Your guide to Montréal food festivals

Around 40 restaurants around the city create signature poutines – our official unofficial dish – in a bid to win the title of the city’s best poutine.

One of the largest festivals in the world celebrating winter, MONTRÉAL EN LUMIÈRE pairs world-renowned chefs with some of the city’s finest tables to create menus and wine pairings offering unforgettable experiences.

For a whole month, Happening Gourmand takes you on a gastronomic journey through the nine restaurants of Experience Old Montréal (a select group of boutique hotels and restaurants in the old city), from Japanese and Italian to Québec terroir and steakhouse. Special table d’hôte menus at three tempting prices will satisfy all palates.

This spring wine fair is the perfect time to pick up some of your favourite privately imported wine. Discover many private import products from a few different countries!

Wellington Street in Verdun transforms into a winter lumberjack village. This street festival is celebrating its twelfth year in 2024 with family-friendly activities and restaurant vendors dishing up maple-inspired creations along the curb.

Technically 14 days,  Pizza Week unites the city (and the country!) through cheese slices. Many restaurants in the city will offer their signature pizzas in a bid to be crowned the city’s best.

The Festival Mondial de la bière has been offering workshops and demonstrations as well as samples of local microbrews and international favourites.

Join the fleet of Montréal food trucks every first Friday of the month from May to October at the Esplanade Financière Sun Life at the Olympic Park, from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. for some awesome open-air eats.

Celebrate all things Japan from food and culture. Enjoy thunderous taiko drum performances, concerts, movie viewings, artist workshops and most importantly street food! Fun for the entire family.

A local festival that celebrates inclusivity as well as Québec culture, from music, food and performing arts. La Guinguette features local artisans and food stalls that bring you some of the best of what our province has to offer, all on the border of the Lachine Canal.

The colourful southwest area of the city puts on a monthly street festival that attracts Montréalers from all over. A play on words for “sud-ouest” (southwest) the SudBest neighbourhood market takes place every last Saturday and Sunday of each month from June to September. Featuring local restaurants and artisanal crafts and good times.

A Taste of the Caribbean Festival offers locals and visitors an exciting weekend of food, music and arts from many Caribbean countries, including Jamaica, Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, Haiti, Cuba, the Dominican Republic and Grenada.

For a weekend in July, Soif de cidre Montréal invites you to discover the world of Quebec cider and meet many local cider producers from all over the province! 

2022 marked the first edition of Festival StreetFood Montréal’s night market/festival taking over the Old Port. Some restaurants and the city’s favourite chefs will be offering over different street food items that celebrate the flavours of Asia, Europe, South America, Africa and of Course Québec.  $3 admission to the site as vendors offer dishes between $3 to $12.

What’s a summer festival season without celebrating poutine? Taking place in the heart of the Old Port, visit this traveling festival that features many vendors slinging the squeakiest of cheese curds with unique variations and more. Carnival games, drinks and fun.

Marché Asiatique or (Asian Night Market) is a colourful event that takes place at the corner of René-Lévesque East and Saint-Laurent Boulevard at the Pépinière l’Espaces Collectifs on weekends. Enjoy an eclectic selection of food vendors from Japanese, Korean, Chinese, Thai and more offering dishes at great prices.

Discover Montreal’s iconic Peel street through food! Many restaurants along the strip offer a unique gastronomic experience starting in summer right through the autumn months. Enjoy a variety of culinary offerings and a party atmosphere with live DJs throughout happy hour and weekend!

Previously known as Montreal’s “Italian Week”, Italfest offers a variety of activities and events in various Montreal neighborhoods, celebrating everything “La dolce vita”. From performances  concerts to the legendary street festival in Little Italy on the iconic St. Laurent Boulevard, this event is a summer staple in the city.

This festival is for the barbecue aficionados. This traveling pack of ribbers from across Canada make their way to the city to serve up some delicious ‘cue - ribs, pulled pork, beef brisket and more. Other food vendors and perch retailers on site as well. Stationed in various neighbourhoods throughout the summer, follow their schedule online or just follow your nose!

This three-day Korean festival takes over the streets of Griffintown for a weekend in August. Food vendors offering up the best Korean fried chicken, tteokbokki (grilled rice cake skewers), eomuk (fish cake) and Kogos! Don’t miss out on the K-pop crew dance battles and performances.

Initiated by the same people who bring you La Poutine Week, Le Burger Week features many restaurants around Montréal that offer their tasty interpretation of the humble hamburger.

Put on your walking shoes and come hungry, because “Canada’s biggest foodie market and sidewalk sale” will be happening in downtown Montréal. A 4km stretch of the downtown core will turn into a pedestrian mall where visitors will be able to shop, eat and show off their corgis - yes, there will be a corgi parade!

Not only do you get to enjoy cocktails at a reduced price, but also the chance to immerse yourself in the cocktail culture of many participating restaurants and bars.

The Martinique Tourism Committee started this modest culinary initiative in 2008 with only four participating restaurants. Today, you can enjoy the culinary influences of the colorful island of Martinique at over 40 different restaurants where local chefs and mixologists offer dishes and cocktails inspired by the “île aux fleurs” gastronomy.

Ferment Fest is a collaboration between Marché Jean-Talon and Tout Cru! Enjoy samples (products by local producers) attend workshops and educational conferences on all things fermented.

The Montreal vegan festival is a non-profit organization inviting everyone to discover veganism. Taking place at the Palais des Congres, the program is packed with lectures, cooking demos, and exhibitors showcasing amazing vegan products.

La Grande Dégustation de Montréal is a highly anticipated annual event for wine and spirits lovers. Visitors can meet exhibitors from various countries, products and wine regions!

Montréal’s own restaurant week: many restaurants in the city serving specialty table d’hôte menus at a reduced price.