For 0-3 years old: dedicated spaces for their awakening

The younger the child, the more equipment you need to lug around. These spots have exactly what parents are looking for: space for a stroller, room for the little one to move around, a bathroom equipped with a changing table, high chairs or booster seats, and even toys suitable for little ones. Here are some family-friendly places little kids will love.

Café La Chouette – Plateau Mont-Royal 

3864 Saint-Denis Street | Website 

Here's a chef-inspired activity to enjoy with your little ones. At Café La Chouette, a biscuit and coffee shop, decorate delicious, fresh, homemade cookies with a royal icing that is tasty and crunchy. Accompany it with a good hot chocolate, and you're all set! Make your reservations early; the café is particularly popular on weekends.

Le Céramic Café-Studio – Plateau Mont-Royal 

4338 Saint-Denis Street | Website 

Another creative activity to do as a family. With your budding artists, come and paint original, personalized, and practical ceramics that you'll love using at home later on. Complete the experience with a selection of gourmet paninis, delicious smoothies, and comforting hot drinks. A kids' menu is also available for $6.99.

Café Sfouf – Village
1250 Ontario Street East | Website

This adorable Lebanese café has welcomed young children ever since it opened in a small, convenient space for families with a few games and toys to try out. The sandwiches on the menu are a surefire hit with the kiddies and will awaken their taste buds.

La Cabane - Petite Patrie
1695 Bélanger Street | Website

La Cabane is a creative family space that combines a picnic station, a dance floor, indoor games, an unexpected reading corner, creative kits for family fun, and kid-friendly cooking classes. Choose from organic, local and vegetarian dishes concocted by Montréal restaurant duo Sophie Duchastel de Montrouge (co-founder of La Cabane) and her partner, Chef Jérémy Daniel-Six. Free for children under one year old; daily entry fee of $7 or annual subscription of $95 (two adults and four children) or $55 (2 people). 

Café les Oubliettes – Petite Patrie
6201 de Saint-Vallier Street| Website

What we love here is the café’s spacious and sunny location and fun family weekend vibes. With a small table is set up with some games just for the little ones, it is a popular meeting spot for moms with strollers! 

Café des Habitudes – Petite Patrie
1104, Saint-Zotique Street East Montréal | Website

This zero-waste, family-friendly, vegan café, beloved by locals, regularly welcomes kids of all ages. The atmosphere is friendly and warm. Be sure to check out the Heureux de nature children's boutique next door, which offers a range of great early-learning workshops including yoga, theatre, creative dance and more. Book now! 

Bouge Petit – Petite Patrie
6546, Papineau Avenue | Website

Once kiddos get the hang of walking, they quickly become unstoppable! Their curiosity is unsurpassed and they want to explore everything, everywhere. This space that is dedicated to them will become your refuge, especially during the winter months. Safe and literally packed with games, it's such a fun place for young children who need to move and explore.

Patati Patata (Jean-Talon Market) – Petite Patrie
170, Jean-Talon Street East | Website

For a family pit stop to grab a bite, this restaurant serves breakfast, sliders starting at $5 and hearty lunches, in addition to being equipped with a space dedicated to children, with games and pint-sized furniture. Bring your colouring books and other small games to keep them busy, then stroll around the market to walk off the meal.

Shack Attakk – Petite – Patrie
2500 Beaubien Street East | Website

This very large restaurant, located in front of Molson Park, lends small baskets of markers to colour on the paper placemats and provides high chairs. Even if there is no children's menu, fruit is served while you wait and, if requested, the service prioritizes kids so that they can eat as quickly as possible.

Café Chato
4833 Wellington Street | Website
This vegetarian café invites you into its large space to enjoy a coffee, breakfast sandwich, salad, chili or soup in the company of adorable cats that you can adopt through Refuge Animex. Little (and big) kids love it!

Café Jardin – Verdun
4437 Wellington Street | Website
Take a break and recharge your batteries at this inviting vegan, zero-waste café, complete with a space set up just for kids in the basement.

Komma Rosta – Verdun
5300 Wellington Street | Website

Here, you can sip locally roasted specialty coffee and enjoy delicious authentic Japanese cuisine accompanied by typical Quebecois desserts. New parents themselves, the owners have created a bright children's area with a pretty wooden playhouse, rocking chairs and games. A sweet little paradise!

Brûlerie Urbaine – Côte-des-Neiges
5252 de la Côte-des-Neiges Road | Website
For a great brunch, head over to this roomy, welcoming café-restaurant in the Côte-des-Neiges district. Enjoy a reasonably-priced kids menu and a dedicated play area complete with puzzles, superhero figurines and Lego. Four-legged friends are also welcome!

For 3-7 year olds: menus just for them

Café maman – Griffintown 

1542 Notre-Dame Street West | Website 

The famous New York-based chain has set up shop in the heart of the industrial Griffintown neighbourhood, offering a well-crafted children's menu in a decor of brick walls, green plants, and wooden beams. The menu includes scrambled eggs, cheese sandwiches, and almond butter and fruit compote toast. A champion's breakfast!

