Helena in Montreal

438 McGill St, Montreal, Quebec H2Y 2G1, Canada

★★★★☆
(1097 reviews)
Categories: Portuguese restaurant Bar

About

Restaurant portugais gastronomique situé au coeur du Vieux-Montréal. Restaurant qui mélange les saveurs locales aux chaleurs du Portugal.

Website
restauranthelena.com
Address
438 McGill St, Montreal, Quebec H2Y 2G1, Canada
Plus Code
GC2R+5M Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Time Zone
America/Toronto

Business Hours

Monday
11:30 AM–2:30 PM – 5:30–11 PM
Tuesday
Closed
Wednesday
Closed
Thursday
Closed
Friday
5:30–10:30 PM
Saturday
5:30–11 PM
Sunday
Closed

Services

Service options
Dine-in Delivery Takeaway
Accessibility
Wheelchair-accessible entrance
Offerings
Alcohol Beer Cocktails Coffee Healthy options Small plates Spirits Wine
Dining options
Lunch Dinner Catering Dessert
Amenities
Bar on site Toilets
Atmosphere
Cosy Romantic Upmarket
Crowd
Groups
Planning
Reservations required Accepts reservations
Payments
Credit cards Debit cards NFC mobile payments Credit cards

Photos

Reviews

4.4
★★★★☆
1097 reviews

Most Mentioned

tapas (28) tasting menu (24) wine list (19) octopus (15) set menu (13) asparagus (8) scallops (7) quality (7) sommelier (6) oysters (6)
5 stars
729
4 stars
229
3 stars
60
2 stars
33
1 stars
46
★★★★★
October 2, 2024

AMAZING MOST TRY TASTERS MENU! The staff is so amazing and kind!!!

★★★★★
September 8, 2024

Incredibly attentive and friendly staff and the most excellent meal you will have in a while! Everything was outstanding. I had the gazpacho to start and the Alaskan black cod followed. It was so delicate surrounded by a silky sweet potato mash that was so delectable that I wiped my plate down with some bits of bread to not leave anything behind. It was phenomenal. Bravo!

★★★
July 20, 2024

Fiasco date night Decor 8/10 , Rachel our waitress fabulous, The Arctic Char appetizer Nice, The octopus entree divine, The Fish prepped perfectly for my wife ! THE FILET MIGNON 0/10 asked medium rare came medium - well done, sadly my wife had her meal also at the same time, and ate alone 🤦‍♂️ I asked for bread - it was cold and dry sadly Because it took them 25 minutes to make another Filet Mignon, And put it back in a plate with cold polenta From my original plate!! And this is a classic i get it rare ,why? chef was worried to over cook! Meanwhile my wife ate her food 55 minutes. Prior to me finishing kind of a bummer for 268$ meal, no Manager came to the table Only the waitress who had no words and offered dessert on the house So many things went well and then boom fiasco! The steak redo could have come way quicker….sad ☹️

★★★★★
July 5, 2024

We had the tasting menu and a bottle of vinho verde. Food was delicious and the restaurant was very accommodating for our family (we dined with our two kids). Everyone was very helpful and friendly. We’d go back again, but with all of that said we felt that the food was not 100% authentic Portuguese (my wife lived in Portugal for many years).

★★★★★
May 28, 2024

I came here with my parents while they were in town and wow! It was a phenomenal experience. Our waitress gave us excellent recommendations for starters. I need to know what the chef put in the dressing because the asparagus salad was delicious. And the octopus was incredible!!! All of the sea food was incredibly fresh and the flavors were super well balanced. My fish came with a sweet potato purée which was almost velvet-y it was so smooth. I would highly recommend this restaurant!

★★★★★
January 27, 2024

Simply amazing. The food was A1 and we decided to have the tasting menu and we’re pleasantly surprised. Can’t wait to return and can easily say that it has earned a spot in my top 3 best high-end restaurants!

★★★★★
September 6, 2023

Friendly staff and great atmosphere. We let the staff choose the dishes and they always bring such great choices. I’ve been here a few times and have always left completely in love with the restaurant. We’ve brought some friends and family and they’re always so impressed by the quality of the food and service. Definitely a great place for Portuguese food!

★★★★★
September 1, 2023

Most memorable meal we have had in years. Tried the tasting menu with wines paired. What a surprising culinary experience! Fantastic service and wonderful way to celebrate a special anniversary. We will be back! They keep it cool and that is exactly the way I like it, but maybe bring a sweater if you don’t run hot like me :) Cannot suggest all the items we enjoyed due to they are not on the regular menu.

Local Guide
December 15, 2024

Lunch.... $54 for: - cod salad: 3 tablespoons of salted cod (not enough time in water to remove the salt) with seasoning and 3 chickpeas - tab of beef (+$$ extra): half a tab of beef!!! 3 poor strips of rare beef (the waiter did not ask for cooking... in the end in the kitchen its a tab for 2 plates), with 2 Brussels sprouts and a poor potato pancake - dessert for $10 more of course: half a slice of flambéed pineapple with touches of cream.... Or a chocolate cake which was in fact a piece of chocolate sponge cake with Chantilly In short, the portions are ridiculous... The prices are high.... In Portugal, you would have closed after a month.... You have to believe that in the city center business customers have too much money and not enough common sense and/or taste....

