Before you go
★★★★☆ 4.6 · 229 Google reviews
Photos by Tara Prentice · Chuan Chee · Lu LI · Roselle David via Google
I had a great time at Les Incompetents. It was our first time so we tried a few different dishes. The steak tartare, mussels escabeche and steak & shrimp were…I had a great time at Les Incompetents. It was our first time so we tried a few different dishes. The steak tartare, mussels escabeche and steak & shrimp were our favorites. We also tried the baked oysters and crispy artichokes, both delicious as well. We finished with the chocolate mousse, which was so light and flavourful. Our server was super helpful and friendly and the atmosphere was casual and fun.
Came here to celebrate a birthday & we’re so happy we did. Everything was phenomenal. Exciting dishes & well paced, friendly service. Dining room is also beautiful. Can’t wait to…Came here to celebrate a birthday & we’re so happy we did. Everything was phenomenal. Exciting dishes & well paced, friendly service. Dining room is also beautiful. Can’t wait to come back!
Cool little spot with a relaxed atmosphere and super friendly staff! I’ve been here twice and it was great both times. The menu changes around a bit, and it’s lots…Cool little spot with a relaxed atmosphere and super friendly staff! I’ve been here twice and it was great both times. The menu changes around a bit, and it’s lots of smaller sharing-style plates for everyone to eat. The tuna ceviche and fried chicken sandwich were standouts for us. Amazing cocktails, great wine list, and the whole place felt more focused on interesting flavours than huge portions. Definitely worth checking out if you like trying new dining experiences.
Food was amazing. Service was great. Everything came out looking and tasting perfectly. Great ambiance. $300including tip for 2 pers and left a little hungry. However to be expected with…Food was amazing. Service was great. Everything came out looking and tasting perfectly. Great ambiance. $300including tip for 2 pers and left a little hungry. However to be expected with fine dining. Will definitely return. 4.8/5
A beautiful spot for a reasonably priced high-end dinner. The food was thoughtful and creative. The service was comfortable. And it was a great overall experience that is highly recommend…A beautiful spot for a reasonably priced high-end dinner. The food was thoughtful and creative. The service was comfortable. And it was a great overall experience that is highly recommend for a nice night out.
Reviews shown as returned by Google, sorted by relevance. Unedited.
YumYak's take
A 2026 Michelin Bib Gourmand in downtown St. Catharines: French-ish plates and serious cocktails from the Fat Rabbit team.
A French-leaning bar and bistro in downtown St. Catharines from the team behind Fat Rabbit, with a Bib Gourmand in the 2026 Michelin Guide.
- Order: Oeuf mayo with celeriac remoulade, the steak and shrimp brochettes, and a cocktail
- Best for: A lively dinner with friends, sharing plates at the bar or a booth
- Skip if: You want a quiet, formal dining room
The background
“Do not be fooled by the name,” Michelin’s inspectors write: everybody here knows exactly what they’re doing. Les Incompetents comes from the friends behind Fat Rabbit, around the corner in downtown St. Catharines: Zach Smith, Owen Walker, Adam D’Intino, Bee Lim and Geoff Dillon. They call it “a French(ish) bar.” It earned a Bib Gourmand, Michelin’s good-value award, in the 2026 guide.
The room is vintage, with cozy booths, a communal high-top, a raw bar in the kitchen and a long cocktail bar. Michelin calls the menu “loosely French” and singles out the oeuf mayonnaise with celeriac remoulade and grilled mackerel on a skewer. It also rates the cocktails as sophisticated and worth exploring.
What to order
- Oeuf mayo with celeriac remoulade and chervil ($16), the dish Michelin praises.
- Sea bream crudo ($22) or steak tartare ($25) to start.
- Baked oysters with vadouvan curry and escargot ($30).
- Steak and shrimp brochettes with bordelaise and hollandaise ($38), or secreto frites, koji-marinated Iberico pork with café de Paris butter ($48).
- Chocolate mousse ($12) and a cocktail ($15–$19).
Prices are from the official menu on Nov. 1, 2026 and can change.
Before you book
It opens at 4 p.m. Tuesday to Sunday and is closed Monday. For a group, the chef-curated shared menu covers snacks, seafood, sharing plates, a main and dessert, sometimes with dishes not on the regular list. Book through the official site.
FAQ
Is Les Incompetents in the Michelin Guide?
Yes. It received a Bib Gourmand in the 2026 Michelin Guide.
Who owns Les Incompetents?
Zach Smith, Owen Walker, Adam D’Intino, Bee Lim and Geoff Dillon, the team behind Fat Rabbit, according to the restaurant.
Where is Les Incompetents?
386 St Paul St in downtown St. Catharines.
Sources
Show 3 sourcesHide sources
Hours and prices were checked against these sources on Nov. 1, 2026. Hours may change, so call ahead to confirm.
- Michelin Guide: Les Incompetents (accessed Nov. 1, 2026)
- Les Incompetents: Menu (official) (accessed Nov. 1, 2026)
- Les Incompetents (official) (accessed Nov. 1, 2026)
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YumYak curates from public sources, press releases and community reviews. We haven’t visited these spots ourselves — always check the restaurant’s own channels for hours and prices.
