When representing Canada’s impressive culinary scene on screen, you’d be hard-pressed to find a city that competes with Montreal.
In his hit series The Layover, the late, great Anthony Bourdain even went as far as to say that “without Montreal, Canada would be hopeless.”
While we wouldn’t necessarily go that far, there is a good reason why, over the years, countless TV shows have set up cameras in Montreal to showcase its incredible eats.
Montreal’s food scene is so highly regarded that the city was selected as the final location for the latest season of Top Chef Canada.
At Dished, we love nothing more than an epic food crawl, so if you’re paying a visit to Montreal anytime soon, here are some of the best eateries that you may have seen on screen.
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The age-old debate on which Montreal bagel is truly the best has been long disputed. While it all comes down to personal preference, one thing we do know is that St-Viateur offers some of the most iconic bagels around.
St-Viateur’s first location opened in 1957 in Montreal’s Mile End neighbourhood by Myer Lewkowicz, who began to sell authentic hand-rolled bagels, and the rest, as they say, is history.
Since opening, St-Viateur has cemented itself as a go-to for foodies and has appeared on more TV shows than we could count, most notably Anthony Bourdain’s No Reservations and The Layover. It has also been visited by iconic names such as Leonard Cohen, Celine Dion, and Jimmy Kimmel.
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For the ultimate foodie experience, pay a visit to its OG outpost at 263 Rue St-Viateur O, check out the walls lined with photos of famous faces that have visited over the years, grab a sesame bagel with some cream cheese, and enjoy!
Address: 263 Rue St-Viateur O, Montreal
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Alongside bagels and poutine (more on this later), no trip to Montreal is complete without getting your hands on some smoked meat. Look no further than Schwartz’s Deli.
“You can’t not do this when you come to Montreal,” Bourdain said in The Layover, and he was absolutely right.
The spot on Saint Laurent Boulevard has been around since 1928, and while its menu is packed with everything from steak to liver, a good old smoked meat sandwich is a must. At Schwartz’s, its beef brisket is prepared using its secret blend of herbs and spices and marinated for 10 days before being smoked and steamed to perfection.
Be prepared for lines out the door but it’s worth it for a stacked sandwich of delicious smoked meat and a sip of Cott Black Cherry soda.
Schwartz’s has appeared on numerous TV shows over the years, from You Gotta Eat Here to Somebody Feed Phil. Furthering the spot’s star power is the fact it’s part-owned by Canadian legend Celine Dion.
Address: 3895 St. Laurent Boulevard, Montreal
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Right in the heart of Montreal’s Little Italy is Jean-Talon Market, a must-visit for any foodie. In fact, it was even featured in the Top Chef Canada Season 11 finale as the competing chefs shopped for ingredients.
While parts of the market are covered year-round, it comes to life in the spring and summer when hundreds of stalls are set up to sell fresh produce, cheese, meats and other authentic Quebecoise ingredients. Once you’re done shopping, you can explore the local Italian cafes and pastry shops.
Address: 7070 Henri-Julien Avenue, Montreal
Wilensky
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This tiny corner lunch spot may not give much away from the outside, but Wilensky is a Montreal institution.
Opening in 1932, the spot is famous for its Special, a pressed sandwich with bologna, salami, and mustard (seriously, don’t ask for it without). It may not look like much but do not underestimate the deliciousness.
While there are a handful of countertop seats, you can also take your Special to go and wander around the neighbourhood.
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“Some things are beloved institutions for a reason,” Bourdain said of Wilensky in Parts Unknown.
The spot has also been featured in numerous TV shows, such as The Mind of a Chef with David Chang.
Address: 34 Avenue Fairmount O, Montreal
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For an incredibly unique dining experience, Alma should be at the top of any Montreal bucket list.
The cozy spot serves tasting menus from owner and executive chef Juan Lopez Luna, with a focus on modern Mexican cuisine incorporating both heirloom corn from Mexico and local Quebec ingredients.
Don’t miss out on the wine offerings, with an exceptional list of Catalan and Spanish sips curated by Alma co-owner, sommelier, and importer Lindsay Brennan.
Alma has ranked on Canada’s Best Restaurants list multiple times and has been featured on the Food Network Canada show Big Food Bucket List with John Catucci.
Address: 1231 Avenue Lajoie Outremont, Montréal
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On the ninth floor of Montreal’s Eaton Centre is the historical spot Le 9e. The huge restaurant space, which dates back to the 1930s, was designed to evoke the feeling of travelling on a transatlantic liner, complete with stunning Art Deco features.
The restaurant was previously operated by the Eaton’s Department Store, but the space closed in 1999. However, the landmark underwent an extensive renovation before reopening in 2024.
The original restaurant space has been repurposed into a venue for events and was used as the dramatic setting for the final challenge in Top Chef Canada Season 11.
While you aren’t usually able to dine in there, you should absolutely pay a visit to its new restaurant space, the stunning Ile de France.
Address: 1500 Boulevard Robert-Bourassa, Suite 900, Montreal
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Poutine is perhaps the most Canadian dish around. As the delicious combo of crispy fries, rich gravy, and squeaky cheese curds originated in Quebec, no trip to Montreal would be complete without it. The most iconic spot to grab the delicacy is La Banquise.
The spot is open 24 hours a day, and as it often has a lineup outside, we recommend getting there early. La Banquise has dozens of poutines, with classic toppings to everything from sliced hot dogs to smoked meat.
There’s a reason why Bourdain paid a visit to this spot on No Reservations.
Address: 994 Rachel Street E, Montreal
The author of this article was hosted by Bonjour Quebec