AnOldMontrealGuidetoHolidayHostingWiththeMost

Food first: A tastefully tasty holiday season

Le Beau Marché: The art of hosting, without the hassle

Imagine a Christmas meal where you don’t have to lift a finger, just enjoy. Good news: that’s exactly what Chef Benoit Lemire and his team have created for you this year. Their catering menu offers a table d’hôte starting at $65 per person, featuring indulgent dishes such as melt-in-your-mouth lamb shank, confit turkey leg, vegetarian Wellington, and more. Order before December 19, 2025, and pick up in-store or choose delivery.

Il Miglio: An Italian-style feast

This gourmet counter offers fresh, handmade pasta crafted daily with true artisanal expertise. Their charming grocery corner also has everything you need to create a feast worthy of an Italian table: homemade sauces, fragrant oils, sweet treats, and a variety of fine products that bring the warm, comforting flavors of Italy to your home. Buon appetito!

Le Petit Dep: Local products everyone will love

To add a local touch to your holiday gatherings, Le Petit Dep is the perfect destination. Their café–fine grocery is filled with products from here: artisanal pastries, micro-roasted coffees, ready-to-serve treats, syrups, and Québec-made spirits.

Les Moulins Lafayette has your back!

We love their superb pastries and coffee, but when it comes to hosting for the holidays, this place really comes to the rescue. Artisanal tourtières and pâtés, outstanding quiches, and beautiful Christmas logs to tie everything together; all we can say is “Merci Les Moulins!”

Next stop, Le Terminus

Located next to the Gare Viger, this is a “terminus” we highly recommend. At this eco-friendly fine grocery store and cafe, you’ll find an array of quality local products, including cheeses and charcuteries, plus excellent baked goods. A little more tasty help for the host. Bonus: The café also offers a catering menu featuring sweet and savory platters to suit every taste.

La Cave à Manger: Killer croissants and a serious cellar

Tucked away a few steps under the Marché Bonsecours, this bakery/wine store has just what you need when it comes to divine pastries and spirits. We come for their buttery croissants and decadent “rolls”, as well as their brilliant natural wine selection. Your guests will thank you.

Now, your table: All the decorative help you need

Olive & Gourmando’s bountiful boutique

O&G doesn’t only work that brunch & lunch magic; their boutique is a whole other bag of beauties. From lovely hand-crafted napkins to beautiful glass/ceramic ware to Quebec-made beeswax candles, your holiday table can only benefit from a visit to this beloved institution.

Select pieces of holiday magic at Le Magasin Général

An absolute treasure trove of decorative gems, Le Magasin Général has it all. Make your holiday meals beautiful with their lovingly selected designer tableware, and while you’re at it, don’t forget their inspired (and often adorable) decorations, particularly for the tree.

Maison Pépin, for a splendid table and something more

Not only is the all-around stunning dinnerware here sure to be an absolute hit with your guests, but Maison Pépin’s Christmas wreath workshop is a great way to lend a little DIY holiday cheer to your cozy surroundings. Check their website for details.

A natural touch, by Misty Morning Florals

Want a centrepiece that brings a different kind of colour to your holiday spread that’s “inspired by the beauty of nature, created with love”? Misty Morning has just the thing. Customize your very own bouquet of preserved and dried flowers, put on the table, and let the petals do the rest.

The holidays are abloom at Mtl Flower Co.

From lovingly crafted centrepieces to gorgeous winter bouquets, Mtl Flower Co. is making the season smell and look great with its fresh and elegant “holiday blooms”. To make things merrier, both their holiday mixology and wreath workshops are definitely occasions not to be missed. 

And finally, dessert

Paparmane: it's tea time!

This winter, the Paparmane Tea Room is offering its take-home Holiday Platter, an assortment of sweet and savory bites that are as refined as they are colorful. Available in classic, vegan, vegetarian, or gluten-free versions, this festive platter lets everyone enjoy the experience their own way.

Chez Potier: pure holiday indulgence

For an irresistible sweet touch during the holiday season, Chez Potier is a must. Their famous cannelés bordelais, tender on the inside and delicately flavored with rum and vanilla, sit alongside refined creations like the Choco-Poire, combining chocolate, pear, organic elderflower vanilla, and pecan praline. And for your dessert table, their Yule logs, from morello cherry to tiramisu, mango–raspberry–coconut, or chocolate–vanilla cookie, are true little works of art. Don’t forget to explore their fine grocery section, where you’ll find high-quality local and imported products like their vanilla & fleur de sel caramel.

‘Tis indeed the season at bar à beurre

Christmas logs, cookies, macaroons and more; the holidays are always sweet at bar à beurre, and Frosty has indeed arrived! Make the moment even more memorable by joining their special cookie-decorating workshop, click here to reserve.

A cocoa Christmas with Chocosina

Chocolate, chocolate, and thank you, more chocolate! Regale your guests with a whole host of cocoa delights done every which way, perfect for nibbling on after dinner, and a wonderful gift to say Merry Christmas and a magical holiday season to one and all!

A little chocolatey extra at Le Cartet

Speaking of chocolate, be sure to check out the wonderful selection of artisanal bars on offer at Le Cartet’s boutique. Espresso, sea salt, “Choc Stars”, you name it; some happy, chocolatey holidays they’re sure going to be!

NOTA BENE: Your business would fit perfectly here but isn’t mentioned? Don’t hesitate to write to us at [email protected], and it would be our pleasure to include it.