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Are Montreal poutines really gastronomic dishes? When it comes to Quebec gastronomy, gastronomy being also a term associated with “what we eat”, we can’t overlook poutine. Increasingly famous abroad, poutine is still snubbed by many of our compatriots. Yet it can be so comforting. How many restaurants do you know that are overflowing at 4 a.m. with such a unique little specialty?
The book Maudite Poutine, published by Héliotrope, states that “Quebec gastronomy is a real lumberjack cuisine, not recommended for dieters”. Indeed, perhaps that’s one of the reasons why Quebecers are so jovial; we’re bon vivants, and it shows in our cooking. And to get through the torpor and rigours of our winters, we do need these delights for the body and soul, not for the diet.
The origins of poutine are controversial. What is certain is that the traditional Quebec dish first appeared in the late 1950s in central Quebec (where many Quebec cheesemakers specialized in cheddar curds).
Poutine essentials:
- Cheese curds
- Gravy
- French fries
- Any other ingredient you like (some get creative and add meat, vegetables and other ingredients, like Martin Picard’s foie gras at Pied de Cochon).
SPECIAL MENTION
Chez Ma Tante Patates Frites: to satisfy your craving for a classic poutine!
Here are Montreal’s best poutines:
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- Counter
Chez Tousignant
This exceptional little snack bar offers a canteen-style menu of Quebec dishes where you can eat one of the best poutines in the city! The retro decor reminds you of a diner right out of the 1950s and 60s. They serve a classic poutine made with Quebec-grown potatoes, sprinkled with Tousignant’s own spice mix. These are then topped with Quebec-sourced cheese curds and a chicken gravy.
6956 Rue Drolet
Montréal
- Counter
Gibeau Orange Julep
Julep’s doors were opened by owner Hermas Gibeau way back in 1932 but the huge orange-shaped structure only appeared later, in 1945. Julep has been at its present location on Décarie since 1966 (51 years!). This is your classic fast-food kind of menu, but its considered a must-see in Montreal. The specialty is, as the name suggests, Orange Julep, but the poutine is also great! During the summer, Julep is open 24 hours a day.
7700 Boulevard Décarie
Montréal
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Patati Patata
Patati Patata is a charming “Friterie de Luxe” on Saint-Laurent Boulevard, serving its customers for over 20 years! Don’t be taken aback by the small size of the place because you’re here for the excellent poutines, not the location. The portion is reasonable, not enough to make you sick, but just enough to satisfy a craving. The house also offers an affordable poutine breakfast option. You can also visit their second location in the Jean-Talon Market!
4177 Boulevard Saint-Laurent
Montréal
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Chez Claudette
Chez Claudette is a Plateau Mont-Royal classic that offers over 30 different kinds of poutine! The cozy restaurant welcomes neighbourhood regulars who come to enjoy a classic breakfast or a good poutine. Some come for a quick bite, others to linger and read a book. Although the house offers some of the most original poutines, we come for the classic, which is simply delicious!
351 Avenue Laurier Est
Montréal
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Paulo et Suzanne
Paulo & Suzanne is open 24/7, and located right next to Sacré-Cœur Hospital. This is a Montreal landmark where some of the city’s best poutines have been served for more than 30 years. The traditional poutine comes in two sizes, small and large, and there are a dozen or so different poutine options. The service is delightful and portions are generous.
5501 Boulevard Gouin Ouest
Montréal
Au Pied de Cochon
Au Pied de Cochon is one of Montreal’s most famous restaurants. It was one of the first “upscale” addresses to put poutine on its menu. And not just any poutine: Foie Gras poutine! It’s well-known, and for good reason: it’s decadent and delectable. Made with a foie gras and cream sauce and topped with pieces of seared foie gras, it’s memorable!
536 Avenue Duluth Est
Montréal
- Restaurant
- Counter
Ma Poule Mouillée
Opened in 2013 at the corner of Rachel and Boyer, Ma Poule Mouillée has become one of Montreal’s best Portuguese “chicken counter/take-out” style restaurants. Here you can eat some of the best poutine in town! Entitled “Bon, les Portugais font de la Poutine!”, the address offers a delicious poutine with São Jorge cheese, grilled chicken and chorizo. You can also order a regular poutine.
969 Rachel Street East
Montreal
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Nouveau Système Beaubien
Open since 1962, Nouveau Système is a Beaubien Street staple when it comes to classic poutine. Open 7 days a week, the place serves all the typical Quebec snack dishes, from breakfasts to late-night snacks. Regular or Italian poutine, this traditional Québécois dish is served in a friendly, retro atmosphere!
