Washoku Guide
← Montreal
Montreal · 居酒屋

Authentic Izakaya
in Montreal.

Japanese taverns: small plates, charcoal grills, sake and shochu. The room matters as much as the food.

01
Kitano Shokudo — authentic japanese bistro & chirashi restaurant in Montreal, Plateau-Mont-Royal

Kitano Shokudo

¥¥¥
Plateau-Mont-Royal · Izakaya · a la carte
Japanese bistro & chirashiCanada's 100 Best 2025chirashiuni carbonaraJapanese-sourced fish

Named to Canada's 100 Best Restaurants for 2025, Kitano Shokudo is Ise City-born chef Hiroshi Kitano's intimate Plateau bistro, celebrated for jewel-like chirashi, inventive dishes like uni carbonara, and fish sourced directly from Japan.

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02
Fleurs et Cadeaux — authentic japanese snack bar & temaki restaurant in Montreal, Chinatown

Fleurs et Cadeaux

¥¥
Chinatown · Izakaya · casual
Japanese snack bar & temakiCult MTL #2 Japanese 2026temakiJapanese currysashimi

Ranked #2 in Cult MTL's 2026 Montreal Japanese list, Fleurs et Cadeaux is a beloved Japanese snack bar in a former Chinatown florist where chef Tetsuya Shimizu, trained in washoku and kaiseki in Japan, serves temaki, Japanese curry, sashimi, and creative bento alongside natural wines and sake.

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03
Gyu-Kaku — authentic yakiniku japanese bbq restaurant in Montreal, Downtown / Crescent

Gyu-Kaku

¥¥
Downtown / Crescent · Izakaya · a la carte
Yakiniku Japanese BBQyakinikuJapanese BBQtable grillJapanese franchise

Gyu-Kaku is a Japanese yakiniku chain founded in Japan in 1996, bringing the tradition of tableside charcoal-grill BBQ to Montreal's Crescent Street. Diners select their own cuts and grill them at the table in the classic yakiniku style.

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Other Japanese cuisines in Montreal
Sushi in MontrealTeppanyaki in MontrealYakitori in MontrealRamen in MontrealDonburi in Montreal
Authentic izakaya in other cities →All authentic Japanese in Montreal →
FAQ

Questions, answered.

What makes izakaya in Montreal authentic?
Japanese taverns: small plates, charcoal grills, sake and shochu. The room matters as much as the food. In Montreal, we apply the same standard: chefs trained in the discipline, ingredients and technique consistent with Japanese practice, and a focused izakaya-first format rather than a mixed menu.
How do you define authenticity?
Washoku Guide defines authenticity by the kitchen's grounding in Japanese culinary tradition: trained chefs (often in Japan), techniques and ingredients consistent with Japanese practice, a focused menu rather than a pan-Asian one, and a coherent dining format (sushi-ya, ramen-ya, izakaya, kaiseki, etc.). We weigh these signals together — no single factor decides.
Do you require Japanese ownership?
No. Japanese ownership is one positive signal, but it is not required. We also recognise restaurants with Japanese-led kitchens or non-Japanese chefs who have trained extensively in Japan and apply traditional techniques with discipline. What matters is the cooking, not the passport.
How are restaurants selected?
Each entry is researched and chosen by Washoku Guide editors — not voted in, not paid for, and not algorithmically ranked. We read kitchen biographies, study menus, talk to people in the industry, and visit when possible. Restaurants pay nothing to be listed.
Are the listings ranked?
No. Washoku Guide is a curated guide, not a ranking. Order on a city page is editorial and may change as the guide evolves; it does not imply that #1 is better than #5. Every listed restaurant has met our authenticity bar.
Are these the only authentic izakaya restaurants in Montreal?
These are the ones Washoku Guide has researched and stands behind today. The guide grows over time; if you know an authentic izakaya restaurant in Montreal we should consider, please get in touch.