A quiet culinary revolution is underway in Montreal's West Island, shattering the long-held notion that the city's best dining is confined to its downtown core. Despite snowy conditions and brisk temperatures, weekend lineups are forming outside new establishments, signaling a significant shift in where Montrealers are choosing to eat.
A Dream Realized for West Island Natives
Anthony Gentile, the mastermind behind the newly opened Café Gentile West Island on Sources Blvd., is witnessing his long-held vision come to life. "This has been my dream for years," Gentile admits from his office in the bustling restaurant, which opened just weeks ago in January 2026. As a West Island resident himself, his goal was always to bring a high-quality dining experience to his own community.
This location is his fourth and most ambitious venture, featuring nearly 100 indoor seats and a 46-seat terrasse. He believes the perception of the West Island is changing rapidly. "City people may not yet be aware, but the West Island has a lot to offer on the food front," he states, noting that both residents and city-based restaurateurs are taking notice.
Superstar Chefs Come Home
The migration of top culinary talent to the suburbs is a key driver of this boom. David McMillan, the fabled co-founder of the Joe Beef group, has teamed up with celebrated chef Derek Dammann to open Grille-Nature in the Marché de l'Ouest. The restaurant, which occupies a space formerly home to Jukebox Burgers, opened its doors in early 2026 and has been met with an overwhelming response.
"It's been absolutely nuts," McMillan says. "I've never experienced a warm welcome like this. They've made me feel like I drove a water truck into the desert." For McMillan, a Kirkland and Pointe-Claire Village native, opening Grille-Nature fulfills a 30-year-old promise to himself to end his career with a family-oriented restaurant in the West Island.
The restaurant, open Wednesday to Sunday, focuses on "classic market-driven hits" and is notably family-friendly—a first for McMillan, who has already installed three baby high chairs. He confidently challenges any downtown skeptics: "The West Island can more than hold its own."
A Vibrant Restaurant Community Takes Shape
This trend was anticipated by restaurateur Peter Mant, another West Islander. Nearly two years ago, he opened Lou's Pointe-Claire on Lakeshore Rd., a "new American-styled diner" named in tribute to nearby Lac St-Louis. Mant, who owns six other establishments mainly in the city, saw a demographic shift creating demand.
"We've seen a big migration of people our age... now living here," Mant explains. "They still have their great taste for food and for service and are looking for something that's not part of a fast-food chain." He describes the current scene as a "really vibrant restaurant community" that is being elevated by the arrival of chefs like Gentile and McMillan.
The list of established West Island favorites is growing and now includes spots like Le Gourmand, 40 Westt, Philinos West, Café Milano West Island, Maïko Sushi, and Bernies Pizza Martini Bar. Anthony Gentile summarizes the shift succinctly: "We're not the Waste Island when it comes to restaurants as some have labeled us… we're the Great Island. We've come a long way."
AT A GLANCE
Café Gentile West Island. 3350 Sources Blvd., Dollard-des-Ormeaux. Open daily for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Reservations and hours: cafegentile.ca.
Grille-Nature. 11798 Salaberry Blvd., Dollard-des-Ormeaux. Open Wednesday to Sunday, 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. Reservations: grillenature.com.
Lou's Pointe-Claire. 309 Lakeshore Drive, Pointe-Claire. Open Monday to Sunday, 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. louspointeclaire.com.
