Eight spots to grab a zero-waste bite in Montréal
For the greater good of the planet, some cafés, bars and restaurants have decided to take action and make a significant commitment to zero waste and anti-waste solutions. Check out these venues that impact our planet positively, one reusable cup at a time!
Rosemont—La Petite-Patrie
1104, St Zotique East | Website
New to La Petite-Patrie, this beautiful, welcoming and family-friendly space, 95% of which is decorated with second-hand furniture and objects, leans into the zero-waste philosphy. Enjoy your beverage in a reusable La Vague mug, topped with low waste bulk packaged non-dairy milks by DAM. Tasty vegetarian dishes are served on vintage china, which perfectly encapsulates the 3 Rs.
6564, Saint-Laurent Boulevard | Website
Located in the heart of Little Italy, this bright and airy café with vaulted ceilings offers gourmet vegetarian treats and a variety of pottery workshops to unleash the creator in you. Les Faiseurs brews excellent coffee by Montréal's Zab roasters in unique hand thrown mugs made by the owners. Zab are members of The Pledge which values transparency in the sourcing of green coffee. Since its opening, the café has also been part of the La Tasse network and does business with Compost Montréal, among other environmentally responsible practices.
6839, rue St-Hubert | Website
Open for just over two years on Plaza St-Hubert, this bar makes everything it can on site, from delicious vegan dishes to its decor. Everything is used consciously to minimize waste and the owners even go so far as to reduce their carbon footprint by picking up deliveries themselves. They try to adopt all zero-waste principles. No single-use items are offered on site and when packaging is required, it is always reused to the maximum.
Verdun
4437, Wellington Street | Website
In Verdun, recharge your batteries in this inviting vegan and zero waste café, one of the first in Montréal. Free from single-use containers and committed to partnerships with suppliers with the same values, Café Jardin also houses LOCO, the zero-waste organic grocery store which supplies ingredients for the café. It's a perfect match!
Plateau-Mont-Royal
160, St-Viateur E | Website
This beloved local restaurant offers one of the best vegan menus in town. Tasty, hearty and very fresh, this small Montréal chain serves Mediterranean and fast-food favourites using organic, local ingredients and promotes zero waste as much as possible with a Mason jar deposit system and compostable packaging.
2250 Mont-Royal Avenue East | Website
Cocooning Love is a brand of vegan, natural and eco-responsible skincare, all made in Montreal, in a laboratory in the heart of the Rosemont district. In mid-October, Cocooning Love will open its boutique with a café corner in place of the Muscade grocery shop, where the team will be selling its products in bulk and offering workshops on how to make them. Like its predecessor, this new local café will respect the zero-waste policy and values it holds dear.
Other cafés to check out
Café oui mais non in Villeray, as well as La Graine Brûléein the Village: two very friendly spots that are zero waste and eco-responsible.
Laure Juilliard
Originally from Paris, Laure Juilliard made Montréal her home over 15 years ago and has never looked back. Won over by her new city's unique energy, cultural vibrancy and gastronomic effervescence, she loves exploring all the coolest spots. A writer and blogger specialising in lifestyle, culture, travel and gastronomy, she has lent her pen to Tourisme Montréal for more than 10 years, in addition to magazines such as ELLE Québec and Clin d'œil, as well as a variety of well-known companies and agencies. Always on the lookout for innovative concepts and the best addresses wherever she is in the world, she is also always planning her next trip.