Lea GagnonThe 9 best Japanese restaurants in Montreal that’ll make you feel like you’re in Tokyo
When your inner anime fan starts showing and your otaku spirit wants to shine, it’s tough if you can’t fully dive into Japanese culture, especially when it comes to food.
The good news? You don’t need to hop on a plane to Japan. Montreal’s got plenty of spots that can totally transport you there.
We’ve been out and about, tasting, slurping, and hunting down the best ones for you.
Keep reading—you might just discover your new favourite spot.
1. Ichigo Ichie Izakaya
Media credits: ichigoichieizakaya
Website
Address: 360 Rue Rachel E
Contact details: +1 514-282-0009
Operating hours:
- Monday to Wednesday: 5 PM – 10:30 PM
- Thursday: 5 PM – 11 PM
- Friday to Saturday: 5 PM – 12 AM
- Sunday: 5 PM – 10:30 PM
Price: $$$
Ichigo Ichie Izakaya’s setup is super cool. They have a basement speakeasy, main floor ramen shop, and upstairs izakaya where all the small plates magic happens. It feels like three restaurants in one.
Their menu leans heavily into traditional izakaya plates like takoyaki and yakitori, but they also have dishes that fuse Japanese flavours with local Quebec ingredients.
Every plate looks like it was made with care and tastes even better. Just know the portions are tapas-style, so you’ll probably need a few plates if you show up really hungry. And yes, the bill can sneak up on you.
Pro tip:
If you’re going here for their ramen, don’t bother reserving. Just show up and wait. But if their tapas upstairs are what you’re after, book online because it gets really busy at dinner. You’ll get about two hours at your table, which is plenty of time to eat.
2. Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ
Media credits: gyukakujbbq
Website
Address: 1255 Crescent St
Contact details: +1 514-866-8808
Operating hours: Monday to Sunday: 11:30 AM – 10:30 PM
Price: $$
At Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ, you get to play chef at your table with a smokeless charcoal grill. It’s hands-on, interactive, and honestly pretty fun, especially if you’re with friends who don’t mind a little trial-and-error flipping meat.
We loved how the tables are spaced nicely so you don’t feel like you’re grilling elbow-to-elbow with strangers. Every now and then, the kitchen also gives itself a little cheer. It felt really wholesome.
The Harami Skirt Steak in miso marinade and the Kalbi Short Rib are our group’s favourites. The lunch combo is also a great deal: three meats, salad, and miso soup for about $20.
The angus beef rib is worth the hype, but we noticed not every cut hits the same. Some pieces come out thin or small. Still, the marinades do a lot of heavy lifting.
Pro tip:
If you or someone in your group has allergies, hand the staff your allergy list. They’ll happily double-check with the kitchen and are very careful.
3. Kazu
Media credits: restaurantkazu
Website
Address: 1844 Saint-Catherine St W
Contact details: +1 514-937-2333
Operating hours:
- Monday to Wednesday: Closed
- Thursday to Saturday: 5 PM – 9:30 PM
- Sunday: 5 PM – 9 PM
Price: $$
Kazu is a spot that makes you understand why people line up for food. It’s tiny (with only around 30 seats), so unless you’re cool with waiting outside before opening, you’ll probably be queuing. Not ideal for big groups, but perfect if you’re with two friends.
Sitting at the bar also gives you front-row seats to Chef Kazuo Akutsu working the open kitchen. If you like being in the action, this is where you want to be.
Their shrimp burger earned applause from us. We loved how soft and juicy it is, and it’s not even a little bit fishy. Other standouts are the Chirashi-zushi, the tuna salmon salad rice bowl, and the Galbi beef ribs with their rich and sticky sauce.
Dessert here is not your standard scoop of vanilla too. Think green tea, sake, or wasabi ice cream. It’s a little adventurous but very delicious.
Pro tip:
If you love tofu, plan your visit on Sundays. It’s only available once a week. It’s soft, silky, and a little cult favourite among regulars.
4. Noren
Media credits: restaurantnoren
Website
Address: 77 Rachel St W
Contact details: +1 514-397-1141
Operating hours:
- Monday to Tuesday: Closed
- Wednesday to Friday: 11:30 AM – 3 PM
- Saturday to Sunday: Closed
Price: $
Noren is cosy, small (with only around 10 seats), and has a bright orange vintage TV that makes the space feel fun and a bit retro.
Their takoyaki is the star of the show—crispy outside, creamy inside, with bonito flakes on top. It’s the closest thing you’ll get to Japan in Montreal. There’s even a vegetarian version that somehow pulls off the chewy texture of octopus, which is pretty clever.
Their okonomiyaki, done Kansai-style, leans on cabbage and pork belly rather than heavier versions with noodles. It’s more straightforward but has a very satisfying flavour.
Drinks are also lean and playful rather than boozy. Instead of sake and beer, you’ll find yuzu soda, calpico, and even matcha soda.
Pro tip:
Double-check their hours before you go. They have pretty strict opening hours and aren’t open super late.
5. Kyo Bar Japonais
Media credits: kyobarjaponais
Website
Address: 711 Côte de la Place-d’Armes
Contact details: +1 514-282-2711
Operating hours:
- Monday to Friday: 11:30 AM – 11 PM
- Saturday to Sunday: 5 PM – 11 PM
Price: $$$
Kyo Bar Japonais is inside Hôtel Place d’Armes, so there’s this hidden, speakeasy vibe. Inside, though, it is full of izakaya energy. It’s lively, stylish, and buzzing in the best way.
