Lea GagnonThese are the 9 best tapas restaurants in Montreal I’d actually visit again
No judgment, please, but I’ve eaten my way through a lot of tapas already – not just here in Montreal but in other major cities around the world as well. And while that made me happy, it also made me extremely picky with my tapas.
And so, to share my love of small plates with big flavours, I’ve curated a list of the best tapas in Montreal. To make things even better, I made sure I only included the ones I knew I’d come back to every single time.
If you’re curious about my faves, check out this list!
1. Babacool MTL
Website: https://www.babacoolmtl.com/
Address: 140 Notre-Dame St W
Contact Details: +1 438-387-1023
Operating Hours: Monday – Friday: 5:00 PM – 11:00 PM | Saturday – Sunday: 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM ; 5:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Price: $
For tapas-style meals, locals often drop by Babacool for some of the best options. It’s also not an expensive restaurant, which makes it popular among friend groups who want to try multiple flavours in one go.
I did love their lentil soup as it almost feels like stew and is super filling despite the small portion. I recommend having it with a side of pita, as their version is thick yet soft with each bite.
To round things up with dessert, the baklava cheesecake is a perfect ending – this one comes drizzled with rose syrup and has a light, fluffy, and moist texture that makes it addictive. Just make sure you actually like rose flavouring before getting one, though!
2. Le Bureau Bar Tapas
Media credit lebureaubartapas
Website: https://www.lebureaubartapas.com/
Address: 1642 Notre-Dame St W
Contact Details: +1 438-439-7326
Operating Hours: Wednesday, Sunday: 4:00 PM – 12:00 AM | Thursday – Saturday: 4:00 PM – 1:00 AM
Price: $$
Le Bureau is a great option for something a little more relaxed. During my visit, I tried the ceviche and was pleased with how good it was – the combination of sour, spicy, and savoury really comes through, with a mild hint of cilantro and chili peppers.
With salted chips to scoop it up, it was the perfect meal starter for rounds and rounds of tapas.
And of course, you can’t miss their beef tartare – it’s finely chopped yet still lean, with notable hints of salt and pepper. If you’re getting this, make sure to grab any of their available alcohol too, as they balance the savoury pretty well.
It’s just slightly expensive. But if you’re coming as a big group and plan on ordering round after round, the price is pretty worth it.
3. Tapeo
Media credit restotapeo
Website: http://restotapeo.com/en/
Address: 511 Rue Villeray
Contact Details: +1 514-495-1999
Operating Hours: Tuesday – Friday: 11:45 AM – 2:30 PM; 5:00 PM – 10:00 PM | Saturday: 5:00 PM – 11:00 PM | Sunday: 5:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Price: $$
If you love Spanish food like I do, I think you’ll find that Tapeo is the closest thing you’ll have to tasting Madrid. While it’s not the cheapest tapas restaurant in the city, the quality of the food is really something you can’t find anywhere else.
Their beef tartare is my favourite as the meat feels packed, creamy, and tender. It even has crispy potato strips, which makes the texture more interesting. Thankfully, though, the strips didn’t make the meal any saltier.
The seafood paella is absolutely one of the best – it has the perfect briny smell that gives it an intense yet delicious flavour. There is a subtle, meaty aroma to it as well, which makes each bite super enjoyable and filling.
4. Tiradito
Media credit tiraditomtl
Website: http://www.tiraditomtl.com/
Address: 1076 Rue de Bleury, Montreal Quebec
Contact Details: +1 514-866-6776
Operating Hours: Monday – Sunday: 5:00 PM – 10:30 PM
Price: $$
Want tapas, but instead of the typical Spanish fare, you get to enjoy Peruvian flavours? Tiradito offers some of the most incredible dishes at fair prices – from grilled octopus to beef-filled potatoes. I’m sure there’s something here that you’ll like.
The papa rellena is something I won’t forget. The bed of sweet chili sauce really takes the flavour to the next level. The potatoes are buttery and lightly fried to bring the beef inside into a tenderly cooked ball.
If you want something with a little more kick, the spicy cauliflower is a good choice. It comes with a coconut stew in the bowl, giving it a milky and mildly nutty flavour – you’d have to sip it directly from the bowl though to enjoy!
