With so many things to do in Montreal, you can work up an appetite quickly. While here, you must try poutine, Quebec’s signature dish.
The name is synonymous with “mess” around these parts, and that's a pretty accurate description. These fries aren’t meant to be eaten with your fingers unless you’re well-prepared with plenty of napkins. Perfectly crisp, golden fries topped with meaty brown gravy and cheese curds are hardly finger food, but they sure are delicious.
It’s hard to narrow down the best poutine in Montreal to just one restaurant, but there are plenty to try. Montreal has everything from foie gras to vegetarian options and build-your-own poutine menus. Whether you’re looking for an afternoon pick-me-up or need to satisfy a late-night craving, you have options.
We’re here to guide you along the ultimate poutine tour in this great city we call home. If you’re anything like us, these amazing restaurants will have you dancing in your seat and begging for more.
Le Plateau Mont-Royal
In the laid-back neighborhood of Le Plateau-Mont-Royal, you’ll primarily find casual diners and cafés. In our opinion, it’s the perfect vibe for the best poutine in town.
After all, what’s more casual than a plate of fries covered in gravy and cheese? But casual doesn’t mean it lacks flavor, and these restaurants will likely blow your mind with their poutine creations.
1. Au Pied de Cochon
Prepare to take your taste buds on a culinary journey at the Au Pied de Cochon restaurant. The poutine is delectable, but its signature dish has its own special twist. When you bite into them, you’ll get perfectly fried fries that give you a satisfying crunch, topped with squeaky cheese curds covered in a savory, meaty gravy.
But where this dish blows the expectations away is the perfectly cooked foie gras added to the top. If you want to taste the poutine here, you need a reservation, and they fill up quickly. All food is served in the restaurant, with no options for takeout.
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2. Patati Patata
For the perfect hole-in-the-wall joint with an artsy flair, head over to Patati Patata. Here, poutine joins other local favorites such as mini-burgers and homemade soups. Of course, you won’t want to skip these salty, saucy morsels.
If you manage to snag a seat to dine in, you’ll get a front-row view of your poutine’s creation before the hot, fresh dish is placed in front of you. If you’d rather not brave the crowds, you can deliver it to your home.
The signature mark of this restaurant’s poutine is the single kalamata olive placed atop the gooey gravy. You’ll find no shortage of options here. Top your fries with tofu, mushrooms, peppers, onions, and other ingredients. However, if you aren't feeling particularly adventurous, you can’t go wrong with the traditional dish.
3. Ma Poule Mouillée
A Portuguese grill might not seem like an obvious pick for the best poutine in Montreal, but Ma Poule Mouillée just might convince you otherwise. If you want a poutine experience unlike any other, this is the place to be.
This restaurant elevates traditional poutine with its signature grilled chicken, chorizo, and São Jorge cheese. The portions also tend to be massive, so bring your appetite and prepare to be wowed.
4. La Banquise
Any hour of the day is a good time for poutine, and that’s why La Banquise operates 24/7, except for Christmas Day. If you’re a particularly adventurous eater, try one of the 30-plus specialty combinations, ranging from beef, peppers, and mushrooms to the La Sud-Ouest, topped with bacon, red onions, guacamole, onion rings, and chipotle sauce.
There are no limits here. Even vegans can enjoy this culinary specialty with vegan cheese and sauce options. Of course, you can also create your own combination. If it’s unique enough, it might even be shared as the poutine of the month.
Rosemont-La Petite-Patrie
Primarily a residential district loaded with families, Rosemont-La Petite-Patrie offers numerous restaurants to suit a range of palates. Here, you can find poutine almost everywhere. You'll have a myriad of opportunities to try unique flavor combinations, from those drawing inspiration from pho to more classic takes on the dish.
5. La Belle Tonki
La Belle Tonki takes Cambodian and Vietnamese fusion to a whole new level.
As soon as you step inside, you’re welcomed by a quirky, whimsical ambiance that fits the restaurant’s ability to create some of the most unique poutine combinations in the city.
