© Alison Slattery - Two Food Photographers
5 to 10-minute walk
Dépanneur Le Pick Up
7032 Waverly Street | Website
Head to his charming convenience store slash snack bar for its excellent burgers, grilled halloumi sandwiches and loveliest sun-drenched terrasse.
Tran L’épicier
7061 Alexandra Street | Website
Authentic Vietnamese specialties such as banh mi sandwiches, pho and grilled meats are on the menu at Tran L’épicier, a casual and excellent canteen.
© Madore - Daphné Caron
10 to 15-minute walk
Tapeo
511 Villeray street | Website
Tapeo is a great neighbourhood restaurant that also happens to be one of the best restaurants in Montréal. The delectable authentic Spanish tapas and the excellent and friendly service make Tapeo a great dining spot. Reservations are recommended.
Huis Clos
7659 Saint-Denis Street | Website
If you’re an oyster lover, then this is the spot for you. Huis Clos also serves French and Italian-inspired dishes that pair well with their extensive beer, cocktail and natural wine menus
Le Petit Alep
191 Jean-Talon Street East | Website
Le Petit Alep serves an authentic Syrian cuisine from Aleppo. The food is fresh and full of flavour. Try the fattoush salad, the spicy kebab terbialy or a delicious mazza spread.
© Alison Slattery
Mesón
345 Villeray Street | Website
By the owners of Tapeo comes Mesón, a casual neighbourhood bistro serving Spanish-inspired comfort food in a gorgeous decor. Whether you decide on dinner or weekend brunch, this spot will surely surprise and satisfy you. Reservations are recommended.
Moccione & Moccione Pizza
7495 Saint-Denis Street | Website
Intimate and cozy, Moccione Pizza serves some of the best pizza pies in Montréal while its sister restaurant, Moccione, offers excellent market-driven Italian specialties that include some of the best pasta dishes in the city.
Comptoir Sainte Cécile
232 De Castelneau Street | Website
Comptoir Sainte Cécile is a charismatic establishment that’s at once convenience store, lunch and brunch counter and take-out spot with a serious collection of Québec wines and ciders. It’s the perfect place to grab a gourmet sandwich or a delightful brunch on the sunny terrasse.
Segreta
413 Beaumont Avenue | Website
Segreta makes authentic Roman-style pizza with light and crispy dough that ferments for 72 to 96 hours. The toppings vary from traditional to creative and include vegetarian and vegan options.
© Two Food Photographers (Alison Slattery)
15 to 20-minute walk
Dinette Triple Crown
6704 Clark Street | Website
Dinette Triple Crown takes care of all your Southern comfort food needs. Get some of the best fried chicken and brisket in town to enjoy at the park across the street or at Parc Jarry before heading to your game.
Impasto
48 Dante Street | Website
Impasto is one of the best authentic Italian restaurants in Montréal and it just happens to be a few blocks away from the tennis courts. Indulge in luscious pasta dishes and delectable homemade salumi as well as great desserts. It’s open for lunch on Thursdays and Fridays.
Rôtisserie Panama
789 Jean-Talon Street West | Website
A most beloved Greek tavern, Rôtisserie Panama is a Park Ex institution that serves a variety of meze and grilled specialties such as lamb chops, octopus and more.
Bar-St-Denis
6966 Saint-Denis Street | Website
The intricate ceiling light fixture that spans the entire length of the room dominates Bar-St-Denis’s stunning décor. The menu counts some elevated bar fare such as a burger and chicken nuggets, but it also serves gems such as lamb tartare topped with fattoush.
Café Denise
386 Beaumont Avenue | Website
If you appreciate a great selection of natural wines and small, market-inspired plates to share, then book a table in Café Denise cozy dining room or grab one on their charming terrasse.
© Alison Slattery
Épicerie Pumpui
83 Saint-Zotique Street East | Website
A cozy and self-serving spot, Pumpui dishes out some of the best Thai-inspired curries in Montréal. The green curry, the fried chicken and the papaya salad are some favourites.
Restaurant Paloma
8521 Saint-Laurent Boulevard | Website
A father and daughter team operate Restaurant Paloma, which features the South of France cuisine. Make sure to book a table in their secret garden at the back of the restaurant.
Ratafia
6778 Saint-Laurent Boulevard | Website
Ratafia started out as a plated dessert and wine restaurant whose offering has slowly evolved into a full menu that includes savoury dishes and outstanding sweet fare concocted by the fantastic team of five women pastry chefs.
Brasserie T!
950 Beaumont Avenue | Website
With French brasserie classics as well as more seasonal and creative dishes on the menu, Brasserie T! is a fantastic choice for a memorable meal.
Salle Climatisée
6448 Saint-Laurent Boulevard | Website
Small and cozy Salle Climatisée serves sharing dishes featuring local and seasonal ingredients with minimal intervention and a nice list of natural wines.
© Alison Slattery
Longer than 20 minutes
Anémone
271 Saint-Zotique Street West | Website
From Asian-inspired temaki to more French-rooted specials, Anémone’s cuisine is hard to define and is rather the culmination of the chefs’ diverse backgrounds but with a focus on always featuring local and seasonal produce.
