Hochelaga-Maisonneuve
Starting point: Pie IX métro station. Arrival point: Joliette métro station
Distance: 3.6 kilometres
Where to enjoy a snack: Place Simon-Valois, Marché Maisonneuve
Marché Maisonneuve
4445 Ontario Street East | website
Marché Maisonneuve, Montréal’s third largest public market, is also chock full of local producers and businesses. In summer, you can choose from an abundance of fresh fruit and vegetables, but you can scoop up some fresh fish and seafood there too. Add to that some delicious cheeses from the cheese shop, you’ll have everything you need, from picnic nosh to cocktail nibbles!
What to order: This is the perfect time to fill up on in-season fruits and veggies!
Hélico Café
2009 De la Salle Avenue | website
I love stopping by Hélico Café for a piping hot coffee or matcha latté with scrumptious viennoiserie fresh from the oven. In warmer weather, you can grab a seat on their sunny terrasse and enjoy your menu in its tranquil oasis. Their take-out menu, from the “older brother” Hélicoptère restaurant, always has homemade, seasonal and local fare that’s palate-popping delicious.
What to order: A coffee or matcha with a yummy homemade treat
Place Simon-Valois
website
website
When you get to Place Simon-Valois, be sure to stop by sausage maker William J. Walter not only for traditionally made sausages and microbrewery beers but the more unlikely choice of ice cream! The Arhoma bakery is also right new door, so you can pop over to pick up bread (they have a great selection to choose from) and oodles or artisanal products ranging from dried sausages and olives to cheeses.
Les Givrés
3681 Ontario Street East | website
When it comes to Montréal’s ice cream parlours, Les Givrés is always top of mind for me. Patrons love it for its use of local, in-season ingredients (rhubarb, strawberry, maple, corn and more) and the fact that the owners don’t add any artificial products or colours. Its menu is pretty original too, and includes treats like “roteux” (an ice cream hotdog - who knew?) and “pitounes” (a nod to the ride La Pitoune at La Ronde). It offers a few vegan ice cream options too.
What to order: I am smitten with their soft homemade ice cream, and with flavours changing every two weeks, it’s hard to stay away. My favourite has to be the strawberry and vanilla pear sorbet, but the chocolate, matcha and pistachio ice creams also get top honours.
Boucherie Beau-Bien et/ou Poissonnerie Ô
3748 Ontario Street East | website
3414 Ontario Street East | website
The Boucherie Beau-Bien and the Poissonnerie Ô are two other musts on Ontario Street. Meat, of course, is the big draw at the butcher shop, but you’d be surprised at the other finds, like the incredible array of hot sauces. While the butcher shop will soon be celebrating its 100th anniversary (wow!), the fish shop will only be a year old this summer – one more great reason to stop by and check them out!
What to order: Boucherie Beau-Bien: a tender cut of meat, their famous homemade, creton as well as a fiery hot sauce. Poissonnerie Ô: the catch of the day (from Québec, if possible!).
Other restaurant suggestions for take-out or drinks: État-Major, Le Flamant, Resto-bar Le Pick-up, Le Trèfle, Blind Pig
See the complete itinerary