★★★★
Local Guide
December 15, 2024

The food is very good. Very nice atmosphere but the price doesnt match what you receive.

★★★★★
November 22, 2024

Elevated Portuguese fine dining. The dishes were truly works of art. Amazing staff to guide you through their menu.

★★★★★
November 22, 2024

We tried their tasting menu and were amazed by the variety of flavors. The service was wonderful and everything we ate was 10/10! Highly recommend!

★★★★★
November 22, 2024

Wonderful place to have a great time

★★★★★
Local Guide
November 22, 2024

It was a business lunch and everything was perfect. The food, service. Just a little too loud for my taste. But besides that, nothing to complain about. Thanks

★★★★
Local Guide
November 22, 2024

Good food, good service. The restaurant is quite noisy.

★★★★★
Local Guide
November 22, 2024

Great place with excellent food. David, Dennis, son Daniel and Helena always treat us exceptionally well. It an expensive evening going there but we always find the time and ressources to visit for an exceptional meal and experience.

★★★★★
Local Guide
October 22, 2024

Easily top five restaurant in Montreal. The flavors will take you places.

★★★★★
Local Guide
October 22, 2024

Wonderful food and service!

★★★★★
Local Guide
October 22, 2024

Very good restaurant. Portuguese dishes are real. The croquettes, the pasteis de nata....excellent! 3 rooms in the restaurant, which makes it a large restaurant but with subdivision allowing more intimate nooks and crannies. I recommend!

★★★★★
Local Guide
October 22, 2024

We tagged along with a friend and his wife, who are regulars at this highly acclaimed fine-dining Portuguese eatery. The decor features modern elements and classic Portuguese charm; I was particularly captivated by the stunning ceiling. My friends wife gave carte blanche to the waiter to bring a selection of dishes for us to share, and he brought a few items from the Tapas Quentes: Pasteis de Bacalhau, Sardinhas Assadas, and Lulas Grelhadas. The sommelier paired a privately imported white wine with these tapas, a perfect match. Then, we were served Sela de Borrego along with the catch of the day, accompanied by another bottle of white wine harmoniously paired. Though I m usually not a fan of white wine, I found myself thoroughly enjoying it, I drank my share and my wifes share. While some nice desserts were offered, I was too satiated to have any. Just before we left, a waitress came with a complimentary Porto. I surely found room for that. The service was top-notch, with multiple servers attending to our table, and the food was phenomenal. The bill was quite steep at the end of the night, but it was one of the most memorable meals weve had in a long time.

★★★★★
Local Guide
September 22, 2024

As always a classic to recommend!

September 22, 2024

Very very disappointed. Very disappointing $120 dish. Overcooked mussels and clams, non-tender octopus, overcooked lobster tail as well. you have to fight with it to remove the flesh from the shell. It was missing a scallop and the octopus that they brought us later. The waiter looked for a certain one in the chowder only to find that it wasnt there. we go there only once and move on to another restaurant. Wasted evening.

★★★★★
Local Guide
September 22, 2024

Amazing food.

★★★
Local Guide
September 22, 2024

First of all, the service was excellent and attentive. We liked the wines served as well as the succulent 30 year old port. The desserts also delighted us. Weak point: the plates are too often served lukewarm. And this, again this Saturday and despite the fact that I had mentioned it to the waitress. It s the coldness of the dishes that spoils the pleasure. The last time we were there, I turned my plate over and my husband ate alone. This Saturday, there were four of us guests. My husband and I ordered the cod and our friends shared a whole fish, cut and arranged right at the table. Our plates arrived first, rather lukewarm but as we had to wait for our friends to be served, I ate cold again. It would be wise for the cutting ceremony to be performed before serving the individual plates and not the other way around. I also suspect that the vegetables are prepared in advance and wait on the already assembled plate until the cod is cooked. Which means that the accompaniments are served lukewarm, almost cold. We will return there because we like this restaurant and go there regularly but if our dishes are still served cold, it will be our last visit to Helenas. After all, a meal for four people costs more than $800, you can ask for hot food.

★★★★★
September 22, 2024

Very good dinner and service. We shared the asparagus salad, and seafood plate for 2 and they were both excellent. Good wine list, and my girlfriend enjoyed her cocktail as well.

★★★★★
Local Guide
September 22, 2024

Great Portuguese restaurant, delicious octopus, delicious wines.

★★★★★
Local Guide
September 22, 2024

Wow...amazing food, wine, service, and obviously company

★★★★★
Local Guide
September 22, 2024

Great food and atmosphere.

★★★★★
Local Guide
September 22, 2024

Very good restaurant with quality gourmet cuisine with exemplary service in a warm atmosphere.

