Montreal is jam-packed with French bakeries specializing in pastries and sweets, known in Quebec simply as patisseries. You can find one on almost every corner in every neighbourhood, so we figured it would be wise to point you in the right direction when it comes to finding the perfect one. Whether you want to cuddle up with a coffee, croissant and newspaper, or are looking for something to wow your friends with at the next dinner party, these places will surely hit the spot.
Boulangerie Olive & Gourmando
Bar none, Olive & Gourmando is the place to be and be seen in the world of patisseries. Trendy tourists, swanky locals and celebrities when they are in town filming movies frequent this Old Montreal hotspot boasting some of the best pastries and coffee in the city. Partners Dyan Solomon and Eric Girard worked the bake ovens at Toque! before opening this bakery Cafe and prepare soups, salads, and sandwiches during lunch hours on top of the regular sweets and pastries.
La Brioche Lyonnaise
La Brioche Lyonnaise is one of the treasures of the Latin Quarter. During summer days, patrons enjoy their coffee and sweets on the back terrace, a garden of tranquility in the midst of a very busy area of downtown. This is the ideal place to grab a slice of quiche, a sandwich, or an éclair or tarte tatin for lunch. Both the delectable food and ambiance will bring you back to this classic patisserie again and again.
Nocochi Cafe Patisserie
Owner and head baker Shahnaz Bagherzadeh learned how to bake from her grandmother in Iran and applies these techniques in the kitchen of Nocochi Cafe Patisserie. Located a few steps from the Musee de Beaux Arts, she named her shop after her signature chickpea powder cookie with cardamom. On top of traditional European-style pastries (Florentines, sables, macarons and biscotti), the shop also offers delicious dried fruits. We suggest a plate selection of 15 pastries and pot of tea for two.
Image courtesy Stock Xchng.