Saint-Henri just welcomed one of the most anticipated and beautifully conceived new restaurants of the year, and darling, Croquette is everything Montreal has been waiting for.
Located at 4001 Rue Notre-Dame Ouest, Croquette is the latest project from the visionary David Schmidt, the creative mind behind beloved Montreal institutions Café Cadence, Marci, and Fleurs et Cadeaux, alongside partners Romain Peynichou and Thomas Soares. Together, they have created something that feels simultaneously deeply familiar and entirely fresh: a modern Quebec diner that celebrates the classics we love without ever taking itself too seriously.
The name says it all. As David Schmidt himself explains, after searching endlessly for something deep and meaningful, the team ultimately landed on Croquette because at its heart, a restaurant should be fun, convivial, and welcoming. And that spirit permeates every single corner of this place.
The Space 🏠
The interior, also designed by David Schmidt, is nothing short of magnificent. Warm wood, burgundy tones, and retro lines that evoke the diners of yesteryear but with a thoroughly contemporary sensibility. Elegant without being pretentious. You can settle at the counter to watch the chefs at work, sink into the most comfortable banquette for a group dinner, or claim your spot at the stunning U-shaped bar for a cocktail or two. One of the most intriguing design details? A poultry aging chamber, visible from the dining room, where guests can actually choose their own piece before it is prepared. A beautiful and deeply considered nod to the craft behind every plate.
The Food 🍔
In the kitchen, executive chef Charles Dumais of Nolan and Toqué! brings a remarkable gastronomic background to what might appear at first glance to be simple, comforting classics. And that is precisely what makes Croquette so extraordinary. The burger, cooked over charcoal and garnished with a pepper onion compote, Charlevoix emmental, and horseradish mayonnaise in a house-made bun with thick, golden frites, is already being called one of the best in the city. The beef tartare, served with a bone marrow, poultry stock, rosemary, and house-made chips, is the kind of generous, perfectly balanced dish that lingers in your memory long after the last bite.
The menu remains deliberately focused: a handful of starters, beautifully executed mains, thoughtful accompaniments, and desserts by Charlotte Maurin. Local sourcing is front and centre, with vegetables from La Rosace and mushrooms from Full Pin. Prices range from $15 to $55, remarkably reasonable given the quality and care on every plate.
The Bar 🍷
Thomas Soares signs a cocktail menu designed to complement the food, including a $11 martini that is already one of the most talked-about details about the restaurant. The wine selection, curated by Maya Stinson of Fleurs et Cadeaux, highlights natural wines while remaining wonderfully accessible.
Croquette is not trying to be anything other than exactly what it is: a joyful, generous, beautifully crafted celebration of Quebec dining culture. And we have a very strong feeling it is about to become one of Montreal’s most beloved new institutions.
Croquette is located at 4001 Rue Notre-Dame Ouest, Saint-Henri, Montreal. Open Wednesday to Sunday from 5:00 PM to 10:30 PM. Visit croquetterestaurant.com for reservations.