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Since the arrival of the prestigious Michelin Guide in Quebec in 2025, Montreal has more than ever cemented its status as a leading culinary destination. With its Michelin-starred restaurants, lively terraces, and specialty cafés, the city offers a highly diverse dining scene for summer 2026.
During the Grand Prix, plan ahead with our guide to experiencing the F1 GP with your points, our 2026 Grand Prix budget calculation, and our experience with the Amex Platinum Card.
The Milesopedia team shares its favourite spots, carefully selected for their quality. At most of these locations, you can use your American Express cards to earn more points on your dining experiences.
Discover our suggestions to fully enjoy the summer season, whether for a refined dinner, a 5 à 7 on a patio, or a well-deserved coffee break.
Milesopedia received a media invitation for some of these establishments. However, the list below reflects only our own opinions and preferences based on our firsthand experiences.
Maximize Your Rewards at Restaurants
Funding your next trip through dining out? It’s possible. With the right credit card, your restaurant outings will help you quickly earn points that can then be used to pay for your next trips.
Our card of choice is the American Express Cobalt Card, since it earns 5 points per dollar spent on groceries and dining. And why this one over other high-multiplier cards? Membership Rewards points are flexible and can be transferred to many airline and hotel programs, such as Aeroplan or Marriott Bonvoy.
By intelligently using these points, it is, for example, possible to obtain a value of 2 cents per point with Aeroplan. In other words, this is equivalent to a 10% return on every dollar spent at a restaurant!
- Annual fee
- $191.88
- Our valuationMilesopedia first-year estimate First-year valueWelcome bonus$255Total$255Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
- $255
- Welcome offerGet 1,250 points after $750 in purchases per month for 12 months
- Up to 15,000 points
Apply Now
on American Express's website
Apply with confidenceCheck whether your application will be approved before you submit it, with no impact on your credit score*When you apply for a personal American Express Credit Card, we will tell you whether you are eligible without affecting your credit score. So you can apply with confidence.*Instant decisions are only available for consumer Card applications (also called “personal Cards”).
Here are other credit cards that offer 5x points on restaurant spending:
$200 Annual Dining Credit
The Platinum Card from American Express is prized for its many premium travel benefits, but also for its famous $200 annual dining credit. It’s the perfect chance to treat yourself at some of the most renowned restaurants in Montréal.
- Annual fee
- $799
- Our valuationMilesopedia first-year estimate First-year valueWelcome bonus$1,190Total$1,190$510 deferred bonus, excluded from the first-year estimate and not counted in this total.Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
- $1,190
- Welcome offerAfter $10,000 in 3 months
- Up to 100,000 points
Apply Now
on American Express's website
Apply with confidenceCheck whether your application will be approved before you submit it, with no impact on your credit score*When you apply for a personal American Express Credit Card, we will tell you whether you are eligible without affecting your credit score. So you can apply with confidence.*Instant decisions are only available for consumer Card applications (also called “personal Cards”).
Montreal – The Best Terraces to Explore
Alizé Terrace
On the 9th floor of the Humaniti Hotel Montreal, Autograph Collection, this terrace serves a Mediterranean-inspired menu with a wide variety of signature cocktails and mocktails. The summer lineup promises Margarita Mondays with a live DJ, Alizé-style afternoon tea, and weekly themed evenings; a winning recipe to celebrate summer.
Muze Lounge & Terrace
Since the opening of the HONEYROSE Hotel, Montreal, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel, the Muze Lounge & Terrasse offers an interesting option downtown. With its retractable roof, the patio welcomes guests rain or shine and is spacious enough for groups. It’s the ideal spot for a post-work 5 à 7, tested and approved by the Milesopedia team.
Belvu Terrace
The terrace at the Marriott Chateau Champlain offers a stunning view of downtown Montreal. Head there Wednesday through Sunday to enjoy live DJs.
Bonus: you’ll earn 5x points by paying the bill with your Marriott Bonvoy® American Express®* Card.
- Annual fee
- $120
- Our valuationMilesopedia first-year estimate First-year valueWelcome bonus$600Total$600$100 deferred bonus, excluded from the first-year estimate and not counted in this total.Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
- $600
- Welcome offerAfter $3,000 in 3 months
- Up to 70,000 points
Apply Now
on American Express's website
Apply with confidenceCheck whether your application will be approved before you submit it, with no impact on your credit score*When you apply for a personal American Express Credit Card, we will tell you whether you are eligible without affecting your credit score. So you can apply with confidence.*Instant decisions are only available for consumer Card applications (also called “personal Cards”).
