Joe Beef is the restaurant that made the world pay attention to Montreal's food scene. Opened in 2005 by David McMillan and Frédéric Morin in a tiny space in the then-gritty Little Burgundy neighbourhood, it became within a few years one of the most talked-about restaurants in North America — celebrated for its unapologetically rich, indulgent Québécois-French cooking and its exceptional wine list.
The menu changes daily and is written on a chalkboard. Expect bone marrow, lobster spaghetti, whole roasted animals, and an approach to food that is generous, unselfconscious, and deeply rooted in Quebec's culinary tradition. The space is small, the atmosphere is convivial bordering on raucous, and reservations are essential weeks in advance. The same team runs the adjacent Liverpool House (514 Notre-Dame Ouest) with a slightly lighter menu and equally serious wine. If you care about food, Joe Beef is worth planning your trip around.