L'Express

Excellent Lunch! We will be making this a regular spot to eat. Great service, excellent food, felt like we were in France.

Une brasserie typique avec un service en or. On a pu y manger un premier janvier, c’était inespéré et les plats étaient délicieux.

One of those must-dine spots if you only have a couple of nights in the city! Truly a unique French dining experience that will have you coming back for more. Based on other reviews, my partner and I had our eyes on & ordered the following:

-apps: green salad, grilled octopus
-mains: mushroom ravioli, steak frites
-dessert: creme brûlée

we were super satisfied with all our orders, the mains being the highlights! The complimentary pickles, bread and Dijon before our meal was another favourite that set the course for the evening.the ambiance added to the meal, with no free table in sight in the cozy dining space. The only thing leaving to be desired was the speed of service, the restaurant was definitely understaffed for how busy it was. Beyond that, we will definitely be back:)

Loved the food! The best saumon grilled ever! The canard aussi was great, and I don’t know what there is with them fries here that are the best ever. The place was loaded, very busy so we had a sit a the bar, close to the kitchen door. It was like one episode of the Chefs, you can feel the level of professionalism, the tension (in a good way, they are working hard and with high standards in every dish). My only but is the ambiance, for this level of restaurant you need to modernize it a bit, a little soul in the restroom area also. The service was great.

Bustling brasserie. The two bartenders were attentive and helpful. My beet salad was otherworldly good. Duck confit was also excellent. Great selection of wines and cognacs, Armagnacs and Calvados.

A classic for a REASON. This is a place I would return to again and again.
Recently had lunch here and they did a great job accommodating our large group. We tried a bunch of things but special highlights included the chicken liver mousse, goat cheese, and Caesar salad with chicken livers.
Do NOT miss the tartelette citron. It is to die for.

Service is amazing but to our surprise food quality was low. We ordered steak and it was chewy full of veins and hard to even cut set aside eating

Wonderful experience! The steak tartare and duck confit were superb. The wine is list is insane, so much to choose from.

Great restaurant and great service and food.

Had the quail and hanger steak. Both great. I’d recommend this restaurant

On y fêtait 2 personnes sur les 4. Bon menu, nourriture excellente ainsi que le service, et finalement ambiance typique d'un café européen ️

Très bonne place, une belle brasserie parisienne qui n’a perdu ni son charme ni sa cuisine! Service impeccable, menu avec tous les classiques bien réalisés et surtout très bons!
Seul point négatif, très bruyant à l’intérieur et encore plus les tables au niveau du bar où les serveurs débarrassent assez bruyamment la vaisselle on s’entendait pas parler parfois…

Had an incredible time at l’Express! Food was fantastic (steak frites, celeriac remoulade, chicken liver mousse) ; wine was lovely; server was delightful!

Typical classic French bistro decor, menu and service. The beet salad was outstanding and one of the most unique I’ve had. The meal was very good, wine pairings were spot on. One thing to note is that there were no vegetarian main dish options.

Toujours aussi bon. Menu varié pour tous les palais exigeants. Bon service. Carte des vins bien fournie.

Amazing dinner. Lovely vintage French decor. I had the duck 10/10. All starter salads are shockingly good

Very French. Delicious ravioli and duck confit. Wait staff helpful and friendly if a bit pushy.

We very disappointed by L’Express bistro. We found it to be very overrated, with mediocre food but sky-high prices. First of all, the menu was surprisingly narrow for a Parisian-style bistro — there was no escargot, oysters, rabbit or other must-have bistro items. We ordered steak tartare, sorrel soup, fish soup and quiche. The fish soup was tasteless and had no discernible seafood flavor. It tasted like a cheap condensed soup with water added. The sorrel soup was okay, but nothing special. The steak tartare was blah, actually the worst tartare I’ve ever tried. It had no real flavor — all I could taste is red chili pepper, which is a weird ingredient for steak tartare. Good tartare should be slightly salty, slightly lemony, and slightly mustard flavored. It shouldn’t been chili-pepper-flavored and muddy looking! And the quiche was completely nondescript and bland — exactly the same as a slice of quiche you’d get at a fast-food place.

