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25 Must-Try Restaurants in Montreal’s Mile End

What to eat beyond the bagels

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Formerly a hub for Jewish immigrants and later creative types, Mile End has shifted plenty over the years, often to the dismay of whoever’s living there at the time. The biggest — and perhaps most controversial — shift came when gaming company Ubisoft moved into the neighbourhood in 1997, bringing with it a wave of tech workers spilling into the streets at lunch time.

You’ll still find world-famous bagel shops and resilient businesses defying the test of rampant real estate speculation, but an influx of trendy joints that can afford high rents have arrived en force, changing the face of the chameleon Mile End once more.

What that means for dining in the neighbourhood is that it’s a mixed bag — no cuisine really dominates; older institutions and small family-run spots coexist with some of the city’s finest restaurants, cool casual hang-outs, and slick takeout counters.

For the purposes of this map, we left out establishments that don’t really focus on full meals (such as coffee shops, the famed bagel producers, ultra popular ice creamery Kem Coba and bakeries like Hof Kelsten and Guillaume), although many of them can be found on Eater’s Mile End carb crawl.

Restaurants from Mont-Royal to Van Horne on the north-south side, and Hutchison to St-Denis on the east-west were all considered.

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Eater maps are curated by editors and aim to reflect a diversity of neighborhoods, cuisines, and prices. Learn more about our editorial process. If you buy something or book a reservation from an Eater link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics policy.

Phyllo Bar Melina's

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This small nook, does grab n’ go snackable phyllo pies like spanakopita and cheesy tiropita, as well as cookies and sandwiches. Be mindful of the hours (every day from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m), and order via Chk Plz.

Le Butterblume

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This bright space on the Main does great coffee, but lunch and brunch are the stars. The food leans German, but without any of the stodginess that might stereotypically be tied to the cuisine — it’s thanks to plenty of seasonal vegetables, and altogether well-rounded dishes. Reopening on June 8.

Ta Chido

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Mile End’s longest-running Mexican restaurant looks to Oaxaca for a hearty range of tortas (it’s tough to get more Oaxaqueño than a mole-filled sandwich), all done on house-made bread. The tacos shape up too, plus it’s one of few spots in town to offer grasshoppers. Delivery with DoorDash.

Serrano Bar-B-Q

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On the front lines of Mile End’s chicken war is this family-run classic that has been in operation for more than four decades. The go-to here is the chicken sandwich served on a Portuguese bun with mayo, hot sauce, tomato, lettuce, and an oregano coleslaw. Pickup and cash only.

Île Flottante

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Ultra-popular restaurant Les Deux Singes de Montarvie was made over as Île Flottante in 2017, and what a rebirth it was: Chef Sean Murray Smith’s tasting menus centre around creative uses of mostly seasonal vegetables (meat and seafood are used sparingly in their own shining ways). A little bit of a splurge if you go for the bigger tasting menus, but sure to fulfill.

Lloydies

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Initially an industrial-scale Jamaican patty producer, Lloydies jumped into the restaurant game with this fast-casual counter in 2017. Expect standards like jerk pork, chicken, and oxtail, served in plate or sandwich form, or sample house creations like jerk poutine. There’s are locations downtown and in St-Henri, too

Falafel Yoni

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This spot on St-Viateur keeps a tight menu, meaning the few items on it are done really, really well. Unsurprisingly, falafel is the main draw — crispy chickpea patties sandwiched in fluffy pitas with all the fixings — a platter is available too. Don’t sneeze at the sabich, though, a fried eggplant sandwich that holds its own alongside the titular falafels. Now also with a stall at the Atwater Market and a second location in the works for Verdun.

Le Jardin Du Cari

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This institution for Guyanese food keeps it simple — roti wraps filled with chicken, goat or chickpea curry, and platters, all with fiery scotch bonnet hot sauce (the peanut punch will help quell that heat). Delivery is with UberEats.

Beau Temps

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After retiring taqueria Maïs, the same owners planned to open a wine bar in the same location in spring 2020, but coronavirus put a stop to their plans. Acting on the fly, the team opened Beau Temps (meaning good weather) anyway and started slinging luxurious sandwiches with local ingredients instead. Options include fried fish, chicken salad, brisket and a vegetarian take on a Philly cheese steak. Delivery via ChkPlz, DoorDash and UberEats.

