The TOP 10 Contemporary Restaurants in Montreal

What is it? Monarque is a fine dining restaurant at 406 Rue Saint-Jacques. It holds the number 10 spot on Canada’s 100 Best list and sits a five-minute walk from the Notre-Dame Basilica of Montreal.

Why we love it: This restaurant bridges the gap between classic French technique and contemporary standards better than its peers in Old Montreal. With over 2,000 reviews landing at a 4.76 rating, the high price point remains justified by the consistent polish of the service and the formal, smart and elegant atmosphere of the dining room.

Good to Know: The terrace at Monarque offers a rare, quiet outdoor setting for classic French dining in a district otherwise dominated by heavy foot traffic.

What is it? Perché sits at 153 Rue Saint-Amable, a six-minute walk from the Notre-Dame Basilica of Montreal. This restaurant specializes in Japanese, sushi, and grilled offerings within a fine dining setting.

Why we love it? It leans into a high-end, romantic atmosphere that makes the most of its location near the landmarks of Old Montreal. With over 2,300 guests contributing to a 4.78 rating, it balances a demanding smart and elegant dress code with a consistent delivery of its sushi and grill-focused menu.

Good to Know: The terrace at Perché provides a distinct vantage point over the area, making it the primary choice for those prioritizing a view alongside their Japanese-influenced dinner.

What is it? Mon Lapin sits at 150 Rue Saint-Zotique Est, a fifteen-minute walk from the stalls of Jean-Talon Market. This Michelin-starred destination specializes in contemporary French and creative cooking.

Why we love it: It earns its place as number 25 on La Liste and a spot on the 2024 Canada's 100 Best list by balancing high-end ambitions with a relaxed, approachable pace. While the kitchen leans into creative French technique, the room remains one of the few places where fine dining feels grounded rather than staged.

Good to Know: Given the Michelin-starred focus on creative French plates, guests at Mon Lapin should lean into the smart and elegant dress code to match the precision of the kitchen.

What is it? Terrasse Carla sits on the sixth floor at 985 Boul. Saint-Laurent. This fine dining destination is located a four-minute walk from the Quartier des Spectacles and sits within 500 metres of the Musée d'art contemporain de Montréal and Place des Arts.

Why we love it? While many venues in the area lean into casual fare, Terrasse Carla sustains a high-end atmosphere by balancing French, Vietnamese, and seafood influences. With a guest rating of 4.77 from 626 reviews, it provides a consistent, elevated experience that justifies its high price point without feeling detached from the surrounding arts district.

Good to Know: The terrace view provides an ideal vantage point over the Saint-Laurent corridor, but guests should dress in smart and elegant attire to match the luxury profile of the space.

What is it? Foxy is a restaurant at 1638 R. Notre Dame O, positioned about a forty-five-minute walk from the Musée des beaux-arts de Montréal. It holds a place on the 2024 Canada's 100 Best list at no. 82.

Why we love it: Foxy separates itself from the surrounding Notre-Dame streetscape through a high-end application of contemporary French technique. While many spots in the area lean casual, this venue maintains a strict smart and elegant dress code to match its fine dining focus. With an average guest rating of 4.71 from over 850 diners, the kitchen consistently delivers on a premium price point.

Good to Know: Foxy pairs its modern French menu with a terrace, making it the preferred choice for those looking to dine outdoors while maintaining a formal atmosphere.

What is it? Le Vin Papillon sits at 2519 R. Notre Dame O, a 25-minute walk from the Old Port of Montreal. It holds the no. 79 spot on the Canada’s 100 Best list.

Why we love it: The restaurant balances a creative, farm-to-table French menu with the intimacy of a luxury fine dining room. With over 1,000 guest reviews averaging a 4.78 rating, it proves that the high-end, elegant approach resonates with diners who prioritize craft over spectacle.

Good to Know: The terrace at Le Vin Papillon allows for outdoor dining, which is best paired with the restaurant’s creative wine list during warmer Montreal evenings.

What is it? Mastard sits on Rue Bélanger, a fifteen-minute walk from Jean-Talon Market and roughly fifteen minutes by foot from Parc Molson. The restaurant holds a spot on the 2024 Canada's 100 Best list at number 72.

Why we love it: This is an expensive, fine-dining destination that manages a 4.89 rating across hundreds of reviews for its commitment to modern, creative French cuisine. By placing itself well north of the city’s standard tourist hubs, Mastard earns its status as a destination for those who prioritize culinary precision over convenience.

Good to Know: The kitchen’s modern French approach rewards a smart and elegant dress code, so save the casual layers for a different night.

What is it? Casavant sits at 350 R. de Castelnau E, an address that earned a spot as number 6 on the 2024 Canada's 100 Best list of new restaurants. The kitchen focuses on French, contemporary, and creative preparations.

Why we love it: While many restaurants in this category lean into excess, Casavant balances its status as a fine dining destination with a layout that prioritizes a terrace view. Its high guest rating suggests that the creative execution matches the ambition of its price bracket, providing a rare sense of cohesion for a space that is both romantic and technically precise.

Good to Know: The smart and elegant dress code at Casavant is best navigated by opting for structured tailoring to match the deliberate, contemporary nature of the French menu.

What is it? Moccione sits at 7495 R. Saint-Denis in Montreal. It offers a contemporary and classic take on Italian cuisine, falling into a higher price bracket. The restaurant is a roughly twenty-minute walk from the Quartier des Spectacles and a twenty-five-minute walk from the Musée d'art contemporain de Montréal.

Why we love it: Moccione earns its high guest rating by balancing the rigor of fine dining with a distinctively romantic, intimate atmosphere. It manages to feel like an escape from the city’s dense urban core, even though it is only a thirty-minute walk from the edges of Mount Royal Park.

Good to Know: The kitchen’s commitment to contemporary Italian techniques means the menu shifts frequently, so come prepared to lean into the chef's current seasonal selections rather than looking for a fixed signature dish at this fine dining destination.

What is it? Kitano Shokudo (OTTO BISTRO) sits at 143 Mont-Royal Ave E. The restaurant holds a spot on the 2024 Canada's 100 Best list at number 53.

Why we love it: This Japanese and Asian fine dining destination distinguishes itself from the Montreal dining scene through a consistent, high-level execution that has earned it a 4.86 rating from 565 guests. The space offers a rare, romantic atmosphere for an establishment that maintains such a rigorous standard of service and culinary focus.

Good to Know: Given its status as a fine dining destination, Kitano Shokudo (OTTO BISTRO) requires a smart and elegant dress code to match the focused precision of its sushi and Japanese menu.