Terrasse sur l’Auberge
With its prime location offering an exceptional panoramic view of the Old Port of Montreal, Terrasse sur l’Auberge offers a menu that celebrates summer with a focus on freshness. My recommendation: tuna tartare as a starter, and shrimp roll as a main course.
Other Memorable Terraces
These patios are also worth a visit:
- Perché Bar Terrasse: for a magnificent view of the Old Port of Montreal
- Terrasse St-Ambroise for a relaxed atmosphere along the Lachine Canal
- Terrasse William Gray: one of the only ones that remains open in winter
- Terrasse Nelligan: for a cozy atmosphere in the heart of Old Montreal
- Brasseur de Montréal: for a good cold beer on a sunny summer afternoon
In Case it Rains – Food Courts
In case of rain, we recommend two gourmet food halls that honor Montreal: the Time Out Market and Le Central. Both located downtown, they offer a selection that will satisfy all tastes and cravings, featuring cuisine from some of the city’s most renowned restaurants.
Montreal – Must-try restaurants for summer 2026
Breakfast and Brunch
Gaspar
Located on Rue de la Commune, Gaspar’s new breakfast menu is the best way to start a summer day in the Old Port. I particularly recommend the salmon gravlax eggs Benedict, as well as the mango chutney pancakes – a true delight!
September Surf
This relaxed little cafe serves as the perfect spot for an equally relaxed brunch. It’s hard to go wrong, as everything on the small menu is excellent. However, I have a soft spot for the Halloumi toast and the classic pancakes. Be warned: a victim of its popularity, September Surf Cafe is always crowded on weekends, but with a little patience, you’ll still be served quickly.
Also try in the same neighborhood: Barley’s and Sunny’s Dinette
Dinner
Damas
A true favourite, Damas serves Middle Eastern cuisine to share for occasions big and small. A note for holders of The Platinum Card from American Express: use your annual dining credit at Damas and thank me later.
Pichai
The Milesopedia team was lucky enough to share a holiday meal there. Our verdict: the Thai cuisine at this restaurant, listed in the Michelin Guide Quebec and also eligible for the annual dining credit of The Platinum Card from American Express, did not disappoint!
Vin Mon Lapin
This small restaurant in Little Italy will offer you a grand culinary experience. Named the best restaurant in the country by « Canada’s 100 Best, » you will probably need a reservation to taste the delights of the fresh and local cuisine of this small natural wine bar that has managed to distinguish itself from the largest restaurants nationwide. I had the pleasure of testing it before its nomination, and my expectations were surpassed.
Local and French Flavours
Toqué! and Jérôme Ferrer – Europea are renowned institutions that offer highly gastronomic experiences. Jérôme Ferrer – Europea is one of three Michelin-starred Montreal restaurants, tested and approved by Aline and myself.
For a more casual Bring Your Own Wine option, our graphic designer Evelyne recommends Les Canailles and its seasonal menu. Finally, wine lovers absolutely must try Annette Bar à Vin.
Italian
Located in the heart of Old Montreal, BEVO has just released its new menu for summer 2025. My colleague and I had the chance to test it, and we particularly recommend the burrata and truffle pizza, accompanied by a Bellini spritz or an organic white wine.
Elena stands out among the many excellent restaurants on Notre-Dame Street in Saint-Henri. Whether as a couple or in a group, I highly recommend sharing dishes, as everything is absolutely delicious.
Other must-try Italian restaurants in Montreal: Mano Cornuto, Nora Gray, and BarBara.
Japanese cuisine
My colleague Aline frequently travels to Japan, and her expertise is not limited to points and rewards; she also knows how to find the best Japanese restaurants in Montreal.
For the best sushi:
- Hidden Fish
- Park
- Jun I
- Nozy
And the best of Japanese cuisine in general:
- Biiru, Izakaya
- Sansotei Ramen
- Otto Yakitori Izakaya, where you must try the yakitori
- Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ, a must-try for the yakiniku experience
Other Must-Visit Restaurants
- Lucille’s Oyster Dive for lobster rolls and oysters
- Nikkei on Laurier, for excellent Peruvian fusion
- Barranco on St-Denis, another excellent Peruvian restaurant
- Joe Beef for everything on the menu, but especially for the famous lobster spaghetti, approved by Aline
- Brasseurs du Monde and its superb bistro-style menu recommended by my colleague
Montreal – Coffee and Ice Cream Breaks
The Best Ice Cream Parlours
Iconoglace
Unique and authentic recipes, a wide variety of vegan options, and local ingredients: it’s not just ice cream, Icono Glace is a destination in itself to end summer evenings beautifully. For a lighter option, I highly recommend the Kombucha float.