★★★★★
Local Guide
August 22, 2024

Exceptional tasting menu with excellent service from Rachel and food/wine pairing from her trainer (I no longer remember her name)

★★★★★
August 22, 2024

What a wonderful restaurant! The service was excellent & definitely contributed to the memorable evening. Thank you!

★★★★★
Local Guide
August 22, 2024

Tasting menu was packed in flavours. Service was flawless as well.

★★★★★
Local Guide
August 22, 2024

I keep coming back again and again, and normally I do not give 5 stars for anything- This is for me a top location in Montreal

★★★★
Local Guide
August 22, 2024

Food was outstanding but the service was lacking professionalism..

★★★★★
Local Guide
August 22, 2024

It was our first time at Helena and we enjoyed it thoroughly. My rack of Lamb was perfect and his filet mignon was absolutely excellent.

★★★★★
August 22, 2024

Its clear that Helena has built a restaurant where no detail is overlooked and excellence is there.

★★★★★
August 22, 2024

Excellent Portuguese food and service pricy cad120/pers

★★★★★
July 22, 2024

Excellent, perfectly cooked fish! And congratulations to the sommelier who was more than capable. A Michelin star wouldn t be too much.

Local Guide
July 22, 2024

I was very excited to dine at this restaurant given the reviews and pictures from previous patrons however, I feel that my experience was not the same. From the minute our small group of 3 arrived, everything seem to take an excruciatingly long time to get to a table. In fact, the server almost seemed disinterested in his job and would walk past the empty table several times before noticing that dishes were finished or drinks empty. There was no care taken to explain the menu nor the dishes that we had served to us. We would sometimes wait up to 45 minutes between dishes to receive the next dish. Despite the food being delicious, the service was a stark contrast to an otherwise enjoyable experience. 3 stars for the food, 0 stars for the service.

★★★★★
July 22, 2024

Excellent! We had the tasting menu and it was fantastic.

★★★★★
Local Guide
July 22, 2024

Wow, everything we had there was amazing. The tequila cocktail, sea food platter, duck breast and chocolate ganache praline were all equally delicious. The service was also excellent.

★★★★
Local Guide
July 22, 2024

dined with a group of 8. Encouraged to take their sampling course....approx 9 courses. Food was outstanding. Service was subpar. Total experience was over 4 hours long (way too long). some servings were explained and others just placed on table with no communication. Vegetarian options: Limited vegetarian options but they were willing to just remove the protien.

★★★★★
July 22, 2024

So many restaurants in Montreal but few as good with great service

★★★★★
Local Guide
June 22, 2024

It is not only about the mouthwatwring menu but about something you cant produce without the love and commitment for doing what you do. We all felt the people from reception to service and cuisine were intended on delivering the best possible time for their guests. Nothing loud, just strivi g for excellence. I havent seen that kind of attention in a long time. Bravo à léquipe de Helena. Hope to come again soon.

★★★★★
Local Guide
June 22, 2024

Very friendly staff, Michelle is so professional and careful to address any allergy concerns. The foods were all very good and served very well.

★★★★★
Local Guide
June 22, 2024

Excellent high quality restaurant. The grilled octopus is delicious. Good wine list. Ideal for a business meal or with family for an occasion.

★★★★★
June 22, 2024

Excellent restaurant we enjoyed it. The warm and impeccable service. Magnificent setting and tasty cuisine and very good wine. I recommend 100%.

★★★★★
May 22, 2024

Phenomenal dinner. Highly recommend

★★★★
Local Guide
May 22, 2024

Food was good, but missed the depth of Portugal gastronomy. Breads were not warm, olive oil nice. Some part of the service was confusing, do we keep the plate or not? Came as big group but staff was eager to help

★★★★★
Local Guide
May 22, 2024

Nothing to say. Excellent Portuguese food.

★★★★★
Local Guide
May 22, 2024

Inventive, high-end take on Portuguese food. Beautifully presented. A robust wine list to pair with the scrumptious offerings.

★★★★★
Local Guide
May 22, 2024

We took the 9 Services. Very good quality/price!

★★★★★
Local Guide
May 22, 2024

Great food but the atmosphere could be loud because its popularity.

★★★★★
May 22, 2024

Amazing !!!!!

★★★★★
Local Guide
May 22, 2024

Our server was very friendly and helpful. She recommended the seafood platter for 2 and it was delicious!!! Great experience. Really glad we chose this place.

