The Montreal Eaton Centre has opened Les Terrasses, Espace Restos, a new culinary destination in the heart of downtown Montréal. Located within the Tunnel level of the complex at 705 Sainte-Catherine Street West, the project pays tribute to the iconic shopping complex that once stood on the site. Positioned as a reimagined communal dining space, Les Terrasses is designed to offer an accessible, urban experience that complements the broader retail and hospitality transformation underway at the property.
The launch of Montreal Eaton Centre Les Terrasses forms part of the centre’s ongoing evolution as a mixed-use retail and lifestyle hub. In recent years, the property underwent a major transformation, including a $200 million renovation that merged the former Complexe Les Ailes with the existing centre under a unified brand. The redevelopment strengthened its position as a central node in Montréal’s Underground City network and a key gateway to McGill metro station and the REM McGill station.
A Reimagined Food Court Concept
Les Terrasses introduces a 12-vendor food hall concept that blends established quick-service brands with globally inspired offerings. The first phase includes Thai Express, Subway, A&W, Poke Monstre, Jugo Juice, Bento Sushi, and Edo Japan. A second phase, scheduled for fall 2026, will add Hurry Curry, Basha, Shanghai 360, and Grillades Torino.
“The Tunnel level, now home to Les Terrasses – Espaces Restos, has been completely reimagined and redesigned. The food hall features 12 carefully curated vendors while maintaining ample seating capacity to accommodate busy lunch-hour crowds,” said Laurence Duhamel, Senior Leasing Director, Centre Eaton de Montréal, JLL.
The food court complements existing dining destinations within the complex, including Time Out Market Montréal and the 9th floor restaurants Île de France and Le French Line. Together, these concepts broaden the centre’s food and beverage strategy, which has become an increasingly important driver of foot traffic in urban retail environments.
Design Inspired by Heritage
Les Terrasses draws inspiration from the original Les Terrasses complex, which operated between 1976 and 1987 and was known for its distinctive architectural design. The new space reinterprets that legacy through contemporary materials, improved lighting, and an emphasis on sustainability.
The design was led by LemayMichaud, which sought to create a modern gathering place while acknowledging the site’s past.
“We wanted to create a lively and welcoming destination–both an urban oasis and an animated gathering space where light and greenery interact with the vibrant energy of the Centre Eaton de Montréal and downtown Montréal. The friendly atmosphere offers a nod to the former Les Terrasses while reimagining them for today’s visitors,” said Anne-Marie Bouliane, Partner Architect, LemayMichaud.
The concept aligns with broader trends in urban retail redevelopment, where food halls and shared dining spaces serve as anchors that extend dwell time and enhance the experiential dimension of shopping centres.
Retail Expansion Alongside Culinary Growth
Coinciding with the opening of Montreal Eaton Centre Les Terrasses, Bath & Body Works has reopened near the new food hall with an expanded footprint of 5,048 square feet. The store offers a broad assortment of body care and home fragrance products, including shower gels, lotions, body mists, hand soaps, candles, and diffusers across seasonal and exclusive collections.
The adjacency of retail and food uses reflects a strategy designed to maximize cross-traffic between dining and shopping audiences. As consumer behaviour continues to evolve, landlords increasingly integrate hospitality elements directly into retail corridors to support visitation and engagement.
A Downtown Retail Anchor
Located on Sainte-Catherine Street, Montréal’s primary commercial artery, the Montreal Eaton Centre remains the largest and most visited shopping destination in the downtown core. The property welcomes nearly 22 million visitors annually and serves as a central hub within the RÉSO underground pedestrian network.
The centre is home to more than 125 stores and restaurants, including Uniqlo, Decathlon Montréal, Sephora, Samsung, Nike, Lululemon, and Aritzia. The restoration and reopening of Le 9e, one of the world’s most recognized Art Deco dining rooms, further reinforced the centre’s cultural and architectural significance in 2024.