Brasserie 701 – Old Montréal 

701 Côte de la Place-d'Armes | Website 

In this chic restaurant nestled in the Place d'Armes Hotel, reminiscent of grand Parisian brasseries, children aged 12 and under are entitled to their own brunch dish for the gentle price of $10.

Maggie Oakes – Old Montréal

426 Place Jacques-Cartier | Website
If you're visiting Old Montréal, stop for lunch at the sublime Maggie Oakes restaurant, which smartly offers a menu for kids 12 and under.

Rosélys – Downtown
900 René-Lévesque Boulevard West | Website

Located in the prestigious Fairmont Le Reine Elizabeth hotel, Rosélys offers a refined bistro menu in a sophisticated decor with art deco accents. Good to know, if you are staying at the hotel, children aged 5 and under eat for free (children's menu and buffet breakfast).

Universel Déjeuners et Grillades – Downtown
359 Sainte-Catherine Street West | 2055 Peel Street | Website

This family-friendly downtown restaurant offers menus for children under 12 for 7 to $12. Get it while it's hot! Two great locations to take your mini on weekends, after a visit to the Museum of Fine Arts for example, or a show at the Place des Arts.

Billy J’ai Faim – Plateau Mont-Royal
4269 Saint-Denis Street | Website

A newcomer to the Plateau, Chef Billy excels at creating healthy and delicious seasonal dishes. The lunch menu on weekdays and brunch on Saturdays is suitable for children and Billy is sure offer very reasonably priced specials. A great deal!

La Banquise – Plateau Mont-Royal
994 Rachel Street East | Website

This poutine institution in Montréal, located in the heart of the Plateau Mont-Royal, offers several small dishes for children starting at $8.25. A walk to the adjacent La Fontaine Park is a good idea, once you've chowed down on your poutine.

Stella Pizzeria – Petite-Patrie and Plateau Mont-Royal
1100 Bélanger Street | 1327 Laurier Avenue East | Website

This excellent pizzeria, with two Montréal locations, has four small dishes suitable for children for $10 and $12. Pizza or macaroni, the little ones will be delighted to have dishes for little tummies.

Burger de ville – Mile End
5282 Saint-Laurent Boulevard | Website

This Mile End classic, known for its juicy burgers, offers a meal for children aged 10 and under at $9.50 consisting of a small hamburger or grilled cheese sandwich, fries, and a drink.

Fabergé – Mile End
25 Fairmount Avenue West | Website

This very popular restaurant specializing in brunches, which adults and children love, projects retro cartoons to pass the time while waiting for your meal and have placemats to colour on. It's also a good starting point for a stroll through the Mile End, to burn off some of that food.

Régine – Petite – Patrie
1840 Beaubien Street East | Website
Janine – Verdun
3900 Wellington Street | Website

Two Montréal brunch hotspots where everyone's patience will be rewarded (yes, there will be a line) with the excellent dishes of “Aunt” Régine and “the irresistible” Janine. A $12  “p'tits guidous” menu offers several gourmet options for children.

For 7 year olds and over: expanding culinary horizons

At seven years old, the famous "age of reason", they're ready to discover "grownup" restaurants. Of course, some children develop a great culinary curiosity earlier and this list of addresses may very well apply to younger children. Your teens will also love these trendy or, on the contrary, very traditional restaurants and cafes.

Olive and Gourmando – Old Montréal
351 Saint-Paul Street West | Website
This popular Old Montréal restaurant, open only during the day, is known for its laid-back vibe and decadent sandwiches. To be enjoyed on the quays of the Old Port!

Brit & Chips – Old Montréal
433 McGill Street | Website
Opt for delicious fish and chips, enhanced with Québec flavours. Mmmmm!

Europea – Downtown
1065 de la Montagne Street| Website
High gastronomy for kids? This is quite possible thanks to Jérôme Ferrer, who introduces children aged 10 and under to a six-course “discovery” menu for $60. A chef's idea to celebrate a special occasion!

Time Out Market – Downtown
705 Sainte-Catherine Street West | Website
Located at the Eaton Centre, this is the perfect stop after a good shopping session. Choose from 16 culinary concepts and feast sitting at large shared tables.

The Keg – Downtown and Old Montréal
5 Place Ville Marie | 25, Saint-Paul Street East | Website
Mini Keg burger, sirloin, chicken strips or mac and cheese are featured on the children's menu of this famous, well established steakhouse.

Café sat – Quartier des spectacles
6 Place du Marché | Website
Here, you can enjoy snacks and drinks prepared by the team of the delicious restaurant Labo culinaire, located in the SAT. The food prepared with local products. During the summer, the whole family can sit on the terrace.

Le Central – Quartier des Spectacles
30 Sainte-Catherine Street West | Website
Big names of the Montréal food scene and excellent small emerging restaurateurs rub shoulders in this beautiful space bringing together 25 gourmet stands. An abundance of choice!

Schwartz's – Plateau Mont-Royal
3895 Saint-Laurent Boulevard | Website
One of the best and most famous spots in town for smoked meat, to discover on Saint-Laurent Boulevard. If you go during peak periods, consider grabbing something from the takeout counter next door to avoid waiting.