323 Rue Beaubien Est
Montréal
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Paul Patates
Open since 1958, Paul Patates is a Pointe-Saint-Charles institution. Here, freshness and quality are the watchwords. Among all its excellent snack dishes, we come here especially for its excellent steamés topped with delicious coleslaw and mustard.
760 Rue Charlevoix
Montréal
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Nouveau Système Beaubien
Greenspot is a classic that seems to have been around forever, but first opened in the ’40s. The place features simple, well-made fast food dishes. Their burgers, hot dogs and poutines are a total throwback. We love to go for the atmosphere and the old-timey decor, which makes us feel like it’s the 50’s. You either love Greenspot or hate it. We love it, and we love their poutine too.
323 Rue Beaubien Est
Montréal
- Restaurant
- Counter
La Banquise
Of course, when you’re thinking of Montreal poutine, you can’t forget la Banquise. This restaurant is a Montreal institution and we come here to enjoy all kinds of poutine, at any time of the day. Yes, La Banquise is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week! Among the most popular with customers, there are variations where meat is in the spotlight, such as the T-Rex (ground steak, pepperoni, bacon and hot dog sausage) and the Fred Caillou (ground steak, smoked meat, spicy sausage and merguez sausage). There are also more surprising flavours, such as La Taquise (guacamole, sour cream and tomatoes) and La Sud-Ouest (bacon, red onions, guacamole, onion rings and Chipotle sauce).
994 Rue Rachel Est
Montréal
- Restaurant
- Sandwich shop
Roch le Coq
The house offers 4 different poutines, including 2 signature Roch le Coq creations that are a must-try! The first, Philo, is a classic poutine with fried chicken, green onions and hot sauce. The second is served with fried chicken, pikliz and hot sauce. A real treat!
1541 Avenue Van Horne
Montréal
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Montréal Pool Room
You can’t miss this Montreal institution, which has been open for over a century. While the Montreal Pool Room served nothing but steamed hot dogs and fries in their early days, it didn’t take long for poutine to become an integral part of the menu – and they do it well! This greasy spoon on St-Laurent Boulevard is open until midnight on weekdays and until 4 a.m. on weekends to satisfy your late-night cravings.
1217 Boulevard Saint-Laurent
Montréal
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La Belle Tonki
La Belle Tonki serves delicious fusion cuisine! The menu features Vietnamese and Cambodian-inspired dishes. A favourite? The kimcheesy poutine (winner of La Poutine Week 2021). It’s made with “Spicy Challenge” spicy cheddar ramen sauce, kimchi, homemade sweet and sour sauce, popcorn chicken and, of course, French fries and cheese curds. Definitely worth a try!
1335 Rue Beaubien Est
Montréal
Casse-Croûte MangeDansMonHood
MangeDansMonHood is the second project from the owners of La Belle Tonki. At first, it was a short-lived pop-up, but given the popularity of the project, the idea of making the concept permanent took hold. The menu is short, and so much the better: you don’t need anything more. It’s a delicious poutine packed with flavour!
1380 Rue Jean-Talon Est
Montréal
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La Belle Tonki
L’ardoise de la Belle Tonki est surprenante. On y trouve une cuisine fusion asiatique : un mélange entre la culture vietnamienne et cambodgienne, combinaison également saupoudrée des saveurs de Montréal. En d’autres mots, La Belle Tonki est probablement le seul restaurant au monde où vous pourrez manger une soupe phở et une poutine simultanément. Parlant poutine, la Kimcheesy est un incontournable de l’établissem*nt. Elle a d’ailleurs remporté La Poutine Week 2021!
1335 Rue Beaubien Est
Montréal
Casse-Croûte MangeDansMonHood
MangeDansMonHood était initialement un pop-up éphémère tenu par les propriétaires de La Belle Tonki. Vu le succès grandissant et la disponibilité d’un local pignon sur rue, ils ont décidé d’ouvrir leur casse-croûte de façon permanente. Et c’est tant mieux pour nous! Le menu est court, mais on n’a besoin de rien de plus : Deux burgers, des frites, les fameuses «Ol’ Dirty Fries» et une délicieuse poutine classique.
1380 Rue Jean-Talon Est
Montréal
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- Counter
Chez Ma Tante Patates Frites
Chez Ma Tante trône en tant qu’incontournable institution de Montréal-Nord, célébrant l’art du hot-dog et des frites depuis son ouverture en 1929. Ce casse-croûte légendaire demeure résolument fidèle à la recette qui a forgé sa renommée : des hot-dogs parmi les meilleurs en ville, de divines frites, et l’ingrédient secret qui fait toute la différence : une générosité contagieuse de sourires !
3180 Rue Fleury Est
Montréal
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