Known as a foodie destination, the food scene in Montreal is as varied and eclectic as the city itself.   Many of Montreal’s most notable food favorites have ethnic origins and have been passed down from generation to generation.  Montreal has also become known for having an innovative approach to satisfying your palette.  New restaurants are popping up regularly as the Covid restrictions are easing, many with a fresh twist on traditional favorites or ethnic fusions with unique combinations.

Our Top 5 Unique Montreal Food Experiences

While you can certainly experience pretty much any type of dining in Montreal – from fast food to fine dining and everything in between – here are our top 5 favorite food-related experiences in Montreal.  These were selected both for the uniqueness of the overall experience and for the quality of their offerings.

1 – Schwartz Deli

Arguably one of Montreal’s most famous restaurants and take-out establishments, Schwartz’s is a Jewish delicatessen that is located in Montreal’s Jewish quarter and was established back in the 1920s.  If you make a stop at Schwartz’s we highly recommend trying the smoked meat sandwich, which is best eaten quickly after it’s served.  Made with meat smoked for 10 days, you can order from a variety of fat types from lean to fat.  Schwartz’s also created Montreal Steak spice, which is a staple around BBQs far and wide.

2 – Au Pied de Conchon

Don’t let the exterior appearance fool you, the Au Pied de Conchon is considered one of the top 50 restaurants in all of Canada, Au Pied de Conchon is a bit of a culinary cult experience.  They have a restaurant location in Montreal and a location known as the Au Pied de Conchon Sugar Shack, named for its famous maple sugar delights.  Important to note that the Sugar Shack location has closed due to the pandemic until the 2022 spring maple sugar harvest season.  We visited the Sugar Shack location and were served a meal that was utterly enormous, perhaps taking more home in doggie bags than we were able to eat.  The menu consists of an eclectic mix of rustic, almost rural dishes, made with unusual ingredients such as bone marrow with caviar, foie gras, and several meat varieties, all prepared with unusual finishes.  Arrive very hungry and plan for a complete food coma afterward.

3 – Montreal Bagels

The Montreal-style bagel is one of the delectable treats that distinguishes Montreal from other cities of culinary delight.  A bagel from Montreal is distinctly different from bagels prepared in other cities.  The history of the bagel in North America originates with Jewish immigrants from Eastern Europe, somewhere around the early 1900s.  The bagels in Montreal were distinctly some of the best that we’ve ever had, including New York City.  The difference lies in the way that they are prepared.  Each is made by hand, boiled in honey-infused water, and baked in a wood-burning oven.  Anything less is not an authentic Montreal bagel.  A fresh Montreal bagel has a chewy texture with a firm consistency and a golden crust.  Our favorite was a breakfast version with egg, cheese, lettuce, tomato, and a dollop of mayo.  There are many bagel outlets in Montreal, all uniquely different with providing a similar style.  If you happen to be in the Griffintown area be sure to check out Le Trou Fabrique de Bagels which is our favorite.

4 – Montreal Poutine

Arguably one of the most satisfying foods after a night on the town, Poutine is a sinful love it or leave it treat.  Made on a base of fresh cut French fries topped with cheese curds and plenty of dark gravy, poutine is not for those watching your diet.  Originally created in rural Quebec in the 1950’s, Poutine has become renowned across all of Canada.  There are many restaurants and take-out establishments that serve poutine, with an endless number of twists on the original concept.  If you want to experience something that is uniquely Quebecois, a stop at a poutinerie is a must.

5 – Ethnic Markets

Montreal is rich with ethnic markets across virtually all of the neighborhoods.  The markets or Marche in French specialize in everything from Italian, to Chinese, Middle Eastern, and everything in between.  One of our favorites is Marche Italian and the associated Le Richmond Restaurant.  The gourmet market offers fresh pastries and baked goods, prepared meals, and a wide variety of traditional Italian ingredients and delicacies.  The associated Le Richmond restaurant offers a fine dining experience, with an excellent menu, and a very nice ambiance on their covered patio.  Be sure to visit several of the ethnic markets while you’re in Montreal – you will not regret it.