Alison’s guidebook to the neighborhood on foot
Food Scene
This is one of the original bagel places in the city. About a 20 minute walk from our house. I recommend the original sesame seed bagel, still warm. You can also splurge and get and fresh one with lox and cream cheese. Gluten-free people beware...
521 locals recommend
Fairmount Bagel
74 Av. Fairmount OThis is one of the original bagel places in the city. About a 20 minute walk from our house. I recommend the original sesame seed bagel, still warm. You can also splurge and get and fresh one with lox and cream cheese. Gluten-free people beware...
This is a small café with super yummy food. I recommend the soup of the day and the veggie omelette sandwich with cheddar and some of their hot sauce. Their café au lait is also yummy. José, the owner/founder and often cook, is the son of the original Portuguese pastry shop owner and he has transformed it over the years. I have been in the hood since 1991 and it keeps evolving but is still in the same family.
76 locals recommend
Chez José Café
173 Av. Duluth EThis is a small café with super yummy food. I recommend the soup of the day and the veggie omelette sandwich with cheddar and some of their hot sauce. Their café au lait is also yummy. José, the owner/founder and often cook, is the son of the original Portuguese pastry shop owner and he has transformed it over the years. I have been in the hood since 1991 and it keeps evolving but is still in the same family.
Best croissants. But many many other goodies as well.
399 locals recommend
Boulangerie Les Co'Pains d'Abord
1965 Avenue du Mont-Royal EBest croissants. But many many other goodies as well.
This place could not be closer to the house. The coffee is very good. Popular
56 locals recommend
Café Replika
252 Rue Rachel EThis place could not be closer to the house. The coffee is very good. Popular
Super yummy, super friendly, super Montreal. I think of it as luxury home made fast food. Veggie friendly but has meat. So far, they are only doing take out during the pandemic. But the poutine from here is special---the gravy has red wine in it.
224 locals recommend
Patati Patata Friterie de Luxe
4177 Boul. Saint-LaurentSuper yummy, super friendly, super Montreal. I think of it as luxury home made fast food. Veggie friendly but has meat. So far, they are only doing take out during the pandemic. But the poutine from here is special---the gravy has red wine in it.
Nestor, the founder and owner is interesting and a painter as well as a tea connaisseur. You will probably get a lovely taste test of many tea blend if you visit. Mention that you are staying with me. He knows me well.
@ Matcha
220 Rue Rachel EstNestor, the founder and owner is interesting and a painter as well as a tea connaisseur. You will probably get a lovely taste test of many tea blend if you visit. Mention that you are staying with me. He knows me well.
Just super yummy and super close to Leonard Cohen's former house (he was a regular at the restaurant). I always have the Huevos Rancheros.
89 locals recommend
Bagel Etc
4320 Boul. Saint-LaurentJust super yummy and super close to Leonard Cohen's former house (he was a regular at the restaurant). I always have the Huevos Rancheros.
This is a homemade vegan (coconut based) iced cream place which is out of this world. right on our corner. Luc and I have to make rules so we don't go every day.
6 locals recommend
Crèmerie SWIRL
230 Rue Rachel EThis is a homemade vegan (coconut based) iced cream place which is out of this world. right on our corner. Luc and I have to make rules so we don't go every day.
Totally vegan and founded by a young creative friend of my son. Under new but related management. It is affordable and original and plant based. Coffees, soups, sandwiches and more
Café Tuyo
370 Rue Marie-AnneTotally vegan and founded by a young creative friend of my son. Under new but related management. It is affordable and original and plant based. Coffees, soups, sandwiches and more
Arepera
73 Rue Prince-Arthur EDelicious totally gluten free and celiac friendly restaurant
lovely French bistro. Not too expensive and bring your own wine. The trou Normand is a revelation and not for people who do not drink alcohol (though you may ask for a non-alcoholic version)
21 locals recommend
Monsieur B
371 Rue Villeneuve Elovely French bistro. Not too expensive and bring your own wine. The trou Normand is a revelation and not for people who do not drink alcohol (though you may ask for a non-alcoholic version)
This is the main place to get Portuguese chicken. Take out or eat in and tall tables
228 locals recommend
Rotisserie Romados
115 Rue Rachel EThis is the main place to get Portuguese chicken. Take out or eat in and tall tables
Groceries
This is a super cheap grocery store with lots of character--they are well stocked for gluten-free and vegan folks as well as stocking traditional fare for the older portuguese neighbours (like dried salted fish in bins). The cashiers and other workers are diverse and wear their own clothes which is refreshing.
150 locals recommend
Segal's Market
4001 Boul. Saint-LaurentThis is a super cheap grocery store with lots of character--they are well stocked for gluten-free and vegan folks as well as stocking traditional fare for the older portuguese neighbours (like dried salted fish in bins). The cashiers and other workers are diverse and wear their own clothes which is refreshing.
Lovely, local, not too expensive. Get a good selection of groceries there---open into the early evening
Épicerie Basta
505 Rue Rachel ELovely, local, not too expensive. Get a good selection of groceries there---open into the early evening