Once the summer season is over, when outdoor family activities are more difficult due to the cooler and more often uncertain temperatures, the Montreal Biodome is the perfect outing for families. Well sheltered from the elements, you can visit the five ecosystems of the Americas and observe its animals and plants. Of course, after such a stroll within the walls of the Biodome, the whole family will want to go eat at the restaurant to end this day in style.

We have a few suggestions for restaurants located near the Montreal Biodome for you. We are convinced that our list will satisfy even the pickiest stomachs in your family!

A visit to the Biodome can also be quite exhausting for toddlers, who will see all the colors through the five sections of the site. Located a few metro stations from the city centre, in the former velodrome built for the 1976 Olympic Games, the place promises great discoveries.

The first section, called the Aisha-Savoie-Weider Gallery, is the Tropical Rainforest. Even in the middle of winter, you will be warm to visit this landmark, because the temperature is always between 25 and 28 °C and the humidity level is between 70 and 80%. This is the most impressive ecosystem of the Biodôme, with its hundreds of plants and animals.

This is followed by the Gulf of St. Lawrence section, which immerses you in the heart of Quebec's marine life. Discover about fifteen species of fish, including sturgeon, cod, striped bass, salmon or rays, but also starfish, anemones, sea cucumbers, sea urchins and crabs.

Next, discover the Laurentian Maple Forest, an ecosystem that faithfully reproduces the changing seasons, just like in our Quebec forests. River otters, beavers, porcupines, lynx, fish, turtles and birds live side by side, just like in the wild.

Finally, the last two sections, the Labrador Coast and the Subantarctic Islands, are a contrast to the first: it’s much colder here! You’ll be able to see about sixty birds from the alcid family, including the common murre and the Atlantic puffin (nicknamed the sea parrot because of its big, colourful beak) and penguins.

That’s why, after visiting all these ecosystems in such a short time, you’ll want to catch your breath before heading home. And we think there’s nothing better than a good family dinner at a restaurant to do just that. Here’s our list of suggestions.

La Chope Angus – Artisanal Brewery

Located a few steps from the Biodome, this restaurant will please adults and children alike. Parents will be happy to be able to enjoy a good beer from this artisanal brewery, while children can enjoy a mini poutine, a mini cheeseburger or a mini mac & cheese.

So, to drink, La Chope usually offers 14 beers brewed on site. Other draft beers are also available, from other breweries. White, orange, red, rosé, sparkling wines and cocktails also complete the beverage menu.

To eat, try, among the starters, the marinated cheese curds, the English-style edamame, the pork rillette, the breaded cod bites or the beef tartare.

As a main course, Chope Angus offers poutine (homemade beer sauce and the option of marinated cheese curds), beef burger (with lettuce, pickle, grilled onions, bacon, American cheddar, mayonnaise, BBQ sauce and served with fries), Welsh Rarebit plate (rye bread with smoked meat, cheddar-beer sauce, poached egg, kimchi with steak spices and served with fries) or pork chop (cooked sous-vide, chimichurri sauce, corn purée, tomato salad and popcorn with brown butter).

The fried beer dessert is also inviting to conclude the meal. It consists of three ravioli stuffed with English Porter, with vanilla ice cream and a cherry coulis.

Le Toit Rouge

Le Toit Rouge is another restaurant suggestion to visit after a day at the Biodome. It is the restaurant of the Hôtel Universel and is open all day, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Le Toit Rouge’s experienced chefs offer dishes from international cuisines, such as a Caesar salad with dried prosciutto, capers, parmesan cheese and crostini, a cheese and bacon burger, a spaghetti bolognese or a margarita pizza.

But among their specialties, which have made them famous so far, there is the grilled chicken breast (served with a Dijon sauce, garlic mashed potatoes and seasonal vegetables), the chicken parmigiana (breaded chicken with tomato sauce, mozzarella cheese and pasta), the grilled pork chop (served with a cranberry sauce, garlic mashed potatoes and seasonal vegetables) and the beef flank steak (served with seasonal vegetables and potatoes).

Finally, the children will be able to choose a dish specially designed for them, either a plate of pasta (tortellini stuffed with cheese or penne, with a choice of tomato or rosé sauce), chicken fingers and fries or the burger and fries.

Food Klüb Restaurant Lounge

Here is a suggestion for lovers of Caribbean dishes, especially Haitian dishes.

The Food Klüb also offers dishes to share with the whole family. For example, choose a fish plate, a portion large enough for four people, with a choice of rice (saffron, collé, djondjon) and a side dish (potato with cheese, mac'n cheese, seasonal vegetables, sweet plantains or djondhon tofu). Instead of fish, you can also choose griot or shrimp.

Among the essentials of Haitian cuisine, keep an eye out for the pork griot or the island shrimp recipe, the lalo or the joumou soup, certainly the most comforting option during the winter.

If this is your first experience in a Caribbean restaurant, know that the rice stuck is this national dish with red peas or black peas and that the rice djondjon is with truffles (djon djon), this mushroom that gives a rather black color to the rice.

Chivetos

Have you heard about the new sensation in the kitchen? French tacos have finally arrived in Montreal and you can enjoy them at Chivetos! This innovative fast food concept offers thousands of possible taco choices, always served with an original cheese sauce, to taste.

Even if everything is based on a French recipe, the menu has been adjusted to the reality of Quebec and local flavors.

You only need three steps to build your French tacos, at most six if you add supplements.

First, you must choose the size (small, medium, large).

Second, you have the choice between nine meats (including ground meat, smoked meat, breaded chicken, Greek sausage, etc.).

Third, choose from eight cheese sauces (including Algerian, samurai, bbq, or the famous mayo, ketchup, mustard).

Finally, if you feel like it, you can add vegetables (mushrooms, onions, peppers, etc.), cheese (goat, cheddar, mozzarella, etc.) and choose to have it gratinated with either cheddar, mozzarella or emmental.

Botocoin

Finally, our last suggestion is the Botocoin, where you can find African dishes and an endless list of desserts. Ideal to please the children after your day at the Biodome.

The meals are homemade and are inspired by West African cuisine. For example, a panini with braised beef or chicken and grilled goat or tofu. They also offer savory bites like tuna pastels or beef fataya accompanied by a homemade tomato sauce.

To satisfy your sweet tooth, their dairy-style menu offers exotic flavors as well as African donuts. Several flavors await you, including salted coconut caramel, sugar and cinnamon, cookie cream, etc.