Noah CôtéFood fests in Montreal: A foodie’s guide to the city’s best events, month by month
Ever had one of those days where you just need to pig out until you drop? Maybe after you’ve scrolled through Instagram to find annoyingly happy photos of friends knee-deep in mountains of poutine, gourmet pizza, and craft beer?
Don’t worry, friend. I’ve got your food envy covered. This city is a foodie paradise, after all, and is one of the absolute best places on earth for getting your gluttony on.
And the best place for this? The Montreal food festivals! They’re events for pure, unadulterated gobbling – in the best way possible. So grab a napkin (you’ll need it), and let’s dive into the most mouth-watering food fests this city has to offer, month by month (and yes these festivals occur yearly!).
February
Poutine Week
Media from lapoutineweek
Location: Downtown Montréal, Canada
Contact: [email protected]
Pricing: Free to attend
Poutine Week is your annual excuse to indulge in a glorious, cheese-curd-laden mess! Forget about kale and quinoa for a while, because this is the one week where it’s perfectly acceptable (encouraged, even!) to dive headfirst into a mountain of fries, gravy, and squeaky cheese.
From classic recipes to mind-blowing concoctions featuring everything from foie gras to pulled pork, this is your chance to sample the most creative and delicious poutine creations Montreal has to offer.
MONTRÉAL EN LUMIÈRE
Media from mtlenlumiere
Location: 400 Blvd. De Maisonneuve Ouest, Montreal, QC H3A 1L4, Canada
Contact: +1 514-288-9955
Pricing: Free to attend
MONTRÉAL EN LUMIÈRE is a festival that’ll have you swooning over creations by culinary rockstars like Emmanuel Pilon and Julien Royer.
Plus with unique collaborations happening at hotspots like Monarque and Maison Boulud, your Instagram feed is about to get a serious upgrade.
But the real star of the show is the “Air France Finest Tables” series. Think of exclusive menus and wine pairings that’ll make you feel like you’re dining in a Parisian palace (minus the stuffy atmosphere).
March
Old Montreal’s Happening Gourmand
Media from happening_gourmand
Location: Old Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
Contact: [email protected]
Pricing: Brunch options start at $29
Old Montreal’s Happening Gourmand is a month-long celebration of a carefully curated selection of the finest eateries in Old Montreal, each offering up a special menu that’ll make your taste buds sing with joy.
Fancy a taste of refined elegance? Maggie Oakes has you covered. Craving a creative sushi roll? Head over to Kyo Bar Japonais.
And if you’re looking to turn your weekend into a full-blown fiesta, don’t miss the boozy brunches with bottomless mimosas.
Cabane Panache
Media from mtlblog
Location: Wellington Street, Verdun, QC, Canada
Contact: [email protected]
Pricing: Free to attend
As Montreal’s biggest sugar shack party, Cabane Panache has about 18 local restaurants dishing out their best maple-infused creations. Imagine sinking your teeth into maple-smoked pogos, slurping up hearty pea soup, and satisfying your sweet tooth with decadent maple doughnuts.
This festival also is a full-on cultural immersion. You’ll be do-si-do-ing your way through square dancing lessons, listening to captivating stories around the campfire, and even learning how to play the spoons like a true lumberjack.
May
Pizza Week
Media from mondialbiere
Location: Held across Canada (including Montreal)
Contact: [email protected]
This is a week-long festival dedicated to everyone’s favourite cheesy, saucy, carb-loaded goodness. With over 500 participating restaurants across Canada and dozens right here in Montreal, your taste buds are in for a wild ride.
Local legends like Giulietta Pizzeria Napoletana and Brigade will be slinging their signature pies, each one a masterpiece of handmade dough and perfectly balanced toppings.
Meanwhile, spots like Adamo will be bringing New York-style vibes with their massive, foldable slices that are sure to satisfy even the biggest appetite.
June
First Fridays
Media from lespremiersvendredis
Location: Olympic Park Esplanade, 4141 Pierre-de Coubertin Ave, Montreal, QC H1V 0B2, Canada
Contact: [email protected]
Pricing: Free activity
Forget those stuffy sit-down dinners, this is where the city’s food trucks roll out their A-game, serving up everything from Asian bao buns to Mediterranean mezze platters.
Why is it so epic? Olympic Park or the Old Port transform into a giant outdoor food court, buzzing with live music, cultural performances, and the intoxicating aroma of sizzling street food.
Yatai
Media from asiasiemtl
Location: Hangar 1825, 40 Seigneurs Street, Montréal, QC H3J 1X4, Canada
Contact: You may contact them here
Pricing: Free activity
Yatai MTL is a full-on Japanese street food fiesta that takes over Montreal. You can think of it as a culinary teleportation to the bustling streets of Tokyo, without the jet lag.
For four glorious days, Griffintown’s Quays at Bassin Peel transform into a foodie paradise, overflowing with authentic eats like takoyaki (octopus balls), okonomiyaki (pancakes), and yakitori (grilled skewers).
July
A Taste of the Caribbean Festival
Media from ilovetotc
Location: Clock Tower Pier, Old Port of Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
Contact: [email protected]
Pricing: Free to attend
A Taste of the Caribbean Festival brings the sun-soaked vibes of the islands straight to Montreal. This is a flavour journey through jerk chicken, curried goat, and fried plantains hotter than a habanero pepper.
But hold on to your straw hats, as this isn’t just about food. It’s a cultural kaleidoscope with live music pumping out reggae, soca, and dancehall beats, and enough rum flowing to make a pirate blush.
