There’s no place in the world like Montreal, Quebec. Located in the southwest region of the Canadian province, Montreal is a northern gem. Many incredible innovations have emerged from the city including the hoverboard, the snow blower, and smoked melons. Now, Black-owned restaurants in Montreal are making a major impact on the city’s gastronomic culture.

Montreal has an array of African, Haitian, and Caribbean restaurants to enjoy. Serving up everything from jerk chicken to fufu, these restaurants are approaching culinary arts in their own unique way. Here are a few Black-owned restaurants to check out the next time you’re in Montreal.

L’Atelier Duo de Chef

Duo de Chef is a must-visit for amazing Haitian food in Montreal, Quebec. The owners grew up around food and incorporated food into their professional careers. Now, the restaurant is a major influence on Montreal’s culinary scene. The menu is diverse with many Haitian, Caribbean, and Southern American favorites. Their menu includes everything from barbecue ribs and plantains to poutine and jerk chicken. The restaurant has worked to build a positive rapport in the community and reinforces the importance of showcasing the city’s Black-owned restaurants.

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Location: Montreal
Type of Cuisine: Haitian Cuisine
Menu Spotlight: Grilled Shrimp Mac & Cheese
Before You Go: Many folks say the flavors at L’Atelier Duo de Chef are the best representation of Montreal’s cuisine style.

Palme

Discover the fusion of Haitian and modern cuisine at Palme. Since 2016, Chef Ralph Alerte Desamours has survived the ever-changing culinary landscape (and a pandemic), remaining one of the top-rated restaurants in Montreal. Guests love their rum-filled cocktails, savory lamb dishes, and traditional Canadian dishes with a side of Haitian flair. Staying true to its name, Palme is inspired by islands everywhere where palm trees grow.

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Location: Plateau Mont-Royal Neighborhood
Type of Cuisine: Haitian
Menu Spotlight: Griot
Before You Go: Past guests suggest making a reservation at this restaurant to ensure you get a table.

Lloydie’s

Proudly serving the Montreal community since 1987, Lloydie’s is one of the oldest Caribbean restaurants in the city. They have all of your favorite island dishes like escovitch fish., roti, jerk chicken, and more. Family-owned and operated, this Black-owned restaurant is loved by Montreal residents all over the city. Folks can’t get enough of Lloydie’s. Some come for the jerk pork and others come for the coconut cream pies. Either way, a visit to Lloydie’s is guaranteed to have a good vibe and good food.

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Location: Mile End Neighborhood
Type of Cuisine: Caribbean Cuisine
Menu Spotlight: Ackee & Saltfish
Before You Go: If you can’t make it into Lloydie’s, you can find their beef patties in select grocery stores in Montreal.

Boom J’s Cuisine

Travelers should stop by Boom J’s Cuisine for authentic Jamaican food. The restaurant has both take-out and delivery so it’s great for food on the go. The mission at Boom J’s is to create memorable food experiences for every guest who visits. Serving the community since 2013, the owner opened a second location in the Ville Emard neighborhood to accommodate the demand. Stop through Boom J’s for incredible dishes like chickpea roti, curried goat, and kingfish.

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Location: Southwest Montreal
Type of Cuisine: Jamaican
Menu Spotlight: Slow-Cooked Jerk Chicken
Before You Go: Boom J’s is open every day to fulfill all of your Jamaican cuisine desires.

Kwizinn

Another great restaurant for Haitian food in Montreal is Kwizinn, founded by Chef Michael Lafaille in 2018. Lafaille wanted to showcase the diversity of Haitian food in a new and fun way. Now, Montreal foodies can’t get enough of his creative, inspiring dishes. The menu draws inspiration from cuisines near and far. With Caribbean food as the foundation, Lafaille incorporates culinary techniques and ingredients from Asian, European, and American recipes.

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Location: Rosemont-La Petite-Patrie Neighborhood
Type of Cuisine: Haitian
Menu Spotlight: Riz Djon-Djon
Before You Go: Travelers may also catch the Kwizinn food truck at select events and festivals around Montreal.

Le Virunga

Ran by a mother-daughter duo, Le Virunga is the Black-owned, Montreal bistro you have to visit. The cuisine pairs traditional Québecois dishes with spices and ingredients from all over Africa. The owner traveled throughout the African continent and the menu items are inspired by her love for West African culture and food. Named after a UNESCO national park in the Congo, Le Virunga is a culinary love story designed for the people of Montreal.

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Location: Montreal
Type of Cuisine: African Infusion
Menu Spotlight: Froyi
Before You Go: The ingredients and produce used at Le Virunga are locally sourced and imported from a farmer in West Africa.

Restaurant Kamúy

Restaurant Kamúy is a chill, chic spot located in downtown Montreal. The aesthetic of the restaurant is perfect with the building being shaped like a glass, shotgun-style house. A pan-Caribbean-style restaurant, Kamuy celebrates island culture from up north. The word ‘Kamuy’ means sun and the owners intentionally wanted to shine the joys of Caribbean food all over the city. Now, Restaurant Kamuy is a go-to establishment for elevated Caribbean deliciousness.

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Location: Downtown Montreal
Type of Cuisine: Caribbean Cuisine
Menu Spotlight: Fritay
Before You Go: Owner Chief Paul was born in Haiti and many Haitian influences can be seen on the menu at Kamuy.

Atelier Marjorie

There’s no other bakery in Montreal like Atelier Marjorie. The Black-owned restaurant is a real experience and many people visit just for its Tea Time. An immersive culinary experience, Tea Time invites guests to indulge in the sweeter side of life. Try an assortment of baked treats including macaroons and cupcakes followed by delicious beverages. Atelier Marjorie is great for a girl’s day, a daytime date outing, or meeting up with friends in style while in Montreal.

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Location: Montreal
Type of Cuisine: Bakery
Menu Spotlight: Eclairs
Before You Go: Travelers can book their Tea Time experience on the bakery’s website.

Pikliz

Keeping in line with the theme of Haitian eats, Pikliz is another place to add to the must-try list when in Montreal. Owned by brothers Akim and Abdel Acacia, the restaurant is rooted in tradition and a passion for culinary arts. The brothers grew up in Montreal but would often travel to Haiti with their parents as children. There they learned the traditional cooking practices of Haitian cuisine and opened their restaurant in 2019 to share it with the Montreal community.

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Location: Saint-Henri
Type of Cuisine: Haitian Cuisine
Menu Spotlight: Le Pikliz Wrap
Before You Go: Pikliz also has vegan dishes so it’s a great choice for those with alternative diets.

Black-owned restaurants in Montreal are making waves. They represent cuisines across the African Diaspora and showcase the movement of Black culinary arts. Next time you’re in Montreal, don’t miss out on dining at one of these incredible establishments.