Musts for foodies visiting Montréal for the first time

Open since 1933, Jean-Talon Market is Montréal’s largest year-round farmers market, beloved for its seasonal produce and local delicacies. Foodies visiting Montréal will want to visit one of its many farmers markets that are open year round as well as some of the various seasonal ones. Touring any one of these food meccas is a true Montréal foodie experience for any food lover. Eat your way through many of them by visiting the various cheese mongers, spice stores, artisanal bakeries, seasonal fruit and vegetable stands, charcuterie stalls and restaurants that call these markets home.

Poutine is one of Québec’s most iconic culinary exports and Montréal is home to some of the finest poutine spots. This modest dish of crispy French fries, squeeky cheese curds and flavourful gravy is so much more than the sum of its parts. Every Montrealer has a favourite, whether it’s the classic 24-hour spot La Banquise serving more than 30 different kinds of poutine or Ma Poule Mouillée’s Portuguese version with São Jorge cheese, grilled chicken and chouriço. If you’re feeling absolutely indulgent, try Au Pied de Cochon’s decadent foie gras poutine. Choose your spot, pick a poutine one and dig in; you’ll never forget your first bite.

For food lovers exploring Montréal, tasting the city’s iconic wood-fired bagels is an essential culinary experience and one of the most delicious ways to discover what makes Montréal’s food scene so unique.  The only question is: which beloved institution does it best? Head to the Mile End and decide for yourself with a side-by-side tasting at St-Viateur Bagel and Fairmount Bagel, located just a few blocks apart. Open 24/7, both will hand you a paper bag filled with piping-hot bagels, perfect for dunking into a tub of cream cheese and enjoying as you wander the neighbourhood’s streets.

Montréal is world-famous for its smoked meat, a centuries-old tradition rooted in Eastern European Jewish delis and perfected right here in the city. Schwartz's Deli remains a veritable mecca, drawing devoted locals and visitors alike since 1928. If the line stretching down Saint-Laurent feels daunting, skip it by ordering at the takeout counter. Insider tip: always order your meat medium for the perfect balance of lean and fatty slices, always ask for extra bread, and never, ever skip the dill pickles. You can then head back to your hotel room or one of the many parks around to enjoy this essential Montréal foodie experience.

Weekend brunch is a beloved tradition in Montréal and the city’s restaurants get truly creative with their brunch offer. From elegant hotel restaurants to unpretentious casses-croûte and inventive neighbourhood spots, choosing a brunch spot can be challenging, with so many great options in every neighbourhood.

Montréal’s bakeries and pastry shops are a part of the city’s identity, a reflection of its deep French roots and its ever-evolving creative spirit. If you have a penchant for gluten, you’re in luck: Montréal boasts the best bread and pastries this side of Paris. From buttery croissants to golden baguettes, hearty loaves, chewy cookies and delicate desserts, the selection is dazzling and it would take a lifetime of dedication to taste it all. Don’t fret though because we’ve put together a handy guide to point you in the right direction. And even if gluten is not your best friend, you can still indulge since most bread bakeries and some pastry shops offer excellent gluten-free options.

In the past few years, Montréal has firmly established itself as a world-class coffee destination rivaling cities such as Portland, Melbourne and New York City. There are dozens of independent cafés in each of Montréal’s neighbourhood, all sporting very distinctive personalities, from minimalist espresso bars to old-school Italian cafés and design-forward spaces where baristas take their craft seriously. Spot the closest café to you or go on a self-guided tour to visit as many as you can while you’re here. 

MTLàTABLE is Montréal’s annual restaurant week (which lasts two weeks), where some of the city’s top restaurants offer special prix-fixe dinner and brunch menus, giving locals and visitors alike the perfect opportunity to explore the best of the city’s food scene. If you’re a foodie visiting Montréal for the first time, we highly recommend planning your trip around MTLàTABLE in November.

Montréal is one of the best gastronomic destination in North America right now, recognized by the MICHELIN Guide and numerous other prestigious lists. Montréal cuisine has emerged as a distinctive one, emphasizing local and seasonal ingredients, many foraged and unique, that give it a sense of place. Gourmet travellers will be delighted to experience Montréal’s fine dining scene, where more adventurous palates can explore the city’s best new Québec cuisine.

Montréal is a city that knows how to celebrate, earning a reputation as one of North America’s best festival destination. From poutine and ramen to Caribbean food, local cider, vegan food, or Canada’s biggest street food gathering, the food festival scene is diverse, inclusive and outstanding!

Montréal boasts one of the most vibrant natural and biodynamic wine scenes in the world. If you enjoy your natural wines and you’re visiting for the first time, you’re in for a treat! From cutting edge wine bars to great restaurants with carefully curated carte des vins, your liver might protest but your heart and your taste buds will thank you.

There’s no better way to get to know a city than to hop on a guided food tour with experts who can share anecdotes and inside tips about their town. Luckily for foodies visiting Montréal, the city has several tours centered on gastronomy. From touring a bustling farmer’s market to learning about the influence of Jewish culture on Montréal’s culinary scene or visiting Chinatown and all its culinary delights, pick your favourite and join! And of course, the best part about all of these tours are the tastings!