Lea GagnonThe 10 best Portuguese restaurants in Montreal according to hardcore food lovers
If there’s one thing I take seriously, it’s food. And when it comes to Portuguese cuisine, Montreal is spoiled with some of the juiciest piri piri chicken and the flakiest codfish ever known to man!
Think I’m exaggerating? You have to try these options out first.
This list, which combines personal favourites and newfound gems, is all you need to discover Portuguese flavours. To make things even more “legit,” I also reached out to local foodies to get their insights and match them with mine.
You might just book a flight to Lisbon after checking out these Portuguese restaurants in Montreal!
1. Douro Montreal
Media credit restaurant.douro
Website: http://www.restaurantdouro.com/
Address: 6518 St Laurent Blvd
Contact Details: +1 514-273-6969
Operating Hours: Monday – Friday: 11:30 AM – 9:00 PM | Saturday: 5:30 PM – 9:30 PM
Price: $$$
Even though dining at Douro was a literal punishment to my pockets, I can’t deny the great time I had! During my visit, I opted for their Icelandic cod, which was actually their fish of the day (it’s best to follow their site for meals of the day like this!).
It was delicious and tender to bite, giving it a moist texture that’s easy to mop up with potatoes. It was pan-fried, so the aroma of the butter and capers was pretty prominent. It had a few veggies too, so it was filling.
If you want a real feast, though, you have to get their seafood rice. The portions are just perfect for 2. But you get to enjoy this casserole filled with rice, clams, oysters, and a few lobster tails for a richer flavour.
2. Restaurant Jano
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Website: http://www.janogrillades.ca/
Address: 3883 St Laurent Blvd.
Contact Details: +1 514-849-0646
Operating Hours: Monday – Thursday: 5:00 PM – 11:00 PM | Friday – Sunday: 12:00 PM – 11:00 PM
When you visit Jano, make sure there’s plenty of space for you to get packed. The place is famous for its meat platter, and yes, you’ll regret coming here without an appetite because everything is delicious.
With the platter, you can choose up to 5 different types of meat and/or seafood options. Not a lot of spices are used to marinate the meat. However, since they’re all grilled, the smokiness and natural fatness of the meats make the entire thing mouth-watering.
Some popular meat options include lamb, chicken, and ribs. But if you just want to keep things simple, you can also get their half leg of chicken that comes with fries. This one’s not super expensive, plus you get a salad on the side to balance things out.
3. Portus 360
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Website: https://www.portus360.com/
Address: 777 Blvd Robert-Bourassa
Contact Details: +1 514-849-2070
Operating Hours: Tuesday – Friday: 11:30 AM – 10:30 PM | Saturday: 5:30 PM – 10:30 PM
Price: $$
At Portus 360, the Portuguese food feels like a bonus. What you really want to go here for is the view – perched on a skyscraper, the restaurant rotates slowly in 360, giving you some of the views of the city’s skyline (and no, you won’t feel it turning!).
As for the food, I have simple recommendations. You can’t go wrong with their garlic butter shrimp (camarao à guilho) as an appetiser – it’s rich with a hint of lemon that balances its profile.
To take your seafood adventure further, you can get a small order of calamari to share (in Portuguese, they call this lulas fritas). This one isn’t overbreaded, so you get more of the meat’s taste. It’s tender with just the right level of chewiness.
Their tasting menu comes with wines as well, so do consider this if you’re on a date. Otherwise, you can chill, keep things simple, and just enjoy the view.
4. Porto Mar Restaurant
Media credit portomar.resto
Website: https://www.quaiouest.ca/
Address: 201 Pl. d’Youville
Contact Details: +1 514-286-5223
Operating Hours: Monday – Friday: 11:30 – 10:00 PM | Saturday: 5:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Price: $$
Porto Mar is always a delight to visit, as it’s located in this charming building in the old port. The atmosphere makes it perfect for an intimate dinner, and the food options are remarkable.
For a simple yet hearty meal, I recommend ordering the piri piri shrimp and calamari. There’s just something about the combination of spice and zest that makes you want to lick your plate clean!
It’s just a little too spicy, though. Fortunately, it comes with veggies and rice, which will help lessen the kick.
If you’re more into meat, the chicken comes with fries and vegetables to balance the flavours. The fries are simple – crispy and salty – but the chicken meat can be a bit dry. Still, the seasoning saved it, as the meat tastes savory and buttery.
5. Casa Minhota
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Website: https://www.casaminhota.com/
Address: 3959 St Laurent Blvd
Contact Details: +1 514-842-2661
Operating Hours: Tuesday – Sunday: 10:00 AM – 11:00 PM
Price: $$
A solid restaurant offering generous portions and tasty food, Casa Minhota has it all. Although it’s not the cheapest in my book, I did appreciate feeling like I really got my money’s worth.
Their lunch menu is pretty hefty, including many bases: an entree, a main dish, and a dessert. Your main can either be meat or chicken, but if it were up to me, I’d get the bacalhau all over again – it’s dried and perfectly sated and topped with delicious onions and potato chips.
