Montreal-based chef Juan Lopez Luna has spent the past two decades carving out a singular place in the city’s culinary landscape. At Alma, Bar Luz and Terraza Luz, the restaurants he co-owns in Outremont, his cooking reflects both his Mexican roots and Quebec’s terroir. Tortillas are pressed to order from heirloom corn imported from Mexico. Local vegetables, mushrooms, and herbs anchor the menu in the seasons of his adopted home.
Who is chef Juan Lopez Luna?
Born in Tlaxcala, Lopez Luna moved to Montreal in 2010. You can learn more about his journey on our podcast Taste Talks by ELLE Gourmet and read his portrait in the Spring 2026 issue. Over time, he has become deeply embedded in the city’s restaurant community, building friendships with chefs and restaurateurs whose kitchens continue to inspire him. When asked where he likes to eat when he’s not cooking at his restaurants, his answers reveal a map of the city’s vibrant dining scene. These stellar Montreal food spots are defined as much by hospitality as by talent.
Chef Juan Lopez Luna’s Must-Visit Montreal
Mastard
In Rosemont–La Petite-Patrie, Mastard has become one of the city’s most respected dining rooms. Led by chef Simon Mathys, the one-Michelin star restaurant is known for its seasonal tasting menus rooted in Quebec ingredients.
For Lopez Luna, Mastard represents the kind of thoughtful cooking he deeply admires. “Simon has an incredible sensitivity to local ingredients,” he says. Dishes might highlight mushrooms, root vegetables, or seafood from the St. Lawrence, always presented with a clarity of flavour that lets each ingredient shine.
Larrys and Lawrence
In the Mile End, Lopez Luna often stops by two neighboring institutions: Larrys and Lawrence, both run by chef Marc Cohen.
Lawrence helped shape Montreal’s modern bistro scene with its refined British-inspired cooking and dedication to high-quality ingredients. Next door, Larrys offers a more casual, lively atmosphere. They serve small plates, natural wines, and dishes that feel both comforting and creative. “Both restaurants have such a strong personality,” Lopez Luna says.
Bar Henrietta
Another one of his favorites is Bar Henrietta. This neighborhood restaurant also in the Mile End is known for inventive cocktails and flavor-driven small plates.
The menu at this esteemed Monteal food and drink spot blends global influences with a relaxed, convivial approach to dining. For Lopez Luna, Bar Henrietta exemplifies the kind of restaurant where creativity and hospitality go hand in hand. “It’s one of my favorite spots for a late night out,” he says.
Satay Brothers
For bold flavors and vibrant energy, Lopez Luna points toward Satay Brothers at Atwater Market, open from May to October. Their flagship restaurant is opened year-round on Notre-Dame West Street. Founded by brothers Alex and Mat Winnicki, they draw inspiration from Singaporean street food. The menu features dishes like laksa noodle soup, pork buns, green papaya salad. And of course, their signature skewers served with rich peanut sauce.
For Lopez Luna, Satay Brothers represent another essential part of Montreal’s culinary identity: its multicultural energy. “Places like Satay Brothers capture that spirit perfectly,” he says.
Messorem Bracitorium
During Juan’s favorite Montreal moment, the summertime, nothing beats a fresh local beer sipped on Messorem’s colorful terrace. It’s located in the heart of Pointe-Saint-Charles neighborhood, just across the Lachine canal near Atwater Market.
This unique microbrewery specializes in brewing IPA-type beers, sour beers and barrel-aged beers. Besides a large collection of draft beers, their beer bottles and cans have impeccable packaging, designed in part by one of the owners, Marc-André Filion.
Tacos Frida
Family-owned, Tacos Frida is one of Saint-Henri’s delicious gems, where Oaxacan flavours meet Montreal’s warm community. Coming from Juan Lopez Luna, this spot being his favorite taqueria in the city says a lot about its food quality and authenticity.
It is a great spot for tacos for sure, but they also make comforting pozole— a traditional soup made with pork and corn. Don’t miss out on their mouthwatering tres leches cake as well.
Mano Cornuto
When he’s craving Italian flavours, Lopez Luna heads to Mano Cornuto, a casual Italian restaurant in Griffintown. It’s run by a very talented team, with Tyler Maher of Foxy, James Baran and Vito Ciocca of Garde Manger.
The lively restaurant is known for its handmade pasta and vibrant atmosphere that often stretches late into the evening. Plates like cacio e pepe, seasonal vegetables, and simple antipasti highlight the kitchen’s commitment to quality ingredients. They also make an excellent dirty martini and Caesar salad.
Montreal: A City Built On Hospitality
According to Lopez Luna, what ultimately makes Montreal’s restaurant scene special is the sense of community among chefs and restaurateurs. For visitors exploring Montreal through food, his favorite spots offer more than just great meals— they provide a glimpse into the collaborative, creative energy that continues to define one of North America’s most exciting culinary cities.
