Considered the cultural heart of the city, the Quartier des spectacles has become one of the liveliest neighbourhoods in Montreal since the redevelopment of the Place des Festivals. It has eight public spaces that host an average of 40 festivals per year. Here is a list of restaurants where you can enjoy a bite to eat before or after your outing!
Those who love fusion cuisine will also love Grenadine, which offers traditional French cuisine featuring Oriental dishes combined with locally sourced ingredients. Here, you are eating food that is both local and international. Rabbit ravioli, smoked trout, a crispy roll of braised deer...you'll even find an affordable 6-course tasting menu. You can even bring your own wine!
Owned by the Groupe Ferreira, Taverne F offers Portuguese cuisine in a casual setting. Next door to Brasserie T!, Taverne F is located in the middle of a buzzing area of the Quartier. On the menu you’ll find "petiscos" that you can share with friends – from cod-cakes to sautéed shrimp, it's your choice!
Several izakayas – Japanese bistro-bars – have recently opened their doors in Montreal and Quartier des spectacles has not escaped the trend. Opened in 2014, Biiru is a bistro that offers savoury Japanese dishes to share. The cocktail menu and colourful decor make it a pleasant place to eat a bite before a show. Among the dishes offered are wakame (seaweed) salad, soba noodles, and Japanese ravioli.
Whether you’re coming from a show or just looking for a place for dinner, Café du Nouveau Monde is always a good choice. It’s also open late, with hours until midnight from Tuesday to Saturday. Its bistro-style menu includes dishes such as grilled hanger steak and roasted scallops.
With its profusion of greenery and rather vintage decor, Café Parvis is a charming place for a bite. On the menu you’ll find thin crust pizzas and delicious salads – the beet salad is one of their classics. Café Parvis is located just a few metres from the Place des Festivals.
Opened in 2011, the restaurant Bouillon Bilk (our photo) offers cuisine that stands out while remaining accessible. The dishes prepared by the two owners, former chefs at the restaurant Leméac, offer a variety of flavours. The minimalist decor allows you to focus entirely on the food, which includes guinea hen with foie gras, venison, black cod, and many other dishes.
This small chain of restaurants is located in the Quartier des spectacles. Launched in 2011, Sésame caters to those who enjoy Asian cuisine - think pad Thai, stir-fry and even General Tao poutine! Tea and sake lovers will be equally pleased by the menu offerings.
This wine bar takes pride in featuring local produce, with a diverse menu that changes with the seasons. Their wine list is too long to explore here, but in terms of food, you can expect to feast on fried calamari or Quebec cheese plates. You can start off with duck rillette or octopus salad, and then enjoy pork cheek mini-burgers, a duck leg confit parmentier, tartares or deer osso bucco as a main course – just to name a few.
Located a stone's throw away from the Quartier des spectacles (but don't consider this an invitation to test that), Darbar caters to those who crave delicious dishes from Punjab, located in northern India. All of their dishes closely follow the traditions of this specific cuisine. On the menu: chicken, lamb, seafood, a vegetarian selection and desserts with the most exquisite oriental aromas.