“There’s still a palpable disconnect between what Montrealers value and what MICHELIN celebrates. But there’s quite a lot to be happy with in this second edition of their Quebec guide.”
As the second edition of the MICHELIN guide Quebec drops today, I’m reflecting on both the title of my article from last year and a statement from former Gazette food critic Lesley Chesterman, who flipped that title on its head. In her words “It’s not that MICHELIN doesn’t understand Montreal — Montreal doesn’t understand MICHELIN.”
Whichever way you put it, there remains a palpable disconnect between what we, as Montrealers, value and what MICHELIN celebrates. With that being said, there is quite a lot to be happy with in this second edition of the guide. Marc-André Jetté and Mila Rishkova’s Hoogan et Beaufort rightfully earned a star. I was recently reminded of how thoughtful, restrained and delightful the food here is and the entire dining experience, complemented by sommelier Hugo Deschenes — who earned this year’s MICHELIN Sommelier Award — extensive and brilliantly composed wine list. Annette, the team’s neighbouring wine bar, also retained their Bib Gourmand designation.
Sushi Nishinokaze, one of Montreal’s most ambitious new restaurants, earned a star this year. Vincent Gee brings a multi-MICHELIN-starred pedigree to the eight-seat edomae sushiya in Mile End. Their MICHELIN ambitions were clear from the jump and while the team is likely striving for two stars, their first is very well earned.
Limbo, a favourite restaurant of mine, which happened to rank 23rd on the 2026 edition of Canada 100 Best Restaurants (and 3rd on their list of Best New Restaurants) earned a Bib Gourmand designation, which I think is the perfect category for this restaurant. Harrison Shewchuk and Cédric Larocque’s food is brilliant: technical in an old-fashioned sense of the word and so genuinely delicious. To me, it’s a restaurant with a lot of Montreal-specific character.
Auberge St. Mathieu had a fantastic award season, beginning with Chef Sammy Benabed named Chef of the Year by Les Lauriers and culminating in both a One Star and Green Star designation by MICHELIN. Quebec City’s Le Clan also very justifiably earned One Star.
I’m particularly pleased to see Emily Homsy and David Gauthier’s Bar St-Denis make the MICHELIN recommended list. This remains one of the best yet underappreciated restaurants in the city. Kitano Shokudo, Hélicoptère and Juliette Plaza are also excellent new additions to the recommended section.
In total, five Montreal restaurants earned or retained their Star. Tanière3, for its part, retained Quebec’s only Two Star designation. Overall, when I look at this year’s guide, I’m pleased to see the names that appear. Montreal feels, to me, better represented. I’ve also made my peace with the disconnect. Perhaps we — or I — don’t understand MICHELIN, but it’s my belief that, for now, we’re still all the better for it. ■
Montreal is better represented by MICHELIN in 2026
For the complete list of Montreal restaurants in the 2026 MICHELIN Guide, please visit their website.
For more on the food and drink scene in Montreal, please visit the Food & Drink section.