Au Pied de Cochon

Au Pied de Cochon is one of the most celebrated restaurants in Montreal and all of Canada, and bringing your family here is a bold, memorable dining adventure — if your kids are the right kind of eaters. This is not a restaurant with a kids' menu or a family-friendly gimmick. It is a serious, acclaimed restaurant that happens to be family-welcoming, thanks to its casual atmosphere, loud energy, and dishes so dramatic they turn dinner into theater.

Chef Martin Picard opened Au Pied de Cochon in 2001, and it quickly became a Montreal institution. His cooking celebrates Quebec's rich culinary traditions with an emphasis on hearty, generous, unapologetically indulgent dishes. The menu features foie gras in multiple preparations, whole animal dishes, duck, pork, wild game, and the bounty of Quebec's land and waters.

The signature dishes are legendary. The duck in a can is a whole duck leg braised and sealed in an actual tin can, which the waiter opens tableside with a dramatic flourish — fragrant steam rises and kids are mesmerized. The foie gras poutine layers crispy fries with gravy, cheese curds, and a thick slab of seared foie gras — decadent, over-the-top, and utterly delicious.

The cromesquis (deep-fried foie gras balls) are a crispy, rich appetizer. And for the truly adventurous, the whole pig's head for two is a once-in-a-lifetime dish.

The restaurant occupies a cozy, bustling space on Avenue Duluth in the Plateau. One of Montreal's first open kitchens means diners can watch the controlled chaos of the cooking line — for kids who watch cooking shows, this is a live version of their favorite entertainment. The atmosphere is loud, lively, and casual — no need to dress up or keep voices down.

The practical reality: reservations are essential and should be made 2-3 weeks in advance. The restaurant is dinner-only, open Wednesday through Sunday from 5 PM to midnight. Prices are high — expect to spend $200-350 CAD for a family of four. Share dishes family-style to try more of the menu.

This restaurant is best for families with children ages 6 and up who are genuinely adventurous eaters. If your kids love trying new foods, watch cooking shows, or are curious about what a real chef's restaurant looks like, Au Pied de Cochon will be a highlight of your trip. If your kids only eat pasta and chicken fingers, save the reservation for another time.