A Food Lover’s Weekend in Montreal

We decided to give you the grand slam of restaurant articles for this week so as to ensure that if you only had one day to literally eat Montreal, you would do it right.  We’ve packed in some of the best brunch/lunch spots, dinner jaunts, afternoon snack hubs, and late night food locals for you to hit up – and if you do it within 24 hours, you will no doubt live an experience unlike any other (and you will undoubtedly need the gym and a cleanse in the days following.)

Start this culinary adventure off with a coffee and homemade pastry from Olive & Gourmando in Old Montreal. Co-owners Dylan and Eric boast some of the best pastries and coffee in the city. For lunch, wander over to St. Denis and grab a classic French Bistro-style lunch at L’Express, a Montreal classic and the closest thing you’ll get to dining in France without crossing the ocean. While you are in the area, and keeping with the ‘eating’ theme, hit up Arthur Quentin’s kitchenware shop across the street. Take a walk west towards St. Laurent and stop in at La Vieille Europe, a Euro grocer that specializes in cheese, smoked meats, and sauerkraut (get yourself some to keep at home). Hop in the Schwartz’s deli next door for a hot smoked meat sandwich (do not order it lean!). For dinner, make a reservation at Le Mas des Oliviers, Mordechai Richler’s old stomping grounds. Here they specialize in snails and fresh fish, prepared simply. For a second seating snack, head to Pullman Wine Bar for a great wine list and an amazing selection of tapas. Here you can sample amazing wine and grappa amongst journalists and artists and shake Bruno Braen’s hand to thank him for opening such a fantastic spot. Head to Whiskey Cafe for some amazing scotch and then grab some late, late night grub at Le Gros Jambon in Old Montreal. They specialize in heavy, rich diner food and they will not disappoint when it comes to late night greasy food cravings. 

If you stick to the above eating and drinking itinerary you will have one of the most notable and authentically Montreal eating experiences the belle ville has to offer.

Photo courtesy Mas des Oliviers