Also, the price was almost overwhelming for this so-so, nothing special food.

The interior of the restaurant is charming, and the service was superb. Our waiter was very friendly and helpful. But in terms of the food, we felt strongly that this restaurant is coasting on its reputation. Definitely not recommended.

Delicious french food bistro. The vibe really reminded me of Paris. There's an extensive wine list and the food was all amazing.

Bonne cuisine classique comme dans les bistrots français, très beau cadre, décoration très soignée et personnel extrêmement courtois et qualifié

We go to this restaurant quite often because the kitchen is open late

I like the baguette, pickles and mustard starter

It is all French menu and you must really like traditional French food to enjoy the menu at this place.

My husband loves the beef tartar here
I enjoy their desserts and the warm goat cheese and beet salad

L'express demeure un incontournable dans le quartier. Depuis de longues années nous avons la chance d'avoir ce lieu avec une ambiance incomparable et un bouffe à la française excellente. Le service est à la hauteur, Xavier et Jules qui nous ont servi hier soir furent efficaces, et très chics.

It's the best. Hasn't changed in 30 years and I hope it won't. Marrow bones YES. Felt I was in Paris. Nice attentive service and great winelist at fair prices. I come every trip to Montreal

An evening in culinary heaven! Superb food, cozy classic decor and the friendliest staff anywhere makes this intimate boite stand out as a giant among all the Montréal scene. Planning my return during next visit from Toronto. Well earned status of institution! Highest recommendation!

Quintessential French Bistro experience. Overslept my reservation by an hour and unfortunately missed the Chicken Liver Pate. Everything I had was phenomenal though.

I feel like I m back in Paris in this restaurant. I love the cornichons at the table, the mustard which is as strong as in France. Favorite dishes are the steak frites and the “ île flottante” for deserts

Duck leg was okay. But mushroom risottokindly ask the cook to think twice before pouring more cheese on it

You have to get the homemade ravioli! Sooooo good. I don’t have a picture because I immediately devoured it.

I was there many times in the 80's and 90 's. The atmosphere, perfect has not changed. Service excellence at most. Cuisine perfect.enjoy.

Un classique qui sais conserver sa clientèle par une qualité stable et égale au fil du temps. Tout un défi!

Le confit de canard est malade mental. Service et personnels impeccables. L'Express est toujours #1 pour moi.

Delicious, great service and amazing staff. Food is classic French, which I found a tad dull but it's all very well executed

Food quality is great. Service is excellent all the stuff are friendly. And it’s a good place for late night dinner.

Reasonably priced good french food. Got the salade de betteraves and rognon de veau.portions can be shared.

Classic and delicious French Bistro menu, complex and affordable wine list very convenient opening hours. Highly recommend.

My wife took the Veal Kidney and wasn't too impressed, but my Confit de Canard was simply amazing. The vibe in the restaurant is good for a romantic date, you'll feel transported to Paris. The service was good, but not wow. Definitely a must to go place in Montreal

Simply amazing! Montreal-French cuisine experience to max!
You should make reservations, be ready to have a great wine, Prosecco or even Don Perignon.
The desserts were and incredible closing to a wonderful meal
Extremely cozy and fancy at same time.
I loved how they highlight the people who works there, makes you feel you have been taken care of.
Must go place if you are in Montreal

The cuisine is always made with the finest and freshest ingredients, the Staff are friendly and always ready to assist with menu choices. I visit for a fine meal here every chance I get!

The food was excellent, our server very knowledgeable about the menu. We had a really great time. My only biggy.it is very noisy kinda had to be really attentive to hear convos.

Food and service was good. However we were very tightly placed with another table and the whole eating experience was awkward and uncomfortable. We could hear each other and quite honestly it was like a fast-food restaurant spacing experience. Asked for rearrangement of seating but got rejected (nicely and politely) because of the capacity.

Great service. Tried the Beet salad- amazing with the gouda cheese on top! And chicken with grilled vegetables- also very good! Tried the caramel rice pudding and it was not what I expected. Tasted ok but not thick. A unique desert which I wouldn't get again. They didnt have a Rose wine but offered me a white wine flavored with red sauce which was the right balance of sweet with a hint of caramel. Great suggestion!

