Montreal's La Poutine Week is back, running from February 1 to 7, 2025, and it's more exciting than ever! Celebrated as the ultimate homage to Canada's beloved dish, this year's festival marks its 13th annual edition and features over 50 local restaurants serving up creative takes on poutine. If you’ve ever wondered how to celebrate your love for comfort food, this week is the perfect opportunity to indulge.
This year’s theme, 'Around the World,' encourages visitors to explore diverse flavors by transforming traditional poutine. The excitement isn't limited to Montreal; La Poutine Week has expanded across Canada, with 800 participating restaurants located across 24 cities, including Quebec City, Gatineau, Ottawa, Toronto, Winnipeg, Edmonton, Regina, Calgary, and Vancouver. It’s truly become a nationwide feast!
Among the creative concoctions being offered, here are seven of the wildest poutine creations you absolutely have to try:
Poutine Oxtail Royale - Kwizinn
Price: $25
Address: 311 Rue Saint-Paul E, Montreal, QC
Details: This decadent dish fuses Caribbean flavors with classic poutine. It features homemade fries topped with tender smoked oxtail, katsu sauce, cheese curds, papaya pikliz, tempura bok choy, and garnish of green onions. A must-try for those seeking rich flavors!
Poutz à la Porchetta - Bossa (Time Out Market)
Price: $14
Address: 705 Rue Sainte-Catherine, Montreal, QC
Details: An Italian twist on the iconic Canadian dish, Bossa presents french fries layered with roasted porchetta, cheese curds, chicken stock gravy, chives, and crispy onions. Pizza lovers won't want to miss this!
Poutine Tonkotsu Ramen - Le Gras Dur (Le Central)
Price: $21
Address: 30 Rue Sainte-Catherine, Montreal, QC
Details: A unique Asian-inspired poutine featuring fries smothered with cheese curds, veal gravy, braised pork belly, crispy ramen noodles, chili oil, and more. It's really the epitome of fusion!
La Mont Royal - La Banquise
Price: $16.50
Address: 994 Rue Rachel E, Montreal, QC
Details: Famous for their poutine, La Banquise elevates their offering with pulled duck, rich wine pepper sauce, and a sprig of parsley—dining perfection!
Poutine Terre Mer - Maison St-Paul
Price: $45
Address: 343 Rue Saint-Paul E, Montreal, QC
Details: Pushing boundaries, this extravagant poutine combines fries with gravy, foie gras, lobster, and filet mignon, turning poutine from comfort food to fine dining.
Poutine Bánh Tôm - Le Petit Sao
Price: $21
Address: 237 Rue Notre Dame O, Montreal, QC
Details: Inspired by Hanoi's popular Bánh Tôm, this poutine features crispy sweet potato fries, grilled shrimp, fresh herbs, homemade pickles, and gooey cheese curds, drizzled with flavorful turmeric and fish sauce-infused gravy.
Shawarma Deluxe and Garlic Supreme - Boustan
Price: $16.99
Address: 356 Rue Saint-Jacques, Montreal, QC
Details: Boustan's Shawarma Deluxe features garlic potatoes topped with shawarma beef or chicken, cheese curds, and various sauces, making it the perfect late-night snack.
Besides these unique dishes, many other spots across Montreal are participating, including popular names such as Thai Express, Burger Bar Crescent, and Poutineville. The full list of participating venues can be found on the festival's official website.
For those eager to taste more than one signature poutine, creating an account allows you to vote for your favorite dishes and share your culinary experiences on social media using the hashtag #PoutineWeek. Excitingly, every poutine sold this week also contributes $1 to Food Banks Canada, making your indulgence not only satisfying but also philanthropic!
Don’t miss out on what is undoubtedly one of the tastiest weeks of the year! Whether seeking savory, unusual, or gourmet creations, Montreal's La Poutine Week has something for every palate.