As we celebrate Black History Month, it is important to recognize the vast ways to support and uplift the Black community in Montreal, not just in February, but year-round. One way is to explore the cuisine of Montreal’s many fantastic, diverse, Black-owned restaurants. With this in mind, The Tribune has curated a non-exhaustive list of Black-owned restaurants to kickstart an exploration into all that Montreal has to offer.
Lloydie’s
Lloyd Tull first opened Lloydie’s in the early 1990s, bringing Caribbean flavours and his famous Jamaican patties to the Quebec culinary scene. While Lloydie’s has since greatly expanded, it remains a family-owned Montreal institution. Today, the restaurant is managed by Tull’s son, Nathan, alongside his childhood friend Julian Chemtov. Taste classic Caribbean delicacies at two locations, one in Saint-Henri, and the other in the core of the Mile End. Their menu is simple but classic: Plantains, oxtail, and jerk chicken. Try their jerk chicken poutine for a delicious fusion of Quebecois and Caribbean flavours. And if you can’t get enough of Lloydie’s classic Jamaican patties, find them frozen in a series of local grocery stores.
Restaurant Queen Sheba
If there is anything students yearn for in the depths of Montreal winter, it’s a warm family-style meal. Find respite and cure homesickness with a trip to Restaurant Queen Sheba for a nourishing Ethiopian meal. Located at the intersection of av. du Parc and av. du Mont-Royal with a range of vegan options and an array of braised and stewed meats, Queen Sheba has something for everyone. Enjoy one of their many shared tasting menus that blend vegan and non-vegan options, and connect with others in the most rewarding way—over a warm meal.
Chef Paul Toussaint
The culinarily diverse Time Out Market is home to an authentic Haitian restaurant, Chef Paul Toussaint, named after its founder, Paul Toussaint. Find shelter from the Montreal winter there with the tastes of corn, yuzu, and lime—all found in a fresh ceviche for $16 CAD. If seafood isn’t your fare of choice, try their griot sandwich or goat curry. A mere 5-minute walk from McGill’s downtown campus, escape to the tropics by treating yourself to an elevated lunch out in between lectures. Once hooked on Toussaint’s cooking, check out one of his other restaurants scattered throughout downtown Montreal and Little Italy.
Kwizinn
Kwizinn Vieux-Montreal is in the heart of old Montreal, offering a fusion of classic Caribbean flavours and modern culinary methods for a menu that is both authentic and innovative. Order their octopus carpaccio, served on a bed of grilled guacamole and topped with a habanero and ginger sauce, to truly appreciate their creativity. In addition to dinner, Kwizinn offers brunch on the weekends, jazz nights every Thursday from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m., and a late-night DJ on Saturdays and Sundays. Kwizinn is also home to a not-so-secret speakeasy that’s available for private events, and is awaiting the opening of a food truck in April 2026.
Le Virunga
A previously recommended Tribune pick, Le Virunga brings vibrant Congolese cuisine to the table with fresh Quebec produce. Chef Maria-José de Frias and her daughter Zoya have built an intimate and delicious restaurant where Congolese spices produce the ultimate Montreal fine-dining experience. For a mouth-watering meal, start with the seared walleye fillet that comes with mashed cassava and an eggplant mousse, and try the guinea fowl leg confit as your main. Le Virguna was a 2025 Michelin guide pick, and features a 100 per cent South African wine list. While a more expensive option, Le Virguna is certain to provide an unforgettable culinary experience.
