L'Express (restaurant)
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Restaurant |
| Founded | December 1980 |
| Founder | Colette Brossoit, Pierre Villeneuve |
| Headquarters | Montreal , Canada |
| Products | French bistro cuisine, wine |
L'Express is a French bistro inspired by Parisian tradition, situated in Montreal's Le Plateau-Mont-Royal district, Quebec, Canada.
History
Established in December 1980 by Colette Brossoit and Pierre Villeneuve, L'Express was designed as an affordable dining spot featuring welcoming service and a kitchen open until 3 a.m. every day. Villeneuve's vision was to evoke the timeless ambiance of 1950s French bistros.[1] Although lacking previous experience in the restaurant industry, Brossoit initially took on the role of chef while Villeneuve handled front-of-house operations.[2]
From 1982 until 2012, French-born Joël Chapoulie served as head chef, enhancing the culinary offerings and solidifying L'Express as a prominent establishment in Montreal’s gastronomic landscape.[1] As of April 2025, Marc-Antoine Lacasse took over from Jean-François Vachon as head chef, with a focus on maintaining the restaurant’s traditional dishes and well-loved recipes.[3]
To align with Montreal's nightlife hours, L'Express remains open daily until 3:00 a.m., providing breakfast, lunch, dinner, and late-night options.[1] The restaurant is also known for its extensive wine collection, featuring more than 11,000 bottles offered at reasonable prices.[1]
Recognition
In 2025, L'Express received the 'Bib Gourmand' award in Quebec's first Michelin Guide edition, an honor given to establishments delivering "exceptionally good food at moderate prices."
Lesley Chesterman of the Montreal Gazette awarded the restaurant a perfect score of 4 stars in 2020, praising its reliable classic French bistro menu, outstanding wine selection, and skilled staff. The New York Times referred to it as "a French bistro in the classic mold," crediting it with playing a significant role in Montreal’s culinary revival by merging Québécois and French influences. The American outlet Eater described it as a "venerable Montreal Institution" that steers clear of typical French bistro clichés.
Canada's 100 Best Restaurants Ranking
Since 2017, L'Express has consistently been featured on Canada's 100 Best Restaurants, reaching its highest position at #21 in 2022 and placing #61 in 2025.
| L'Express | ||
| Year | Rank | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 71 | new |
| 2016 |  No Rank
| |
| 2017 | 37 | Template:Up re-entry |
| 2018 | 37 | 
|
| 2019 | 32 | Template:Up 5 |
| 2020 | 30 | Template:Up 2 |
| 2021 | No List | |
| 2022 | 21 | Template:Up 9 |
| 2023 | 56 | 35
|
| 2024 | 53 | Template:Up 3 |
| 2025 | 61 | 8
|