★★★★★
Local Guide
April 22, 2024

The food was great, but it s on the pricey side so be prepared

★★★★
Local Guide
March 22, 2024

First experience above our expectations. The cuisine was refined and tasty. We only expected dishes with sauce and it was much more varied. Both the starters and the main dishes were wonderfully balanced in terms of the proportions of vegetables (I like vegetables) and proteins. Octopus, scallops and fish were cooked to perfection (rare). No missteps. The vegetables were also cooked and the quality was perfect. For several dishes, we tried to crack the recipe...for us, its a sign that we liked it and that its a restaurant worth the detour. The menu is varied but should be reworked. The size of the characters combined with the dim lighting makes it difficult to read. The service a little too fast...and yes, fast. There was an eagerness to get everything done quickly. In the context where you are offered a wine list that looks like an encyclopedia (almost impossible to read because of the small print and the dim lighting), the pressure of fast service tells you that we do not want you to explore it . So we put it aside and we hope that the waitress has knowledge of a sommelier, which unfortunately she does not have. A service team makes sure everything runs smoothly but tends to release dishes from the table too quickly. We dont have time to scrape the tasty sauce from the bottom of the dish with our spoon or our piece of bread (bread that deserves to be fresher). We also barely swallowed our last mouthful of the main course when desert was already offered to us. This service is adequate during a weekday lunch but when it is Saturday evening, we are not in the same state of mind. We want to enjoy the moment. Still, the service was courteous and attentive. The employees are all very handsome, kept neat. He could be more cheerful. Engaging in conversation with the customer doesnt kill you . Talking about your dishes and wines means taking your customers into your world. The restaurant has something to talk about and doesnt maximize it. Nice room decoration, beautiful atmosphere with subdued lighting. Nice choice of dishes, it seems trivial but its part of the experience and its a success. Fortunately there is no background music (or if there was, it was sufficiently discreet). Its not cheap but the quality was there. Enjoy your meal! Dietary restrictions: None

★★★★★
Local Guide
March 22, 2024

I cannot recommend Helena s any more. Truly authentic Portuguese fare but with the sophistication and care of a veteran restaurateur. As a person with Portuguese roots, I was impressed and satisfied. The caldo verde tastes like my grandmothers. It ain t cheap but you do get what you pay for.

★★★★★
Local Guide
March 22, 2024

Really delicious way to experience Portuguese cuisine. The seafood is fresh and well prepared and the tapas dishes are so creative. Also, one of the most beautiful restaurants I ve ever seen. And get the Portuguese tart for dessert!

★★★★★
Local Guide
March 22, 2024

Amazing service!

★★★★★
Local Guide
February 22, 2024

Great place, the staff was exceptionally great. Loved our waiter, recommended me really good gins. I loved them. We were there on a Friday, and it was pretty full! The food was good. I split a bunch of entrées and tapas with a friend.

★★★★★
Local Guide
February 22, 2024

Excellent meal Tasting menu. We had a great time.

★★★★★
Local Guide
February 22, 2024

One of the best restaurants in Montreal. Whenever friends are visiting from out of town, i would always bring them to Helena! They love it! Great food and ambiance. We tried their tasting menu and was excellent.

★★★★★
Local Guide
February 22, 2024

A day of being cured by Helena s food

February 22, 2024

We went for dinner two days after Saint Valentine s Day and they had the tasting menu which we ordered figuring that would be the smart move. What a mistake that was! The food was absolutely terrible. The only items that were half decent were the monk fish and the desert. The other 5 services were awful. I can t believe this restaurant would serve this poor quality food. We won t be back here again.

★★★★★
February 22, 2024

Impeccable service, delicious food and generous portions. The multi-course menu and wine pairing is worth it if you can afford it.

★★★★★
February 22, 2024

Each time, it is an extraordinary experience. From the smiling welcome to the exceptionally friendly, courteous and attentive service, including an authentic and always tasty menu. One of the rare restaurants that brilliantly combines class and human warmth. I will always come back to it.

★★★★★
Local Guide
January 22, 2024

Amazing service, delicious food.

★★★★★
Local Guide
January 22, 2024

this was a dinner with one of my good friends, food was amazing and service impeccable, we took the fish/ seafood tasting menu .delicious!!!!

★★★★★
Local Guide
January 22, 2024

Skin on fish was not crispy. Everything else was great.

★★★
January 22, 2024

Repas du nouvel an, accord mets/vins qui a 200$/personne n a vraiment pas été à la hauteur. Nous y avions été l an passé pour la même occasion, et l expérience qui avait été parfaite a cette fois été tellement décevante Peut-être que les plats au menu régulier en valent le prix, mais cela n a vraiment pas été le cas pour ce menu des fêtes

★★★★★
Local Guide
January 22, 2024

My husband and I have been here many times before ( the last visit was in 2021). As always, exceptional service, absolutely beautiful atmosphere and the food? Out of this world!!! Brought a group of friends (their first time), and already they were making plans about coming back again in this summer! They had such a great time and enjoyed every single bite! Fantastic place. Cant recommend this place enough! Dietary restrictions: Although our party didnt have any, the wait staff was clear to mention if we had dietary restrictions to let them know and that it wasnt a problem at all.

★★★★★
January 22, 2024

One of the best Portuguese restaurants in Montreal

★★★★★
January 22, 2024

we went for dinner on Friday January 12, very nice evening, impeccable service! we will go back there for sure

★★★★★
December 22, 2023

Excellent staff. Service was impeccable. Even for a last minute seating. The food was exceptional. Ambience was at a level that you should expect from a restaurant of this caliber.

★★★★★
December 22, 2023

Its always a pleasure to come and have the tasting menu at your restaurant.

