Joe Beef
French restaurant · Little Burgundy ·
Iconic Montreal restaurant known for decadent lobster spaghetti
Iconic Montreal restaurant known for decadent lobster spaghetti
"As part of Montreal’s celebrated dining scene, Joe Beef stands out as an internationally renowned temple of food worth seeking out for its bold, memorable cooking." - CNT Editors
"Even just walking past this place you get a taste of the cheerful atmosphere and bonhomie that reign inside. Steaks and seafood, as well as incontrovertible French bistro classics (such as rabbit à la royale and calf sweetbreads) take pole position here. And be sure to add that extra portion of fries on the side. This indulgent cuisine is best enjoyed with your sleeves rolled up—little wonder they provide you with a napkin the size of a sheet. Proceedings are orchestrated with discreet efficiency, warmth, and good humor." - Michelin Inspector
"A charming Lyonnais bistro–meets–Quebec-tavern known for awards and praise from famous chefs, this tightly booked hotspot remains a destination despite having faced #MeToo-era controversy reported in 2019. Its signature and famously ordered dish is a rich lobster spaghetti — a mound of perfectly cooked pasta tangled with chunks of sweet, briny lobster and salty bacon and topped with a whole lobster tail — often described as a lobster Thermidor–meets–carbonara mashup that diners rave about and attempt to recreate at home. The restaurant’s cookbook lays out the indulgent technique behind the dish, including making a shell‑infused cream sauce from the lobster thorax and tomalley, which has prompted ethical qualms about boiling live lobsters; nonetheless, the combination of decadent sauce, tender lobster and smoky bacon defines the place’s hearty, celebratory vibe." - Ivy Manning
"Joe Beef is the restaurant people think of when they think about Montreal, and they’re right for it: it’s where the city’s dining buzz started, and many people who used to work have opened other places on this list. You’ll want to spend an entire evening at the original Little Burgundy location trying their take on continental classics, like over-the-top lobster spaghetti with bacon, cream, and brandy, and a whole lot of seafood-centric seasonal specials. If you can’t get a reservation on short notice, try their sister spots nearby: the cozy Liverpool House and the vegetable-focused wine bar Vin Papillon." - ivy lerner frank
"Joe Beef is the restaurant people think of when they think about Montreal, and they’re right for it: it’s where the city’s dining buzz started, and many people who used to work have opened other places on this list. You’ll want to spend an entire evening at the original Little Burgundy location trying their take on continental classics, like over-the-top lobster spaghetti with bacon, cream, and brandy, and a whole lot of seafood-centric seasonal specials. If you can’t get a reservation on short notice, try their sister spots nearby: the cozy Liverpool House and the vegetable-focused wine bar Vin Papillon. RESERVE A TABLE WITH RESERVE A TABLE" - Ivy Lerner-Frank
