5 Best Restaurants in Montreal, Quebec

A darling of Montréal food critics since it opened in 2014, Canada's first vegan sushi restaurant is an innovative twist on the traditional sushi eatery. The setting, fresh from a renovation and redesign in early 2021, is replete with brick walls, natural woods and soothing tones, including a few stunning walls of botanicals. The new decor is inspired by Mexican-Canadian chef and owner Christian Ventura's environmental values as well as by wabi-sabi, a Japanese spiritual and aesthetic concept. "You eat with your eyes," says Ventura, "so everything has to be beautiful." And beautiful it all is. Exquisitely plated confections, such as 3 Champions (a play on the French word for mushroom, champignon), mushroom tartare, shiba zuke, rice pops, and truffle mayo; the Taj Mahal with kabocha tempura, red pepper tempura, shishito tempura, avocado, and onion; and Geisha, a creation of "salmon," "shrimp," marinated shishito pepper, avocado, and citrus ponzu sauce, are a feast for the eyes and the taste buds. The bar serves organic wines, colorful cocktails, and privately imported sakes, making Momo an attractive destination for a quiet 5 à 7 (cocktail hour).

A boisterous Japanese pub and restaurant (known in Japan as an izakaya), Imadake serves small plates meant to be shared with a beer or cocktail in hand, and you won't find any sushi on the menu. The name "Imadake" means "only for now" and is a reference to the restaurant's ever-changing menu and "live in the moment" philosophy. You can pick from a variety of dishes, including ramen and noodle bowls as well as house specialties like the korokke (mashed potato croquettes), the okonomiyaki (a Japanese savory pancake) with oyster mushrooms, the shiitake mushrooms and green onion skewers, the miso-marinated black codfish, or the deliciously spicy karaage (chicken with wasabi mayo).

You could almost walk right by this tiny establishment on this seedier stretch of Ste-Catherine St., but the line of people waiting to get in is a telltale sign. Popular plates include the tuna rice bowl or the messy barbecue pork neck—you'll be licking sauce off your hands, but you won't be sorry. The juicy shrimp burger and the veggie bowl with tofu, lettuce, tempura flakes, and a little chili oil on rice are both great options for lunch. Arrive 15 minutes before opening time or well after 8 to beat the queue.

The salmon and avocado tartare is a must at this surprisingly affordable Japanese tapas restaurant and lounge. Vegans and vegetarians will appreciate plates like the shiitake lettuce cups, avocado tacos, and black truffle mushroom dumplings. Carefully selected wines and classic cocktails combine with sleek lighting (the dragon changes color throughout the night) for a memorable dining experience. There are also locations in Griffintown and Westmount.

Frequently cited as the best ramen house in Montréal bar none, Yokato Yokabai is indeed a discreet restaurant that deserves to be visited by all noodle lovers—especially when temperatures drop below freezing point here. The décor—dark-wood paneling and minimal knickknacks—immediately transports diners to a Japanese hole-in-the-wall. The ramen broth is incredibly aromatic and equally flavorful. Vegetable broths are available. Service is slow, but worth the inevitable wait.