OldMontreal:An(almost)completeguidetocafésintheneighbourhood
TIME-TO-WORK CAFÉS
Structure - 460 McGill Street
At Structure, find yourself immersed in an elegant and minimalist setting just off of McGill Street, a stone’s throw away from Square-Victoria metro station but at a remove from all the hustle and bustle.
We love the house-roasted coffees, not to mention the fact that they’re on a first-name basis with their producer partners. The choices are plenty, the products really live up to their promise, and if you aren’t sure what kind of coffee fits you best, ask for some expert advice when you visit or take the quiz on their website and find out!
Speaking of experts, the Structure team is always honing their skills on the cutting edge of the java scene and was well-represented at the Barista League’s 2024 barista competition, recently held in Montreal.
Crew Collective & Café - 360 Saint-Jacques Street West
This former-bank-turned-café is an excellent option when it comes time to work, whether flying solo or in a group, since here you can rent out a closed space as your office by the hour or by the day. If you’re looking for a discreet spot in which to hold that next business meeting, or you and your colleagues just want a change of scenery, this crew has exactly what you need. Tables in the main, open-plan area are also available, and the sheer charm of the magnificent decor straight out of a movie will definitely lend that extra Great Gatsby touch to your coffee.
For a closer look at just how breathtakingly pic-worthy this place is, check out this mention in a recent Forbes article featuring some of Montreal’s most aesthetically pleasing cafés.
Tommy - 200 Notre-Dame Street West & 151 Saint-Paul Street West
Thanks to their very well-deserved and ongoing success, it’s not always easy to find a spot in the Notre-Dame and Saint-Paul Street branches of this establishment. But if you do, you’ve earned yourself one of those superb lattes, that great music, and a beautiful, quasi-Californian decor that is sure to make your workday a winner.
Another source of pride for Old Montreal’s café landscape, Tommy also made it onto that Forbes list of easy-on-the-eye establishments not to be missed. That’s 2 out of 4 for the neighbourhood.
ITALIAN-STYLE CAFÉS
Olimpico - 419 Saint-Vincent Street
A true Montreal institution, here you can get undeniably authentic Italian coffee, served in Italian if you so desire. Ask expert barista David to prepare you one of his fantastic cappuccinos – or really anything from their list of time-honoured classics – and just sit back, enjoy the moment, the beautiful setting, the whole experience. At Olimpico, you’ll see that the spirit of the European café is alive and well in Old Montreal while you sip away at some of the very best coffee in town.
La Dispensa - 696 William Street
Loving the espresso here is the easy part. The problem is deciding what to have with it. All their pastries are simply exquisite but, when they’re available, we have to say that the cartocci steal the show. And the cannoli. The zeppole too. Ok, forget about making a choice. Since La Dispensa features an Italian grocery corner that we insist you visit, just make it easy on yourself and get a takeout box of all of them to slip into your shopping bag along with everything else.
Café de Mercanti - 350 Notre-Dame Street East, Suite 1
We come to this café for their outstanding cappuccinos with cocoa-ed mousse, as well as their fine grocery section, featuring an array of exclusive Italian products. Don’t spread the word around too much, but they sell THE traditional Bialetti coffee maker in a variety of styles, perfect for an excellent cup enjoyed solo or amongst friends, a little dolce vita je-ne-sais-quoi included. Naturally, we already have our own.
Marinelli Brothers - 31 Queen Street
The very Instagrammable retro-style decor and tiles, the neighbouring Marinelli grocery store, the latte art, as well as their macchiato foam so thick that it stands up if you get some on the tip of your nose… These are the reasons why we come here. Whether hot or cold, any season of the year, rest assured that the brothers have you covered!
Deli Italien Bello - 363 Place d’Youville
Some days, all you really need is panini, or some fresh pasta. And a coffee. Behold, we give you the perfect recipe for lunch. And no need to thank us, just enjoy.
Inevitable - 540 Saint-Laurent Blvd.
Authenticity, quality, total deliciousness – all inevitable at this beloved family-run café. Whether to while away the time over a buonissimo coffee or for a home-made meal to make nonna proud (try the focaccia!), this charming spot is proof yet again that Italy is right here in Old Montreal.
“HAVE A CROISSANT AND A GOOD DAY” CAFÉS
L’Amour du Pain - 369 Place d’Youville
At L’Amour du Pain, happiness is on the menu. Great bread, great croissants, great lattes – in other words, the recipe for a great day. Whether you’re just jumping out of bed (we get it, the neighbourhood is quite romantic, thank you very much) or you have a business meeting with colleagues (we get that too), this place is a tried and true destination, and it thankfully isn’t about to change any time soon!
Chez Mère-Grand - 800 Berri Street
If the east end of the old quarter could be summed up in one bite, Chez Mère-Grand does so divinely. Everything here is homemade, done with heart, butter and chocolate, and you might as well double your order because when it comes to their pastries, being reasonable is not an option. Combined with one of their delectable coffees, you’ve got yourself a match made in café heaven.