Pucapuca

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This old-school Peruvian restaurant conveniently located on the Ubisoft strip of the Main serves Mile End’s cheapest lunch and dinner deal — $10 for a hefty plate, plus soup, drink, and a dessert, tax in ($15 at dinner) — and it’s a one-man show to boot with the owner, Ciro, usually cooking and serving. Expect hearty proteins with sauces, rice, and beans. It’s not always “traditional” per se, but always tasty. Pickup only.

Mimi & Jones

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Part of a tidal wave of vegan newcomers to the city in the last few years, Mimi & Jones is a retro American-style diner serving thin-cut fries alongside quality burgers, nuggets, and milkshakes — all meat- and dairy-free. They also do up ravioli stuffed with tofu‑almond ricotta and topped with either pesto or rosé sauce for something a little fancier. Delivery is via UberEats and DoorDash.

Hansang

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One of a few Korean options to pop up in recent years in the neighbourhood, Hansang serves all the staples like a luscious beef bulgogi, japchae noodles, spicy dak galbi, and warming jigae stews in a homey setting. Delivery with UberEats and DoorDash.

La Khaima

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La Khaima’s cozy, tent-like interior makes us miss indoor-dining (remember BYOB?). But until restrictions ease, it’s doing a shifting “Nomadic Menu” of mezzes, tagines, and couscous with flavour by the bucketload. Delivery with UberEats, DoorDash, and SkipTheDishes.

Le Bay Cà Phê

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Tasty Vietnamese food in stylish digs, Le Bay specializes in what’s become the two most popular dishes from the Southeast Asian cuisine — pho and banh mi. They also do a filling $16 lunch special. Delivery with UberEats, DoorDash and SkipTheDishes.

Pizzeria Magpie

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Mile End’s go-to for more upscale, wood-fired Neapolitan-style pizza, Magpie uses mostly classic toppings and a few new creations like the spinach and feta “Spanikopizza” or the Montreal tribute smoked meat pizza. Oysters, a couple of pasta dishes and salads round out the options, and they’re also doing frozen pizzas found at grocery stores and supermarkets. Delivery is through UberEats and DoorDash.

Wilensky's Light Lunch

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A true Mile End classic, Jewish lunch spot Wilensky’s has been in the lunch biz since the 1930s, and it shows in the restaurant’s time capsule-esque, light green interior. The Wilensky’s special is the staple order: a beef salami and bologna sandwich, and don’t even think about asking to omit the mustard (they don’t do it anyway).

Tsukuyomi Ramen

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The specialty here is tonkotsu (pork broth) ramen, but there is a vegan option as well, and a cold ramen in hot months. Available for takeout or delivery with UberEats, and now with a second location Downtown.

Lawrence/Larrys

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With its older sibling Lawrence temporarily closed during the pandemic, Larrys has taken the reins, with its small plates and comforting bites like porchetta burgers and anchovy spaghetti. Breakfast sandwiches and grilled cheese are available from 9 a.m. Order with Chk Plz.

People don’t come to Montreal for sushi, but they should come for Jun I: Junichi Ikematsu is arguably the best sushi chef in town, and he isn’t afraid to break with tradition and make tweaks (the maki offerings lean a little more classic, though). The selection of wines and sakés (available for pickup or delivery) is mighty respectable, too. Order via their website.

Maria Bonita

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Montreal has a decent number of taco spots now, yet the city is still light on places to get other types of Mexican dishes — chef Maria Chavez helps fill that gap with sopa azteca, mole, and stuffed poblanos.

La Chronique

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This 26-year-old French restaurant on Laurier was dubbed a “model of consistency” by one critic, and it has proven as much throughout the pandemic with a series of weekly tasting menus. As the restaurant prepares for a tentative June 10 reopening, diners can expect fare that is oh-so-French without being stuffy.

Queen Sheba

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Mile End’s lone Ethiopian restaurant serves up a feast order an array of meat and vegetable-based stews, and sop them all up with spongy injera bread. Delivery with UberEats, DoorDash and SkipTheDishes.

