An hour to eat between meetings, a business lunch to organize, or simply the desire for a good midday meal? For a lunch in downtown Montreal, the options are vast, from Sainte-Catherine Street to Place Ville Marie. We've selected seven verified spots for all tastes and budgets: gourmet food courts, brasseries, Montreal institutions, and neighborhood restaurants. Each restaurant in this selection serves lunch and is within walking distance of downtown offices.

Quick vocabulary reminder: in Quebec, "dîner" is the midday meal. A business lunch is therefore a business "dîner"!

1. Time Out Market Montréal (Centre Eaton)

For a quick lunch where everyone can find something they like, without reservations, Time Out Market Montréal is a safe bet. Located in the Centre Eaton at 705 Sainte-Catherine Street West, right in the heart of downtown, it brings together, over 40,000 square feet, some fifteen counters run by Montreal chefs and restaurants, as well as seven bars. Everyone chooses what they want, then meets at the same table.

It's the ideal place for a lunch with colleagues who have different tastes: everyone finds their dish among the counters. The experience is simple: order at the counter, sit down, and eat in under an hour. The market opens at 11:30 a.m. every day. Check the official website for the current list of counters.

2. Le Cathcart Restaurants et Biergarten (Place Ville Marie)

Under the glass pavilion of PVM, Le Cathcart offers a dozen concepts under one roof. Options include: reinvented Jewish cuisine at Arthurs, comforting Japanese cuisine at OTTO, sushi at Petit Momiji, poke bowls at Karma Poké, salads at Dirty Greens, Lebanese cuisine at Omnivore, Neapolitan pizzas at Pizza Maria, tacos at Tulum Taqueria, Vietnamese and Laotian cuisine at HÀ, burgers and fries at Burger + Frites, and specialty coffee at Café Véloce.

The biergarten serves microbrewery beers, wines, and cocktails. You can order via the Cathcart app. Convenient for a quick work lunch or a break between appointments. Hours vary by counter: check them on the Place Ville Marie website.

3. Les Enfants Terribles (Place Ville Marie)

For a more relaxed business lunch, the brasserie Les Enfants Terribles opens at 11:30 a.m. on weekdays, at 3 Place Ville Marie. The brasserie combines French cuisine with a contemporary American approach, featuring seasonal dishes and local products. The atmosphere is friendly, and the restaurant also hosts groups and private events. A great choice for hosting clients or partners in a lively setting at the base of the tower.

4. Ferreira Café (Peel Street)

For 30 years, Ferreira Café has been showcasing Portuguese cuisine on Peel Street. The establishment presents itself as "Montreal's business lunch": contemporary Portuguese cuisine in a warm atmosphere that keeps you coming back. A distinct lunch menu from the evening menu allows for a good meal without spending the entire afternoon. Lunch is served Monday to Friday, from 11:45 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Two private spaces, including a room on the 2nd floor that can accommodate up to 150 people, host business lunches and events. Reservations are recommended, by phone or online. The restaurant is not far from the Bell Centre.

5. Café Parvis (Mayor Street)

Near the Place-des-Arts metro station and a few minutes from the Quartier des spectacles, Café Parvis is a bright spot at 433 Mayor Street. At lunchtime, people come for the pizzas, available at all times, salads, and midday dishes served from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., like the sandwich of the day or the pasta of the day. The menu changes with the seasons. Café Parvis opens from Tuesday to Friday starting at 11 a.m. and also rents conference rooms. Convenient for a meeting followed by a meal. The ambiance, between café and bistro, also makes it a great place for a tête-à-tête lunch.

6. Reuben's Deli (Sainte-Catherine Street)

Craving a classic Montreal dish? Since 1976, Reuben's has been serving its smoked meat at 888 Sainte-Catherine Street West. The menu includes smoked meat sandwiches, soups, salads, and classic starters. It's the ideal option for a comforting and quick meal, without fuss, between errands on Sainte-Catherine Street.

7. Boustan (Crescent Street)

For a cheap and tasty lunch, Boustan is an institution. The first restaurant opened its doors in 1986 on Crescent Street, near De Maisonneuve Boulevard. The house became known for its shawarmas and Lebanese pitas. Perfect for a quick bite between classes at Concordia or meetings. Boustan now has many branches across Canada.

How to choose your lunch restaurant?

  • Business lunch: reserve a table in a brasserie or restaurant with a private room, like Les Enfants Terribles or Ferreira Café.
  • Quick lunch: the food courts at Time Out Market and Cathcart offer a wide variety of dishes served in minutes.
  • Small budget: a sandwich at Reuben's or a shawarma at Boustan allows you to eat well without breaking the bank.
  • Large group: food courts and restaurants with private rooms more easily accommodate groups.
  • Limited time: at the counter, count on a few minutes; in a restaurant with table service, plan for at least an hour for the full meal.
  • Reservation: at lunchtime, restaurants in the business district fill up quickly between noon and 1 p.m. Reserve or arrive a little before noon.

Prices and hours change regularly: check the official website of each address before heading out.

Frequently Asked Questions about lunch in downtown Montreal

Where to have lunch in downtown Montreal?

For a varied lunch, Time Out Market (Centre Eaton) and Le Cathcart (Place Ville Marie) offer dozens of options. For a sit-down meal, the brasseries and restaurants on Peel Street and Place Ville Marie are good choices.

Where to eat cheaply in Montreal?

Counters like Boustan, a sandwich at Reuben's, or food courts allow for budget-friendly meals. Midday dishes, often simpler than evening ones, are also a good option in many Montreal restaurants.

Which restaurant to choose for a business lunch?

Choose a restaurant that takes reservations and offers a calm setting, like Ferreira Café, known for its business lunches.

Also to discover downtown

After lunch, take advantage of your break to walk on McGill College Avenue or visit the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts. For a healthy break, see our selection of juice bars in Montreal, and for dinner, discover Héritaj, near Old Montreal.