Soif de cidre
Media from soifdecidre
Location: 40 Rue des Seigneurs, Montréal, QC H3J 1X4, Canada
Contact: +1 819-437-6350
Pricing: Tickets start at $22
This is a weekend-long celebration of Quebec’s finest bubbly elixirs. Think of it as a cider-fueled amusement park for adults where you can sample dozens of unique ciders, from crisp and dry to sweet and funky.
Alongside the cider bonanza, you’ll find mouthwatering food pairings, lively music, and even a few cider cocktails to spice things up. And here’s the kicker: you won’t need to shell out a fortune for a ticket.
August
ItalfestMTL
Media from italfestMTL
Location: St-Laurent Boulevard, between Shamrock Avenue and St-Zotique Street, Montréal, QC, Canada
Contact: [email protected]
Pricing: Free to attend
Montreal’s annual love letter to all things Italian. ItalfestMTL is a cultural extravaganza where Little Italy bursts at the seams with music, art, and of course, enough pasta to fuel a gondola race.
This can be your chance to indulge in authentic Italian fare like arancini (fried rice balls), porchetta (slow-roasted pork), and cannoli that’ll make you weep with joy. And of course, pizza!
Halal Ribfest Tour
Media from halalribfest
Location: Place Vertu, 3131 Boulevard Cote-Vertu Ouest, Saint-Laurent, QC H4R 1Y8, Canada
Contact: You may contact them here
Pricing: Free to attend
Halal Ribfest is the foodie fiesta you won’t want to miss. It’s not just about the ribs, folks (although those smoky, fall-off-the-bone beauties are legendary).
This festival is a flavour explosion of halal BBQ, street eats, and cultural delights. Think juicy brisket, flavourful kebabs, and international dishes with a halal twist.
There’s even live music, local artisans, and family-friendly fun making it the perfect summer outing. Oh, and did I mention it’s a celebration of community and diversity?
September
Invasion Cocktail
Media from invasioncocktail
Location: 1717, boul. Rene-Levesque East Montreal, QC H2L 4T9, Canada
Contact: [email protected]
Pricing: Tickets range from $35 to $70
Invasion Cocktail is a city-wide adventure inviting you to explore 20+ bars and restaurants, each flaunting a unique cocktail creation that’ll tantalise your tastebuds.
Gin lover? Rum enthusiast? Vodka aficionado? Fear not, there’s a concoction calling your name. Whether you’re into classic cocktails with a twist or innovative blends bursting with local flavours, this festival has it all.
Martinique Gourmande
Media from rencontrezlamartinique
Location: Grand Quai du Port de Montréal, QC, Canada
Contact: [email protected]
Pricing: Free to attend
Martinique Gourmande is another full-blown Caribbean carnival right on the stunning Grand Quay of the Port of Montreal.
So what can you expect? Imagine indulging in authentic Martinican delicacies prepared by guest chefs flown in straight from the island. So expect spicy stews, flaky pastries, and cocktails that’ll make you want to learn the latest dance craze.
Speaking of dancing, this festival is also all about Creole culture with domino tournaments, headwrap workshops, and dance demos that’ll have you swaying to the rhythms of zouk, Bèlè, and Biguine.
October
Ramen Ramen Festival
Media from ramenramenfes
Location: Takes place across Montreal, Canada
Contact: You may contact them here
Pricing: Fees for certain activities
Forget about devouring bowls of savoury goodness in solitude— it’s time for Ramen Ramen Festival, a city-wide noodle extravaganza taking over 24 restaurants.
Each participating restaurant will unveil a signature ramen creation, turning Montreal into a broth-filled battleground of flavour. From comforting classics like shoyu and miso to mind-blowing concoctions with unexpected broths and toppings, your taste buds are in for a wild ride.
But it doesn’t stop there! You get to be the judge, the jury, and the executioner (of your diet, that is).
November
MTLàTABLE
Media from rencontrezlamartinique
Location: Takes place across Montreal, Canada
Contact: [email protected]
Pricing: Fees for certain activities
Forget fancy reservations and eye-watering prices, because this city-wide culinary extravaganza throws open the doors to over 150 restaurants, offering prix-fixe menus that’ll have your taste buds doing the happy dance.
From swanky steak houses to cosy neighbourhood bistros, each participating restaurant unveils a specially curated menu showcasing their signature dishes.
La grande dégustation de Montréal
Media from lgdmtl
Location: Grand Quai du Port de Montréal, Vieux-Port de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
Contact: [email protected]
Pricing: Tickets start at $18
La grande dégustation de Montréal is a three-day extravaganza where over 280 producers from around the globe descend on the city, transforming it into a swirling, swirling wonderland of aromas and tastes.
You’ll get to rub elbows with winemakers, distillers, and brewers, all while sampling their finest creations. From bold reds to crisp whites, smooth whiskies to craft beers, your taste buds will embark on a global journey without ever leaving Montreal.
And the best part? You can actually buy the bottles you fall in love with!
December
The Great Montreal Christmas Market
Media credit to montreal_heart
Location: 11111 Notre-Dame St. East, Montréal-Est, QC H1B 2V7, Canada
Contact: +1 514-715-4440
Pricing: Free to attend
With 40 chalets overflowing with goodies, The Great Montreal Christmas Market is a choose-your-own-adventure for your tastebuds.
We’re talking everything from traditional maple taffy (because, Canada) to vegan treats that’ll make even the most committed carnivore reconsider their life choices. You can wash it all down with a cup of steaming mulled wine or a local craft beer, and you’ve got yourself a holiday party in your mouth.
And hey, if you’re feeling adventurous, why not sample some festive liquors from local breweries? It’s the season to be jolly, after all.