5. Iberica
Media credit restaurantiberica
Address: 1450 Peel St
Contact Details: +1 514-285-1888
Operating Hours: Tuesday – Friday: 11:30 AM–10:30 PM
Price: $$$
For something more upscale and intimate, Iberica seals the deal. The service here is impeccable, with a pleasant atmosphere and fast servings.
As for the tapas, you have to go for their seafood options. Their scallops are buttery and super addictive, while their white fish options are fresh and succulent.
For those who prefer something more sweet and savoury, the ham and cheese croquettes were awesome. They’re smoky, peppery, and creamy — perfect if you just want something to cleanse the palate.
Prefer smoky food? The grilled calamari is a good starter. And don’t worry, you won’t feel like chewing on rubber with this one.
6. Pintxo Tapas Bar
Media credit pintxorestomtl
Website: https://pintxo.ca/
Address: 30 Saint-Catherine St W, Montreal, Quebec
Contact Details: +1 438-223-6917
Operating Hours: Monday – Saturday: 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM; 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM | Saturday: 5:00 PM – 11:00 PM | Sunday: 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Price: $
Pinxto has had many mixed reviews here and there, but there’s just something about it that makes me come back. It’s not the most outstanding across the board, but with affordable food and a lively vibe, you just can’t look away from it.
The place is located in a food court, so service is expected to be fast. As for food, I tend to keep it simple by opting for seafood—I love their octopus. It’s always tender and tasty, just a bit salty, but nothing a drink can’t balance.
The scallops were also fab. They come with serrano sauce, which gives them that distinct spiciness and vinegar taste. If you want something more elevated, you can get their lobster on barley—at $17, it’s the best treat you can get here.
7. Taza Flores
Media credit taza_flores
Website: https://www.tazaflores.com/
Address: 5375 Park Ave
Contact Details: +1 514-274-5516
Operating Hours: Wednesday, Friday – Saturday: 5:00 PM – 11:00 PM | Thursday: 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM; 5:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Price: $$
Taza Flores has everything you could wish for from a tapas restaurant: perfect portions, high-quality food, and the vibes of Spain in every corner. The menu is not as extensive, but the selection is okay for a small group or solo dinners.
The grilled shrimp isn’t out of the ordinary, but it’s buttery and delicious enough to warrant a second round. I also liked their boeuf onglet with hummus, as it’s very tender and flavourful. With a glass of Malbec, you have a nice dinner already.
If you prefer veggies, the beet salad is a great option. It’s slightly sweet, but the earthy aroma still shines through. The tangy dressing brings it all together, making it a nice meal to have in between heartier options.
8. Bo Degat
Media credit bodegat
Website: https://www.bodegat.cat/
Address: 1392 Rue Beaubien E
Contact Details: +1 514-567-3051
Operating Hours: Wednesday – Saturday: 5:30 PM – 1:00 PM
Price: $$
If you want to dine in a cute little restaurant offering authentic Spanish tapas, consider a day at Bo Degat. They have a nice mix of classic and inventive dishes here, some of which I haven’t seen anywhere else.
One example is their black bao bun with calamari – the bun was soft and fluffy, although the calamari had an overpowering breading taste. Thankfully, the mix of sauce and onions gave it a more savoury profile that I enjoyed.
The Pulp Mar y Montana was a beautiful dish with a creamy potato emulsion that made it a delight to eat. The pork bites were also slightly charred, so there was a bit of smokiness to them.
Once you’re bored of the meat, their tomato salad with basil dressing is a nice way to cleanse it out. It’s refreshing and zesty!
9. Ibericos Taverne a Tapas Espagnoles
Media credit elcafecito_ibericosmtl
Website: https://www.ibericos.ca/
Address: 4475 Saint Denis St, Montreal, Quebec
Contact Details: +1 514-845-4475
Operating Hours: Monday – Friday: 5:00 PM – 10:00 PM | Saturday – Sunday: 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Price: $$
I’m not a vegetarian, but I do get excited whenever I see new places that offer vegetarian options, and Ibericos is one of them. If you want to try a few, simply point out your dish on the menu, and the server will offer a vegetarian alternative to it.
Their cod fritters are my personal favourite – they have that subtle taste of lemon zest and hints of fish taste that’s fine and meaty. The texture is flaky, and the crunch is just right.
If you want something light, almost like a snack, they have eggplant chips. They’re mildly sweet, and while they do retain a bit of bitterness, they’re still an enjoyable bite. But if you prefer something sweet, their sweet tres leches cake will be a nice ending.
