Getting married is a huge milestone. If you’re like me, you like to drag the good moments on as long as possible. That’s why it is so exciting to have all these small events that lead up to a wedding. Although this ceremony takes place the night before, the wedding rehearsal dinner should be just as special as the rest. As a server and bartender myself, I know this is the time in your life when you want to receive good service the most. Living in Montreal, the infrastructure and nature of the food culture is at your advantage. The event staff, design and food at these Montreal restaurants will surely make your night individually memorable. Old and new, here are the top 5 Montreal restaurants to book your next rehearsal dinner at.
Toqué
Location: 900 Place Jean-Paul Riopelle
Contact: 514.499.2084
restaurant-toque.com
Since 1993, this spot has been able to climb its way to the top and stay there. Not only is this one of the best spots in Montreal, but it is an award-winning restaurant across Canada too. Although expensive, I recommend this place for your wedding rehearsal dinner because of the once-in-a-lifetime experience you will receive. Toqué determines their menu based on their daily market arrivals, creating a fresh and always changing menu. Book the entire restaurant, a semi-private room or reserve a table in the dining area. If your group consists of 21+ guests, it will be a fixed menu, but any less than that and the chef will give you some menu options to choose from. To top it all off, award-winning sommelier Carl Villeneuve Lepage pairs the wines to complete the evening with ultimate perfection.
“I have so much respect for people cooking outside of the city. It’s so hard—to source the produce, to sell meals at a fair price.”
– Normand Laprise
Bistro Les Nomades
Location: 4287 Rue Saint-Denis
Contact: 514.903.4989
bistrolesnomades.ca
Newly opened in 2017, it is already having people talking! They specialize in dishes like oysters, bison ribs, and duck. Offering a variety of options, it is becoming the go-to spot because of the creative plates and comfortable atmosphere. Although limited at only 50 seats and only being open a few days a week, this is the place for your wedding rehearsal dinner if you’re looking for a small, casual setting. Equipped with a colourful and textured kitchen, you know you can relax and refresh before your elegant weekend ahead. The bonus is this place is a gastropub – they offer a variety of beer, cocktails and other fancy drinks. Intimate and unique, this venue gives you the option to keep it cool for the evening or indulge in the drink and food they have to offer.
“The food is excellent, the service great, the decor is nice and the atmosphere is always great.”
– Trip Advisor
Hvor
Location: 1414 Notre-Dame St. W.
Contact: 514.937.2001
hvor.ca
Hvor’s team creates menus weekly according to the harvests and arrivals. This restaurant was built to be an adventure. Consisting of a rooftop garden, they reveal tastes of the land that no other restaurant has done yet. Freshly picking vegetables, spices and aromatic plants, this place creates a truly natural experience. You will truly get a taste of the best food imported seasonally, and the opportunity to indulge in locally grown produce. Since your wedding guests are most likely eating elegant meats and sweets the next day, this place is ideal because of its strong agriculture influence. This restaurant has a minimalistic design and will truly impress your wedding rehearsal guests. Filling you up with organic ingredients, Hvor is sure to be your new favourite – especially when you’re craving something different!
“I respect the locavore philosophy, but at my core I’m a cook. The goal is to make customers happy.”
– S’Arto Chartier Oris
Moleskine
Location: 3412 Parc Ave.
Contact: 514.903.6939
moleskine-mtl.com
This restaurant makes it on the list not only because of the good food, but the various dining options it offers too. Consisting of a take-out window, a casual 40-seat space surrounding a wood-burning oven downstairs and a 30-seat gastronomic room upstairs – this is the place to get the best of all worlds. Renowned Montreal designer Bruno Braën is responsible for the eye-catching décor that surrounds guests as they eat. Your wedding rehearsal party will have many options to sit, dine and drink. From pastas, pizzas to more elegant dishes, this is where you go to keep your party entertained all night long. Vintage vinyl records is all the chef plays, which makes it an even more classic experience. Depending on your mood, reserve seats casually downstairs, or dress up and book a table upstairs for more of a fine dining atmosphere.
“The fresh and fabulous food, the stellar wine program, the laid-back ambiance and edgy decor seem to epitomize the best of what the Montreal restaurant scene has to offer these days.”
– Lesley Chesterman
Maison Boulud
Location: 1228 Sherbrooke St. W.
Contact: 514.842.4224
maisonboulud.com
Based out of the Ritz-Carlton, this is a reoccurring national favourite. Daniel Boulud, mentioned in the Toronto blog, designed the menu with Chef Riccardo Bertolino doing the honours of preparing it. Over the years, Berolino has infused his own dishes into the menu adding a beautiful touch to the restaurants already thriving cuisine. Personal and warm, this French-Italian inspired menu is the perfect fit for the occasion. Maintaining their own identity, choose between the restaurant, bar, lounge and 24-seat private lounge to book your rehearsal dinner. The adjacent veranda dining room even has a view of the famous gardens of the Hotel. Known as a special-occasion venue, you are definitely going to exceed your taste buds’ expectations. Another pricy spot, but definitely worth it – especially if you book ahead on the terrace!
“You must have discipline and respect for others to be a good chef.”
– Riccardo Bertolino