
Food itinerary: Mile End
Indulge in the cafés, bakeries, restaurants and other gourmet hot spots of Mile End. Have fun being a tourist in your own city!
Indulge in the cafés, bakeries, restaurants and other gourmet hot spots of Mile End. Have fun being a tourist in your own city!
Departure point: Laurier métro station
Total distance: 4.5 kilometres
Where to stop to enjoy your snacks: Parc Saint-Michel, Parc Lahaie or Marché des Possibles
For your first stop of the day, point yourself in the direction of Guillaume Boulangerie for a staggering, swoon-worthy selection of breads and viennoiseries. To still your beating heart (and those kick-started cravings), pick up a few pastries to devour later and a couple of loaves of bread to bring home.
What to order: Mini pain de fesse patate-cheddar (a tantalizing tiny loaf of cheese bread, my absolute favourite), the champignon vanille-chocolat (a vanilla/white chocolate mushroom-shaped brioche) and the Queen Elizabeth cupcake.
With your goodies from Guillaume carefully tucked in your bag, now would be a great time to stop for a snack on the street furniture/installations of Fairmount Street. But what to eat? Get one of Larry’s delectable dishes or a sandwich from Chez ta Mère. Better yet: order something from both.
What to order: From Larry’s, a burger, breakfast sandwich, beef tartar and/or the veggie inspiration. At Chez ta Mère, the star of the menu is the merguez sandwich.
If the combination of book-reading/coffee-sipping is right up your alley, then Café Éclair is worth the detour. Not only does it offer a carefully curated selection of literature in its microbookstore, but its coffee beans come from the world-renowned Berlin company The Barn. Slide onto the banquette if there’s a spot open, sit back, relax and pore…
What to order: Any kind coffee you’re craving, to sip as you flip.
Kem Coba is one of the first ice cream shops in the city to offer a rotating choice of soft ice cream flavours. In fact, back in 2010, when the owners bought the property, they turned it into a summer sensation and Montréal must practically overnight. Loyal patrons love the fact that the owners not only offer traditional flavours, but that years ago they had the guts to go off the beaten path and serve up far-out flavours for the time.
What to order: The swirl of the day, the salted butter or 72% dark chocolate ice cream, or the Vietnamese coffee.
Since they’re practically neighbours, here’s a chance to double your foodie fun. While Joe the pastry chef who founded Brioche à Tête is recognized city-wide for his lusciously baked brioche à têtes (those perfectly pillowy little bun sensations), pastry maker Kamenista has created a fanbase for her authentic, out-of-this-world Greek pastries.
What to order: At Brioche à tête, the fluffy and buttery brioche à têtes. At Kamenitsa, bougatsa, baklava and the cheesecake.
If you are looking for the prettiest, artiest latté in the city, go straight to Caffe in Gamba. Simon-Pierre and Xavier, two barista brothers, definitely have a flair with the froth. Challenge them to their creative best with your order!
What to order: A latté
Located just a block apart and boasting the same proprietors, Toni and Yoni have quickly become two Saint-Viateur Street hotspots. They like to keep things simple: you go to Toni’s for pizza and to Yoni’s for falafels. Easy peasy! You’ll not only love the logo, but Tony’s extra tasty tomato sauce or the falafels with extra tahini sauce and salsa verde. Personally, I am crushing on the salad!
What to order: At Pizza Toni, a slice of margherita and/or marinara pizza. At Falafel Yoni, a falafel pita (or the half) as well as the falafel salad.
Another coffee? Yes, but this time it’s at the legendary Café Olimpico, which is certainly worth the wait – and there’s a pretty good chance you’ll have to join the line to order. Soak up the festive, more-the-merrier Italian ambiance as you relax with a delicious cup of java.
What to order: Le Remix.
Sticky, melt-in-your-mouth, light and fluffy, deliciously iced, topped with yummy sprinklings … there are endless ways to describe Bernie’s doughnuts. Tell all your friends about this little gourmet go-to, which opened on the corner of Clark and Bernard in the spring of 2021.
What to order: A half a dozen doughnuts to take home – see if you can make it that far before cracking open the box.
Before heading back down the Main, two stops are on the agenda. First, at Butterblume to pick up some homemade products and bottles of wine or cider. Then, at Pastel Rita to sip a coffee/cocktail, a lemonade or glass of pet-nat (natural sparkling wine) on its pretty outdoor patio.
What to order: Butterblume: a bottle of natural wine and/or cider with some homemade goodies. Pastel Rita: Watermelon milk and/or a glass of natural wine.
Now that you’re hydrated and refreshed, head back down Saint-Laurent Boulevard and pop into its pretty boutiques for amazing finds by local artisans.
Other suggestions on where to get take-out or have a drink: Dieu du Ciel, Le Sparrow, Pizzeria Magpie, Keste, Milos, Ile Flottante, Parasol.
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