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With over 5,000 restaurants, Montreal is a food lover’s dream. From smoked meat sandwiches to fine dining tasting menus, our fall trip quickly turned into a nonstop eating adventure.

Street view of St-Viateur Bagel shop in Montreal, a staple of Montreal food, with a large yellow and blue sign on the window, people lined up outside, and a tree along the sidewalk in front of the brick building.

Why We Chose Montreal for a Fall Trip

Every autumn, Nami mentions how much she misses the colorful foliage in Japan. With a three-day weekend ahead, we wanted a destination with beautiful fall colors and incredible food. When our daughter suggested Canada, we immediately thought of Montreal. It had been on our list for years, and we were excited to finally visit.

We were also grateful for the many tips from Just One Cookbook readers who live in Montreal—thank you for helping us plan such a delicious trip!

Food First, Sightseeing Second

Usually we plan our activities first and then fit meals in between. But in Montreal, food became the centerpiece of each day. We mapped our itinerary around restaurants and added sightseeing whenever we could.

Schwartz’s Deli – Montreal Smoked Meat Classic

A crowd of people lines up outside Schwartz’s Deli, a legendary spot in Montreal food culture, with red brick walls and bold signage on a busy city street. Trees and other storefronts add to the lively scene.

Our very first stop after landing from San Francisco was the legendary Schwartz’s Deli. Open since 1928, it’s famous for smoked meat sandwiches piled high with juicy, smoky, and salty brisket.

To save time, we ordered from the takeout counter and shared two sandwiches, pickles, and a poutine. It was the perfect introduction to Montreal food culture.

Address: 3895 St Laurent Blvd

What to Order: Smoked meat sandwich, poutine, pickles

La Banquise – The Poutine Experience

A plate of loaded fries inspired by Montreal food is topped with ground beef, diced tomatoes, cheese curds, guacamole, and sliced peppers on a colorful table. Another tempting plate of food is blurred in the background.

No Montreal trip is complete without poutine. La Banquise, open 24 hours, is the city’s most famous spot. The menu has more than 30 variations, from classic to adventurous.

We tried “La Reggae” with guacamole, ground beef, and tomato, and “La Classique” with traditional cheese curds and gravy. Even after a full lunch, we polished off both plates.

Address: 994 Rue Rachel E

What to Order: La Reggae, La Classique

Rotisserie Romados – Portuguese Chicken Perfection

Montreal is also known for Portuguese-style grilled chicken. At Romados, we watched the staff pull whole chickens from the rotisserie and brush them with spicy sauce.

The chicken was tender, smoky, and full of flavor. We shared a half chicken with fries and salad, while the kids enjoyed a quarter portion. Seating is limited, so takeout is a good option.

Address: 115 Rachel St E

What to Order: Quarter or half chicken with spicy sauce, fries, salad

Montreal Bagels – St-Viateur vs. Fairmount

Two workers in a bakery handle large piles of bagels—one fills a paper bag while the other arranges fresh bagels by the brick oven. A sign above reads Bagel Shop Montréal, capturing the spirit of classic Montreal food.

Montreal bagels are wood-fired and slightly sweet. Two bakeries—St-Viateur and Fairmount—are local institutions. Both are open 24 hours, so you can pick up a bagel at any hour.

We grabbed bagels from each shop and brought them to Café Olimpico nearby. Their cappuccino and hot chocolate paired perfectly. In the end, St-Viateur won us over with its soft, springy texture.

St-Viateur: 263 St Viateur St W

Fairmount: 74 Fairmount Ave W

Café Olimpico: 124 St Viateur St W

Fine Dining – Chasse-Galerie and Bouillon Bilk

A close-up of a gourmet dish, showcasing seared beef slices, lobster, mushrooms, and root vegetables—expertly plated in true Montreal food style with elegant garnishes and delicate sauce drizzles on a white plate.

For dinner, we indulged in two of Montreal’s best restaurants.

Chasse-Galerie (now closed) offered creative, seasonal plates in a cozy dining room. Nami and I enjoyed the 7-course tasting menu, while the kids tried à la carte dishes like pork and mushrooms.

Bouillon Bilk impressed us with modern design and beautifully plated dishes. Highlights included hiramasa, venison, and matsutake mushroom shaved over lemon. The bread here had a soft, “mocchiri” texture that reminded us of Japan.

Bouillon Bilk Address: 1595 St Laurent Blvd

Restaurant Mélisse – Coffee and Pastries

On our last day we did a scooter tour of the city. Before the tour, we stopped at Mélisse for a quick snack. Their raspberry bread and cheese scone were both excellent. We’d love to return for a full meal.

Address: 719 Rue William

Exploring Atwater and Jean-Talon Markets

A vibrant farmers market stall in Montreal displays pumpkins, gourds, squash, and colorful flowers. Signs read Fleuriste above the stand, celebrating local Montreal food as shoppers browse in the background under a covered roof.

Montreal’s public markets are packed with local flavors.

Atwater Market is set in a striking art deco building. We tried Reunion Island curry from a vendor called Marmite Su’l Feu, which was fragrant and family-friendly.

Jean-Talon Market is one of the largest public markets in North America. Although we didn’t have time to visit on this trip, it is highly recommended.

Is Montreal Worth Visiting for Food Lovers?

A pastrami sandwich on white bread sits on wax paper next to a whole pickle wrapped in plastic. In the background, a container holds sliced meat—a classic scene of Montreal food, set on a wooden table.

Montreal is one of the best food cities in North America. From iconic smoked meat sandwiches to refined tasting menus, bagels to poutine, we loved the variety and quality at every stop. The city is also family-friendly, with welcoming locals and plenty of places to walk and explore between meals.

Even after eating nonstop for three days, we felt like we had only scratched the surface. We’re already dreaming of returning.

More to Explore Nearby

Once you’ve had your fill of smoked meat and bagels, Montreal offers plenty more to explore:

  • Mount Royal Park – Scenic trails and panoramic views of the city
  • Old Montreal (Vieux-Montréal) – Cobblestone streets, cafes, and historic buildings
  • Notre-Dame Basilica – A Gothic Revival landmark with a stunning interior
  • Montreal Museum of Fine Arts – World-class art in a family-friendly setting

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