My family and I have a very distinct travel style – it entails walking, walking, walking, walking, eating, walking some more, eating, walking some more. Although there may be more walking than eating, eating is very important part of our travels. Montreal presents a multi-cultural, culinary utopia. French, Italian, Chinese, Japanese, Latin, Canadian, Vegetarian, Raw – you name – Montreal has it! In addition, you never have to go far to find a restaurant that meets your taste, mood and pocketbook.The following are some of my favorites. Below my favorites is a list of other’s favorites and great websites for Montreal Eating.
Farmers Markets:
Montreals’ Farmers Markets offer a virtual cornucopia of local produce, seafood & meats, fresh pastas, artisanal cheeses, homemade breads, ice creams, maple products and more, as well as restaurants, cafes and stores to buy local/regional products. We like to start our mornings at a market for breakfast and end our day buying food for dinner. Very often, we will purchase a basket or two of fresh raspberries or cerise de terres (the most amazing little fruit, aka ground cherry) and eat them throughout the day. Markets are also great places to put together a picnic when you plan on taking advantage of one of the wonderful parks in Montreal (see Montreal Outdoors).
marchespublics-mtl.com is the official market site but I find it a bit difficult to navigate. About.com has a good, comprehensive listing. There are 4 major markets:
Marché Jean-Talon (map) that is located in Petit Patrie, aka Little Italy.
Marché Atwater (map)
Marché Maisonneuve (map)
Marché Lachine (map)
We have always stayed close to Marché Jean Talon. When you visit, you MUST eat an ear of corn that is dripping with butter. Other than that, it is all wonderful. On the outside corner of Jean Talon market is a great store called Le Marché des Saveurs du Québec, which sells regional foods, products, etc. It is a virtual 1-stop-shop for gifts.
Favorites in Petit Patrie/Little Italy:
Casa Napoli is the quintessential Italian restaurant – grotto, Venus de Milo statues, singers and great food! 6728, boul. St. Laurent near the corner of Rue St. Zotique.
UPDATE *** While tooling around a funky, vintage clothing shop, I struck up a conversation with the shop owner. I asked her for a dining recommendation. Her answer – Pizzeria Napoletana at 189 Dante Street. This is a family restaurant with a gigantic menu. It is a BYOB and prepare to wait a while. But, it is definitely worth the wait. Buon Appetito.
Le Plateau:
Chu Chai is a delicious vegetarian Thai restaurant that has both a restaurant with a liquor license, a take out counter and an outdoor dining terrace in summertime. Chu Chai is located at 4088 St. Denis, corner Duluth. Foodhogger.com has a great review of Chu Chai.
Fonduementale. Fondue – need I say more. Make reservations on weekends!
UPDATE***Aux Vivres is a vegan, raw food restaurant with great juices and smoothies, dragon bowls and otherwise healthy, tasty meals. Don’t expect light – the meals are delivered in rather large portions. I highly recommend the Le Creamsicle smooth – it tastes just like the name! For those of you who prefer a little green, try the Popeye. Aux Vivres is located at 4631 Boulevard Saint-Laurent.
UPDATE***Restaurant L’Avenue is on the opposite end of the spectrum, but still serving up amazing smoothies that are all fruit at 922 Mont Royal. A very popular place, the line can be quite long in the morning – so get there early. We had Eggs Benedict served on brioche French toast with gruyere and maple syrup. It was OUT OF THIS WORLD! They only downside is the loud techno music. A visit to the bathroom is a MUST
Laurier/Outremont:
Pâtisserie de Gascogne. I could eat here everyday. There are several locations – I always go to the shop on Rue Laurier (map). Last summer, my daughter and I had breakfast there and she had tiramisu (WE WERE ON VACATION). She still talks about the chocolate shell. The atmosphere is inviting and the food is fresh and delicious. I can’t get enough of their salad de celeriac. Yum, yum and more yum.
Glacier Bilbouquet in the lovely tree-lined Outremont neighborhood. Ice cream that is yummy, yummy and more yummy. The line of people snakes around the block but it is worth the wait. The locations is 1311, ave Bernard Ouest
Vegetarian throughout Montreal: Commensal is a great vegetarian food buffet, with throughout the city.. You load up your tray but be careful because you pay per kilo. Try the poppyseed cake for dessert.
Recommendations from other blogs and websites:
Well Fed and Socially Conscious in Montreal on www.madatornights.com. Great overall travel site and specific article features a few delicious vegetarian restos.
Bagels – Montreal is famous for its bagels. Most famous are Fairmont Bagel and St. Viateur Bagel.
Poutine is a traditional Montreal delicacy consisting of french fries, cheese curd and gravy. You can have down home poutine or dressed up poutine with fois gras. Montrealpoutine.com has a great review of several poutine restaurants.
Famous Restaurants
Au Pied Cochon
Toqué
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