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First look: Le 9e is officially open and is even more iconic than you think

Reopening after nearly a quarter of a century, this historic downtown dining room is reborn and legendary once more.

Laura Osborne
Written by
Laura Osborne
Editor, Time Out Canada
Le 9e
Photograph: Caroline Messier
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1930s luxury liner vibes? A sumptuous cocktail bar and lavishly appointed grand salle with next-level acoustics? 

Hidden from view for 25 years, this stunning 1930s Art Deco space—complete with original, larger-than-life vertical murals by Natacha Carlu and magnificent white alabaster vases—is finally open, and our jaw is on the ground. 

Le 9e
Photograph: Caroline Messier

The glamorous ground floor elevators alone are worth the visit.

Le 9e
Photograph: Caroline Messier

And don’t even get us started on the stunning bathrooms with staggering views of the downtown skyline.

Le 9e
Photograph: Caroline Messier

The space, originally conceived by architect Jacques Carlu to evoke the experience of travelling on a luxury liner in the 1930s, is unlike anything else in Canada—with original materials restored using best practices (check out the oak and walnut floors, the marble pillars and walls, for starters).

Le 9e
Photograph: Caroline Messier

With extensive renovation work completed by a team of specialized artisans, professionals from the Quebec Ministère de la Culture and more, Le 9e—the landmark ninth-floor restaurant atop the Centre Eaton de Montréal originally opened in 1931—has been injected with new life, yet still remains one of the first examples of the Streamline Moderne (also known as style paquebot) Art Deco style in North America.

Le 9e
Photograph: Archive | Caroline Messier

The iconic, impeccable Art Deco space (designated as a heritage property under Quebec’s Cultural Heritage Act in August 2000) has been meticulously restored in homage to the restaurant’s original layout while preserving its heritage value. 

Le 9e
Photograph: Archive | Caroline Messier

Owned by Ivanhoé Cambridge—who develop and invest in high-quality real estate properties, projects and companies like Time Out Market Montréal that shape the urban fabric in dynamic cities around the world—the property will be helmed by a group of Montreal entrepreneurs including Jeff Baikowitz, Marco Gucciardi, Andy Nulman, Madeleine Kojakian, and the creative collective 7 Doigts.

Le 9e
Photograph: Caroline Messier

The Île de France restaurant will offer a fine dining experience inspired by the original menu under the expert guidance of Executive Chef Liam Hopkins (Hopkins, McKiernan, Park) and Culinary Director Derek Dammann (Maison Publique, McKiernan, Fifteen). 

Le 9e
Photograph: Caroline Messier

Andrew Whibley (Cloakroom Bar, Dominion Bar) will helm the cocktail bar Le French Line, while Dominique Jacques (MELK) will join as the café manager. 

Le 9e
Photograph: Caroline Messier

When is the Île de France restaurant open?

The grand opening of the 120-seat restaurant is Friday, May 17, 2024, and reservations can be made here.

Who is the woman behind Le 9e?

The woman originally behind this epic project is Lady Flora McCrea Eaton (John Craig Eaton’s widow), who fell in love with the Art Deco interior of the S.S. Île-de-France ocean liner during an Atlantic crossing in the late 1920s.

When she returned to Canada, Lady Eaton collaborated with French architect Jacques Carlu to oversee the design of Eaton's Montreal space, and the rest is history.

Le 9e
Photograph: Archive | Caroline Messier

What else is happening in the Montreal Eaton Centre?

From the arrival of the best smash burgers in the city to the best cocktails in town, there’s something for everyone at Time Out Market Montréal on the second floor of the Montreal Eaton Centre. 

Table
Photograph: Time Out Market Montréal

Home to some of the best chefs and and restaurants in the city under one roof, the Market is also home to a revolving door of next-level activities—including one of the best cooking classes in the city.

Satisfy your spring food craving, and wash it all down with some next-level mocktails, a stellar local beer or a glass (or two) of wine from our newest wine bar.


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