Light your taste buds on fire with poutine topped with popcorn chicken, sweet and sour sauce, kimchi, and sharp cheddar for a spicy adventure known as the Poutine Kimcheesy.
A milder option, called Poutine Ðac Biêt, dresses up your fries with beef carpaccio, meatballs, and gravy infused with pho broth, pickled onions, herbs, and squeaky cheese curds. If that's not enough, it's drizzled with hoisin sauce and the restaurant’s signature Southeast Asian sauce.
6. Casse-Croûte Mange Dans Mon Hood
The menu at Casse-Croûte Mange Dans Mon Hood may lack variety compared to many of the other restaurants on this list, but what it lacks in options, it more than makes up with flavor. People often come for the smash burgers but stay for the positively divine poutine.
Don’t expect any frills here. You’ll be getting the traditional fries, gravy, and cheese curds. However, all the fries are freshly cut daily and fried in beef tallow for an unforgettable taste that's garnered rave reviews.
7. Chez Tousignant
As a classic casse-croûte, Chez Tousignant is a comfort staple in Montreal. Indulge in made-to-order fast food in a ‘60s-era diner, complete with tiled floors, orange counters and barstools, and stainless steel tables. As a classic casse-croûte, Chez Tousignant is a comfort staple in Montreal. Indulge in made-to-order fast food in a ‘60s-era diner, complete with tiled floors, orange counters and barstools, and stainless steel tables.
Hot dogs and hamburgers might not sound particularly memorable, but they’re worth it here, especially when paired with a Tousignant soda. Of course, you can’t go wrong with its classic poutine. Featuring homemade fries and sauce and topped with Québécois cheese curds, it’s a phenomenal treat when you’re in the mood for something casual.
8. Mon Petit Poulet
Mon Petit Poulet is renowned in the Rosemont-La-Petite-Patrie district for its artisanal rotisserie chicken, juicy burgers, and tender ribs. Earning instant success upon opening in 2018 for its comfort food delights, it creates unique artisanal dishes, and it shows in the numerous poutine options.
You can have the classic poutine, but why not combine the best of both culinary worlds by trying one of the varieties with fried chicken nuggets to pair with the curds and gravy?
9. Poutineville
It’s hard to go wrong at Montreal’s Poutineville restaurant. With a name like that, you know it means business, and of course, poutine is the star of the show here.
It comes in more varieties than you’ll know what to do with. Take our advice, and try them all. From a breakfast-inspired dish with bacon, eggs, sausage, and maple syrup to an Indian-inspired dish covered in mozzarella, chicken, mushrooms, green onions, and butter sauce, there isn’t a bad choice to be made.
Bring a crowd and tackle the self-proclaimed “biggest poutine in town.” This massive dish brings the classics of fries, curds, and gravy but tops it with just about everything else you could imagine, including mozzarella, four meats, mushrooms, onions, green peppers, and tomatoes.
You can also try this spot's submarines, which come in three jaw-dropping, mouthwatering flavors: the beloved classic, one loaded with veggies, and one known as All Dressed.
Pointe-Saint-Charles
Welcome to Pointe-Saint-Charles, an industrial district with a rich history. Of course, in such a classic Montreal neighborhood, you’ll also find the quintessential Québécois poutine.
10. Paul Patates
This eatery opened in 1958, and not much has changed over the years. As soon as you enter Paul Patates restaurant, you’re welcomed into a comfortable atmosphere that evokes nostalgia with checkerboard tiles and good, simple food.
You’ll get classic poutine choices here, but there’s nothing better than pairing it with a homemade spruce beer. The fries are prepared entirely in-house, from peeling to cutting and frying, and they’re paired with a luxuriously flavorful gravy.
Downtown
The Downtown Montreal area is home to some of the best poutine in the city. You'll discover a dish with real gold leaves at these poutine restaurants and dig into big piles of smoked meats.
11. Le Gras Dur
The poutine at Le Gras Dur was named the best poutine in Canada in 2024 by La Poutine Week. Its winning recipe is as indulgent as it sounds, and it's been deemed the 1 Million Dollar Poutine.