★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

Went there for dinner. The décor is nice. The cocktails were good, although expensive. Our main dishes were not that good. Looked like the chef was not there and people in the kitchen didnt care. It is also pretentious and overpriced.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

Excellent Portuguese restaurant with exceptional service. THANKS!

★★★★★
December 22, 2023

Loved the food service and atmosphere

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

We had the grilled seafood for 2 people, it was really very good.

★★
December 22, 2023

Felt like a zero after dining at Helena. We had difficulty with a young server, who tried to upsell us for our meal. Sold us sparkling water that service would refill from the tap, re-using the bottle without cleaning it from the previous customer. A wipe down would have been appreciated. Our party was not offered the specials menu while tables around us did. Our server neglected to offer bread and oil, while the other tables around us did. I did not feel like the service was attentive to our dining experience. The restaurant was half full at the time so it was not because it was ultra busy.. A manager shattered a bowl at our feet and did not check to see if our party was alright. A simple sorry would have gone a long way. The employee walked away in embarrassment while the shattered bowl remained at our feet. All in all, a difficult dining experience, ordered the seafood plate for two. The broth was delicious, but did not warrant a cost of $120. The size of the dish, from our understanding, was suppose to be enough for two. This dish would have been perfect for one, but not worth the price. All in all, I hope customers that try restaurant Helena experience a better service then we did.

★★★★★
December 22, 2023

Very nice evening, impeccable service, the staff is so kind and professional and qye say the food, a real trip to Portugal thank you

★★★★★
December 22, 2023

The meat/seafood tasting menus were excellent and plentiful.

★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

After an exceptional first visit. I must admit that I am a little disappointed... The service left something to be desired and the waitress had no knowledge of the wine list. There were 5 of us and all 5 of us were disappointed.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

Love the bacalao at Helena s. Perfect spot for business lunches, date night and family meals. They do great lunch menus too.

★★
December 22, 2023

We had the tasting menu. I ve had dozens of tasting menus in my life and these dishes were simple but tasty. We had an Alentejao wine suggested by the waitress which was delicious. Unfortunately delays between taking our orders, and each plate were too long, ranging from 30-45 minutes where one of our guests was chowing down bread to keep hunger at bay. We had to consistently tell staff about the delay and we left with our dessert in a bag as we had a show. From arrival to the end with no dessert and with our telling them it took 2hr 45 min (7:20-10:05 pm). Had we not said anything and ate dessert at the table most likely this would have been a 4 hr affair, which I deem too long even for a tasting menu.

Local Guide
December 22, 2023

Raw lamb and cold seafood. 1 star for the wine. Normally I wouldn t bother posting a review but when your table is spending over 1000$ and the food makes your stomach turn I feel like I needed to share.

December 22, 2023

I recently dined at this restaurant and I have to say it was one of the worst dining experiences I have ever had. The food was completely unappetizing and completely unedible. The lamb chops were raw and the seafood was undercooked and still translucent, which is just unacceptable. The service was slow and unresponsive, and the restaurant was incredibly overpriced for what you got. I would not recommend this restaurant to anyone, it is a complete waste of money and time. Stay away from this terrible establishment and save yourself the disappointment

December 22, 2023

Rack of lamb was too raw and cold. Grilled seafood for 2 was cold and giant shrimp was not fully cooked.

Local Guide
December 22, 2023

Where do I begin. Sadly negative stars cant be given. The food was terrible! I dont understand how this place has high ratings. Dishes for 2 were over priced and barely enough for one also was raw. After waiting what seemed like an eternity for our main dishes they arrived cold and raw. This place is a waste of money it left us walking around looking for an open place so we can actually go and eat. I dont recommend at all. Save your money and go somewhere else.

★★★★★
December 22, 2023

Amazing culinary experience, from meat to sea food to vegetarian options, Helena has everything needed to make you live a terrific meal. Ive tried their lunch, dinner and even delivery options and was pleased every single time. The flavors, the quality of the product, the staff, the decor, truly the best way of experiencing Portuguese cuisine in Montreal, cant wait for my next visit.

★★★★★
December 22, 2023

Amazing restaurant. Outstanding service. One of the best chefs in Quebec. Quite an experience. To visit, revisit, re-visit.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

Amazing food, dedicated service, will go back as many times as I can

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

Impeccable service! Beautiful presentation of the dishes and very delicious.

★★★★★
December 22, 2023

Great location, elegant interior, amazing dishes; highly recommend the duck breast, Black Seabass and grilled octopus, outstanding selection of Portuguese vino. Excellent world class service by Daniel and Roberto; these gentlemen know how to take care of clients, thank you and we ll be back soon! Kid-friendliness: Celebrated our friends daughter s 15th birthday, staff were very accommodating and attentive a group of 5 kids; really catered their needs despite the very fine dining environment!

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

I love that place. If you hate kids places this one is for you. The crowd is older and classy. The place look nice and fancy. The food is decent and good. The drinks are amazing. I had lamb shops, the sea food casserole, the asparagus salad and the fritters.

