My Favorite Eats From my Trip to Montréal

Written by Sara Spangler

This past spring break, some friends and I took a drive up north to Montréal, Quebéc from our small campus in Northampton, Massachusetts. After a quick four-hour drive, we had settled in our quaint Airbnb in a residential area just a few metro stops from the heart of the city, and quickly we set off in search of something to eat.

We only spent four days in the city, but taking into consideration my love for researching the best food spots wherever I go and Montréal’s reputation for its incredible food, I believe we found some hidden gems throughout the city that the world deserves to know about. If you are thinking of taking a trip to Montréal, read on for some of my favorite spots we hit that weekend. 

Coffee & Pastries:

1. Le Petit Dep, 52 Rue Sous-le Fort #56, Québec, QC G1K 4G8, Canada

Cozy and decorated with Persian rugs, antique lamps, and patterned furniture, with incredible coffee and grab-and-go sandwiches, salads, and homemade pastries, along with a Montréal souvenir/gift shop in their store in Old Montréal, Le Petit Dep is a place you don’t want to miss. With seven locations in Canada, Le Petit Dep offers it all, from event space rentals to quick, efficient service for a coffee run on your way to the Basilica!

2. Duc de Lorraine, 5002 Chem. de la Côte-des-Neiges, Montréal, QC H3V 1G6, Canada

For a bit of a fancier vibe, try out Duc de Lorraine, located in the residential borough of Côte-des-Neiges-Notre-Dame-de-Grâce. Both restaurant and patisserie, Duc de Lorraine offers a delightful range of beautiful pastries, including a strawberry-pistachio croissant that was one of the best I’ve ever had. They do custom cake orders, offering a wide variety of options and gorgeous attention to detail in their baked goods that resemble a level of artistry found in France. The coffee was not the star of the show, but it sufficed—a nice cappuccino to dip my croissant in was all I wanted and more. 

Dinner:

La Belle Tonki, 1335 Beaubien East Montréal (QC) H2G 1K7

Described on their website as functioning “like a house party in a restaurant, serving Asian comfort food with a Montréal twist,” La Belle Tonki is a spot you don’t want to miss. Owned by two childhood friends since 2017, the restaurant offers a wide range of meals from classic Montréal cuisine to beautifully spicy pho. Make sure to try their papaya salad featuring fried onion and green papaya, as well as their bánh mì burger, featuring fried Rice Krispies chicken, pickled vegetables, and fresh brioche bread. Don’t skip their cocktails, either—particularly the Yu&Me. 

Cocktail Bar

The Bootlegger L’Authentique, 3481 Boul. Saint-Laurent 2eme Etage, Montréal, Quebec H2X 2T6, Canada

A self-described New Orleans cocktail bar that specializes in “Whiskey, Absinthe and Live Music,” The Bootlegger L’Authentique is the perfect place to go to enjoy music and rich, flavorful cocktails. Located on Boulevard St-Laurent, the bar hosts several shows during the week, featuring whiskey tastings, blues/jazz/hip-hop/funk/swing shows, and comedy nights. Intimate, dimly lit, inspired by the American “speakeasy,” the bar is beautifully comfortable, offering a space for deep connections with friends and the chance to try unique cocktails, ranging from a classic old-fashioned to the “Red Wave,” a cocktail featuring wine, rum, and orange-lemon citrus notes. They also offer a selection of food, featuring fresh oysters, foie gras, and lamb tartar, along with seasonal salads and small bar bites like nachos and, of course, poutine. 

Poutine:

Patati Patata Friterie de Luxe, 4177 Boul. Saint-Laurent, Montréal, QC H2W 1Y7, Canada

And of course this list must end with a Canadian classic: poutine. We found this spot randomly after a night out on Saint Laurent, a small, diner-esque spot that was busy even at 1:30 in the morning. They offer a range of dishes: sandwiches, soups, desserts, and drinks, but the star of this restaurant is their poutine! A classic in Canada, poutine is simply French fries, fresh cheese curds, and brown gravy. We ordered, and within ten minutes, we had steaming hot, fresh poutine with brown wooden forks to pick at it. We all shared one, but I could’ve eaten the entire thing by myself. This place is definitely worth a visit.

I hope this inspires you to take a trip to Canada and try out some incredible food! Thank you for reading, and good luck on your adventures, whatever they may be.

Thumbnail Credit:

https://pixabay.com/photos/bacon-poutine-spicy-poutine-7323673/