La Banquise
Rating
Family of 4
$50-70 CAD (~$36-$51 USD) for a family of 4.
Duration
30-60 minutes (including line wait)
Best Ages
Best for all ages
About
La Banquise is Montreal's most famous poutinerie, and eating here with kids is a non-negotiable part of any family trip to the city. Located on Rue Rachel Est in the heart of the Plateau-Mont-Royal neighborhood, this family-run restaurant has been serving poutine since 1968, and it has perfected the art of Quebec's most beloved comfort food.
The menu features over 30 varieties of poutine, all built on a foundation of crispy fries, fresh cheese curds, and house-made gravy. The Classic is the place to start — simple, perfect, and the standard by which all poutine should be judged. From there, the menu gets creative: La Kamikaze adds hot peppers, La T-Rex piles on ground beef, bacon, pepperoni, and hot dog, La Galvaude features chicken and peas, and there are several vegetarian options with veggie gravy for non-meat-eating families.
Kids love the menu because choosing feels like an adventure, and the variety means even picky eaters find something appealing.
The portions are genuinely enormous. A regular-size poutine at La Banquise is easily enough for two young children to share, and the large size is a mountain of fries and cheese. When the plate arrives at the table, kids' eyes go wide. It is messy, indulgent, and completely delicious — everything a vacation meal should be.
The restaurant has a fun, casual atmosphere with colorful decor and a warm, bustling energy. In summer, the outdoor terrace is the best seat in the house. The location right beside Parc La Fontaine is ideal — after stuffing themselves with poutine, kids can walk (or waddle) five minutes to the park for a post-meal playground visit, paddle boat ride, or simply to run around.
La Banquise is famously open 24 hours a day, every day of the year. This means late-night poutine runs are absolutely on the table for families who keep flexible schedules. There is something magical about eating cheese-covered fries with your kids at 10 PM — it feels like a special secret outing.
Expect a line during peak hours (weekend dinner, late Friday and Saturday nights). The wait is usually 10-30 minutes, and it moves steadily. Weekday lunchtimes and mid-afternoon are the quietest. Takeout is available if you want to skip the wait entirely.
La Banquise is accessible by bus (the 29 runs along Rachel) or a 15-minute walk from Mont-Royal metro station. Street parking is challenging in the Plateau, so public transit is recommended.
Age Suitability
Parent Logistics
Stroller-Friendly
Limited
Nursing / Changing
Not Available
Kid Meals
Available
Setting
Indoor & Outdoor
Rainy Day
Great option!
Plan Your Visit
Best Time to Visit
Visit on a weekday around 11:30 AM or mid-afternoon (2-4 PM) to avoid the longest lines. Weekend dinner and late-night hours are the busiest. The restaurant is open 24 hours, so a very early lunch or late-night poutine run are options. Summer terrace seating is lovely.
Wait Times
10-30 minutes during peak hours
Nearby Food
La Banquise is on Rue Rachel in the Plateau, surrounded by food options. If poutine is not for everyone in the group, nearby alternatives include Romados (Portuguese chicken), Patati Patata (tiny diner with great burgers), and Avenue du Mont-Royal's many restaurants. Parc La Fontaine is a 5-minute walk for post-meal relaxation.
Why Kids Love It
La Banquise is poutine paradise, and for kids, poutine is basically the perfect food — crispy fries smothered in rich gravy and topped with squeaky cheese curds. What makes La Banquise special is the menu: over 30 varieties of poutine, from the classic original to creative concoctions topped with smoked meat, pulled pork, bacon, hot dogs, and even vegetarian options with veggie gravy. Kids love the novelty of choosing from so many options — it turns ordering into an event.
The portions are enormous, so kids are wide-eyed when the plate arrives overflowing with fries and melted cheese. The restaurant itself has a fun, casual atmosphere with colorful decor and a high-energy vibe. The terrace is open in summer, and the location right beside Parc La Fontaine means kids can run off their food coma in the park afterward.
The 24-hour operation is legendary — there is something special about eating poutine with your family at 10 PM after a full day of exploring Montreal. It is the kind of indulgent, no-rules meal that makes vacation feel like vacation.
Pro Tips from Parents
- Start with La Classique if it is your first time — the original poutine with gravy and cheese curds is the benchmark
- Portions are very generous — young kids can easily share one regular-size poutine
- The terrace is the best spot in summer — request outdoor seating if weather allows
- Walk to Parc La Fontaine after your meal (5-minute walk) to let the kids burn off the poutine energy
- Vegetarian? They offer poutines with veggie gravy — a rare option in Montreal poutineries
What to Bring
- An empty stomach — the portions are enormous
- Hand wipes or napkins for messy cheese-curd eating
- Cash to speed up payment (cards accepted too)
- A flexible attitude about nutrition — this is a vacation poutine experience
- A plan for after-meal activity, because kids will be very full and very happy
Cost Info
Estimated Cost (Family of 4)
$50-70 CAD (~$36-$51 USD) for a family of 4.
Regular poutines range from $10-18 CAD depending on size and toppings.
Kids can easily share a regular size.
Drinks $3-5 CAD.
Tips to Save
- Order a regular-size poutine and share it between two young kids — the portions are very generous.
- The classic poutine is the cheapest option and arguably the best.
- Takeout avoids the line and lets you eat in nearby Parc La Fontaine.
- Bring cash to speed up the process.
Hours & Contact
Hours
- Friday
- 24 hours
- Monday
- 24 hours
- Sunday
- 24 hours
- Tuesday
- 24 hours
- Saturday
- 24 hours
- Thursday
- 24 hours
- Wednesday
- 24 hours