This chic French bistro buzzes with a celebrity crowd, serving up mouthwatering dishes like duck with portobello dumplings and a stellar brunch on a cozy heated patio.
"Ask any Montrealer if they’ve been to Leméac and the answer is always a nostalgic “oui”—its long bar and all-season terrasse have been hosting family dinners, first dates, and colleague get-togethers for almost 25 years. Service is smooth, there’s a classic French/Québecois menu, celebratory brunches on the weekend, and a wine list that includes classic French appellations and local wineries. Tartares, crab cakes, and three different cuts of perfectly cooked steak are on the menu, along with their famous pain perdu: french toast with dulce de leche and maple. The dessert wine pairings—ice wines, sauternes, and portos—are a perfect way to end the meal. photo credit: Quit Nguyen photo credit: Alison Slattery photo credit: Alison Slattery" - Ivy Lerner-Frank
"Whether you’re in the mood for pot-au-feu, tartare, or perhaps a glass or two of natural wine, French bistro Leméac has something for everyone. Even better, the winterized terrasse, perched comfortably on the corner of Laurier West and Durocher, makes for a cozy spot to waste away a winter evening." - Erinn Blicher, Kaitlyn McInnis
"For 20 years, Leméac has been a stalwart in the posh Outremont neighborhood. In the early days, the restaurant was a see-and-be-seen type of place, but it has since blossomed into an elegant French bistro for all occasions. Open from lunch until midnight—and for brunch on weekends—it's an ideal place to stop while exploring Avenue Laurier. And in a city where restaurants change their menus based on trends, seasonality, and the winds, Leméac has boldly kept its more or less the same for two decades. The beef tartare is a textbook example of French cooking, as are the boudin and the escargots." - Todd Plummer, Isa Tousignant
"No list of Montreal French restaurants would be complete without Richard Bastien’s Outremont locale, priding itself on the down-to-earth, metropolitan choices like steak frites and crab cakes in addition to escargot ragout. All that, and they offer a particularly affordable late-night menu for guests that arrive after 10 pm." - JP Karwacki, Holly Tousignant
"Français to a fault The crowd Well-heeled Outremont residents The drinks Exclusive (and pricey) wines The food Le bistro The service Part of the charm" - Todd Plummer
