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Review · Restaurant · Rotisserie and comfort food

McKiernan, Ville-Émard

A rotisserie and market-driven kitchen by the Lachine Canal in Ville-Émard, from the team behind Joe Beef, Liverpool House and Vin Papillon.

By Victor · Published March 23, 2026 · Checked October 2026

Crispy devilled Brussels sprouts with caramelized edges and a sweet-savory glaze at McKiernan

Is McKiernan worth it?

A favourite

Coffee, two shareable plates, then walk it off along the canal

A lively brunch and lunch in a large industrial room with plenty of daylight. The canal is right outside for a walk afterward. Go hungry, but don't get carried away ordering: the room tempts you into settling in for a long meal you didn't come for.

The essentials

Our take

A favourite
Cuisine
Rotisserie and comfort food
Neighbourhood
Ville-Émard
Per person
$30 to $55
Can you talk?
Yes, in the daytime
Booking
Weekends yes
Allow
1.5 hours
Hours
Mon to Wed 8:00 to 15:00. Thu and Fri 8:00 to 15:00 and 17:00 to 22:00. Brunch Sat and Sun from 10:00.
Address
5524 rue Saint-Patrick, suite 200, Montreal, QC H4E 1A8
Instagram
@mckiernanmtl
Google reviews
4.6 · 2170 reviewsas of October 13, 2026, not updated since
Their rating on Google, not ours.
Disclosure
Paid
Map

Good for

  • Casual midweek

    Ideal

    Exactly what it's built for. Coffee, a couple of plates, out the door.

  • Double date

    Ideal

    Big room, good pacing, shareable plates. Everyone leaves happy.

  • First date

    Ideal

    Brunch makes conversation easy and low pressure, and the canal gives you a natural second act.

  • Impressing a cook

    Works, with a caveat

    Very Montreal in the best way, and the group's pedigree carries weight. It's comfort food, not a technical showcase.

  • Anniversary

    Better for another night

    Lively and bright rather than intimate. Save it for the morning after.

  • Late night

    Better for another night

    A daytime room at heart. Dinner runs Thursday and Friday only, and the doors shut at 22:00.

The room

Industrial-feeling space right by the canal, and it leans into that: high ceilings, a lot of light, and a come-as-you-are room that still feels like a destination. Bright and warm rather than dim. Lively in the daytime without being overwhelming.

Anywhere works, but the edges of the room feel calmer if you want to linger.

What to drink at McKiernan

Coffee is the main drink here. Keep it simple.

To start

An americano or drip

The default, and the right one.

With the meal

An espresso drink

Dessert energy without ordering dessert.

If you're making a day of it, one brunch cocktail. One. The room will happily sell you three.

What to order at McKiernan

Two to three plates total is the sweet spot for two people.

  • Devilled brussels sprouts

    Order this

    Crispy-edged, salty-sweet, and the vegetable side that disappears first. Enough punch and richness that it eats like bar food in the best way.

  • Bomba schnitzel

    Order this

    Golden, crunchy and aggressively satisfying. The bomba brings heat and acidity, which stops it feeling heavy.

  • Homemade donuts

    Order this

    Warm, fluffy and easy to share at the end of brunch.

  • Zesty Italian beef tartare

    Worth it

    Bright, lemony and clean-tasting rather than heavy or bluntly beefy. More fresh and snackable than rich.

  • Honey garlic spare ribs

    Worth it

    Sticky, glossy and built for sharing. Sweet at first, then savoury.

How much does dinner at McKiernan cost?

You're paying for the room, the canal-side location and solid comfort cooking.

Coffee and one main
$20 to $35
Coffee and a couple of plates
$30 to $55
Per person
$30 to $55

Skip the cocktails, share plates, coffee and one main each.

My note on McKiernan

Victor · paid our way

The part that is just my opinion

Keep it tighter at brunch than the room wants you to. It tempts you into ordering like you're settling in for a long meal, and then you've spent $60 on what was meant to be coffee and a plate.

Victor

Been recently and I got something wrong? Tell me and I will fix the page and say so in an update.

Before or after dinner

What to do before or after dinner in Ville-Émard

Close by, for before or after.

Nature and Scenic

Lachine Canal

After · at the door · Free

The classic post-brunch reset, and the reason to come to this address.

Social and Romantic

Atwater Market

Before · Free to browse

Coffee, snacks and a quick wander.

Before you book

How far ahead do I need to book?

Recommended at weekends. Walk-ins are possible but it fills fast on sunny days.

Can they handle dietary restrictions?

There are usually vegetarian-friendly small plates. Ask about the current menu.

Is there parking, or should we take the metro?

Best by bike or rideshare. Street parking varies.