★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

Very nice location on McGill with amazing interior design. Service is very good. Food is so so. Not to die for, but decent. Huge wine list with very good variety. The fish could be better as my plate was almost tasteless. My friends plates were better, like the octopus for example or the fletan. Tastier. Verdict : give it a try if you like seafood and hopefully you will choose a good plate that is tasty.

★★★★★
December 22, 2023

Such a amazing place with a awesome vibe. I went here with my husband and had 3 amazing dishes . Very professional and amazing service . Our service guy was so polite and explained things very well he also recommended a real good wine which we both loved a lot except for the part where I already tipped for the service and the service guy came back again asking for more tips. Definitely a place to visit again

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

Wow wow wow what an experience I was invited by one of my business contact and was treated like royalty A must go in Montreal Service was fenomenal

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

Always a great experience!

★★★★★
December 22, 2023

Me and my wife went for a first experience at Helena s and I can tell this restaurant is above our expectations with the 7 service we had for Valentine s Day. The food was very well presented and tasted really good. The description from each dish and wine was very well explained as the servers were very professional. I recommend this restaurant to anyone who wants to experiment something authentic and classy. Every bite was an enjoyment.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

Wow! Outstanding service rarely eaten well as such the wine was excellent the maître dhôtel/sommelier took us on a journey with his descriptions of the Douro and Alentjo wine regions we took the tasting menu of dishes that I would never have ordered alone at the menu but which allowed me to discover octopus, lamb and fresh cod to die for.

★★★
December 22, 2023

Lower quality than expected, was just ok. Starting with cocktails that are average, and could have been more unique with better liquors. Bread was stale and tough, brought it up with the staff but they didn t seem to care. Like how do you serve stale bread with all these great bakeries around! No attempt to heat it up or replace. Overall service was nice, place was warm and stuffy though. Some dishes were decent, otherwise not the best flavors. The steak main was nicely cooked but slathered in a very sweet overpowering sauce. Wines by the glass again ok, too warm and on the cheaper side. The layout of the restaurant with the kitchen in the middle creates too much heat and traffic. It would be a big difference if the food was better quality and timely, along with some better airflow. The front house seating looked more open, and fresh air from the door, I d ask to sit there.

★★★★★
December 22, 2023

Impeccable service!! Delicious meal and super warm restaurant!!

★★★★★
December 22, 2023

Excellent dining experience ! Laurent really took care of us!

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

Surpassed all expectation for quality, taste, presentation and service. One of the best fish restaurants I have been to of late. Authentic Portuguese cuisine and a huge wine list from that country. This place should be on the must try list for anyone serious about fish.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

What a great place for dinner in the old port, we loved the food and the wine was sublime! Definitely recommend.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

Beautiful and delicious. Impeccable service

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

The best place in Montreal for dinner .

★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

Excellent server

★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

Outstanding service. Friendly staff. Daniel Alex Roberto Laureu Fred. Everyone was so attentive to our time there. Food was good too.

★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

The asparagus salad was the star of the meal for me. Also had the cod fillet as well as their steak. Both very good!

★★★★★
December 22, 2023

One of my favorite restaurants! To try and adopt, absolutely!

December 22, 2023

Everyone was very nice and I just wanted to catch up with an old friend. I was disappointed with the tasting food menu.. my friends and would go there at least 2-3 times a month because we loved the food. As an example, the asparagus salad is not as good. Did not enjoy the octopus the fish was under and I hated having a table next to the door where everyone is running up and down but you see them tired and annoyed having to serve you with attitude. I wish they would do like cafe Ferreira but update the dishes, include more Portugal dishes that most of your clients never tasted. Portugal is one of my favourite country/destination and there are so many dishes that would be an amazing addition and keep it authentic. Last time, I did not go to a true Portuguese restaurant. I m sorry, my sent my entire team as we were also having a team event - they were not happy as well whisking you all the best moving forward. For my I don t thing I will be back.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

Always a good option for a dinner with clients, however I would like the tasting menu to change more often.

★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

The waiter is polite and his service is quick. The restaurant aims to be typical Portuguese, but as for the food, it is a long way off. The cod is tasteless, the dumplings are ridiculously small and so are the pasteizinhos de nata. White wine by the glass seems to be legitimate in olive oil too. But, thats all.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

Great service, presentation and quality.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

Always a pleasure to go to Restaurant Helena the cuisine, the service, the atmosphere are excellent

★★★★★
December 22, 2023

Vegetarian options: Excellent. Great discovery Food

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

Exquisite. Staff was both polite and friendly. All the dishes are Portuguese. I enjoyed a halibut dish that was fantastic. The drinks were also well done.

★★★★★
December 22, 2023

Fabulous food (the fish was superb), service and atmosphere

★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

Very beautiful and good restaurant. I like the little touches, dishes, cooking. Very good service. The flavors are there. On the other hand, the prices are a little too high for certain dishes. The entrances are too small. My only negative comment is the quantity on the plates. After a $320 bill I was still hungry. The bread was also too dry. The pistachio/strawberry ganache dessert is one of the best I have eaten.

