53 spots for late-night eats in Montreal

One of the best ever reasons to seek out sustenance in the small hours is as a preventative hangover measure at the end of a fun-ass night. Luckily some of the best greasy spoons in town know this, so their hours are NUTS: the iconic Gibeau Orange Julep (4 am), Montreal Pool Room (4 am) in Quartier des Spectacles and poutine mecca La Banquise (24h) on the Plateau, for starters. Get yourself a baseball burger and skinny fries at Patati Patata (2 am), a fried chicken Santa Fe burger at Allons Burger (1 am), a souvlaki at Ligne Rouge (1:30 am except for Sunday and Monday) or a steamé at Décarie Hot Dog (1 am). Paulo et Suzanne in Cartierville doles out its famous casse-croûte classic and killer fries until anywhere between midnight and all-night, depending on the day of the week.

Follow a fun night of live music or theatre with a late-night meal at one of the city’s best and most beloved French restaurants, L'Express (2 am). Wine bar BarBara (1 am) serves up antipasti and fresh pastas late, while at Marci (midnight), on Plaza Saint-Hubert, it’s all about New Jersey style pizza and Caesar salad. Get a taste of Hong Kong after dark at the Chinatown restaurant Dynastie (3 am) or next-level Japanese inspired delights at NOMI (1 am, but closed Sunday through Tuesday).

We all know pub food, but some brewpubs really do raise the gastronomic bar—and when they keep they’re kitchens open late, it’s an undeniable plus. At Petite-Patrie’s Isle de Garde (either 1 or 2 am, depending on the night) the food is a reason to visit in itself (try the Brussels sprouts with black garlic and miso). Vices & Versa (either 1 or 3 am, depending on the night) in Little Italy serves up satisfying homemade meals, as do Le Saint-Houblon (3 am) and Burgundy Lion (3 am), specialized in British fare, including a famous fish’n’chips. At Bishop & Bagg (either 2 or 3 am, depending on the night) you can extend your karaoke or pub quiz night into a feast featuring jerk chicken or braised beef cheeks (don’t forget the whisky cake), while at Projet Pilote (either midnight or 1 am, depending on  the night) it’s all about finesse, from the seasonal gnocchi to the mushroom tartine.

Clink glasses of red, white, orange or rosé all day (and night) while noshing on some of the city’s greatest dishes at these night-owl wine bars. At Buvette Chez Simone (1 am) on the Plateau you can order an entire roasted chicken and veg to share with your chosen family du jour. Snack on Venetian crostini at the pretty Bar Cichetti (1 am), or on seared scallops and kale salad at Bar Henrietta (3 am). Slurp some oysters on the half-shell at Le Rouge Gorge (open until anywhere between midnight and 3 am, depending on the night) and on spicy lamb pizza at Pamplemousse (either 1 or 2 am, depending on the night). At Bar Suzanne (open until midnight, 1 or 2 am, depending on the night) everybody goes for the dumplings, while at Buvette Pompette (1 am) it’s about croquetas and patatas bravas. Vinvinvin (open until anywhere from 1 to 3 am, depending on the night) has a small menu, but it includes fresh crab—and a baloney sandwich.

Start the fun right after work at these hot spots and make it last, last, last ‘til the small hours in the full knowledge that you can quell any craving at any time. Noice! At Atwater Cocktail Club (3 am) you can get the creativity and flavours of next door restaurant Foiegwa’s dishes (amazing steak tartar and truffle spaghetti), but in a bar. It’s casual at Doubles Late Night (3 am), but who doesn’t love a brioche bun burger? Order the pork belly udon at Korean club Bar Ganadara (open until either midnight or 1:30 am, depending on the night), and the scratch-made hot dog at Le Majestique (3 am). Taverne Atlantic (1 am) is known for its wood-fired pizzas, and guess what they serve at Spaghetti Western (3 am)?

Eating late isn’t always because of fiesta time—sometimes it’s just when your shift ends, your workout is done, or life sets you free. For a filling, satisfying meal when most other restaurants are closed, grab a shawarma plate at Boustan (open until anytime between 2 am and all night, depending on the weekday and location) or a smoked meat platter at Dunn’s (5 am). At downtown’s French brasserie Chez Alexandre (3 am), moules-frites and garlic escargots await. Get bento boxes and ramen—and a sake cocktail or two—at Otto Yakitori Izakaya (1 to 1:30 am, depending on the night), and at Caribbean Food Factory (24 hours), pick up goat curry or ackee and saltfish.

Montreal is quickly becoming a super club city, with more and more of these giant spaces opening every year. But they’re not just flash places to people-watch, pick up and party—the following serve up actually delicious food. Hang (open until midnight or 1 am, depending on the day) make one of the best phos in town. At Bord’elle (3 am, but weekends only), go for braised short ribs, while at Yoko Luna (open anywhere from midnight to 3 am, weekends only) it’s all about Nikkei ceviches, wagyu quesadillas and sticky sesame ribs. Farsides (midnight to 2 am) specializes in Thai and Hawaiian cuisine. Go to Flyjin (3 am, weekends only) for incredible tataki and seafood tacos, and to Soubois (3 am, weekends only) for grilled Cornish hen with smoked potatoes. At La Voûte (3 am, weekends only) it’s fancy sushi and steaks.

Oh, were you just waking up? Or are you just in the mood for breakfast? Whatever the time of day, Fairmount Bagel (open 24h) will enrobe you in its fresh-baked sesame bagel aroma and provide you with all the carbs you want. Get a full two-eggs-meats-and-more deal at east-end all-night spot Chez La Mère (24h), though they also make pizza, burgers and, um, Chinese food. At the amazingly decorated Miami Deli (24h), all trompe l’oeil palm trees, the all-day (and night) breakfast ranges from French toast to breakfast poutine. Head to the McGill ghetto’s Milton B (24h) coffee shop for yummy eggs Benny and Belgian waffles.

Oooh, the munchies are hitting and corner store chocolate just won’t cut it. Head out to Mile Ex’s Crêpes MTL (either 1 or 2 am, depending on the night) for a late-night, fully loaded crêpe creation, like the one rolled into a cone and filled to the brim with crème brûlée. Mood Crèpes & Glaces (2 am except Friday and Saturday) also rocks a mean crêpe as well as Belgian-chocolate dipped ice creams, while Lokma (3 am) is your spot for Turkish donuts drizzled in chocolate and more. At Boulangerie Salerno (24h) you can get ALL the Italian sweets, from cannoli to bomboloni to entire multicoloured cakes.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Crêpes MTL (@crepes.mtl)