17 Best Places Where to Eat and Drink in Villeray
Villeray has become a trendy neighbourhood for hipsters looking for a change of pace. With great places to eat and drink, this neighbourhood will keep you refreshed after a long day of exploring.
This neighbourhood is home to so many amazing places to eat and drink. We want you to experience the best of what Villeray has to offer!
There are some really great restaurants and bars in Villeray. Here’s a list of 17 great spots to eat and drink in the neighbourhood.
Where to Eat and Drink in Villeray
1. Meli-Melo Market
Address: 640 Rue Jarry E, Montréal, QC H2P 1V7, Canada
Phone: (514) 277-6409
Website: Visit Website
The go-to spot for authentic Haitian cuisine, and a longtime fixture in the neighborhood. Meli-griot Melo’s cubes have been a staple of Villeray residents since 1984. The front-space grocery area has an additional jar of pikliz on the shelf.
2. Bar Le Record
Address: 7622 Rue St-Hubert, Montréal, QC H2R 2N6, Canada
Phone: (438) 386-9433
Website: Visit Website
Stroll back in time to the Mad Man period at this Saint-Hubert Street shop that plays records from the era. Wines are served by the glass, while the cocktail menu is dominated by gin and bourbon. It’s a terrific spot for a first date.
3. Tandem
Address: 586 Rue Villeray, Montréal, QC H2R 1H6, Canada
Phone: (514) 277-3339
Website: Visit Website
No, Tandem isn’t only a wonderful BYOB option in Villeray; it’s an excellent restaurant period.
French staples like foie gras and meaty entrees stuffed with mushrooms and buttery sauces fill the menu at Pascale Turgeon’s restaurant in New Orleans.
4. Mr. Azteca
Address: 7349 Rue St-Hubert, Montréal, QC H2R 2N4, Canada
Phone: (438) 387-3876
Website: Visit Website
A local taqueria specializing in more than just tacos; they also serve chilaquiles rojos, flautas, gorditas, and a wide variety of vegetarian alternatives.
5. Tapeo
Address: 511 Rue Villeray, Montréal, QC H2R 1H5, Canada
Phone: (514) 495-1999
Website: Visit Website
Tapas are the main emphasis of this 100-seat Spanish restaurant, which has been around since 2004.
A broad variety of foods, all designed to be shared, are available to diners, including must-haves like fried calamari, albacore tuna, and grilled shrimp, among others. Another standout dish is the paella.
6. Knuckles Cantine & Vins
Address: 241 Rue Jarry E, Montréal, QC H2P 1T6, Canada
Phone: (438) 380-3858
Website: Visit Website
In addition to its “knuckles” or panzerroti (golden-fried envelopes of dough filled with tomatoes and cheese), chef Vincent Lévesque-Lepage (previously of Hoogan & Beaufort) is also dishing up raved-about pasta dishes packed with local ingredients.
7. Restaurant Vesta
Address: 206 Rue Jarry E, Montréal, QC H2P 1T5, Canada
Phone: (514) 543-7725
Website: Visit Website
However, Villeray’s Vesta makes its pizza thicker and crispier than its sister restaurant Gema, which sticks more closely to the Neapolitan style.
This side of the Atlantic also has cheesy Italian-American side dishes like mozzarella sticks and garlic knots that are covered in a cacio e pepe sauce.
8. Huis Clos
Address: 7659 Rue Saint-Denis, Montréal, QC H2R 2E7, Canada
Phone: (514) 419-8579
Website: Visit Website
When this pub first opened eight years ago, few people would have thought to travel to Villeray for a night out of drinking.
The icing on the cake is the high-end bar menu, which is heavy on seafood specialties like oysters and tartare.
9. Restaurant Moccione
Address: 380 Rue Villeray, Montréal, QC H2R 1G9, Canada
Phone: (514) 270-4441
Website: Visit Website
Even though Villeray is home to a slew of restaurants serving up authentic Italian fare, this three-year-old establishment may be the most sought-after.
At Toqué, owner Luca Cianciulli drew on his years of expertise at the renowned restaurant, and the result is simple, exquisite meals with an inviting setting.
10. Cafécoquetel
Address: 426 Rue Faillon E, Montréal, QC H2R 1L4, Canada
Phone: (514) 543-3542
Website: Visit Website
A rose latte in the morning, a drink (or mocktail) in the afternoon, and grilled cheese and veggie-heavy nibbles round out the menu at this Villeray newcomer.
11. Lahmajoune Villeray
Address: 420 Rue Faillon E, Montréal, QC H2R 1L4, Canada
Phone: (514) 243-7110
A former employee of the now-defunct lahmajoun bakery Chez Apo has launched a new business in the same Villeray neighborhood.
The tomatoey, meaty flatbreads that the restaurant is named after will be available, as well as a variety of house-made dips, candies, and munchies.
12. Braseiro
Address: 8261 Boul St-Laurent, Montréal, QC H2P 2M1, Canada
Phone: (514) 389-0606
Seafood and grilled chicken are the mainstays at this Portuguese restaurant; you’ll leave feeling satiated after you’ve devoured everything on the menu.
13. Café Ferlucci
Address: 432 Rue de Castelnau E, Montréal, QC H2R 1R3, Canada
Phone: (514) 379-6575
Website: Visit Website
Traditional Italian-style espresso, as well as panini and grilled cheese sandwiches, are on the menu at this café, which is located on the ground level of an old duplex that was recently renovated.
It’s also worth checking out the extensive VHS collection.
