Some Montreal restaurants have a certain je ne sais quoi that just works within the city’s culture.
Like a cafe full of cats, a Harry Potter potion bar, or a restaurant that is completely pitch black.
And you know what? They work just fine.
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If you’re on the hunt for some strange, unique, and weird eateries in Montreal, here are some of our favourite quirky restaurants across the island.
The Lockhart Bar
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This bar, inspired by the Harry Potter franchise, specializes in magical cocktails and drinks that were inspired by both the books and movies.
The Lockhart Bar — named after Hogwart’s former Defense Against the Dark Arts professor Gilderoy Lockhart — closed temporarily during the pandemic but plans to open its doors again in the not too distant future.
Address: 3979 Saint-Denis
Hours: 3 pm to 1 am
Le Bateau-mouche
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How about dining on top of the historic St. Lawrence River?
Open every day from May to mid-October, Le Bateau-mouche offers three different menus while you’re on board: breakfast, lunch, and dusk dinner.
If you don’t get seasick, give this quirky restaurant a chance.
If you do, don’t.
Address: 55 Ferry Dock, Old Montreal
Hours: 9 am to 7 pm
Candibar MTL
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Gum-ball machines, spiked slushes, and gummies galore at a pink and purple-accented dance spot.
It’s like you’re a kid. But with lots of booze.
Address: 1148 Mont-Royal
Hours: Wednesday to Saturday, 5 pm to 3 am; Sunday, 7 pm to 3 am; closed Monday & Tuesday
O.Noir
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Montreal has a restaurant devoted to the visually impaired.
In the heart of the Plateau, O.Noir’s staff is blind and the restaurant is pitch black. It offers clients a sensory experience, without relying on the sense of sight.
Address: 124 Rue Prince-Arthur Est
Hours: Friday – Saturday, 5:30 to 11 pm; Wednesday to Thursday, 5:30 to 10 pm; closed Monday & Tuesday
Randolph
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Randolph is a bar and restaurant that offers cocktails, microbrews, a quick bite, and hundreds of board games.
It’s decorated like that game-full basement of the 90s.
Address: 2041 Saint-Denis
Hours: Tuesday – Friday, 5 pm to 1 am; Saturday to Sunday, 12 pm to 12 am; closed Monday
Ping Pong Club
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Some restaruant combinations are head scratchers.
Like ping pong, food, and cocktails.
But breaking up your appetizers and main course with a rivetting game of ping pong is admiteddly pretty wild.
Address: 5788 St Laurent Blvd
Hours: Tuesday to Saturday, 5 pm to 1 am
Café chat l’heureux
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If you’re a fan of cats, this cafe in the Plateau is full of them. Plus, coffee, pastries, and savory dishes.
Address: 172 rue Duluth Est
Hours: 11 am to 8 pm, closed Mondays
Restaurant Vandale
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This restaurant in the Old Port— the sister bar of the popular Le Speakeasy — lets local artists vandalize its walls.
Address: 120 McGill Street
Hours: Tuesday to Thursday, 5:30 to 11 pm; Friday to Saturday, 5:30 pm to 3 am; closed Sunday & Monday
Oasis Surf
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Yo radical, dude!
This restaurant in the South Shore is a surfer’s paradise… indoors.
Oasis Surf uses an imitation wave pool to create killer waves. Grab some grub, a cocktail, and tackle some serious waves.
Surf’s up!
Address: 9520 Boulevard Leduc Suite 01, Brossard
Hours: 11:30 am – 9 pm