Montrealers love to eat — and we love to do it together. Whether you're a local catching up with friends on a buzzing summer patio, a tourist soaking in the charm of Old Montréal, or a young professional organizing a team dinner, dining here is a deeply social sport. But lately, the small plates trend has taken over, and the reality doesn't always match the promise.
The Problem: When 'Designed for Sharing' Leaves You Hungry
Picture this: You're out for a highly anticipated dinner in Old Montréal. The ambiance is perfect, the cocktails are flowing, and your server tells you the menu is designed for sharing. You and your friends eagerly order a dozen dishes to split.
Then the food arrives. One single scallop cut into four pieces. A tiny ramekin of dip with exactly three crackers. A beautifully plated but microscopic portion of roasted carrots. You spend the rest of the evening rationing bites and leave the restaurant still hungry after spending a small fortune.
This is the pain of the modern small-plate trend. What began as genuine admiration for Spanish tapas and Mediterranean sharing culture has, in many places, been reduced to tasting-menu portions at main-course prices.
The Solution: Rediscovering the True Roots of Communal Dining
The answer isn't to abandon communal dining altogether — it's to do it right. True tapas and mezze were never meant to be a mathematical equation. They were abundant, flavourful bites meant to awaken the palate, complement great wine, and fuel good conversation.
When restaurants offer a dynamic range of dish sizes — and when diners know how to navigate them — the shared table transforms from an awkward negotiation into a generous feast. Here's how to make it work:
- Anchor your meal: Build your order around one or two substantial dishes — a premium steak, a whole roasted fish, or a gourmet wood-fired pizza — then surround them with smaller, flavour-packed tapas.
- Ask the right questions: Instead of asking how many dishes to order, ask your server which plates are most substantial and which divide easily for your group size.
- Pace your order: Start with cold plates and snacks, gauge the portion sizes, then confidently order your next round of hot dishes.
- Balance the flavours: Mix rich, heavy dishes with bright, acidic plates to keep the palate engaged throughout the meal.
How Tomahawk Group Reimagines the Shared Table
At Tomahawk Group, shareable dining is built to actually satisfy. Across our Montreal venues, we've curated menus where abundance is the standard, not the exception.
Craving Mediterranean roots? Taverne Grecque Máti brings the true spirit of mezze to life in a warm, sociable setting. Want Latin energy? Santos in Old Montréal pairs generous, vibrant dishes with crafted cocktails and DJ-driven evenings. For a more intimate grazing experience, Buvette Pastek and June Buvette offer natural wines alongside elegant shared plates in relaxed, stylish spaces.
Need that anchor dish? Balboa Pizza serves wood-fired gourmet pizzas built for the table, while Mignon Vieux Montréal and Mignon Petite Bourgogne deliver premium cuts worth sharing. And for corporate lunches or daytime events, Sunday Cuisine & Café offers balanced, health-focused bowls that keep your team energized.
Ready to Dine With Us?
Montreal's dining scene is evolving fast in 2026, and the way we eat together is changing for the better. Say goodbye to the awkward mental math and hello to generous, unforgettable communal meals.
Explore the Tomahawk Group portfolio and book your next table today — or reach out to our events team to plan a private dinner your guests will be talking about long after the last plate is cleared.
Tomahawk Group — Montreal's premier hospitality collective. Crafting distinct culinary and nightlife experiences for over 20 years.