The poutine sauce for this fabulous dish is made from veal stock, beer, caramelized onions, and bacon. The fries, cheese curds, and gravy are then layered with a sunny-side-up egg, grilled peppers, parmesan cheese, and truffles. It's topped with a gold leaf for an extra dash of indulgence.
12. Dunn's Famous
Dunn’s Famous has been well-known in Montreal since 1927 for its slow-cured marinated brisket. By all means, enjoy your fill of smoked meat that practically melts in your mouth, but be sure to leave room for poutine.
As a classic Montreal restaurant, it’s perfected the art of making poutine, featuring fresh cheese curds and fresh-cut fries. Whether you like classic gravy atop your golden fries or something more unique, such as pepperoni, peppers, onions, and mushrooms, you’ll find a dish that appeals to you.
If you’re feeling particularly creative, craft your own poutine with all sorts of meats alongside the gravy and cheese curds.
13. Montreal Poutine
Escape the bustle of the city street on the hidden backyard terrace of Montreal Poutine, where you can savor a delicious meal in good company when the weather is nice. This hidden gem in Montreal is well-known for its indulgent, handcrafted co*cktails and an even more delightful poutine menu.
Whether you prefer your taters topped with the classic gravy or want something with a bit more bite, you’ll find it here. Challenge your stomach to conquer a mountain of smoked meat piled high atop a bed of cheese curds and fries. Smother it in gravy and add grilled onions.
The drink menu abounds here, with spirits, wines, and tap beers, letting you pair your poutine with the perfect accompaniment. Come hungry, and you’ll leave satiated.
Outremont
The neighborhood of Outremont, just outside Downtown Montreal, has a lot to offer for such a small space. Among the offerings, you’ll find one of the best fried chicken and poutine restaurants in Montreal.
14. Roch le Coq
At Roch le Coq, fried chicken is the name of the game, but you will also love their poutine. Thanks to a proprietary blend of flour and spices, the chicken is surprisingly crisp and fried to perfection.
The fries for the poutine are just as well prepared, coated with potato starch for a little extra crisp while giving the gravy something to cling to. The restaurant is small, especially considering Roch le Coq’s popularity, so you might have a hard time finding a seat.
On a particularly busy weekend, you might have more luck taking the food to go or ordering for delivery.
Ahuntsic-Cartierville
Up in the northern part of Montreal, you’ll find attractions such as Île-de-la-Visitation, but what makes it stand out to foodies is the access to delicious foods and marvellous poutine, even late at night.
15. Paulo & Suzanne
From Friday morning until 3 a.m. Monday morning, you’ll have around-the-clock access to poutine at Paulo & Suzanne. For the rest of the week, it’s open late until 3 a.m., so you’ll usually be able to get your fill whenever cravings hit.
Hot dogs, hamburgers, and other classic diner fare complement the vast array of poutines that come in virtually every flavor profile, from spicy to loaded with barbecued meats or topped with hot dogs.
With such long hours and delivery available through third-party apps, you’ll be able to explore your favorites to your heart’s content.
A Culinary Journey Through Montreal’s Poutine Paradise
Something about poutine makes it an ideal comfort food. It might be the squeak of the rubbery cheese curds or the contrasting, satisfying crunch of the fries. Maybe it’s the whole deal and the way the flavors meld as they burst across your taste buds.
From Old Port restaurants in Montreal to eateries in Ahuntsic-Cartierville, the whole city is a treasure trove of culinary options. Beyond poutine, you’ll also find authentic artistry in motion when you discover us.
This is our hometown, and we take pride in being a major part of this city’s culture, inspiring imagination and showcasing dreams can come true. Seeing us perform anywhere is a special occasion, but nothing tops the experience of seeing us thrive on our home turf.
As you discover our gravity-defying acts, effortlessly blending unique choreography, jaw-dropping athleticism, and intricate storytelling, prepare to be amazed. Watch a new world unfold before your eyes as you find yourself immersed in our tales.
Our shows in Montreal keep the excitement running, taking your emotions on an acrobatic adventure through highs and lows. After all, on our stage, there are no limits.
