La Banquise

Open since 1968, La Banquise is Montreal’s best-known poutine restaurant. The colourful diner on Rue Rachel, steps from Parc La Fontaine, serves more than thirty poutine variations and is famous for keeping its doors open around the clock, which makes it a fixture after shows, games and nights out.

How to get there

La Banquise is on Rue Rachel Est in the Plateau. Mont-Royal metro station (orange line) is about a 10-minute walk, and Sherbrooke station is also nearby. Parc La Fontaine, just across the street, is a lovely place to walk off a poutine.

What to order

Start with the classic: fries, fresh cheese curds that squeak and a hot brown gravy. Then explore the house variations with toppings such as smoked meat, sausage, bacon or vegetarian gravy. Portions are large, so sharing is wise if you want to try more than one.

Atmosphere

The interior is bright and playful, with a crowd that changes through the day: families at lunch, groups in the evening and night owls after midnight. About 80 seats inside are joined by a terrace of roughly 50 seats in summer.

Plan your visit

La Banquise is busiest late on Friday and Saturday nights and after major events, when lines can stretch onto the sidewalk. For a calmer visit, go on a weekday afternoon. Parc La Fontaine, just across the street, is one of the Plateau’s favourite green spaces, with a pond, walking paths and an outdoor theatre in summer. In winter, its pond is used for skating, making a poutine stop here a classic cold-weather outing.

Good to know

• Nearest metro: Mont-Royal (orange line), about a 10-minute walk
• Neighbourhood: Plateau-Mont-Royal, near Parc La Fontaine
• Cuisine: Poutine, Quebec casse-croûte
• Budget: $
• Terrace: Yes, in summer
• Best for: Late nights, groups, first-time poutine
• Tip: Expect a wait at peak times on weekends and after events

Why it is on our list

Poutine is Quebec’s most famous dish, and La Banquise is where many Montrealers bring visitors to taste it. See our list of 10 dishes you have to try in Montreal and our cheap eats guide.

Hours, menus and prices change often. Confirm opening hours and reservation policies directly with the restaurant before you go.