★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

Great spot! A little loud and busy but the food and service was exceptional.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

Amazing restaurant

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

Nice place to be, good food and service !! We had a great evening Food

★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

Lunch with friends. Cute, cozy, warm atmosphere. carrot/ginger soup was great. For the main, cod wasn t as good, was a bit chewy. My friends had beef and sea bream and they were very pleased. The waiter explained the menu in great detail and that was very helpful.

★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

Underwhelming, especially considering the prices... make sure you order their bottle of water for $8

★★★★★
December 22, 2023

We heard the Portuguese cuisine was famous in Montreal and Helena restaurant proved this is true. The food was delicious, the waitress and the staff were really friendly/helpful and the atmosphere was great. If we ever visit Montreal again, we will come back to Helena.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

Incredible dining experience! Varied, fresh, exciting taste and texture combinations, attentive seamless service, a perfect ten! Dietary restrictions: They double checked my allergies.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

Prompt service and excellent food!

★★★★★
December 22, 2023

As soon as we arrived, we were warmly welcomed. Service, food, wine, dessert: a perfect evening! Thank you and long life to your restaurant!

★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

The grilled fish was just so-so, not quite to the taste, but everything else was okay.

★★★★★
December 22, 2023

Top notch experience!

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

Amazing Portuguese fine cuisine, ideal for lunch time and professional dinners. I liked the ink pasta and the sea food!

★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

Most of the ingredients were good, but one of the clams we were served was unfortunately dead and full of decomposing matter or dirt (see picture). The dishes we ordered were not overly complex and the portions were on the smaller side, so we expected the ingredients to be perfect. Its very disappointing that they couldnt remove a dead clam from a dish that contained 5 clams overall. This could have been done very easily and showed a lack of attention to detail. When we pointed this out to the server, they seemed to mimize it and took the plate away. There was no apology from the kitchen and we got handed the bill with no explanation about what happened. We asked the server to give feedback to the kitchen and we ended up getting a it happens kind of apology and three pastries. The lack of attention to detail and the service are not what you would expect from a fine dining establishment and I would not recommend going there.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

Attentive service and very friendly staff. Warm atmosphere. All dishes were very tasty and made to perfection. Well done to the whole team!

★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

A little expensive

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

Nice business lunch. Portion are well done. Friendly staff. I would recommend to reserve in advance during lunch hour.

★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

You either like the decor or you dont. Lunch menu is fine, but not necessarily memorable, very safe like the 10 other Portuguese restaurant around. Great service, Amazing wine list.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

In this restaurant we are all about the attention to service and details! So, expect to be well served, eat succulent dishes, drink good wine and have fun. Be careful if you dont like salty food...

December 22, 2023

Absolutely horrible horrible service. Chef can t cook a simple steak. Same steak needed to be recooked three times after initially waiting 2 hours. Save your money. Just go elsewhere should have cooked it myself. 0 stars. Another member of our group also waited 2 hours, received the wrong meal entirely, then finally received his meal which was badly cooked AGAIN. Needed to be recooked a second time.

★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

Very pretty decor (high ceilings make for a noisy atmosphere though), good (not polished) service, food top quality...but no wow factor. Pasteis de Natas were a highlight. On balance, a little too pricey for the overall experience.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

Best grilled Octopus youll ever eat.. Lobster tails, scallops, shrimps are amazing.. Food

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

Impeccable service! Delicious dishes; I recommend the asparagus salad.

★★★★★
December 22, 2023

Very high level of dishes and service Michelin stars I really appreciate and recommend

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

Incredible food with impeccable service. Organized a work event and from to finish the team went above and beyond. Some in the group had dietary restrictions and it was handled with brio. We had a tasting menu and every dish was beautifully done. Everyone really enjoyed the experience. The star of the night for me was the octopus. It s the best I have ever eaten. It s nice to see a restaurant who focuses on quality and authenticity and understands how important customer service is. I highly recommend them!

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

Delicious ! Each bite is a bouquet of flavors , Great service from Arthur and the others Food

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

The food was divine! The service excellent. Had dinner here with friends last week and loved it so much that I came back again with my wife. Took the same dishes and they were as good as the first time. Best meals I had in Montreal during my stay.

★★★★★
December 22, 2023

It was our second visit, we were tempted by the tasting menu with wine pairing. No regrets. I started with a Martin espresso which is not on the menu, but which I was easily and kindly prepared when I asked if it was possible. Mahi mahi, tomato and pesto salad, grilled octopus, (seared scallops with foie gras (not in the photos)), trou normand, duck breast, almond financier and other sweets. Excellent food and great service. Dietary restrictions: Very easy for people with gluten intolerance and allergies such as peanuts and legumes

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

Wow, what great, inventive and delicious cuisine. Nothing ordinary. Impeccable service. Far better than the supposedly gourmet restaurants.

