Zero-waste spots in Montréal to improve your habits
Gastronomy The city
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.
Le Café des Habitudes
In the 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 philosophy. Enjoy your beverage in a reusable La Vague mug, topped with low waste, non-dairy milks in bulk by DAM. Tasty vegetarian dishes are served on vintage china, which perfectly encapsulates the 3 Rs.
1104 St-Zotique East
Les Faiseurs
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.
6564 Saint-Laurent Boulevard
La Cale
In 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.
6839 St-Hubert Street
Café Jardin
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!
4437 Wellington Street
La Panthère Verte
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.
160 St-Viateur Street East
Café Cocooning Love
Cocooning Love is a brand of vegan, natural and eco-responsible skincare, all made in Montréal, in a laboratory in the heart of the Rosemont district. Recently, the owners opened their boutique on Mont-Royal Avenue to sell their products in bulk and offer workshops on how to make them. They've also installed a café corner that respects their zero-waste policy and values. A great way to combine business with pleasure.
2250 Mont-Royal Avenue East
Other cafés to check out
Café oui mais non in Villeray, La Graine Brûlée in the Village and the carbon-neutral Cass mobile coffee cart: very friendly places that are fully committed to eco-responsible practices.
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.