These ten restaurants dish out crispy, juicy fried poultry, octopus rounds, and a few of their creations like carbonara udon. The izakaya is Japan's solution to a gastropub, with centuries-old roots in Japan's Edo era. Little yet loud, these neighbourhood joints offer tiny sharing plates like karaage (Japanese fried chicken) and takoyaki (octopus rounds), commonly washed down with purpose and beer. Here's a choice of Montreal's best options.
10. Kinoya Izakaya
Dressed up in wood panels and artificial graffiti, Kinoya is a tremendous little izakaya tucked away near St-Denis and rue Rachel junction. It's a something-for-everyone sort of establishment, with all staples such as gyoza, yakitori, karaage, and takoyaki. It's additionally an excellent area for Bentos and ramen at lunch.
Address: 4250 Rue Saint-Denis, Montréal
Phone: ( 514) 508-5200
9. Ichigo Ichie
Ichigo Ichie is a Plateau preferred with a prolonged menu covering whatever from carbonara udon to region takoyaki (octopus balls surrounded in scallions) and Buta bara (smoked pork stubborn belly skewers). If you're feeling enthusiastic, kill two birds with one stone and also order a bowl of tonkotsu ramen from Yokato Yokabai next door (the ramen is sometimes served on the Ichigo Ichie side, also).
Address: 360 Rue Rachel E, Montréal
Phone: ( 514) 282-0009
8. Noren
OK, it's far more of an intimate Japanese kitchen than an izakaya. Still, the two staples offered here are directly izakaya price: takoyaki (octopus rounds) as well as mushroom or pork okonomiyaki (Japanese cabbage pancake), in addition to a salad and treatment option. But what they do serve, they do very well like the takoyaki is probably a few of the very best you'll have in the city. There are typically once a week specials like curries, udon bowls, and donburi and inspect Facebook for information.
Address: 77 Rue Rachel O, Montréal
Phone: ( 514) 397-1141
7. Bistro Japonais Furusato
One of the city's oldest Japanese Restaurant in Montreal, this pleasant downtown area is more detailed to a laid-back eatery than an izakaya. However, izakaya-style items are securely on the menu. Regulars come for easy comfort food: donburi (rice bowls), sukiyaki, hot and cold udon, and a lot more. On a rainy evening, with soft songs having fun in the background and a pitcher of cosy sake, there are few better places to be.
Address: 2137 Rue de Bleury, Montréal
Phone: ( 514) 849-3438
6. Biiru
Biiru draws a younger crowd with enjoyable plates and also fashionable style. Beyond the standards, anticipate some eclectic dishes such as sweet salmon bonbons, a spam katsu sando, and barbequed corn wore a sour miso cream and parmesan. In warmer months, request a table in the lovely wooden outdoor dining.
Address: 1433 Rue City Councillors, Montréal
Phone: ( 514) 903-1555
5. Hanzo
From Yann Levy (also behind Biiru) and also cook Nick Liu (previously of Toronto's DaiLo), this Old Montreal izakaya is influenced by Kill Costs's 'Crazy 88' fight scene (well, at least in the design). It's an enjoyable space with neon-lit flourishes, as well as excellent for big groups. Company favourites on the menu hurt seasoned duck heart yakitori skewers and "KFC" (konbini-style fried poultry offered with a aji amarillo aioli).
Address: 417 Rue Saint Nicolas, Montréal
Phone: ( 514) 543-6400
4. Otto Yakitori
In the city's informal "various other" Chinatown, Otto is run by Hanhak Kim and Hiroshi Kitano, who invested years working in Japanese kitchen areas in New York. The specialty is charcoal-grilled yakitori, as well as fittingly, all parts of the hen are treated with the utmost regard, from the beautiful soy-glazed tsukune (hen meatballs) to a crunchy skin yakitori alternative. If you can, order the poultry oysters, which are available in limited amounts. It's a dark piece of meat at the back of the upper leg, and it's taken into consideration the best, the most delicate part of the bird.
Address: 1441 Rue Saint Mathieu, Montréal
Phone: ( 514) 507-8886
3. Kinka Izakaya
Kinka has opened up restaurants everywhere, starting in Toronto now with areas as far as Seoul. The menu is designed for amazing the crowd-pleasers like tuna tataki dressed in ponzu, kakimayo (baked oysters) as well as oshizushi (pushed sushi).
Address: 1624 Rue Sainte-Catherine O, Montréal
Phone: ( 514) 750-1624
2. Kazu
While this restaurant in the dead of the winter season, this tiny hole-in-the-wall area attracts lines of excited diners and completely factor: the menu is a modern take on Japanese recipes, consisting of succulent barbequed salmon belly the spectacular 48-hour pork dish. Try the homemade tofu, only readily available on Sundays. It was closed on Tuesday as well as Wednesday. Hot tip: the dining establishment is preparing to relocate to a more prominent place very soon.
Address: 1862 Rue Sainte-Catherine O, Montréal
Phone: ( 514) 937-2333
1. Imadake Izakaya
At a classic izakaya, the environment is equally as vital as the food and drink, as well as Imadake is no exemption. Montreal's original Japanese bars serve up a vast and varied food selection, along with purpose bombs and spontaneous karaoke to compose all the fun. You might leave without a voice and scenting like fried poultry skin. However, you'll be full, sloshed, as well, as extremely satisfied.
Address: 4006 Rue Sainte-Catherine, Westmount
Phone: ( 514) 931-8833