Absolutely average and mostly forgettable experience. There are numerous French restaurants that are so much better. The service was fine, as it was half empty and after midnight. Foie gras, hangar steak and quail were our choices. The Foie gras was the least inspiring on our Montreal experience (5 servings). I have had better quail in Dallas and Denver. And I can make a better steak on any grill at home.
Some of the other reviews here from locals state that this place is resting on its reputation from many years since past. That sounds about right.

The food here almost wanted to make me quit cooking for all of time. It was that delicious and intimidating. After finishing a few more bites. I was then motivated to be better in the kitchen. To give my family better home cooked meals. Inspired by French cuisine. Thank you L'Express. From New York con amor.

I have been eating here for 30 years.so I may be bias as this point but time after time, year after year the quality of food and wonderful service has been consistently wonderful. It’s a classic French style bistro. Small but perfect menu, great wine selection. Daily lunch specials. Call ahead for a reservation because it’s busy most of the time. They bring great bread and little pickles that are delightful. Save room for desert.

Is not the place that I will suggest it to dinner. VERY EXPENSIVE crazy expensive for the short menu list. I'm foody guy travel several days per week. In this place the desert I taste it and I can't it it. The wine list 3 pages and
ANY wine Malbec on the list average Price 280$! For a bottle of wine. I don't suggest you.

Excellent service and food. The service was not particularly friendly or warm but they did their job perfectly and everything was very delicious. Make sure you make a reservation.

Classic in every way. I don't think they have ever changed their menu and frankly they never need to. A staple for French cuisine in Montréal. The French bistro the way it is supposed to be. Wonderful setting, excellent service and succulent French food. A can't miss.

A typical French restaurant, not a lot of choices, but what is offered is delicious, tried butter steak, tastes great, also the tart de pomme as a desert was a good finish. For evening visits, you better reserve.

Great Restaurant, wounderfull atmosphere,
our server was extremly nice (worked there for over 15 year's, which tells a lot) Food, and wine list excellent. I also liked the pickles as an added extra.
Will definitely come again to try more dishes. BTW, its a family owned business ever since.

Service et nourriture à s’en jeter sur les murs. Mention spéciale à Olivier qui jamais ne manqua de voir à notre bonheur. Il fit de notre simple visite à l’Express un banquet réservé aux rois et aux reines que nous semblions être sous son attention.

Nous nous sommes par ailleurs battus mon amie et moi pour savoir qui mangerait la majeure partie du coleslaw japonais tellement il était succulent.

I used to love this place until today.i had the WORST service. And they NO longer serve brioche.i was given a plain white piece of bread and my french toast tasted like a dirty sponge.disgusting.

Very good place to eat! All dishes are delicious and beautiful. You'll have difficulty to decide what to eat! Waiters are really nice. Don't forget to reserve your place when you go there.

The type of restaurant that any fund of French (from France) gastronomy would be loving. Typical brasserie type of food, you can try out what French people can cook simply and better.
Plus they have a menu of some of the best wines, not so expensive compared to the prices in the city.

Like, love, plus plus plus?

Good value, great atmosphere. I'd come again to try some of the other plates. The hangar steak was nicely cooked, but the fries were not the garlic shoe string fries that I think the steak deserved. Instead the fries were somewhat greasy pub fries. That said overall you can't go wrong with the food, the creme brulee was phenomenal.

J'avais très hâte d'essayer ce restaurant du à sa réputation mais en appelant pour réserver une table j'ai reçu un service très condescendant qui m'a complètement enlevé le goût d'y aller.

This longtime establishment was recommended to my wife and I by the manager of Foiegwa. It is a step back in time and has the feel of an old fashioned dining car from the golden age of railroad.
The clean white uniforms of the waiters and the jar of cornichons are details that I have never encountered before in any meal and were the beginning of an excellent experience along with an outstanding meal.
My meal was steak frites and the bottle of wine was chosen by the waiter. Followed up by a dessert and coffee.
This restaurant is walking distance from the metro and easily accessed by a cab or other ride. It was an excellent suggestion, but I recommend reservations as we saw familiar people turning up and being turned away by the manager.