Their sushi and sashimi here are fresh and gorgeous, like Instagram-level presentation. For hot dishes, the chicken karaage is something that you really have to try. It’s crispy, juicy, and packed with flavour.
We also love that the staff aren’t only attentive but also helpful. They guide you on how much to order and any good pairing recommendations. They really elevated our entire meal experience.
For drinks, their sake and Japanese whisky list deserves recognition. With more than 25 varieties and tasting flights available, it’s a perfect way to explore Japanese spirits.
Pro tip:
Go for the tasting menu if you’re curious (especially if you’re solo). It’s only $55 per person, so it’s actually a better value than ordering multiple small plates. They let you sample a good spread, including sushi, hot dishes, and desserts.
6. Sushi Okeya Kyujiro
Media credits: jeanniesfood, okeyakyujiro, and lasemainejapon
Website
Address: 1227 Rue de la Montagne
Contact details: +1 514-557-1227
Operating hours: Contact for more info
Price: $$$
Sushi Okeya Kyujiro isn’t just a meal experience—it’s a full-on show. It’s like Cirque du Soleil, but instead of acrobats flying through the air, you’ve got chefs slicing tuna and shaping sushi in front of you.
The omakase (aka “chef’s choice) is the star here with about 15 to 20 courses that change with the seasons. One minute you’re easing into warm chawanmushi, the next you’re savouring pristine uni or buttery wagyu beef. It’s all served like little jewels.
The room itself is small and elegant. You sit around a sushi bar with about a dozen other people, watching the chef’s work. The vibe is tranquil but also theatrical—staff in kimonos, traditional Japanese tableware, and a tea ceremony at the end.
Pro tip:
Go for lunch to enjoy the full omakase experience without the higher dinner price tag. Reservations are usually easier to get, and while the menu is slightly lighter than the evening service, you’ll still enjoy a wide variety of courses.
7. IMADAKE IZAKAYA
Media credits: imadakeizakaya
Website
Address: 4006 Saint-Catherine St W
Contact details: +1 514-931-8833
Operating hours:
- Monday to Tuesday: Closed
- Wednesday to Thursday: 5:30 PM – 10 PM
- Friday to Saturday: 5:30 PM – 12 AM
- Sunday: 5:30 PM – 10 PM
Price: $$
Imadake Izakaya is like stepping into a Japanese pub party. It’s loud, lively, and full of energy.
The menu is built for sharing, so you end up with a table full of small plates that everyone keeps stealing from. The gyu tataki is amazing: paper-thin slices of beef, just barely seared, with this tangy citrus sauce that makes everything pop.
If you’re into comfort food, their ramen bowls are rich, creamy, and filling enough to keep you going all night. Even vegetarians and vegans get a fair shake here, with some lighter, organic options on the menu.
We also love that their staff are bilingual (French and English) and are very attentive. You can ask them for recommendations, pairing suggestions, or explanations of unfamiliar dishes.
Pro tip:
The sake bombs are a must. Wait for the staff’s shout, drop your shot into your beer, and join the collective cheer. For a fun twist, try the Rainbow Bomb, which layers colourful liquors for a visually impressive drink.
8. YUBARI
Media credits: yubarioldport
Website
Address: 355 McGill St
Contact details: +1 438-600-2754
Operating hours:
- Monday to Wednesday: 11:30 AM – 10 PM
- Thursday to Friday: 11:30 AM – 11:30 PM
- Saturday: 5 PM – 11:30 PM
- Sunday: 5 PM – 10 PM
Price: $$$
YUBARI has a refined approach to Japanese cuisine, blending traditional techniques with subtle Asian and French influences.
For us, the sushi and sashimi were the stars of the show. They’re fresh, beautifully plated, and full of flavour. We also love the premium platters for two—tons of variety and top-quality seafood.
The vibe is… interesting. Picture classy decor mixed with a DJ and bold seating choices (leopard print banquettes). It’s a bit of a high-end meets nightlife mashup. Some of us love it, others feel it’s a little mismatched for a fine-dining sushi spot.
Pricing is on the higher side. Sushi ranges from $20 to $170, and a full spread with drinks and a platter can easily hit $400. Though most diners feel it’s worth it for the quality and presentation.
Pro tip:
Be strategic about timing. If you want a quieter experience to focus on the food, aim for early dinner hours (around 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM). Later in the evening, the music and energy turn up, which is great if you want a more party-like vibe with your meal.
9. Biiru
Media credits: biiru_mtl
Website
Address: 1433 City Councillors St
Contact details: +1 514-903-1555
Operating hours:
- Monday to Wednesday: 11:30 AM – 2:30 PM, 5:30 PM – 10 PM
- Thursday: 11:30 AM – 2:30 PM, 5 PM – 10 PM
- Friday: 11:30 AM – 2:30 PM, 5:30 PM – 11 PM
- Saturday: 5:30 PM – 11 PM
- Sunday: 5:30 PM – 10 PM
Price: $$
Biiru offers both a cosy indoor space with about 50 seats and a spacious terrace that can house around 40 diners. The terrace is well-equipped, even for cooler weather, so it’s a very versatile spot.
Their menu leans heavily into Japanese flavours but adds imaginative twists that make it unique. Tapast-style portions encourage sharing, which is a perfect way to sample a lot of their dishes.
Some of their signature items are Chirashi Zushi, yakitori skewers, and black gyoza. The matcha passion cake is also delicious. It’s rich but not overwhelming and pairs nicely with a lighter beverage or sake after your meal.
Pro tip:
Biiru rotates its menu with the seasons. In winter, ramen is a must-try, while in summer, raw fish salads or lighter sashimi options shine.