Ta Pies

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Also known as Tourtière Australienne, this bakery brings the tastes of down under (technically Australia and New Zealand) to Montreal, doing hand-held Australian style savoury pies filled with steak, curried vegetables, and more, and topped with mashed potato, alongside sweet Aussie specialties like lamingtons: a chocolate-coconut coated sponge cake.

Le Filet

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From the same folks as the famed Le Club Chasse et Pêche, Il Miglio, and Le Serpent, Le Filet is a star in its own right, with French technique meeting Asian influences, in a chic, modern setting. Save room for star pastry chef Masumi Waki’s desserts. Currently operating under the Trifecta banner.

Trip de Bouffe

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Lebanese bakery Trip de Bouffe dishes up all sorts of snacks, like kibbeh and falafel, through to manouches topped with za’atar, cheese, ground meat, and lots of veggies, all at low, low prices.

Phyllo Bar Melina's

This small nook, does grab n’ go snackable phyllo pies like spanakopita and cheesy tiropita, as well as cookies and sandwiches. Be mindful of the hours (every day from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m), and order via Chk Plz.

Le Butterblume

This bright space on the Main does great coffee, but lunch and brunch are the stars. The food leans German, but without any of the stodginess that might stereotypically be tied to the cuisine — it’s thanks to plenty of seasonal vegetables, and altogether well-rounded dishes. Reopening on June 8.

Ta Chido

Mile End’s longest-running Mexican restaurant looks to Oaxaca for a hearty range of tortas (it’s tough to get more Oaxaqueño than a mole-filled sandwich), all done on house-made bread. The tacos shape up too, plus it’s one of few spots in town to offer grasshoppers. Delivery with DoorDash.

Serrano Bar-B-Q

On the front lines of Mile End’s chicken war is this family-run classic that has been in operation for more than four decades. The go-to here is the chicken sandwich served on a Portuguese bun with mayo, hot sauce, tomato, lettuce, and an oregano coleslaw. Pickup and cash only.

Île Flottante

Ultra-popular restaurant Les Deux Singes de Montarvie was made over as Île Flottante in 2017, and what a rebirth it was: Chef Sean Murray Smith’s tasting menus centre around creative uses of mostly seasonal vegetables (meat and seafood are used sparingly in their own shining ways). A little bit of a splurge if you go for the bigger tasting menus, but sure to fulfill.

Lloydies

Initially an industrial-scale Jamaican patty producer, Lloydies jumped into the restaurant game with this fast-casual counter in 2017. Expect standards like jerk pork, chicken, and oxtail, served in plate or sandwich form, or sample house creations like jerk poutine. There’s are locations downtown and in St-Henri, too

Falafel Yoni

This spot on St-Viateur keeps a tight menu, meaning the few items on it are done really, really well. Unsurprisingly, falafel is the main draw — crispy chickpea patties sandwiched in fluffy pitas with all the fixings — a platter is available too. Don’t sneeze at the sabich, though, a fried eggplant sandwich that holds its own alongside the titular falafels. Now also with a stall at the Atwater Market and a second location in the works for Verdun.

Le Jardin Du Cari

This institution for Guyanese food keeps it simple — roti wraps filled with chicken, goat or chickpea curry, and platters, all with fiery scotch bonnet hot sauce (the peanut punch will help quell that heat). Delivery is with UberEats.

Beau Temps

After retiring taqueria Maïs, the same owners planned to open a wine bar in the same location in spring 2020, but coronavirus put a stop to their plans. Acting on the fly, the team opened Beau Temps (meaning good weather) anyway and started slinging luxurious sandwiches with local ingredients instead. Options include fried fish, chicken salad, brisket and a vegetarian take on a Philly cheese steak. Delivery via ChkPlz, DoorDash and UberEats.

Pucapuca

This old-school Peruvian restaurant conveniently located on the Ubisoft strip of the Main serves Mile End’s cheapest lunch and dinner deal — $10 for a hefty plate, plus soup, drink, and a dessert, tax in ($15 at dinner) — and it’s a one-man show to boot with the owner, Ciro, usually cooking and serving. Expect hearty proteins with sauces, rice, and beans. It’s not always “traditional” per se, but always tasty. Pickup only.