La Binerie – Plateau Mont-Royal
4167 Saint-Denis Street | Website
Located on the Plateau, this small, unpretentious address has been serving traditional Québec cuisine since 1938: breakfast, shepherds pie, homemade pâté, and the unmissable tourtière.

L’Express – Plateau Mont - Royal
3927 Saint-Denis Street | Website
Very accommodating, the Express is well known for welcoming children. Small colouring pencils are on loan, and it's a great place to introduce your little ones to succulent and simple French gastronomy.

Beautys Luncheonette – Plateau Mont-Royal
93 Mont-Royal Avenue West | Website
Open since 1942, this mythical place on the Plateau serves lunches and comforting dishes that children love. Simple, delicious and just hits the spot.

Café Chez Téta – Plateau Mont-Royal
227 Rachel Street East | Website
The speciality of this Lebanese coffee is man 'ouché, a typical Lebanese dish that is easy to eat and very tasty. The menu also includes dips, salads and desserts, including a delicious chocolate brownie.

Byblos Le Petit Café – Plateau Mont - Royal
1499 Laurier Avenue East | Website
Located near Laurier Park, this Persian restaurant offers a range of small typical dishes to share, not to mention the famous feta omelette. There won't be a crumb left!

Ma Poule Mouillé – Plateau Mont-Royal
969 Rachel Street East | Website
A Portuguese chicken institution in Montréal, located a stone's throw from La Fontaine Park. Enjoy a roast chicken sandwich, a whole chicken to share with fries, salad and rice, and finish with pasteis de nata for dessert. Drool!

La Panthère Verte – Mile End and Plateau Mont-Royal
160 St-Viateur Street East | Website
145 Mont-Royal Avenue East | Website
This restaurant offers one of the best vegan menus in town. Tasty, hearty and very fresh, the small Mediterranean dishes of this small Montréal chain feature organic, local produce and promote maximum zero waste with a Mason jar exchange system and compostable packaging.

Fairmount Bagel Bakery or St-Viateur Bagel – Mile End
74 Fairmount Avenue West | Website
263 Saint-Viateur Street West | Website
Get hot Montréal bagels from these two famous institutions. It's up to you to decide which one is your favourite!

Cardinal Tea Room – Mile End
5326 Saint-Laurent Boulevard | Website
On weekends starting at 11 a.m., in an enchanting Victorian setting, this hidden but well-known teahouse in the Mile End offers lemon squares, cucumber sandwiches, mimosa eggs, macaroons and small scones with cream and jam. Little hands will love digging into it!

Le Elsdale – Petite – Patrie
2381 Beaubien Street East | Website
Open for lunch, dinner, dinner and weekend brunch, Le Elsdale is located a stone's throw from Molson Park and Beaubien Cinema.

La Boulette – Petite-Patrie
2223 Beaubien Street East | Website
Grab a good classic or more creative burger, accompanied by a delicious poutine.

Dinette Triple Crown – Petite-Italie
6700 Clark Street | Website
In Little Italy, try comfort food from the south, such as macaroni and cheese and Louisiana fried chicken. In summer, you can even ask for a basket to take away and improvise a picnic at the adjacent park, tablecloth included!

Comptoir Sainte-Cécile – Villeray
232 de Castelnau Street East | Website
Close to Jean-Talon Market and Jarry Park, this warm space welcomes small families to its counter with a simple and comforting menu including homemade soups, fresh salads and delicious small sandwiches.

Le Petit Alep – Villeray
199 Jean-Talon Street East | Website
This popular little bistro in front of Jean Talon Market serves kebabs and an array of delicious Syrian dishes, including spicy fries that should be a hit with the whole family.

Greenspot – Saint-Henri
3041 Notre-Dame Street West | Website
This famous diner in the Saint-Henri district has been serving typical Québec lunches and a good poutine since 1947, in a retro setting.

Gibeau Orange Julep – The Triangle
7700 Décarie Boulevard | Website
With its giant orange and car service just like back in the day, this place is sure to impress your kids. Be sure to try the orange Julep, the restaurant's signature drink, accompanied by a burger, a poutine, a pogo or a grilled cheese sandwich.

All over Montréal

You will have a guaranteed success with pizza or little tacos, snacks that are affordable and shareable with the bonus of being easy to hold by little hands. The public markets' beautiful common areas are also excellent places to grab a bite thanks to a wide selection of gourmet counters where everyone can find something they like. To help your youngsters discover more exotic flavours, check out our guides to the best Korean, Indian, Chinese, Japanese, Middle Eastern and Caribbean restaurants. Montréal is also full of vegan and healthy options to accommodate a little more green on your plate. Kids love maple syrup, so if you're in Montréal during sugar time, here's a list of our favourite places to satisfy that sweet tooth. Of course, cafes where you can drink a steaming cup of hot chocolate, bakeries and ice cream counters, churros, donuts abound all over the city and are always a huge hit with children. You can never go wrong with a plate of mac and cheese. On sunny days, improvise a picnic in Montréal's parks and green spaces. Another option is to try out the restaurants directly located in the parks: greenery and gourmandise guaranteed. 

Enjoy Montréal’s culinary discoveries with the kids!