14. Café Vito
Address: 151 Rue Villeray, Montréal, QC H2R 1G4, Canada
Phone: (514) 564-3131
Website: Visit Website
This Italian coffee business in Mile End, opened by a former Olimpico barista, serves excellent espresso, cannoli, and paninis.
If you decide to remain, you’ll almost certainly be able to hear a soccer game being played in the background.
15. La Ruelle Épicerie et Café
Address: 7807 Boul. Saint-Laurent, Montréal, QC H2R 1X1, Canada
Phone: (438) 476-7449
Website: Visit Website
If you’re in the mood for some Colombian comfort cuisine like veggie or beef arepas or Southern classics like brisket sandwiches and three-cheese mac and cheese, head over to LaRuelle, which is just a short walk from Jarry Park.
Purchase Colombian coffee, spicy sauce and plantains chips from the many stores that carry these products. They’re delicious.
16. Comptoir Sainte-Cécile
Address: 232 Rue de Castelnau E, Montréal, QC H2R 1P5, Canada
Phone: (514) 271-9888
Website: Visit Website
Comptoir Sainte-Cécile, a five-year-old French restaurant, offers a wide variety of salads, soups, desserts, and sandwiches.
Salmon tartare sandwiches stuffed with potato confit sour cream and curry mayo are among the most recent offerings. They also have a wide selection of Quebec wines, ciders, and beers on hand.
17. Alep/Le Petit Alep
Address: 199 Rue Jean-Talon Est, Montréal, QC H2R 1S8, Canada
Phone: (514) 270-6396
Website: Visit Website
When it comes to authentic Syrian and Armenian cuisine served in a formal atmosphere, Alep is the go-to spot. The relaxed cafe Le Petit Alep, right next door, shares a kitchen and serves lunch with the same extensive wine selection.
[BONUS] 8 bars in and around Villeray for beer, cocktails, and wine
Bar-St-Denis
A group of ex-Au Pied de Cochon cooks and bartenders constructed this establishment barely a block outside Villeray’s southernmost boundary.
Drinks that are both skillful and uncomplicated are served in a beautifully gorgeous setting.
While the wine list and cocktail menu are given equal care, the beer menu features a wide range of styles, from classic ales to hoppy IPAs that are worthy of a moustache twirl.
Just to be clear, if the proprietors’ prior experience in the hotel industry wasn’t sufficient, If you don’t try any of the cuisine, you’ve wasted your time.
Brasserie Harricana
Rather than a traditional pub, Harricana’s interior is more of a swanky speakeasy, complete with large circular hardwood tables and leather upholsteries and frothy ales.
Even if it’s just a few blocks from Villeray, it’s a major player in the Montreal beer scene, so we couldn’t leave it out of our list.
A small town family brewery that operated from 1975 to 2013 is the name of the game at this restaurant, but the cuisine is also excellent. First come, first served at this establishment, so get there early if you want a seat.
Miss Villeray
Since 1960, this establishment has been serving up cocktails and good times, and the neon sign outside should tell you everything you need to know.
On the weekends, Miss Villeray is still a terrific site for drinking and eating with friends, especially if you’re in the mood for some tartare or shrimp rolls and a glass of wine or a cocktail.
One of Villeray’s best neighborhood bars and a must-stop on every bar crawl.
EtOH Brasserie
The technical shorthand for the “ethyl” and “hydroxyl” qualities of grain alcohol is the inspiration for EtOH’s moniker.
In addition to the 20 beers on tap, this brewery sets itself apart from the pack by arranging its choices according on ideal serving temperature, and they’re also giving flights that allow you to enjoy their beers exactly as they were designed to be served.
A growler can be yours for free at the end of the meal if you enjoyed what you tried that much.
Le Pourvoyeur
Le Pourvoyeur, located on Jean-Talon just south of Villeray, has joined the ranks of Montreal pubs that prioritize gin offerings.
There is no kidding around when it comes to their gin-based drinks: their trademark cocktail menu, their classic cocktails, their shared cocktails, and even their shooter options all include gin.
Over 100 gins from Quebec, the United States, Italy, South Africa, the Czech Republic, and the United Kingdom (to name just a few) are part of their impressive bar.
Mellön
It’s an honorary member of this organization because it’s located just outside Villeray but is still part of the St-André Street brewing group, and it’s gained a lot of favorable momentum for the beer it’s been serving up in its 80-seat taproom.
Alexandre Pontbriand and David Goudreau, the master brewers behind the initiative, don’t serve food, but they’ll allow you to bring in any cuisine you want—perhaps a meal from one of Villeray’s greatest restaurants?
Bar 8004
8004 is a quintessential Quebec bar where locals and bohemians alike go to drink blue collar pilseners, watch hockey, gamble on the slots, and shoot some pool.
This is the place to go if you want to meet someone who has lived in Villeray for decades and want to get away from the crowds for a few rounds.
Le petit 26
The Villeray bar, owned by Mike Sicuso and Richard Jannelle, is ideal for workplace parties or for watching Habs games with your whole department. It’s the perfect size for large crowds.
However, the former is more prevalent than the latter: If you attend in June when their back terrace opens up and a bespoke projection screen is set up, you’ll get the greatest view of whichever game is on the screen.
Make a few boilermakers and have a good time!
Conclusion
There are so many places to eat and drink in Villeray that I could have created a full list of the best eateries and bars. But instead, I chose the 17 that I believe are the best.
These are the ones that offer the most delicious food and the best service. And these are the ones that I recommend the most.
So, I hope that you enjoy this list. Let me know if you find any of the recommendations inaccurate and if I missed any important ones.
