Since the arrival of the prestigious Michelin Guide in Quebec in 2025, Montreal has reaffirmed its status as an exceptional culinary destination. With its starred restaurants, lively terraces, and specialty cafes, the city offers a highly diverse culinary scene for summer 2025.
The Milesopedia team has scoured the city to bring you our pick of the best restaurants. Carefully selected locations where the quality is top-notch, and where, for the most part, you can use your American Express cards to maximize your points during your gourmet outings.
Discover our suggestions for making the most of the summer season, whether it’s for an elegant dinner, a happy hour on a terrace, or a well-deserved coffee break.
Fund your next trip through dining out? It’s possible. With the right credit card, your restaurant outings can help you quickly accumulate points that will help cover your future travels.
Our card of choice is the American Express Cobalt® Card as it earns you 5 points for every dollar you spend at grocery stores and restaurants. Why choose this card over other high-multiplier options? Membership Rewards points are flexible and can be transferred to many airline and hotel programs, such as Aeroplan or Marriott Bonvoy.
By using these points wisely, it’s possible to achieve a value of 2 cents per point with Aeroplan. In other words, this is equivalent to a 10% return on every dollar spent at the restaurant!
Here are some other credit cards that offer 5x points on restaurant expenses:
The American Express Platinum Card® is appreciated not only for its many upscale travel benefits, but also for its famous $200 annual dining credit. It’s the perfect opportunity to treat yourself to some of the most renowned restaurants in Montreal.
Located on the 9th floor of the Humaniti Hotel Montreal, Autograph Collection, this terrace offers a Mediterranean-inspired menu with a wide variety of signature cocktails and mocktails. The summer line-up promises: Margarita Mondays with live DJs, Alizé-style tea time, and weekly themed evenings; a winning recipe for celebrating summer.
Since the opening of the HONEYROSE Hotel, Montreal, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel, the Muze Lounge & Terrace has become an appealing option downtown. With its retractable roof, the terrace welcomes guests in any weather and is spacious enough for groups. It’s the perfect spot for a post-work happy hour, tested and approved by the Milesopedia team.
The terrace of the Marriott Chateau Champlain offers a breathtaking view of downtown Montreal. Visit from Wednesday to Sunday to enjoy live DJs.
Bonus: you can earn 5x points by paying the bill with your Marriott Bonvoy® American Express®* Card.
Tip: If you’re staying at one of these Marriott Bonvoy hotels, make sure to charge your terrace expenses to your room. This way, you’ll earn points as a Marriott Bonvoy member, in addition to the 5 points per dollar if you pay your hotel expenses with one of the Marriott Bonvoy credit cards.
With its prime location offering an exceptional panoramic view of the Old Port of Montreal, the 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.
These terraces are also worth a visit:
If it happens to rain, we recommend two gourmet food courts that do Montreal proud: Time Out Market and Le Central. Both located downtown, they offer a selection to satisfy every taste and craving, featuring cuisine from some of the city’s most renowned restaurants.
Located on Rue de la Commune, Gaspar’s new breakfast menu is the perfect way to start a summer’s day in the Old Port. I particularly recommend the eggs Benedict with salmon gravlax, as well as the pancakes with mango chutney, a real delight!
This small, casual café is the perfect venue for an equally casual brunch. It’s hard to go wrong, as everything on the small menu is excellent. However, I’m partial to the Halloumi toast and classic pancakes. Be warned: victim of its popularity, September Surf Café is always packed on weekends, but with a little patience you’ll be served in no time.
Also worth a try in the same neighbourhood: Barley’s and Sunny’s Dinette
A true favourite, Damas offers Middle Eastern cuisine perfect for sharing on both big and small occasions. Heads-up for holders of the American Express Platinum Card® use your annual dining credit at Damas and thank me later.
The Milesopedia team had the pleasure of dining there for the holidays. Our verdict: the Thai cuisine at this restaurant featured in the Michelin Guide and also eligible for the annual American Express Platinum Card® credit, did not disappoint!
This little restaurant in Little Italy will give you a great culinary experience. Named the best restaurant in the country by “Canada’s 100 Best”, you’ll probably need a reservation to sample the fresh, local cuisine of this small, natural wine bar that has set itself apart from the biggest restaurants nationwide. I had the pleasure of testing it before its nomination, and my expectations were surpassed.
Le Toqué! and Jérôme Ferrer – Europea are renowned institutions offering highly gastronomic experiences. Jérôme Ferrer – Europea is one of Montreal’s three Michelin-starred restaurants, tested and approved by Alexandrine, Aline and myself.
For a more casual Bring Your Own Wine option, our graphic designer Evelyne recommends Les Canailles and its menu that changes with the seasons. Finally, wine lovers absolutely must try Annette Bar à Vin.
Located in the heart of the Old Port of Montreal, BEVO has just released its new menu for summer 2025. Alexandrine and I had the chance to try it out, and we particularly recommend the burrata and truffle pizza, accompanied by a bellini spritz or an organic white wine.
Elena knows how to stand out from the many excellent restaurants on rue Notre-Dame in Saint-Henri. Whether you’re a couple or a group, I highly recommend sharing dishes, as everything is absolutely delicious.
Other must-try Italian restaurants at Montreal include Mano Cornuto, Nora Gray and BarBara.
My colleague Aline travels frequently to Japan, and her expertise goes beyond points and rewards; she also knows how to find the best Japanese restaurants at Montreal.
For the best sushi:
And the best of Japanese cuisine in general:
Unique, authentic recipes, a wide variety of vegan options and home-grown ingredients: it’s not just ice cream, Icono Glace is a destination in itself to end summer evenings in style. As a lighter option, I highly recommend the Kombucha float.
In addition to creating the perfect neighbourhood ambiance, this tiny café serves excellent summertime floats: cold brew, matcha, and many other delicious flavours. Located just across from Laurier metro station, it’s a must-stop on the way to an afternoon in Laurier Park.
Other options:
Montreal has already established its reputation for coffee, with its independent cafes far outnumbering those of large chains.
An institution in Mile End since 1970, Café Olimpico is renowned for its excellent Italian coffee and cannolis. It now also has locations downtown and in Old Montreal.
What was once a bank, was voted the most beautiful café in Montreal by Tastet. The Crew Collective is also an inspiring co-working space, with architecture that will make you feel like you’re in a scene from a movie. An inspiring place to eat, work or socialize.
The perfect place to start or finish a run or bike ride, get your caffeine fix (or post-workout reward) at Café Ma Bicyclette, right on the banks of the Lachine Canal.
Other excellent cafés near the Lachine Canal :
These other great spots have distinguished themselves through the quality of their coffee and other menu items, as well as their welcoming spaces and friendly service.
Montreal is a gourmet destination, and the 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 from the American Express Platinum Card®. Enjoy your meal!
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