Brace yourself, Montreal:
C’est la saison des huitres.
So if you’re looking for a shucking good time – here are our top 11 notable spots in Montreal to get your oyster on (in no particular order):
1. Le North End
This cozy Rosemont neighborhood bar is fairly new to the game. Their out-of-this-world oysters will leave your mouth watering. Every night, Le North End offers three types of oysters from different coastal cities. Try their dozen oysters special with red and white wine mignonette, spicy horseradish, and special house cocktail sauce – we promise it’ll leave you craving a dozen more. And make sure to hit them up on Sundays when buck-a-shuck is offered all day long.
2. Lucille’s Oyster Dive
Leading the Montreal oyster craze is Lucille’s Oyster Dive. This Monkland Village institution and fan favorite seafood hotspot really set the standards of oyster bars in our city. Come down and enjoy a variety of oysters any day of the week or hunt down their popular food-truck. Your oyster munchies will surely be satisfied either way.
3. Bar Mme Lee
Representing Montreal’s lively Quartier des Spectacles is this unique, festive, and refreshing bar with tasty cocktails and gourmet snacks. Named in honour of the building’s longtime owner, Bar Mme Lee has become quite popular with the after work crowd, consistently catering to a mature circle of young adults. Head here on Tuesdays for $1 oysters – but hustle, they disappear fast.
4. Maestro S.V.P.
It’s oyster season all year round at Maestro S.V.P. Scrawled across the wall’s huge blackboard are the restaurant’s 20 different daily oyster options. Maestro’s happy hour specials are not to be missed – 12 Beausoleil oysters for $16? How could you not? Another notable specialty is their oyster rockafeller which they bake in the oven with green herbs, bread crumbs, and lots of butter.
5. Oyster Shack
Bishop St.’s Oyster Shack brings the raw bar game to the hustle and bustle of downtown Montreal. The Oyster Shack serves up the best of New England food fair from luscious lobster rolls and creamy clam chowders, to crispy crab cakes and fresh oysters. This is heavenly comfort food at its finest.
6. Flyjin
Wednesdays at Flyjin have never been better. This trendy Old Montreal Japanese restaurant throws their weekly Crulove affair, where DJ Hillel + friends spin the hottest beats while serving up $1 oysters all evening long. What better way to indulge in these little suckers?
7. Lawrence
Mile End’s most talked about brunch/dinner spot never disappoints. This gem offers nothing but the best local and sustainable grub to fill our bellies. Looking for the ideal appetizer? Try their Glacier Bay oysters drizzled with tangy mignonette sauce for a perfect combination of sweet and salty realness.
8. Henri St. Henri
St. Henri’s newest addition has the up and coming neighborhood buzzing. The cuisine’s unique style is influenced largely after the Iles-de-la-Madelaine and the southern United states. Offering fresh and fried oysters as well as a $75 seafood platter, sharing and caring has officially never been easier.
9. Cartel Street Food Bar
This hip and happening Mile End hot spot is inspired by street food carts from around the globe and has a diverse menu that offers something for everyone’s pallet. Taco Tuesdays and Tapas Thursdays have become quite popular with the after work crowd but it’s their Oyster Wednesdays that truly stand out. Oysters are $1 and sparkling wine is $5 a glass all night; it doesn’t get better than that – on a Wednesday anyway.
10. Notkins
When the man behind the popular Oysterfest opens his first restaurant in Montreal you know it’s bound to be a winner. Daniel Notkin, whose name is synonymous with the oyster game in town, unleashes his love for oysters at this all new “bar a huitres”. Located off Bleury Street in the Marriot Hotels backyard courtyard, this oyster bar reminds us of the beach homes bordering the manicured Massachusetts’ shore. Not only will Notkins serve shucked, melt-in-your-mouth oysters but you can also expect fresh steamed lobster, whole grilled fish, fresh cut sashimi, and citrusy ceviche to fill the menu.
11. L’Orignal
Having recently re-opened after an extensive renovation, Old Montreal’s L’Orignal is back and better than ever. Retaining its warm après-ski lodge look, this restaurant offers some of the juiciest and freshest oysters in town. Sit back at their newly extended bar and order the popular seafood plate consisting of lobster confit, smoked trout, mussels, and of course – our favorite precious oysters.
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