★★★
December 22, 2023

Food was good but slightly below expectations. The sea bass and sword fish lacked taste. Unfortunately there are many great restaurants in Montreal and this one does not seem to have what it takes to keep up with the amazing quality you will find elsewhere. Food

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

Its always a great time at Helena - the food, service and people are extraordinary. I recommend to anyone who wants a great time in a relax and Portuguese decor.

★★★★★
December 22, 2023

Everything was good

★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

Overall a good portugais restaurent, but nothing else. The food and service was good, but , the portions were too small. The price for what you get is actually too high. With the same price you can have two similar meals in other portugais restaurants in Montreal. I wont go back

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

Eat here now

★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

Good atmosphere, very good service taking into account allergies of a group of 10 people. The meat was very good, the fish was not good, it seemed raw even though I ordered it well cooked. For the rest it went well.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

The food was succulent and the service perfect Amazing experience Food

★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

There were 7 of us there yesterday to celebrate my 56th birthday. Ive wanted to go there for a long time, having seen this restaurant on the show LÉpicerie. It was mentioned that the typical Portuguese soup was excellent and worth the detour alone. So, upon arrival I noticed that the restaurant is truly magnificent with its high ceilings and its splendor and by the time I went to my table at the back there were already 6 waiters who had welcomed me with a smile. However, as soon as it was understood that at our table the alcohol would not flow freely like at the large, noisy table next door, our service was long until the end. Another big table showed up nearby and I no longer heard anything of what those who had come to celebrate me were saying! The soup did not impress me at all and is not worth the trip. The fish dish stuffed with shrimp was excellent but there were almost no vegetables and my vegetarian sons dish was starving. In addition, he had the same salad as my wife but to make it vege, they only removed the proscuito without adding anything in return and at the same price obviously, while the dish costs much less for them. My final disappointment was the Portuguese tartlet which they say is as good as in Belem in Portugal. Now having been there in Belem, it is correct but no, it is by no means as good and even soft, without cinnamon and at the price of $12 for a single mini tartlet whereas the Portuguese competition both in Montreal and on the south shore we get 2 for the same price. Our server was super friendly and the fish was excellent, otherwise I would have given it less than 3 stars overall. Its good but I dont think its worth the effort to come back from the south shore when there are other Portuguese restaurants where the value for money is much better.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

It was our first visit to this place and not the last.

★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

Overall nice restaurant Already the colors are super original The meal is really good. The fish stuffed with shrimp is worth it. This is the second time Ive been there and the tapas are good and the fish is an obvious choice. The staff is really nice too The bill adds up quickly so be careful hahaha Sorry I thought I left a first review when I came the first time so I didnt take enough photos this time Next time I will complete them

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

Amazing place in all aspects, highly recommended!

★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

We certainly went wrong! We were placed at the back of the restaurant next to a private party of 30 people... We didnt get along all evening. The waitress (a little blonde with a bun) made no effort to be intelligible in this context and made numerous blunders. From the beginning by making a mistake in the order when there were only two dishes... Until the end by forgetting my hat with my coat. I dont know the disgust we inspired in this waitress even though nothing was expected of her, we only received the minimum attention, clumsy and without warmth... To the point of clearly avoiding us. Too bad this feeling of being hated in a place where the decor is so neat, the cuisine is rather fine and the bottle of sodastream sparkling water costs $8. With a final bill that cannot fall below $100/person, could this renowned restaurant only employ young people who have gone through hotel school, or who would at least have a sense of polite, discreet and efficient service? We would have liked a little professionalism. Having left bitter, we have never tipped a waitress so little.

★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

Overpriced and overhyped. The dishes were hit and miss (octopus was great, lamb...not so much). Not family friendly. Be careful, they charge for water (even flat) without advertising. Can find much better for a better price and ambiance.

★★
December 22, 2023

We were a group of twelve people recently for dinner. When we arrived we were asked if we wanted still or sparkling water. Most opted for still water (usually sparkling water comes at a cost). That said, none of the guests were informed that the still water was loaded. I was charged $8 for a bottle of still water. Another person who had a bill for two, was charged for two bottles of still water, and two bottles of sparkling water. $32!!! In addition, they were only served plain water. This is one example among others in our group. When we decide to buy a bottle of water, we leave it on the table. This is what generally happens in restaurants. Otherwise, how do you know when you have taken a whole bottle? And what is its format? When I saw my bill, I complained to the waiter who told me that the still water had been purified . What proves it? This does not change the fact that we are not informed in advance of additional charges. And there you have it, the restaurant made a nice profit by not declaring the charges to our group, as it should. I saw in some Google reviews that this has happened before with other unhappy customers. Despite this, staff continue to remain silent about the water charge. This is completely unethical. With the prices we are charged for dishes in this establishment, it is shameful to add charges for still water. It s making fun of those who keep business alive.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

The waitor/sommelier chose some great wines for me and the food was really good.

★★★★★
December 22, 2023

Very pleasant service and the food was delicious!!

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

Very nice restaurant. The dishes were very beautiful and good. Impeccable service.