Montreal

Top 10 Montreal Restaurants Listed in Order of Rating:



1. Toque!

2. Schwartz's

3. Moishe's Steak House



4. La Chronique

5. La Queue Cheval

6. The Beaver Club

7. Au Pied de Cochon

8. Cafe Ferreira

9. Bronte

10. Joe Beef



Profiles of the Top 3:



Toque! was established in 1993 by Christine Lamarche and Chef Normand Laprise. Chrisinte and Normand believed in creating an authentic Quebec product through the use of locally inspired ingredients. Some of the signature ingredients and dishes available at Toque! include duck foie gras, wild glasswort, lamb, young vegetables, and fresh herbs. The cost to dine at Toque! reflects the quality of the cuisine, as it lies within the higher price bracket. Within the past two years Toque! has received recognition from Zagat, Mobil Travel Guide, Conde Nast Traveller, and also from a variety of local and regional sources. Chef Normand Laprise is said to be 'the inventor of Quebec fusion cuisine' and has played a major role in the 14 years of unparalleled success experienced by Toque!. Toque! is often referred to as the 'city's finest' restaurant and has the credentials to back it.



Schwartz's was founded in 1928 by a young Romanian Jewish immigrant by the name of Reuben Schwartz. Schwartz's is believed to be Canada's oldest deli and is referred to as 'Montreal's Hebrew Delicatessen.' This historical deli is located on St. Laurent Boulevard, also known as 'The Main,' which is one of the oldest areas in Montreal. Schwartz's is famous for serving smoked meat prepared using a traditional recipe from 1928. A fresh blend of herbs and spices is used to marinate the meat for 10 day's. The meat is smoked daily to guarantee freshness and is said to contain no preservatives. Schwartz's is also a hub for celebrities passing through the city, some recognizable names include Celine Dion, Hank Aaron, The Rolling Stones, and Angelina Jolie. Schwartz's has gained recognition on both the international and national levels as it has received favourable mentioned in Zagat, Conde Nast Traveller, and Concierge.com. The prices are very reasonable ranging from $4.25 to $16.95. Schwartz's has passed the test of time and remains to be one of Montreal's most popular restaurants.



Moishes Steak House shares some commanalities with respect to history and location with that of Schwartz's. Moishes was founded in 1938 and is also located on St. Laurent boulevard. For almost 70 years this family owned and operated establishment has been a favourite spot for locals and business travellers. Commonly dubbed as Montreal's best steak house, Moishes has proven its longevity in a competitive Montreal market. The menu is very traditional and representative of most high end steak houses. Menu prices range from $27 to $52, which is quite reasonable for a high end steak house like Moishes. The wine list is quite extensive with strengths lying in the wine choices from California and France. Moishes is recognized by Zagat and has also received the Award of Excellence from Wine Spectator. Every city has one steak house that exceeds all others in excellence and quality, Moishes has been the number one steak house in montreal for almost 70 years, and will most likely continue this tradition for many more.

Rating System

All restaurants are rated using three recognition groups:

1.National & International: Zagat, Wine Spectator, CAA, Mobil etc... = highest scores

2.Local & Regional: Conde Nast Traveller, Travel & Leisure, concierge.com etc... = mid. scores

3.Individual favourable Reviews by Individual Food Critics: Montreal Gazzette,
findyourmontreal.com, Bon Appetite etc... = lowest scores