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L'ExpressvsJoe Beef
Both restaurants are highly recommended by those who travel for a living. Overall, L'Express ranks significantly higher than Joe Beef. L'Express comes in at #2 in Montreal with accolades from 10 publications like Insight Guides, Michelin Guide and BlackBook.
L'Express
Concierge
Fodor's
Insight Guides
Travel + Leisure
BlackBook
Gayot
Michelin Guide
DK Eyewitness
Frommer's
National Geographic Show All Reviews
3927 rue St-Denis (At rue Roy), Montreal, Quebec H2W 2M4, Canada
From $1/night
Concierge "The food is nothing new, but it's all done well: grilled salmon on a bed of spinach, a mean steak frites, beef marrow served in large bones. Squint and you're in Paris."
Fodor's "L'Express is the closest thing Montréal (and maybe even Canada) has to a Parisian bistro." Full review
Insight Guides "The essence of Montreal dining, with marble tabletops, a long narrow bar, and great, unpretentious French bistro food. "
Travel + Leisure "Open since 1980, the restaurant is still the spot for expertly prepared French classics such as the generous pot-au-feu or the citrusy octopus-and-lentil salad." Full review
BlackBook "Black and white tiled floors, walls the colour of wine stains, paper–covered tables and those little bitter pickles sent from heaven."
Gayot14.0
"If you're looking for the true Parisian bistro experience in Montréal, look no further than L'Express." Full review
i
There was even a secret, more interesting --- and more affordable --- wine list that customers in-the-know would request.
Michelin Guide "Chic and classic, this is a prized institution on the Montreal dining scene."
DK Eyewitness "This almost perfect re-creation of a Paris bistro is extremely popular for its lively ambience with good and reasonably priced food, plus a great wine cellar."
Frommer's "No obvious sign announces L'Express, with its name only spelled out discreetly in white tiles in the sidewalk." Full review
National Geographic "Handwritten menu just like in Paris with white tablecloths, mirrors, noise level, and service to match; kitchen open late to accommodate après-théâtre rush for classic steak-frites; cold meat plates" Full review
Joe Beef Concierge Fodor's Travel + Leisure BlackBook
Rough Guide National Geographic
Tasting Table
Afar Magazine
Condé Nast Traveler
The Infatuation Show All Reviews
2491 Notre-Dame Ouest, Montreal, Quebec H3J 1N6, Canada
From $22/night
Concierge "2485 Notre-Dame Street W.
Little Burgundy
..."
i
This place is small, so reserve your table at least three days in advance.
Fodor's "Dining at Joe Beef is a little like being invited to a dinner party by a couple of friends who just happen to be top-notch chefs." Full review
Travel + Leisure "Chef-owners Frédéric Morin and David McMillan are the mavericks behind Joe Beef, a delightfully disheveled counterpoint to the city’s often overstyled restaurants." Full review
BlackBook "25-seat diner positively oozes charm."
Rough Guide " The chefs take advantage of the nearby Atwater Market to compose their simple but inspired dishes, from Prince Edward Island oysters to juicy steak with bone marrow to the foie gras “double down"."
National Geographic "“Chefs Dave MacMillan and Fred Morin used to work the flashier circuit—their scene is now more blue-collar attitude [still] at blue-blooded prices.”" Full review
i
Advance reservations required.
Tasting Table "The chalkboard menu changes constantly, but standards, including an infernally indulgent lobster spaghetti, are worth pairing with surprises, such as cornflake-crusted eel nuggets. " Full review
Afar Magazine "This Little Burgundy mainstay is the headquarters of chefs David McMillan and Frédéric Morin." Full review
Condé Nast Traveler "Joe Beef is remarkably casual. It feels like a neighborhood pub, complete with long wood bar and a stag head on the wall—a sign of the meaty deliciousness to come." Full review
i
Be sure to make reservations well in advance.
The Infatuation "If you only have one meal in Montreal, it should be here. Clear an entire night for dinner because between ordering bottles from their expansive wine list and plates of French-Quebecois classics." Full review
i
Order the lobster spaghetti and then let the staff guide you through the specials, like foie gras Nanaimo bars and fiddlehead carbonara. From summer to early fall, try for a table under the string lights on their garden terrace.
