French dishes including a variety of seafood, beef, and chicken plates.

Schwartz's Delicatessen
3895 St Laurent Blvd, Montreal, QC H2W 1X9
+1 514 842 4813
The oldest deli in Canada. A true Montreal landmark situated on the historic "Main". Schwartz's was founded in 1928 by Reuben Schwartz, a Jewish immigrant from Romania, and the restaurant has been in the same location ever since, on boulevard Saint-Laurent, where it is now tucked in around funky storefronts and trendy boutiques. The restaurant is a single white-tiled room containing several rows of long narrow tables. Come and enjoy a unique experience.

Gibby's
298 Place d'Youville, Montreal, QC H2Y 2B6
+1 514 282 1837
Gibbys is located in the Youville Stables which is part of a series of buildings once belonging to the Sisters of Charity, (or Grey Nuns), founded by Marguerite d'Youville. Youville Stables received its name from the horses' stalls which were once located in the central courtyard. This part of the structure dates back to 1740 and was renovated in 1967, the first in a series of renovations in Old Montreal. The buildings now house the restaurant and private offices.

Old Dublin
1219A University Street, Montreal, QC H3B 3A7
+1 514 861 4448
The Old Dublin is an infamous Montreal landmark that's popular with students and more mature customers alike. The pub opened in 1978, long before Irish pubs became the rage for people seeking to enjoy a relaxing evening. Hidden away behind a parking lot that you cross to enter the pub, the Old Dublin feels like a well-kept secret until you walk through its doors to be greeted by a cheerful crowd. The atmosphere is so jovial and authentic to the Irish spirit, you almost feel transported to the Emerald Isle. It would be no surprise if everyone in the pub started to speak in an Irish accent!

Restaurant Les Halles
1450 Crescent St, Montreal, QC H3G2B6
+1 514 844 2328
Already world-famous and a beacon for high-end French cuisine, this classically formal restaurant continues to represent the best of Parisian atmosphere and gastronomy. Gentlemen are required to wear jackets. This is dining at its most exquisite. Among the sublime dishes is a "Surprise du Patron," which includes grilled quail breasts, fried shrimp and venison in wine-based sauce.