Mimi & Jones

Part of a tidal wave of vegan newcomers to the city in the last few years, Mimi & Jones is a retro American-style diner serving thin-cut fries alongside quality burgers, nuggets, and milkshakes — all meat- and dairy-free. They also do up ravioli stuffed with tofu‑almond ricotta and topped with either pesto or rosé sauce for something a little fancier. Delivery is via UberEats and DoorDash.

Hansang

One of a few Korean options to pop up in recent years in the neighbourhood, Hansang serves all the staples like a luscious beef bulgogi, japchae noodles, spicy dak galbi, and warming jigae stews in a homey setting. Delivery with UberEats and DoorDash.

La Khaima

La Khaima’s cozy, tent-like interior makes us miss indoor-dining (remember BYOB?). But until restrictions ease, it’s doing a shifting “Nomadic Menu” of mezzes, tagines, and couscous with flavour by the bucketload. Delivery with UberEats, DoorDash, and SkipTheDishes.

Le Bay Cà Phê

Tasty Vietnamese food in stylish digs, Le Bay specializes in what’s become the two most popular dishes from the Southeast Asian cuisine — pho and banh mi. They also do a filling $16 lunch special. Delivery with UberEats, DoorDash and SkipTheDishes.

Pizzeria Magpie

Mile End’s go-to for more upscale, wood-fired Neapolitan-style pizza, Magpie uses mostly classic toppings and a few new creations like the spinach and feta “Spanikopizza” or the Montreal tribute smoked meat pizza. Oysters, a couple of pasta dishes and salads round out the options, and they’re also doing frozen pizzas found at grocery stores and supermarkets. Delivery is through UberEats and DoorDash.

Wilensky's Light Lunch

A true Mile End classic, Jewish lunch spot Wilensky’s has been in the lunch biz since the 1930s, and it shows in the restaurant’s time capsule-esque, light green interior. The Wilensky’s special is the staple order: a beef salami and bologna sandwich, and don’t even think about asking to omit the mustard (they don’t do it anyway).

Tsukuyomi Ramen

The specialty here is tonkotsu (pork broth) ramen, but there is a vegan option as well, and a cold ramen in hot months. Available for takeout or delivery with UberEats, and now with a second location Downtown.

Lawrence/Larrys

With its older sibling Lawrence temporarily closed during the pandemic, Larrys has taken the reins, with its small plates and comforting bites like porchetta burgers and anchovy spaghetti. Breakfast sandwiches and grilled cheese are available from 9 a.m. Order with Chk Plz.

Juni

People don’t come to Montreal for sushi, but they should come for Jun I: Junichi Ikematsu is arguably the best sushi chef in town, and he isn’t afraid to break with tradition and make tweaks (the maki offerings lean a little more classic, though). The selection of wines and sakés (available for pickup or delivery) is mighty respectable, too. Order via their website.

Maria Bonita

Montreal has a decent number of taco spots now, yet the city is still light on places to get other types of Mexican dishes — chef Maria Chavez helps fill that gap with sopa azteca, mole, and stuffed poblanos.

La Chronique

This 26-year-old French restaurant on Laurier was dubbed a “model of consistency” by one critic, and it has proven as much throughout the pandemic with a series of weekly tasting menus. As the restaurant prepares for a tentative June 10 reopening, diners can expect fare that is oh-so-French without being stuffy.

Queen Sheba

Mile End’s lone Ethiopian restaurant serves up a feast order an array of meat and vegetable-based stews, and sop them all up with spongy injera bread. Delivery with UberEats, DoorDash and SkipTheDishes.

Ta Pies

Also known as Tourtière Australienne, this bakery brings the tastes of down under (technically Australia and New Zealand) to Montreal, doing hand-held Australian style savoury pies filled with steak, curried vegetables, and more, and topped with mashed potato, alongside sweet Aussie specialties like lamingtons: a chocolate-coconut coated sponge cake.

Le Filet

From the same folks as the famed Le Club Chasse et Pêche, Il Miglio, and Le Serpent, Le Filet is a star in its own right, with French technique meeting Asian influences, in a chic, modern setting. Save room for star pastry chef Masumi Waki’s desserts. Currently operating under the Trifecta banner.

Trip de Bouffe

Lebanese bakery Trip de Bouffe dishes up all sorts of snacks, like kibbeh and falafel, through to manouches topped with za’atar, cheese, ground meat, and lots of veggies, all at low, low prices.