Best Japanese Restaurants in Montreal

Before the Shaughnessy Village restaurant boom, there was Kazu; a no-frills spot that has been drawing lines of hungry patrons young and old to its 30-seat corridor of a dining room since its inception nearly a decade ago. Recently, Kazu has expanded into a much larger (but no less charming) space next door, which allows for even more people to enjoy their modern Japanese fare—from okonomiyaki to shrimp burgers.

Nestled into a quiet spot just a few blocks West of the Atwater Market, this airy bistro is a favorite among South West residents—and for good reason. Serving up teishoku-style set meals, which consists of a handful of smaller dishes, including miso soup, wakame, eggplant puree and karaage, to name a few, this is elevated Japanese fare at its finest.

Arguably the crown jewel of chef and owner Antonio Park’s restaurant portfolio, this high end sushi restaurant places major emphasis on what matters most: the fish. The only restaurant in Quebec to import seafood directly from Japan, guests can expect a rotating menu of seasonal maki, sashimi, and nigiri, as well as other Japanese dishes like teriyaki don and Kobe beef.

This casual izakaya-meets-bistro spot in the Plateau is perfect for a quick lunch during the week. owners Élyse Garand and Hidenori Tsuda have made a name for themselves thanks to their delightful (and visually stunning) takoyaki and okonomiyaki, but the intimate space also serves a great spot for a cup of fresh brewed coffee and a mango sorbet or matcha cake.

Who said vegetarian sushi can’t be refined or packed with umami? Not your typical avocado and cucumber rolls, this Plateau (and Time Out Market Montréal) mainstay has been serving up plant-based interpretations of sushi and sashimi since 2012. Well-loved by vegans and curious carnivores alike, here you’ll find creative rolls like the fried avocado maki with spicy jackfruit tartare and the fried sweet potato hosomaki with mushrooms and teriyaki sauce. The cozy Saint Denis Street also boasts an impressive list of natural wine and organic sake.

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Montreal may not be caught up with its big city neighbours in terms of its noodle game, but this downtown slurp shop seems to suggest that the tides are beginning to turn. First opened in 2015, Ichifuku is still one of the only ramen spots in the city that serves fresh, homemade noodles with homemade tonkotsu, shoyu, and shio broth.

The only restaurant on this list that ranks in Canada’s 100 Best Restaurants, this sophisticated spot is a harmonious hybrid between Japanese and French fare. Combining Japanese finesse, French technique, and high quality ingredients, here you’ll find decadent seafood like uni and local snow crab, paired with seasonal fusion dishes like grilled octopus with kombu, sesame paste, celeriac purée and black radish or duck magret with yuzu-kosho mayonnaise, black olive tapenade, burnt leeks and yuzu-beets granita.

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This downtown Japanese cookery has been turning out snack-sized dishes and ramen since its inception in 2010. The first Japanese izakaya in the city, this no-frills pub continues to set the standard of what a great izakaya should be: cheap beers and highballs and delightfully greasy fare like agedashi tofu, karaage, and takoyaki.

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A favourite among Saint-Henri residents, this raw-focused restaurant specializes in sushi, sashimi, and poke bowls, with premium ingredients including scallop, octopus, and fresh snow crab. The casual eatery also boasts a healthy vegetarian menu, rolls ranging from classic sweet potato tempura with cream cheese and spicy mayo to more unique options like the zen maki; an umami-packed combination of shiitake and oshinko mushrooms, carrots, mixed greens, and avocado.

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Hanhak Kim and Hiroshi Kitano have been serving up charcoal-grilled yakitori and sake until wee hours of the morning since opening on Saint Mathieu Street in 2016. The cozy Japanese pub specializes in decadent pork belly, lamb, and crisped chicken skin skewers, but there’s also something to be said about the veggie skewer selection—which ranges from brussel sprouts to enoki mushrooms.

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This much talked-about contemporary cookery is widely regarded as one of the best Japanese restaurants in Montreal. Helmed by restauranteur Hideyuki Imaizumi and kaiseki chef Tetsuya Shimizu, whose next-level dishes can also be found at Time Out Market Montréal, the karaage curry donburi and tonkotsu ramen steal the show, but there are also a handful of great vegetarian options, including a delightful veggie croquette donburi.

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Upon walking through the door, you may assume you’ve walked into an old school French brasserie or antique shop—but don’t let the eclectic decor fool you: refined rolls and seriously good sashimi and nigiri await at this kitschy sushi spot on the corner of Laurier and Marquette.  Aside from great sushi, the seasonal menu also offers surprising plates like the mouth-watering scallop and grapefruit salad with tri sauce.

A well-loved institution in the eyes of students and young professionals alike, Japote offers delicious and filling Japanese fare for very affordable prices. Here, a Japanese curry, donburi, or bento box with rice, pickled vegetables and karaage, will run you just $10—tip included. Note that if you’re feeling indecisive, you can always opt for the moitié-moitié, which combines your choice of curry and donburi bowl.

This cozy Japanese teppanyaki spot is a hit for group dinner with friends or out of towners. The tableside grills are helmed by entertaining chefs, so you can watch your meal be seasoned, tossed, and grilled in front of your eyes. The fixed price menu will run you about $42 per person but includes soup, salad, a variety of vegetables, Ichiban shrimp, steak, and a carafe of hot sake.

A few blocks east of the Botanical Gardens, Beni Hana’s fixed price teppanyaki dinners promise to be an unforgettable experience—whether it’s your first time or your tenth. Here, entertaining and talented chefs prepare your meal right at your table; all you have to do is choose between the decadent filet mignons, scallops and shrimp, or chicken.

Think of Ryoshi as a cladesteine restaurant inside a clandestine bar. Tucked in plain sight right in the front of Japanese speakeasy Gokudo, this small fish shack serves traditional Japanese snacks, temakis, and donburi, which hungry patrons can order and have ‘delivered’ inside Gokudo to enjoy with a cocktail or cold beer.

Seeing the chef toss and grill your dinner right in front of you is the culinary equivalent of a night at the opera, which is exactly what awaits at this modern teppanyaki spot. Situated in the West Island, Restaurant Ten is well worth the drive to the suburbs for their AAA sirloin, tiger shrimp and lobster tails. Vegetarian options are also readily available, including a mean grilled teriyaki tofu.