Take note, Michelin Guide: Montreal matters — as is much evidenced in Canada’s 100 Best Restaurants 2026 and Canada’s 10 Best New Restaurants 2026 lists, revealed Monday night in Toronto.

Montreal foodies and fine-dining restaurateurs have to be most apprehensive as they await news on the second Michelin Guide Quebec, expected to be unveiled Wednesday. Last year’s inaugural guide left many Montrealers feeling justifiably snubbed as the Michelin Guide team awarded only three city restaurants — Jérôme Ferrer Europea, Mastard and Sabayon — with one star, while giving its only two-star designation in the province to Quebec City’s legendary Tanière3. Michelin also doled out one-star rankings to four other Quebec City restos.

Not to detract from the worthy dining establishments of our provincial capital, but many here felt thoroughly rebuffed that no such recognition was given to a bevy of worthy Montreal spots like, among others, Mon Lapin, Beba, Le Violon, Montréal Plaza, Au Pied de Cochon, Toqué! and Joe Beef. Yes, many received Michelin recommendations and others snagged “great value” Bib Gourmands, but those honours are hardly the same as the much-coveted Michelin stars.

Well, fret not, folks. Montrealers should be feeling the love once again with the release of Jacob Richler’s 12th annual Canada’s 100 Best Restaurants and Canada’s 10 Best New Restaurants lists. The city placed 28 restaurants on the 100 Best list and four on the 10 Best New list.

Our chests — and livers — can also swell with pride with the news that the city’s Cloakroom Bar has taken the No. 1 spot on Richler’s Canada’s 50 Best Bars 2026.

No surprise that Vanya Filipovic and Marc-Olivier Frappier’s much-loved, much-lauded Little Italy eatery and wine bar Mon Lapin came second for the second year in a row, after finishing first in 2023 and 2024 on the 100 Best list. Chef Ariel Schor’s Verdun gem Beba, a perennial Top 10 finisher here, came sixth while veteran Danny Smiles’s fast-rising Le Violon landed in eighth position.

Richler, a former National Post restaurant critic, had dispatched 162 judges across the country for this year’s edition.

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© Montreal Gazette