Alma is a cozy Outremont gem delivering a taste of coastal Catalonia, where creative Mediterranean bites mingle with Mexican flair amid a charming ambiance.
"The mounds of candlewax on the bar counter at Alma attest to years of intimate conversations shared at this small restaurant in the heart of Outremont. We usually opt for the nine-course “terra y mar” tasting menu, where the chef’s embrace of his Mexican roots shines through the heritage corn tortillas made on his grandma’s vintage press. Two recent highlights from the tasting: a fragrant fresh oyster aguachile negro and a tostada with Québec lobster. Alma’s front terrasse is magical in the summer, and grabbing a seat there is the perfect way to enjoy the leafy neighborhood ambiance. Their Saturday afternoon homemade taco pop-ups in the back garden are legendary, especially when their in-house cochinita pibil is on the menu. And if you’re looking for something less formal, their sister spot, TincSet, is right next door. photo credit: Two Food Photographers photo credit: Two Food Photographers photo credit: Two Food Photographers" - Ivy Lerner-Frank
"A restaurant perfect for romantic meals, offering a cozy atmosphere."
"Since 2018, this charming Outremont hideaway has wielded coastal Catalan flavors with such aplomb that diners may forget they’re in Montreal. These days, chef Juan Lopez Luna focuses on modern Mexican cuisine, featuring nixtamalized corn from Luna’s home state of Tlaxcala. The restaurant applies the focus to nine- and five-course tasting menus, alongside an equally transportive wine list curated by Luna’s partner (in business and life), Lindsay Brennan. One Sunday per month, the duo hosts a guest chef for a collaborative taco omakase experience, while on Saturdays they run a back-alley taqueria called Terraza Luz." - Valerie Silva
"Since 2018, this charming Outremont hideaway has wielded coastal Catalan flavors with such aplomb that diners may forget they’re in Montreal. These days, chef Juan Lopez Luna increasingly infuses his Mediterranean cooking with his Mexican roots, including nixtamalizing corn in house. The restaurant applies the new focus to its seafood-centric nine-course tasting menu, which also brims with organic vegetables, alongside an equally transportive wine list curated by Luna’s partner (in business and life), Lindsay Brennan. On Sunday nights, the duo hosts guest chefs for a collaborative taco omakase experience. If snagging a table at Alma proves challenging, fear not; sibling wine bar Tinc Set more than satisfies with tapas and Barcelona-style roasted chicken just next door." - Valerie Silva
"Part of what makes dining outdoors at Alma so special is its setting on a serene Outremont street, complete with towering trees and locals strolling by. Meanwhile, its menu transports diners to the Catalan coast with a lovely collection of natural wines and an unfaltering menu of seafaring plates. Sibling operation Tinc Set, just next door, carries the torch with a terrasse decked with wine barrel tables and similarly immaculate vibes." - Valerie Silva, Tim Forster