Noble Café
In addition to creating the perfect neighborhood ambiance, this tiny cafe serves excellent floats in the summer: cold brew, matcha, and many other delicious flavors. Located right across from Laurier metro station, it’s a mandatory stop on the way to an afternoon at Parc Laurier.
Other options:
- Les Givrés in Old Rosemont for excellent homemade sorbets
- Kem CoBa and its weekly flavor that never disappoints
- Hoche glacé which serves the best homemade and vegan ice cream in Hochelaga
The Best Coffees
Montreal no longer needs to prove its reputation with its independent cafes, which are far more numerous than those of large chains.
Olimpico
A Mile-End institution since 1970, renowned for the excellence of its Italian coffee and cannolis, Café Olimpico now also has locations downtown and in Old Montreal.
Crew Collective Café
What was once a bank has been voted Montreal’s most beautiful cafe by Tastet. Crew Collective is also an inspiring co-working space, with architecture that will make you feel like you’re in a movie scene. An inspiring place to eat, work, or socialize.
Café Ma Bicyclette
The perfect meeting point to start or end a run or bike ride, get your caffeine fix (or your post-workout reward) at Ma Bicyclette cafe, located directly along the Lachine Canal.
Other excellent cafes near the Lachine Canal:
- Café Bloom
- Café Redwood
- Clarke Café
- Lili & Oli
These other great spots have stood out for the quality of their coffee and other menu items, for their welcoming space, and friendly service.
- On Plateau Mont-Royal and in Mile-End:
- the cookies at Café Névé
- Americano
- Café In Gamba
- Downtown:
- Parma Café
- Pigeon Café
- La Finca Café
- MELK Café
- Café Humble Lion
Conclusion
Montreal is a foodie destination, and this list could be much longer. For more great recommendations, we invite you to explore the Michelin Guide as well as the list of restaurants eligible for the $200 annual dining credit of The Platinum Card from American Express. Enjoy!
- Annual fee
- $191.88
- Our valuationMilesopedia first-year estimate First-year valueWelcome bonus$255Total$255Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
- $255
- Welcome offerGet 1,250 points after $750 in purchases per month for 12 months
- Up to 15,000 points
Apply Now
on American Express's website
Apply with confidenceCheck whether your application will be approved before you submit it, with no impact on your credit score*When you apply for a personal American Express Credit Card, we will tell you whether you are eligible without affecting your credit score. So you can apply with confidence.*Instant decisions are only available for consumer Card applications (also called “personal Cards”).
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best restaurants in Montreal for the summer?
Montreal is full of excellent restaurants to discover during the summer season. Among the addresses recommended by the Milesopedia team are Damas for Middle Eastern cuisine, Pichai for Thai cuisine, and Vin Mon Lapin for a culinary experience recognized in Canada. These establishments stand out for the quality of their cuisine and the dining experience they offer.
Where to enjoy the best patios in Montreal?
Several patios offer spectacular views or a unique summer ambiance in Montreal. Must-visits include Terrasse Alizé, Terrasse Belvu at Marriott Château Champlain, and Terrasse sur l’Auberge with its view of the Old Port. Other popular options include Perché Bar Terrasse and Terrasse St-Ambroise along the Lachine Canal.
What are the best cafes in Montreal?
Montreal has a very dynamic coffee scene, with many independent establishments renowned for the quality of their coffee. Among the best known are Café Olimpico, a Mile-End institution, Crew Collective Café housed in a spectacular former bank building, and Café Ma Bicyclette near the Lachine Canal.
Which Montreal neighborhoods are ideal for discovering restaurants and cafes?
Certain neighbourhoods are particularly renowned for their gastronomic offerings. Plateau-Mont-Royal and Mile-End boast numerous independent cafes and restaurants, while Old Montreal and downtown offer several patios and gourmet restaurants. The Village, meanwhile, becomes very lively in summer with many patios along Sainte-Catherine Street.
How to earn points by dining out in Montreal?
Some credit cards allow you to accumulate more points when dining out. For example, cards like the American Express Cobalt Card can offer up to 5 points per dollar spent at restaurants and grocery stores. These points can then be transferred to loyalty programs to reduce the cost of future travel.
