The province of Quebec has one of the biggest populations of Canadians who are of Haitian heritage, with a majority of them calling Montreal their home. The city of Montreal has become a place where Haitian Canadians continue to help Montreal’s culinary scene evolve through restaurants worthy of trying.
Whether you live in Montreal or you’re visiting, here’s a list of Haitian restaurants to try in the city.
Pikliz
Pikliz is a family-owned restaurant in the Saint-Henri community in Montreal. Opening in 2019 by the Acacia brothers, the small restaurant instantly evolved into a must-try place in the city. The name of the restaurant comes from the Haitian condiment of the same name. The tropical condiment is a blend of carrots, shredded cabbage, onions, habanero peppers, vinegar, and spices. For an authentic experience, try it with their griot or grilled chicken.
Kwizinn
Kwizinn is a Haitian-fusion restaurant with a lively atmosphere and is also quite popular among foodies. Co-owners Michael Lafaille and Claudia Fiorelli use their culinary skills to create unique fusion dishes filled with Caribbean spices and contemporary culinary techniques. A fusion item worthy of trying is their fried chicken sandwich. The sandwich has coconut-marinated chicken, maple syrup, pikliz rosé. (Please note this specific item is only available during brunch hours every Friday to Sunday.)
Bistro King Creole
This Haitian restaurant is in Hochelaga-Maisonneuve, a Montreal neighbourhood that contains a list of many hidden gem restaurants worth giving a try. At an affordable price, guests can enjoy classic Haitian dishes like griot, fritay, and sizeable portions of Haitian-spiced chicken served with macaroni salad and rice.
Tropikal
Tropikal is a fusion restaurant in the Saint-Henri neighbourhood, serving dishes with a touch of Caribbean and Afro-Latin flavours. Chef and part-owner, Jae-Anthony Dougan, takes inspiration from not just only Haiti, but other countries across the Caribbean to create a fusion cuisine. Guests can enjoy Haitian classics like griot on their own or in a fusion as a taco.
Casse-croûte Sissi & Paul
Set to celebrate its 10th anniversary in business, Casse-croûte Sissi & Paul is a family-owned restaurant operated by sisters Elsie and Pauldy Victor. While their griot is a must-try option on their menu, there are other dishes worth trying as well. The goat dish and conch prepared in a sauce is another suggested house speciality. For vegetarians, the accras made with malanga is a recommended item to try either on its own or as a main course.
Palme
Palme restaurant is an ode to countries in the Caribbean. The restaurant’s name comes from palm trees, which are a popular symbol of the Caribbean. Ralph Alerte, the restaurant’s chef, is of Haitian descent and draws inspiration from his Haitian culture and various other Caribbean cultures to develop the options on the menu. At an affordable price, guests can savour Haitian dishes like tasso de Cabri, cod accras and griot salad.
Paul Toussaint
Chef Paul Toussaint has contributed to making Haitian cuisine a staple in Montreal’s culinary scene since discovering his culinary passion. Chef Paul Toussaint is one of two restaurants owned by Toussaint in Montreal and is a must-try. The restaurant’s signature dish is pineapple-and-rum ribs. Another outstanding menu item would be their griot sandwich, topped with pikliz coleslaw and served with a side of plantain fries.
Kamuy
After a three-year stint as the chef of Agrikol from, a now-defunct acclaimed Haitian restaurant, from 2017 until 2020, Paul Toussaint took his culinary craft to new heights by opening up Kamuy, one of two popular Haitian restaurants owned by Toussaint. Some of their highlighted dishes are griot with plantains, accras and Makaya Haitian Chocolate Fondant. The restaurant operates under a seasonal menu, so be sure to try some of their highlighted dishes before they’re gone for the season.
Steve-Anna
Starting off as a grocery store with a snack bar, Steve-Anna now fully operates as a family-owned Haitian restaurant. Classics like their griot, tassot beef and tassot cabrit are not the only savoury menu items. Their chicken wings are highlighted as a must-try.
