Au Pied de Cochon is Chef Martin Picard’s signature restaurant at 536 Avenue Duluth Est in Montreal‘s Plateau-Mont-Royal, opened in 2001 and built around unapologetically rich Québécois cooking: foie gras, pork, game and maple. Travelers come for the restaurant that helped define modern Quebec cuisine, a place where excess is the whole point and the dining room runs loud, warm and generous.
What to Expect at Au Pied de Cochon
The restaurant occupies a compact, high-energy room on pedestrian-friendly Avenue Duluth, one of the Plateau’s best-known dining streets. Picard built his reputation on a nose-to-tail approach that treats pork, duck and foie gras as the foundation of the menu. The kitchen is open to the room, the noise level is high, and dishes arrive as large, indulgent plates designed for sharing. Service is brisk and informal, and the staff will guide you through the menu if you are new to Québécois cooking.
The menu changes with the season and the daily market, and the restaurant publishes a menu du jour on its official site. Expect a lineage of dishes tied to Quebec’s cabane à sucre tradition, since the same company also operates a sugar shack and cider house in Mirabel. Maple appears throughout, from glazes to desserts. Because ingredients like foie gras, pork fat and cream are central, plan on a long, slow meal rather than a quick bite.
- Foie gras creations: The restaurant’s calling card, served in rich, inventive preparations that have drawn food travelers to Duluth Street for two decades.
- Pork-forward plates: The name translates to “at the pig’s foot,” and pork in many cuts and forms anchors the menu.
- Maple-driven dishes and desserts: Sugar-shack flavors connect the restaurant to Picard’s Cabane à Sucre in Mirabel.
- Game and seasonal specials: The daily menu reflects market availability and Quebec producers.
- Quebec cider and spirits: The company’s own cidrerie and spirits line, available through the brand’s online boutique, complement the heavier dishes.
Au Pied de Cochon at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 536 Avenue Duluth Est, Montréal, QC H2L 1A9 |
| Neighborhood / Area | Plateau-Mont-Royal |
| Operating Hours | Wednesday to Sunday, 5 PM to 11 PM; closed Monday and Tuesday |
| Admission / Price Range | $$$ (upscale; no cover charge, reservations recommended) |
| Recommended Visit Duration | 2 to 3 hours |
| Nearest Transit / Parking | Mont-Royal Métro (Orange Line) or STM bus along Rue Saint-Denis; metered street parking nearby |
| Official Website & Phone | aupieddecochon.ca |
Visiting Tips, Getting There & Nearby Pairings
Book through the official reservation page well ahead, particularly for Friday and Saturday evenings, when the room fills fast. Tell the team about allergies or dietary restrictions when you book; the restaurant states it accommodates them where it can but cannot guarantee against cross-contact, since many allergens are handled in the kitchen. The best approach is to arrive hungry, order to share, and pace yourself across several courses.
The closest Métro station is Mont-Royal on the Orange Line, a walk of roughly 10 to 15 minutes east along Avenue Duluth, with STM bus service on Rue Saint-Denis closer by. Street parking is metered and competitive in the evening. The dining room is at street level, but its compact layout and busy floor can make navigation tight, so mention mobility needs when reserving. Before or after dinner, stroll Avenue du Mont-Royal’s shops, walk through Parc La Fontaine a short distance south, or browse the boutiques and bars along Rue Saint-Denis.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the opening hours and best time to visit Au Pied de Cochon?
The restaurant serves dinner Wednesday through Sunday from 5 PM to 11 PM and is closed Monday and Tuesday. Weeknight evenings, especially Wednesday and Thursday, are usually easier for securing a table and a calmer atmosphere than weekends.
How much does a meal cost and do I need a reservation?
Au Pied de Cochon sits in the $$$ tier, with rich shared plates priced as a special-occasion meal. Reservations are strongly recommended and can be made through the restaurant’s official booking page.
How long should I plan for dinner?
Budget two to three hours. The menu is built around rich, multi-course sharing, and the restaurant is meant to be enjoyed slowly.
Is it suitable for dietary restrictions, groups or families?
The kitchen asks guests to disclose allergies and restrictions at booking and does its best to accommodate them, though cross-contamination cannot be ruled out. The menu is meat and foie gras heavy, so strict vegetarians will find limited choice, and the lively, loud room suits groups and adventurous eaters better than quiet, young-child dining.
When browsing more top-rated canadian restaurant in Montreal, consider pairing your visit with nearby highlights such as Montréal Plaza (2.5 km away) and L'Express (0.2 km away).