For soup, the caldo verde is perfect if you want something thick and creamy (personally not a fave, but worth pairing with any mains).
By the way, they can accommodate certain vegetarian needs too. Just speak with the staff so they can manage your meal.
6. Aldea
Media credit aldeamtl
Website: https://www.aldeamtl.com/
Address: 4403 St Laurent Blvd
Contact Details: +1 514-843-6464
Operating Hours: Tuesday – Saturday: 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM | Sunday: 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Price: $$
Aldea is the perfect spot if you want to enjoy a cosy, chic atmosphere. It’s ideal for intimate dinners or lively gatherings with the entire family.
If you’re coming in as a group, I recommend getting various types of appetisers to share. As for the mains, the rack of lamb is a fantastic choice. It comes with white garlic sauce that perfectly balances the smokiness of the meat.
For those who prefer seafood, the Lisbon shrimp and lulas grehaldo (grilled squid) are your best choices. They both have just the right texture – easy to chew and not rubbery at all. Pair this with a seafood mixture over rice for something hearty.
7. Restaurant Casa Alentejo
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Website: https://www.restomontreal.ca/resto/casa-alentejo-montreal/1854/fr/
Address: 5938 Rue St-Hubert
Contact Details: +1 514-272-9797
Operating Hours: Sunday, Tuesday – Thursday: 11:30 AM – 9:00 PM | Friday – Saturday: 11:30 AM – 10:00 PM
Price: $$
This family-owned Portuguese restaurant never disappoints. On Saturday nights, you can even enjoy your meal with some live music — during my visit, a guitarist performed fun songs that elevated the mood!
Now, food! For those who love hearty meals, the portions on the chicken plate are worth it. It can feel a bit dry as there’s no sauce on it, though the seasonings really come through with the smokiness.
If you prefer grilled food, I have two recommendations: the grilled calamari or the steak. Both are tender, delicious, and packed with juiciness – the choice is just up to your mood (if you can, order both!).
8. Braseiro
Media credit casa_cardoso_
Address: 8261 St Laurent Blvd
Contact Details: +1 514-389-0606
Operating Hours: Tuesday – Wednesday: 11:30 AM – 8:30 PM | Thursday: 11:30 AM – 9:00 PM | Friday – Saturday: 11:30 AM – 9:30 PM | Sunday: 11:30 AM – 8:00 PM
Price: $$
For authentic Portuguese food with incredible flavours, drop by Braseiro. This restaurant offers some of the best meats you’ll ever have.
I’ve tried the chicken multiple times here, and the consistency is the same. The marinade seems to penetrate every fiber, as the seasoning can still be tasted on the bones! Plus, the portion is big enough for the price you pay.
If you prefer more roasted options, roast chicken and octopus are some of the best choices. The level of smokiness is just right, and it’s more juicy than greasy. I usually pair mine with an order of Caesar salad just to balance things out.
9. Helena
Media credit restauranthelena and chef_jmuller
Website: https://www.restauranthelena.com/
Address: 438 McGill St
Contact Details: +1 514-878-1555
Operating Hours: Monday – Friday: 11:30 AM – 11:00 PM | Saturday: 5:30 PM – 11:00 PM
Price: $$
If you want to enjoy small-plate dishes and try multiple flavours with friends, Helena is a great place. The experience feels super personal too, as Chef Helena herself often takes time to greet everyone’s table (if it’s not too busy!).
To start off your meal, I recommend something simple – bread and olive oil. Sometimes, you may get something that isn’t warm. I don’t feel too picky, considering it’s a pretty simple starter. Plus, it’s delicious anyway.
For the heart of your meal, you can select a few from their tapas options. I liked that pasteis de bacalhau. These crispy codfish fritters have a perfectly cooked exterior and are accompanied by the aromatic tastes of onion and parsley.
They usually serve white wines alongside the main dishes. Though I am not a fan, I liked that they paired well with all of the dishes.
10. Aquinta
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Website: https://aquinta.ca/
Address: 1851 Ontario St E
Contact Details: +1 514-563-1211
Operating Hours: Tuesday – Sunday: 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Price: $$
Aquinta is pretty famous in the neighborhood for its beloved grilled octopus, and yes, the buzz is well-deserved. To say it’s perfectly cooked is an understatement – the level of chewiness is just right: firm, tender, and meaty.
This comes with solid sides too, including salad, rice, and potatoes. It’s a pretty filling option, so I recommend only going for this if you’re not planning on ordering too much.
Fish is also fantastic, by the way, as it’s charcoal-grilled perfectly. The skin on the outside is crispy enough, but the meat inside remains quite moist. This gives each bite a nice touch of smokiness that pairs well with the tangy dipping.
For non-seafood options, you can simply have their Portuguese chicken and rib combo plate. It’s nothing too groundbreaking, but it’s delicious enough – plus it comes with a side of salad and fries.
