It’s been a while since I’ve written one of these. I’ve been travelling a lot, as those of you who follow me on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter already know and it seems like there are a hundred new restaurant openings in Montreal every time I am in town. I honestly can’t keep up anymore but I do still manage to get out every once in a while and here are my latest current crushes below. Enjoy this edition and don’t forget to check out the other Current Crushes here!
Le Red Tiger
1201 De Maisonneuve West, Montreal / +1 514 439 7006
Lunch: Tuesday to Friday: 11am – 2:30pm / Dinner: Monday to Thursday: 5pm – 11pm/ Friday & Saturday: 5pm – 3am
The funky decor at Vietnamese restaurant Le Red Tiger
Vietnamese street food anyone? Le Red Tiger is one of the most original restaurant openings lately offering food that we are not accustomed to in Montreal, which is always so exciting. If you haven’t yet discovered this beautifully designed space and its creative and authentic Vietnamese street food, do yourself a favour and get yourself there now! Phong Thach is an excellent chef who is always striving for excellence and it shows in every single bite. Just let the chef guide you in your choices and you won’t be disappointed.
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Restaurant Hà
243 Mont-Royal Avenue West, Montreal / +1 514 848 0336
Lunch: Tuesday to Friday: 11:30am – 3pm / Dinner: Tuesday to Sunday: 6pm – 11pm
Sunny lunch at southeast Asian restaurant Hà
It seems like I might be on a Vietnamese food kick these days as Hà is another restaurant that has become a favourite of mine, although this one offers flavours from Southeast Asia. Based on the concept of Vietnamese Bia Hoi, small corner bars that serve inexpensive beer brewed daily, Hà is also an homage to Monsieur Hà, an emblematic figure in Montreal food scene. The current chef Ross Louangsignotha serves a menu that is diverse, fresh and so flavourful. Try the pad thai or the pho.
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Montréal Plaza
6230 St Hubert / +1 514 903 6230
Monday to Sunday: 5pm – 11pm
The funky food at Montréal Plaza
The new Charles Antoine Crête restaurant was assuredly the most anticipated opening of the season. The Toqué! alumni is now at the head of a funky and casual restaurant that has opened to the beat of much fanfare and lauding. The food here is creative and the flavour combinations surprising (sometimes even, disconcerting) and the space is absolutely gorgeous and reminiscent of restaurants I visited in Seattle and Portland last year. If you go soon, try the Brussels sprouts which are roasted and served on the stalk. Delicious!
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Tapas24 SnackBar
420 Notre Dame West / +1 514 282 1212
Tuesday to Friday: 11:30am – 9pm / Saturday & Sunday: 11am – 9pm
Tapas including the delicious patties bravas at Tapas24 SnackBar
This snack bar’s older brother Tapas24, located next door, is helmed by one of Barcelona’s top chefs and has garnered a great reputation in Old Montreal. The “snack bar” version is just as delectable and unique. Pintxos, embutidos, bocadillos, molletes, everything is delicious but the papas bravas–that delicious mix of fried potatoes, aioli and brava spicy sauce–is not to be missed. And don’t forget to end any meal here with the churros con dulce de leche, claro!
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Maison Boulud
1228 Sherbrooke Street West / +1 514 842 4224
Brunch: Saturday & Sunday: 12pm – 2:30pm / Lunch: Monday to Friday: 12pm – 2pm / Dinner: Monday to Sunday: 6pm – 10:30pm
Dainty desserts at Maison Boulud in downtown Montreal
Whether you head there for breakfast, brunch, lunch or dinner, Maison Boulud is always a great choice when dining downtown. The elegant dining room, sophisticated menu created by Riccardo Bertolino and flawless service never disappoint. And if you’re worried that it might be too pricey or too high-end, they do offer table d’hôte menus for lunch and late-night (after 9pm) that are well priced. And honestly, don’t you deserve to spoil yourself every once in a while?
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Quite a few independent cafés opened in the past few weeks. I visited a few of them.
Noble Café
430 Laurier East, Montreal / +1 514 656 7630
Monday to Friday: 7am – 6:30pm / Saturday: 8:30am – 6:30pm / Sunday: 9:30am – 6:30pm
This new diminutive coffee shop offers a great selection of to-go brews and has garnered a great fan base already.
La brume dans mes lunettes
378 St Zotique East, Montreal / +1 438 880 4979
Monday to friday: 7am – 7pm / Saturday & Sunday: 8am – 7pm
This cute coffee shop is filled with a vintage spirit, right down to the glass Pyrex-style coffee mugs. I went when they first opened and the coffee still needed some fine tuning. They also serve homemade pastries and savoury items as well as afternoon tea.
Café Saint Henri Marché Jean Talon
260 Place du Marché du Nord, Montreal
A latte and a cheese croissant at the new Café Saint-Henri at the Jean Talon Market
There’s finally a good coffee shop inside the Jean Talon Marke, which is officially my corner storet! Café Saint Henri–a Montreal veteran coffee roaster–opened a beautiful spot inside the market, for when you need to refuel while shopping.
Tommy
200 Notre Dame Street West, Montreal / +1 514 903 8669
Monday to Friday: 8am – 8pm / Saturday & Sunday: 10am – 6pm
Tommy is probably one of the most beautiful cafés in town. Located in Old Montreal in a beautifully restored space, it serves Italian-style coffee, fresh juice and some food.
Café Myriade – Dominion Square
1000 St Catherine West, Montreal / +1 514 600 0726
Monday to Wednesday: 8am – 7pm / Thursday & Friday: 8am – 9pm / Saturday: 9:30am – 6:30pm / Sunday: 11am – 6pm
Café Myriade Dominion Square location is gorgeous!
A gorgeous third location for Myriade located inside the Club Monaco flagship store in downtown Montreal and the coffee is one of the best in town, as always with Myriade.
They have all been added to my map of Montreal’s best independent cafés. You can also follow my twitter list of Montreal independent cafés here.