La Cave à Manger - 386 St-Paul Street East
Given that not everyone is an early bird, here’s a little spot that offers the best for all hours: a “bakery-wine store” specializing as much in coffee and pastries as it does in the wine and savoury side of things. Delicious sandwiches, unbelievable croissants (their wildly original “rolls” are the stuff of fresh-baked legend), pizza, dessert, coffee and more; there’s no end to the opportunities at La Cave à Manger for bringing drink, bread and a great spread together.
Le Marquis Signature santé - 194 Saint-Paul Street West
For those who are gluten intolerant or celiac, this place is made just for you, since absolutely everything available on the premises is 100% gluten-free, guaranteed. And by all means bring your friends – particularly those who swear by wheat flour-based breads and desserts as a matter of course – and then just sit back and watch as they find themselves quite simply blown away. The viennoiseries are as delicious as their presentation suggests, and if you’re more of a savoury person, we insist that you go ahead and try one of their wraps without giving it a second thought.
CAFÉS FOR THAT SWEET BREAK
49th Parallel - 488 McGill Street
Ever since this West-Coast-based franchise opened its doors in Montreal – let it be known that we’re thrilled they chose our neighbourhood to set up shop – we simply can’t get enough. On the drink end of things, we are head-over-heels for the latte here, and if you love them as much as we do, their coffee is even available in bags or capsules to take home if you like. Best of all, at 49th Parallel, you can couple your cup with one or more Lucky’s doughnuts (we wouldn’t be doing our job if we didn’t mention those). On top of all that, their vegan options are so delectable they just might melt your heart; we know from experience.
Cookie Stephanie - 272 St-Jacques Street West
First of all, we have to tell you that their caramel coffee, served hot or cold, is hands-down our favourite. It’s also very much worth noting that when it comes to the goodies on offer here, everything is gluten-free! Oh, and to make your next catered event a total hit, think Stéphanie and consider it done.
Parfums de Perse - 355 Place d’Youville
As the name suggests, here you can count on a voyage to Iran via coffee and dessert while rediscovering the simple yet refined pleasure of enjoying a great cup. Or rather, taking your time to enjoy. There’s really no point in hurrying; we come to this café to appreciate and taste, to let notes of pistachio and saffron bewitch us, and to above all keep in mind that savouring is as much an art as it is a luxury. That said, don’t miss out on their “Persian” latte, preferably accompanied by a downright heavenly baklava cake.
LUNCHTIME CAFÉS
Paquebot - 520 St-Laurent Blvd.
At Paquebot, lunchtime is something of a party in itself. And it’s always good. As in always. We’ve tried it out enough times to stand firmly by our words. Whether you’re looking at their menu or the coffee list, they regularly have specials to fit the season, without crowding out the classics that keep us coming back time and again. Also, a little touch we really appreciate here is the lack of an extra charge for oat milk. Nice move.
Géa Café - 105 De la Commune Street East
From the amazing team behind Pangea, this bright and breezy café adds a fresh splash of colour to all the ambient De la Commune charm. Featuring caffeinated beauties, scrumptious sandwiches, wicked pastries and a laid-back vibe, Géa is what we call a proper coffee-shop win.
Titanic - 445 Saint-Pierre Street
Tucked away in a little corner on Saint-Pierre Street, you’ve probably passed by several times without ever realizing it was there. A cozy, discreet yet convivial spot with great food and soul-warming coffee, Titanic is a sure bet when you just want to sit back, relax and eat well (hold the chichi).
Caféterra - 243 Notre-Dame Street West
A hop, skip and jump from the Notre-Dame Basilica, this family-run java joint never disappoints on the brunch and lunch front. Delicious paninis, croissants and bagel sandwiches, open-faced toasts, pasta, salads, pastries and, of course, wonderful coffee – simply put, Caféterra has it all.
Olive et Gourmando - 351 Saint-Paul Street West
Something of a gourmet Holy Grail, Olive et Gourmando has been a go-to for legions of regulars as well as the Gens du Vieux for quite some time. In this establishment, which has managed to retain its warm and inviting ambiance despite its great success, we love and heartily recommend the “sconewiches” (that’s right, a sandwich in scone form – genius), which go particularly well with their daily soups. Follow that up with a homemade dessert and a coffee, and you’ll see why so many faithful come here to recharge their batteries, any time of day, again and again.
Les Moulins Lafayette - 245 Saint-Jacques Street West
Hot and cold coffees, fresh pastries and viennoiseries, as well as festive specials throughout the year, the options here are very much aplenty. At lunchtime, they serve up paninis, quiches and boxed lunches – featuring a sandwich, soup or salad and a cookie – that you can enjoy on site or take with you to go. And if you’d rather save your coffee for dessert, we’re happy to inform you that they also have an alcohol permit, so cheers to that! Good to know: this establishment, which has been running strong for over 10 years already, serves breakfast from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. on weekdays, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. on weekends.
