Montreal restaurants that have closed during the pandemic
Montreal is known for having a sparkling repertoire of restaurants, bars, cafes, and pubs. The city shines on offering locals and tourists an array of dining experiences, offering tastes from every corner of the globe.
To say the least, the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has been a devastating time for local businesses, specifically in the hospitality sector, and an alarming amount of places have been forced to permanently hang up their chairs as a result.
In October, Quebec restaurant owners penned an open letter to Premier François Legault stating they felt betrayed after adjusting their dining rooms to accommodate the pandemic’s first wave, only to have to shut down again during the province’s most recent lockdown.
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The letter is signed by 40 major players in Quebecâs restaurant business, including Le Groupe Sportscene (La Cage franchises), St-Hubert, the MTY Group (Bâton Rouge, Dagwoods, AllĂ´! Mon Coco), Normandin, and renowned French chef JĂŠrĂ´me Ferrer.
The letter addresses the fate of thousands of workers throughout the industry. It highlights the psychological and emotional distress that service employees have been dealing with due to the pandemicâs âuncertainty.â
Restaurateurs have pleaded their case for the right to welcome customers again, lobbying that they can offer âsafe supervisionâ to clients while understanding and adhering to the guidelines put forth by public health.
Legault says he “understands [the lockdown] is not easy” for restaurants but says the closures are “necessary” to reduce community transmission of the virus.
In November, the premier said he “hopes” restaurants in red zones would be able to reopen by January, but nothing is yet certain.
Esquina
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Esquina was a go-to spot in The Plateau, thanks to its proximity to concert halls, parks, and restaurants. In a June Facebook post, the cafe said it was unable to handle the difficulties caused by the pandemic.
“This is what marks the end of Esquina’s life,” reads the post. “It’s time to say goodbye.”
Cosmos
Arguably, Montreal’s most famous greasy spoon breakfast spot, Cosmos, was forced to close over the summer after 53 years in business in a small nook off Sherbrooke in NDG.
Le Blumenthal
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Le Blumenthal, a gorgeous bistro that opened in 2017 at the Quartier des Spectacles, announced it wouldn’t be able to overcome the government’s second lockdown in October.
 Balsam Inn
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Balsam Inn, the warm and cozy spot smack in the middle of downtown Montreal was forced to close its doors after the second lockdown.
The popular Inn closed “as a result of difficulties related to the pandemic,” said the resto’s social media post.