Montréal’s best buvettes
Gastronomy Bars and pubs Indoor
Mayssam Samaha
The official definition of a buvette is a small café or simple counter where drinks and light meals are served. Most of Montréal’s buvettes are neighbourhood gems that serve their own interpretation of Montréal cuisine and an excellent list of curated natural and biodynamic wines in a causal and unpretentious ambiance that is conducive to gathering and conversing for hours on end. Below is a list of some of our favourite buvettes.
Lundis au soleil
This Villeray spot has gathered a loyal following since it opened its sun-drenched space. Lundis au soleil has a winning formula of great plates to share, an amazing wine list that includes a lot of local Québec wines and an adorable staff that makes everyone feels right at home.
801 Jarry Street East
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vinvinvin
Rosemont’s vinvinvin is a popular choice in the neighbourhood and beyond. This “Nordic wine bar” serves a handful of season-centric dishes that include its homemade sourdough bread. The natural wine card is a curated list of eclectic and affordable bottles that are a pleasure to share.
1290 Beaubien Street East
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Le Elsdale
Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner most days of the week as well as weekend brunch, Le Elsdale is a lovely and unpretentious neighbourhood buvette. The evening menu offers snacks such as a charcuterie platter as well as more generous dishes such as zaatar cacio e pepe pasta or BBQ pork chops.
2381 Beaubien Street East
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Taverne Atlantic
Taverne Atlantic’s legendary rooftop terrasse makes waves all summer long. This popular Park Ex “tavern” is open every night of the week. The food menu includes their now-famous pizza pies and some favourite “casse-croûte” fare such as hot dogs and shrimp rolls. The drink menu is a fully loaded affair with wine, cocktails, ciders, and beers.
6512 Parc Avenue
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Bar Cicchetti
A Venetian specialty, cicchetti are small snacks or plates served with a glass of wine or a cocktail before dinnertime. They’re the inspiration behind Mile Ex’ Bar Cicchetti, a charming spot that welcomes diners to their sunny terrasse in the summer or their gorgeous dining room in the winter.
6703 Parc Avenue
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Café Denise
Tiny Park Ex’ Café Denise is the perfect definition of a buvette. Serving seasonally focused small plates to share and a beautiful array of natural wines, the 20-seat dining room is basically one big bar counter for people to gather around and chat.
386 Beaumont
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Bar Mamie
Bar Mamie’s Beaubien Street terrasse buzzes with crowds of happy patrons all summer long. This Montréal neighbourhood bar specializes in generous charcuterie and cheese boards as well as comforting, Mamie (or grandma) style dishes to share. They also have a wine private import business so the wine list is excellent.
328 Beaubien Street East
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Brouillon
Plaza St-Hubert’s Brouillon occupies a small space that’s centered around a central bar. The design is a little mid-century modern with a cosy ambiance and a neutral palette. They serve seasonal and local fare and a beautiful list of local beers and ciders as well as great bottles of natural wine.
6580-A St-Hubert Street
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Buvette Pastek
At Old Montréal’s Buvette Pastek, you can snack on specialties such as imported seafood conservas and charcuterie platters as well as feast on more elaborate dishes such as beef tartare, clams in wine sauce or a ribeye with mashed potato.
209 Saint-Paul Street West
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Buvette chez Simone
Certainly one of the city’s most famous buvette, Buvette Chez Simone has been a popular hangout by wine connoisseurs for years. Small dishes, charcuterie and cheese platters, their famous roast chicken and a well-curated wine list are on the menu in a relaxed and unpretentious ambiance.
4869 Parc Avenue
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Bar à Flot
The team behind Buvette chez Simone is also behind this new spot located right next door. Cocktails, excellent bottles and a few fish and seafood forward plates to share are on the menu. Bar à Flot (“afloat Bar” or “Flo’s Bar”) is a play on words on sommelière Florence Pelland-Goyer’s name, since she’s taking the lead on this project.
4857 Parc Avenue
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Bar Verdun Beach
With a list of 100 or so natural wine bottles, Bar Verdun Beach is a great place to gather and celebrate. In addition to the wines, the menu of beautiful small plates and the charming space (and terrasse in summer) contribute in creating a great dining experience.
4816 Wellington Street
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Motel Motel
Motel Motel, the Village's newest addition, is a stunning wine bar and buvette with a menu featuring seasonal ingredients. At first glance, this place may seem like a normal buvette, but its true essence resides in the spectacular nightclub concealed in the back.
1276 Sainte-Catherine Street East
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Le Plongeoir
Le Plongeoir, an unpretentious drinking spot in Mile End, combines the charm of a classic neighbourhood dive bar with natural and low intervention wines, as well as delicious snacks from local purveyors like Aliments Viens. Enjoy a game of billiards while indulging in some of drinks and bites the area has to offer.
5350 Saint Laurent Boulevard
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Bon Délire
Bon Délire is a unique and vibrant bar with a quirky and colorful aesthetic that incorporates elements from the 2000s. Located in Saint-Henri, this laid-back establishment provides the ideal atmosphere to unwind with a delicious fancy drink or classic cocktail while playing a game of pool on the table adorned with leopard print. They even offer Italian-inspired sandwiches such as muffuletta, chicken cutlet, and polpette.
4855 Notre-Dame Street West
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Buvette Pompette
This Little Italy buvette serves a menu featuring bar food with a distinct Iberian influence, accompanied by a curated wine list of privately imported natural and low-intervention wines.
414 St-Zotique East
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June Buvette
Scallop pogo, lobster mac and other delights are on the menu at June Buvette, a cozy and unpretentious neighbourhood bar in Pointe Saint Charles where the passion for great food and excellent wines is palpable.
1900 Centre Street
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Chez Josie
Chez Josie is another excellent spot in Villeray in a neighbourhood that teams with great eateries. In addition to the classic beef and salmon tartares listed on the menu, you’ll find gems such as the burrata and fattouche or the beef braised in red wine.
230 Jarry Street East
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Annette bar à vin
Backed by the skilled team of Hoogan & Beaufort, Annette has emerged as one of Montréal's premier wine bars. The décor here is truly gorgeous and the ambiance always buzzing. Annette boasts an impressive selection of wines, signature cocktails and a delightful menu featuring seasonal snacks and shareable plates such as the beef tartare with Avonlea cheese and brioche, an instant classic.
4051 Molson Street
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Supernat
From banh mi to tomago sandos, the menu at Supernat is clearly inspired by various Asian cuisines, which differentiates it from most other wine bars around town. Pair your “super instant ramen” or your Peking duck sandwich with a glass of wine from their impressive list and you’ll be all set for an excellent evening.
4316 Sainte-Catherine Street East
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Buvette Beaubien
A cozy and welcoming spot, Buvette Beaubien is the place to stop for a coffee, a casual lunch or a great glass of natural wine paired with small, seasonal plates for dinner.
211 Beaubien Street
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Here are some other notable Montréal buvettes:
Mayssam Samaha
Mayssam Samaha is a food and travel writer and blogger and the founder behind the blog Will Travel for Food. She travels the world in search of the next culinary discovery. From Iceland to South Africa, she’s already visited over 36 countries and there’s nothing she enjoys more than wandering around a farmers’ market in a foreign city. She is also the founder of the SAISONS intimate dinner series highlighting Québec products and chefs.