November 26, 2025 - October 18, 2026
The Montreal's McCord Stewart Museum has set the table for a journey through the city’s culinary history. This original exhibition—based on an idea by Lesley Chesterman—celebrates Montreal’s extraordinarily diverse and inventive food scene from the 1960s till today. Featuring a wealth of audiovisual testimonials, photographs, archives and objects displayed in an evocative setting, On the Menu highlights the evolution of Montreal restaurants, be they delis or fine dining establishments, and their crucial role in shaping the identity of both the city and the province. The exhibition also offers a voyage back in time: visitors will look back on iconic Montreal restaurants that have closed over the years and will recall their own experiences of family celebrations, good times with friends, and romantic dates. The restaurants featured evokes not only culinary tastes, but also shared memories.
Presented by the OVI Fund – Ionescu Family Foundation, the exhibition was made possible with the support of Lightspeed, Innovation Collaborator; the Institut de tourisme et d’hôtellerie du Québec (ITHQ), Institutional Partner; and Power Corporation of Canada, Premier Partner – Montreal Stories.
Anne Eschapasse, the Museum’s President and Chief Executive Officer, stated:
“The rise of Montreal’s dynamic, welcoming culinary scene since the 1960s has made the province, and the city in particular, a world-class foodie destination. With the help of approximately 400 objects, either from our collections or lent for the occasion, the exhibition recounts the stories of the people who built this industry and those who are helping it thrive today. The incredible enthusiasm and generosity of myriad contributors—individuals, corporations and institutions—during the planning of this project speak not only to the deep connection we all feel for our local restaurants, but also to the pride that our food scene inspires: Montrealers are simply passionate about their restaurants.”
Guislaine Lemay, Curator, Material Culture and curator of the exhibition, explained:
“The French gastronome Jean Anthelme Brillat-Savarin famously said, ‘Tell me what you eat, and I will tell you what you are.’ And this is exactly what we have tried to do: demonstrate how, through its restaurants, Montreal has built an identity and continues to evolve.”
The reflection
of an evolving city
Thanks to successive waves of immigration in the city’s history and the influence of the Expo 67, Montreal is home to restaurants featuring cuisines from around the world. This has created an open, inventive food scene, where a taste for the extraordinary has even inspired the décor of immersive restaurants that use projections, elaborate themed designs, and sensory details to create an all-encompassing dining experience that goes beyond the food. In On the Menu, the iconic signs—from high-end gourmet establishments to popular eateries—illustrate how the city’s wide variety of restaurants reflected its evolution as well as its cultural and social diversity. The exhibition also looks at how restaurants have affected the urban landscape, contributing to the development of certain districts.
Cooking with local products to celebrate one’s identity
Any discussion of Montreal’s culinary identity has to acknowledge the contributions of the Indigenous cultures who originally shared their knowledge about local resources. Although this knowledge was long ignored in favour of European tastes and traditions, the exhibition focusses on the renewed interest in this culinary culture rooted in local products as well as international influences from subsequent waves of immigration. The development of this distinctive culinary identity, which began in the 1950s, picked up speed with the 1968 founding of the ITHQ and the training of a new generation of chefs. A celebration of Montreal restaurants is also an opportunity to celebrate those who keep them going, despite the challenges inherent in the profession and recent economic instability.
Restaurant reviews: From pioneering women to social media
The exhibition also examines the evolution of restaurant reviews in Montreal, which were initially written by women. Long dominated by pioneering women like Helen Rochester, Françoise Kayler and Renée Rowan, restaurant reviews have moved from traditional media to social media, where influencers continue to promote the city’s flavours and experiences.
Lesley Chesterman, author, restaurant critic and exhibition spokesperson, elaborated:
“My first discussions with the Museum about doing an exhibition on Montreal’s restaurants took place ten years ago. I’m very excited to finally see this exhibition open. I’m sure foodies will eat up the fascinating history of restaurants in Montreal and Quebec. The timing couldn’t be better to spotlight the generation that transformed the city’s food scene in the 1960s and 1970s, while also celebrating emerging talent and the enduring success of beloved restaurants.”
Montreal On the Menu contest: A year of restaurants to savour!
From November 26, 2025, to October 18, 2026, the “Montreal On the Menu” contest offers participants the chance to win one of eleven prizes awarded monthly—a meal for two in one of the city’s top eleven restaurants—as well as one grand prize: a year of fine dining, in other words, twelve experiences in twelve different establishments. Details and regulations can be found on the Museum’s website.
An appetizing visit for the whole family
Families visiting the exhibition can embark on a fun culinary adventure: interesting facts about Montreal restaurants, a treasure hunt for items in the galleries, and a variety of creative activities. A bonus challenge is to find Corkscrew, the little pig hidden throughout the exhibition. An activity booklet is available free of charge at the Museum ticket counter.
All photos in this article @ Nadia Slejskova
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For more information about current exhibitions and special evens associated with this exhibition, visit the McCord Stewart Museum website.
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