CAFÉ & DESSERT
Pâtisserie Bervig - 33 Notre-Dame Street West
If when you think of coffee, you think of dessert, by all means make this place your very next thought. When it comes to the pastries here, there is as much love as there is excellence involved, and if you’re looking to make a good impression for a date, definitely do not hesitate. One warning, however: the cakes they make are so beautiful that it may almost pain you to eat them. That said, any regrets you might have won’t last very long after that first bite!
Chez Potier - 630 Wellington Street
Ok, a confession. We come here as much for the desserts as for the coffee. How should we put this… We’re talking gourmet works of art that pair well with any cup. Those little cakes, like so many delectable fractals, single-handedly enhance any meal, any mood, any day, and if you have to taste them to understand what we mean, we insist that you do just that.
Katiza Café - 216 Notre-Dame Street West
When it comes to making enlightened coffee and dessert choices, Katiza definitely tops our list. Their mission is to offer guilt-free indulgence through original, healthy vegan/non-vegan pastry delights plus beautifully executed artisanal coffee. And all we can say is: mission accomplished.
bar à beurre - 348 Notre-Dame Street East
No matter the season, this café’s display window never fails to stop customers in their tracks, welcoming one and all with its tantalizing festival of colours. Once inside, eyes naturally riveted to the menu, be sure to order your coffee (however you take it) with one of their sinfully delicious boules de beurre, or butter balls, regularly featuring flavours that fit the moment. With every bite, the melt-in-your-mouth, creamy, sweet goodness of these scrumptious and masterfully executed little things will take your mood straight to higher ground. One visit and you’ll see: to say that bar à beurre is a joyous temple dedicated to the celebration of freshly baked wonders, although very true, would actually be an understatement.
CAFÉS WHEN YOU’RE IN A HURRY
Micro Espresso - 417 Saint-Pierre Street
A stone’s throw from Bertrand Bookstore and the hustle and bustle of Saint-Paul Street, you’ll find this charming little caffeinated enclave waiting for you with open arms just up the way on Saint-Pierre. Here – calling all specialists – you can even purchase their specialty grade, small-batch coffees to bring home if your cup pleased you that much, which we’re sure it will! At Micro Espresso, there’s something exquisite in every sip, and we happily invite even the pickiest of coffee drinkers to stop by and give them a try. You won’t be disappointed.
Le Café Pick Me Up - 111 Robert Bourassa Blvd.
We’re not the ones saying it, the name is! In the winter to warm up or in the summer to cool down, coming out of an exhibition at the Fonderie Darling or taking a break from the office, you’ll find that this mood-booster of a spot situated between Griffintown and Old Montreal holds to its promise. Quick service, great coffee, and should you require an extra little hit of concentration, give their Pick Me UP Latte a try, made with coconut-sourced MCT oil.
BOUTIQUE CAFÉS
Marché Saint-Laurent - 503 Place d’Armes
Whether you’re from the neighbourhood or just passing through, on a mission for that one-of-a-kind postcard or locally-made gift, Marché Saint-Laurent has just what you need. They’re also pretty awesome when it comes to latte art, so don’t hesitate to take a well-earned caffeine break and have a seat in the middle of their lovely selection of items to choose from. There’s nothing quite like a little time-out with a beautiful coffee to help you decide!
Café des Arts - 350 Saint-Paul Street East, Suite 200
Nestled in the Marché Bonsecours, this charming café and boutique is marked by a palpable joie de vivre, through and through. Products from here, magazines, zero-waste items, we simply love their carefully chosen line and the commitment it clearly demonstrates. Add to that the fact that the space doubles as a small gallery where you can admire works by contemporary Canadian artists while sipping on 100% fair-trade Colombian coffee, and you have yourself more than a café, you have a universe to discover.
ArTisane Café - 355 Place d’Youville
This little café tucked away inside the Impact Galerie jewelry store is quite literally a hidden gem. Enjoy splendid coffees and tea-based creations, artisanal pastries (baklava = 10 points) and more in a cozy and ultra-charming setting. PS: their jewelry workshops are a sparkling must!
Maison Bagatelle - 80 Notre-Dame Street West
We have many reasons to love this simply enchanting boutique resto. To name just a few: superb coffee and desserts, a great selection of delectable savoury and sweet crepes made with organic ingredients, and a transportive décor straight out of la belle époque. Enjoy.
Le Petit Dep - 179 Saint-Paul Street West & 461 Saint-Sulpice Street
Two locations, twice the candy. And cups, caps, ciders, ready-to-eat offerings – a veritable treasure trove of tasty treats, souvenirs and memories to take with you. We have to admit, this “little depanneur” has the magic recipe: a really good time, ideally in really good company, with a really good latte, and so much more.
*****
NOTA BENE: We update this list regularly. If your café isn’t currently mentioned, please write to us and it will be our pleasure to include it!
Photo Credit : Geneviève Giguère and Raphaelle Granger
