Montreal is lucky to have so many restaurants that specialize in fresh fish and seafood. High end restaurants are now advertising fish that were caught in an ocean-friendly fashion, as well as sustainable seafood, which means that it’s caught or farmed in a fashion that ensures the long-term vitality of the species. Seafood restaurants have come a long way in Montreal.
Lucille’s Oyster Dive
Lucille’s Oyster Dive is a neighbourhood gem in NDG. The big sister of Brasserie Lucille’s, this restaurant boasts a covered terrace, perfect to sip your seafood Bloody Caesar loaded with an oyster, crab leg, and shrimp. They don’t take reservations but the wait is beyond worthwhile with some of the best lobster rolls in the city, a huge variety of oysters, and beautiful seafood platters full of shrimp, oysters, lobster, and crab. And if you’re really hungry, make it a surf n’ turf night with Lucille’s Oyster Dive’s in-house aged cuts of meat. Be sure to check out their food truck too, they really do it all!
5626 Av de Monkland, Montréal, QC H4A 1E3
(514) 482-1471
Park
Chef Antonio Park’s name is linked to the best sushi in Montreal and rightfully so. He creates masterful platters of nigiri, sushi, and sashimi that has everyone flocking to Park restaurant in Westmount, celebrities included. The Omakase menu is the best way to enjoy all that Park restaurant has to offer, as your menu is the chef’s choice and includes available seasonal ingredients like sea urchin, wild sockeye salmon, and more. And if you get a chance to sit at the counter, you’ll be in for a treat watching the master create delicious plate after plate.
378 Avenue Victoria, Westmount, QC H3Z 2N4
(514) 750-7534
La Boîte aux Huîtres
Montreal has many farmers markets and the Jean-Talon Market is filled with stalls of local products, including La Boîte aux Huîtres, which specializes in oysters. They have an outdoor kiosk in the summer, and they can be found in Poissoinnerie Aqua Mare during the colder months. Our love of oysters knows no bounds and the experts at La Boîte aux Huîtres serve many varieties of oysters which vary in price and size, as well as a killer lobster roll, crispy calamari, and more treats depending on the season. You can enjoy the oysters at their bar with the traditional accompaniments or take a couple dozen of the aphrodisiacs home!
7070 Avenue Henri Julien, Montréal, QC H2S 3S3
(514) 277-7575
Jatoba
It’s hard to go wrong when such a stellar team is behind a restaurant. Downtown Montreal’s Jatoba excels on all fronts, with a special emphasis on Japanese tapas, fish, and seafood. The black cod melts in your mouth like butter and the Albacore tuna tataki is simply unreal. Give the king oyster mushrooms a try: they are simply decadent. If you love sashimi, ask to order the sashimi platter which is off menu, filled with an abundance of fish and seafood! Jatoba has some fantastic dumplings and unique cocktails too.
184 Place Phillips, Montréal, QC H3B 3C8
(514) 871-1184
Le Bremner
Danny Smiles’ contagious smile is not the only thing that keeps customers coming back to Le Bremner. The selection and quality of food is on point at this Old Montreal restaurant. Start your meal with fresh oysters or their smoked trout with avocado and bacon toast. Indulge in their snow crab cakes with homemade kimchi, or their mouth-watering lobster pizza. And save room for dessert – Le Bremner’s pancakes are often sold out and their donuts are ridiculously good!
361 Rue Saint Paul E, Montréal, QC H2Y 1H2
(514) 544-0446
Maestro SVP
If you love oysters as much as the Divas do, then Maestro SVP is the place for you! Featuring a large variety, Maestro SVP serves their oysters raw, cooked, baked, in oyster shooters, and even for dessert! They have seafood classics like oysters Rockefeller, a lobster gratin, crab cakes, and coconut shrimp. Maestro SVP is a seafood lover’s paradise right in the Plateau! And if you’re feeling daring, take their oyster eating challenge and see how many of the bivalves you can slurp down in record time.