J’ai Feng
43 Beaubien Street East | Website
Chef Anita Feng owns and operates J’ai Feng, this small Asian lunch counter / grocery store where she serves daily lunch specials that showcase Szechuan cuisine.
Chez Tousignant
6956 Drolet Street | Website
Chez Tousignant serves some of the best burgers and poutines in Montréal. Everything is homemade, including the hot dogs and buns.
© Alison Slattery - Two Food Photographers
Bottega / San Gennaro
Bottega : 65 Saint-Zotique Street East | Website
San Gennaro : 69 Saint-Zotique Street East | Website
Bottega and its next-door sister restaurant San Gennaro are both great to grab a pizza, Neapolitan-style with a glass of wine at Bottega and Roman-style with a pulled espresso at San Gennaro.
Cafeden
6576 Saint-Laurent Boulevard | Website
If you love Vietnamese food, head to chic Cafeden, where you can feast on green papaya salad, pho, and more specialties in an elegant décor or on the charming terrasse.
Vin Mon Lapin
150 Saint-Zotique Street East | Website
Wine bar Mon Lapin is an outstanding eatery serving a market-driven regional cuisine with one of the best natural wine lists in town
Bar Mamie
328 Beaubien Street East | Website
Open for lunch and dinner, Bar Mamie is an excellent choice for a casual, French-inspired lunch paired with affordable wines from their own importation.
© Alison Slattery
Sweet!
If the temperatures are soaring and you’re in the mood for some ice cream, head to Les Givrés on De Castelnau Street or Havre-aux-glaces at the Jean-Talon Market. Crèmerie Meetha serves unique Indian-flavoured ice cream such as jalebi, masala chai or falooda. For great frozen custard, the takeaway at Pizzeria Gema is always a good idea. For cake and pastry lovers, head to Mlles Gâteaux or Le Pain dans les voiles to satisfy that sweet tooth. Alati Caserta is also a great choice for cannoli and sweet Italian specialties. A little more upscale, Nanana is perfect for enjoying one of their gorgeous desserts or an ice cream cone.
© Alison Slattery
Fuel up!
Café Ferlucci
432 De Castelnau Street East | Website
Tiny but mighty, Café Ferlucci offers great iced coffee, pizza, pastries and friendly service.
Café Larue
Different locations | Website
Whether you’re arriving in Villeray via the Jarry, Jean-Talon or De Castelnau metro stations, there is a café Larue nearby to keep you well caffeinated throughout the day.
Café Vito
151 Villeray Street | Website
An Italian-style café located a block east of Parc Jarry, Vito will make you feel like you’re part of the extended family while serving you an excellent espresso.
© Mayssam Samaha
Rose Café
26 Gounod Street | Website
All clad in pink roses, the adorable Rose Café is ideal for a little refreshment as well as a great sandwich on their homemade focaccia.
Dispatch Coffee
Different locations | Website
Dispatch Coffee’s roasting facility is in Mile-Ex. You can try the excellent beans at the store front café outfitted with a little terrasse.
Café Saint-Henri
Different locations | Website
This Montréal coffee institution recently moved its roasting facilities to Mile-Ex. Eat and fuel up at this location or at their Jean-Talon Market one
Café Caron & Frères
26 Bélanger Street | Website
Located in the heart of Little Italy, this cozy café is owned and operated by two charming brothers who feature great roasters and serve perfect brews.
© Adrien Williams
Bars and breweries
Brasserie Harricana
95 Jean-Talon Street | Website
Brasserie Harricana is a microbrewery and restaurant that is open from noon until 2 am every day. The house craft beers are a must.
Wills Beer
6729 Avenue de l’Esplanade | Website
Wills has taken over the beautiful Alexandraplatz space. In it, they serve their own beer brewed with “consideration, intent, determination and joy”. Another reason to go: the Nouveau Palais food truck parked out front and serving exceptional burgers.
Vices & Versa
6631 Saint-Laurent Boulevard | Website
Vices & Versa is a popular neighbourhood bar and restaurant serving over 40 different kinds of draft beers along with a menu that includes several vegan options.
Miss Villeray
220 Villeray Street | Website
A neighbourhood bar since the 1960s, Miss Villeray is a great spot to grab a drink and a bite and get to know some of the locals.
© Alison Slattery
Buvette Beaubien
211 Beaubien Street | Website
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.
Bar Cicchetti
6703 du Parc Avenue | Website
Italian-inspired cocktails and bites, natural wines, a sunny terrasse and a dolce vita vibe are all on the menu at Bar Cicchetti in the Mile-Ex.
Etoh Brasserie
8100 Saint-Denis Street | Website
Etoh Brasserie is an artisanal micro-brewery with a large variety of beers on its menu.
© Anne-Marie Pellerin - Tourisme Montréal
PS: don’t forget to visit the Jean-Talon Market while you’re in the neighbourhood; it’s an absolute mecca for all food lovers!
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 30 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.
