La Banquise
Fast food restaurant · La Fontaine Park
994 Rue Rachel E, Montréal, QC H2J 2J3, Canada
Highlights
30+ poutine varieties, microbrews & hefty breakfasts
30+ poutine varieties, microbrews & hefty breakfasts
"No trip to Montreal is complete without at least one meal of poutine, and that's what La Banquise does best. The classic diner in the Plateau has been slinging it since 1968 and today the menu has 30 different varieties, including meat gravy and vegan sauce. There are burgers and breakfast options, but the real draw here is the poutine. The menu has something for everybody, from meat gravy to vegan sauce—in all, 30 different varieties. All kinds of diners frequent La Banquise—the crowd really depends on the time. During the day, you'll see plenty of families (there's a kid's menu) and tourists; at night, young revelers line up for late-night eats after the clubs close. First-timers can't go wrong with a regular portion of "La Classique." The staff is fast and friendly—you won't have to wait long for your order." - Todd Plummer
"A go-to spot for poutine lovers, offering an extensive, ever-changing roster of poutine varieties that cater to many tastes." - Julia Eskins Julia Eskins Julia Eskins is a writer and editor covering travel, design, and culture. Her work has appeared in Travel + Leisure, Condé Nast Traveler, Vogue, National Geographic, and more. She’s traveled to more than 50 countries, lived in five, and currently calls Toronto home. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines
"Locals like to knock the city’s best-known poutinerie for its long lines and tourist appeal, but it’s still a great bet — especially for those partial to poutine gussied up with a variety of unconventional toppings. Plus, it’s open 24/7." - Erinn Blicher
"Plates of gravy, fries, and cheese curds are available all across town — and a true Montrealer will have pledged their allegiance to their favourite long ago. La Banquise is the most touristy of the bunch, but it is irrefutably a Montreal icon. A local fireman opened it as an ice cream shop in 1968, then transformed it into a 24-hour snack bar, and only in the 1980s did poutine — classic or Italian — appear on the menu. Today, it’s still open 24/7, but there are now 30 varieties of the dish on offer." - Valerie Silva
A restaurant specializing in poutine, one of the most famous Quebecois/Canadian dishes.