3615 Boul St-Laurent, Montréal, QC H2X 1V5
(514) 842-6447
Brasserie Lucille’s
Brasserie Lucille’s is the sister restaurant of Lucille’s Oyster Dive. They both have a similar menu filled with fresh seafood and aged meats. Located in Westmount, Brasserie Lucille’s has some succulent Diva approved grilled octopus, and a plate of heavenly steamed clams in a garlic and white wine broth that will make you want to lick your plate clean. Similar to their sister restaurant, they are known for their lobster rolls and plenty of fresh oysters. But there’s good news: unlike their sister restaurant, Brasserie Lucille’s takes reservations!
4124 Rue Ste-Catherine O, Westmount, QC H3Z 1P4
(514) 933-9433
Oyster Shack
Oyster Shack is a more casual place to enjoy some seafood. The vibe is nautical, complete with fishing nets, and a ship’s wheel; it’s similar to a seafood shack in Maine. Their bucket of coconut shrimp is divine, and in general their prices are reasonable and the portions large which is always a good combination! Give their thick and creamy clam chowder a try, and then order their lobster mac n’ cheese or their lobster roll, which spills out of the bun. Oyster Shack has a full bar with plenty of seafood to satisfy your cravings.
1242 Rue Bishop, Montréal, QC QC H3G 2E3
(514) 395-1888
Garde Manger
Chef Chuck Hughes’ first restaurant, Garde Manger, has been a staple in the heart of Old Montreal for locals and celebrities alike. The tattooed chef and his crew plate up magnificent dishes off their ever-changing chalkboard menu with favourites like jerk crab and their infamous lobster poutine. Garde Manger’s seafood platter will take you to seafood heaven; it’s filled with scallops, oysters, lobster, crab legs, jumbo shrimp, and homemade gravlax along with all the accoutrement to enjoy it with. After 11:00pm, things start to get rowdy, with a DJ spinning and people dancing, sometimes even on the bar.
408 Rue Saint François Xavier, Montréal, QC H2Y 2S9
(514) 678-5044
Comptoir 21
Comptoir 21 is a fish n’ chips joint that has several locations in Montreal and is great for a quick bite in a diner-like atmosphere. Be sure to have a bowl of their clam chowder, full of plump clams and chunky potatoes, that’s served with the traditional oyster crackers. Their fish n’ chips are flaky with just the right amount of batter and they are served with different dipping sauces. We adore their cod croquettes, and they also serve shrimp, burgers, calamari, and salads. Comptoir 21 is a fun place for a bite to eat where take-out is also available for those on the go.
21 Rue Saint Viateur O, Montréal, QC H2T 2K7
1117 Ste Catherine E, Montréal, QC H2L 3J4
4844 Wellington, Verdun, QC H4G 1X2
(514) 507-3474
Marché 27
Marché 27 is a tartare restaurant in the Plateau that is all about the raw. What’s great about them is that you can create your own tartare combinations by choosing the base, whether it’s meat or fish, and then choose the style in which it is prepared. Tuna, lobster, scallops, and salmon are just some of the raw options that can be made in various styles. Marché 27’s menu is full of seafood dishes including their tartare tasting platters. They also have a food truck roaming around Montreal and two express locations downtown.
27 Rue Prince Arthur O, Montréal, QC H2X 1S4
(514) 287-2725
La Sirène de la Mer
La Sirène de la Mer is a mix of traditional Mediterranean dishes with an emphasis on fish, seafood, and a few Middle Eastern treats. This fine dining establishing has an adjoining fish and seafood shop which guarantees freshness and high quality seafood! If you’re at the restaurant, try their sumac shrimp, which can be grilled, sautéed, or fried, or their lobster if it’s in season. You can order a whole fish at La Sirène de la Mer: they’ll cook anything from their fish shop for you, never mind what’s on their menu. If you’re dining on a Wednesday, a dozen oysters are only $18, and for lunch during the week they also serve a table d’hôte menu.
114 Avenue Dresden, Mont-Royal, QC H3P 2B6
(514) 345-0345
