Ever wonder why Montreal can't get enough of tapas and small plates? It's that perfect mix of shareable bites, bold flavors, and endless wine or cocktail pairings that turns a simple dinner into an epic night. Whether you're a young professional plotting a trendy date night, a corporate planner scouting team dinner spots, or a tourist chasing Insta-worthy plates in Old Montréal, small plates let you taste it all without committing to one big dish.
1. The Shareable Magic: Why Small Plates Rule Montreal's Dining Scene
Tapas, meze, pintxos—whatever you call them, these small plates hail from the Mediterranean and scream 'share with friends over drinks.' In Montreal, they're huge because they fit our vibe: diverse, social, and photogenic. No more boring meals—order 5-7 plates per group, mix cold and hot, and let the conversation flow. Pro tip: Aim for variety—2 cold starters, 3 hot, and 1-2 sweets. Budget? $25-40/person for a feast.
2. Tapeo (Villeray) – Your Tapas Crawl HQ
Start here for authentic Catalan vibes. Chef Marie-Fleur St-Pierre nails inventive tapas like scallop ceviche and patatas bravas that rival Barcelona. It's got that warm bistro feel with a killer Spanish wine list—pair with vermouth or cava. Actionable tip: Go mid-week for fewer crowds, order the full tapas menu, and linger till late. Perfect for young pros in the neighborhood.
3. Mesón (Villeray) – Comfort Food with Spanish Soul
Sister to Tapeo, Mesón cranks up the hearty with huevos rotos, paella, and grilled meats in a lively, casual spot. Weekend brunch is gold for health-conscious crowds—think fresh ingredients from local farms. Tip: Book the brunch (10am slots fill fast), share a paella for 4, and hit the terrace in summer. Ideal for corporate team lunches.
4. Taza Flores (Parc Avenue) – Classic Tapas Since 2004
A Parc Ex staple with dozens of hot/cold tapas—gambas al ajillo, chorizo, you name it. Terrace vibes transport you to Madrid. Pro move: Pair with sangria flights, arrive pre-8pm to snag bar seats, and do a 'tapas tower' for groups (stack plates high for fun photos).
5. Damas (Guy-Concordia) – Syrian Meze That Feels Like Home
Thousand and One Nights decor meets Damascus-Aleppo spreads: fatteh (chickpeas, yogurt, pine nuts) steals the show. Long, leisurely lunches are the norm—channel that 5-hour Lebanese feast. Tip: Order the meze platter for 4+, add arak, and save room for grilled meats. Foodies and influencers, this is your backdrop.
6. BarBounya (Laurier) – Turkish Meze Party
Communal tables, kaymak with honey at brunch, and chef Fisun Ercan's fresh Turkish bites. Super convivial. Actionable: Weekend brunch for 'breakfast mezes,' BYO group of 6 for family-style sharing. Targets locals seeking relaxed hangs.
7. Pintxo (Little Italy) – Basque Pintxos Perfection
Bite-sized Basque wonders plus octopus and lamb chops. Spanish wines seal it. Tip: Market-style counter seating—grab 6-8 pintxos/person, sip txakoli, perfect for quick tourist stops or dates.
8. KazaMaza & Daou – Middle Eastern Meze Masters
KazaMaza's fattet hummus brunch; Daou's homesick Lebanese spreads. Simple, soulful. Pro tip: Saturday brunch crawl—start KazaMaza, end Daou. Budget-friendly for delivery fans too.
9. Ikanos – Greek Seafood Mezze
Contemporary Greek with ocean-fresh fish plates. Bold, shareable. Tip: Order the mezze tasting, pair with ouzo—great for summer patios or winter warmth.
10. Emerging Gems: Ibéricos, Bo' Dégât & More
Ibéricos for pata negra and pintxos; Bo' Dégât's Barcelona transport; Sala Rossa's flamenco Thursdays. Tip: Thursday flamenco at Sala Rossa—tapas + show = unforgettable nightlife.
Level Up with Tomahawk Group: Tapas-Style Experiences Tailored for You
Want tapas vibes without the crawl hassle? Tomahawk Group has you covered with venues blending small plates, craft cocktails, and nightlife energy—perfect for your crew.
Head to Santos in Old Montréal for Latin-inspired shareables: lively dinners turn into DJ nights with cocktails that pair like tapas wines. Ideal for young pros and tourists chasing vibes.
Buvette Pastek and June Buvette nail the wine bar scene—natural wines, elegant snacks, seasonal shared plates in cozy Old Montréal or neighborhood spots. Brunch meze? Check. Corporate wine tastings? Seamless.
For upscale twists, Mignon Petite Bourgogne and Mignon Vieux Montréal offer refined small plates alongside steakhouse flair—book for private events or team dinners.
Negroni Room brings cocktail-centric lounges with stylish bites; Taverne Grecque Máti delivers Mediterranean flavors in sociable style. Even Balboa Pizza's wood-fired pies are shareable gold launching soon in Old Montréal.
We host corporate events, seasonal activations, and private parties across our portfolio—high-end but approachable, with photogenic dishes for influencers. Delivery via Uniburger or Sunday Cuisine for at-home tapas nights.
