Hi friends 👋 We just returned from a quick holiday in Montreal ⚜️ We truly lucked out with the weather ☀️😎 and had some amazing meals! Here are our recommendations for some tasty, cheap, and iconic eats! Restaurant locations are categorized by area for your easy reference 😉
Old Montreal
Walking around old Montreal is a great way to spend the afternoon! Spend your time enjoying the architecture, take photos, walk through Norte-dame Cathedral, and just revel in the historic feel of the city! Then, once you’re hungry, pop into one of these spots.
Olive & Gourmando
$$ – $$$, French, Cafe, Canadian
351 Rue Saint-Paul Oest Montréal QC
https://www.oliveetgourmando.com/
This is a favorite lunch spot for many locals! A cute and cozy cafe serving up great sandwiches and salads. We were told to order the chicken sandwich, but it was sold out by the time we got there! So, don’t go too late in the day if that’s what you’re after 😅 We got a wonderful grilled cheese sandwich with a side salad.
Brit & Chips
$, Seafood, British, Canadian
433 McGill St, Montreal, QC
https://www.britandchips.com/
This place has been around for years (and we can understand why)! They have a simple menu, delicious flaky fish, flavorful batter, and are very generous with their chip portions! For $16, we shared a 2 piece fish and chips – and we couldn’t finish it all 
. Get the 1/2 pint of their house beer or a cider as the perfect accompaniment for your meal. Cheers 
Mandy's Gourmet Salads
425 Rue St Nicolas, Montreal, QC
$$ – $$$, Quick Bites, Healthy, Vegetarian Friendly
https://mandys.ca/
If you are looking for a cute instagram 📸worthy restaurant and patio then this is the place. We’re serious… we saw a couple taking photos for 40 minutes before starting their meal 🙊 This restaurant is known for the salads and they have an extensive menu! Their dishes are fresh, packed with flavor, and great whether you are a meat-eater, vegetarian, or vegan. There are options for everyone! We had the Amalfi Salad and Mango Magic Smoothie.
Side Note: This Restaurant also has an amazing cookbook!! We have purchased it and can’t wait to share more salads from this place.
To purchase the book, you can use the link below:
https://amzn.to/3GKfwZW
Chez Catherine
31, Rue de la Commune Est, Montreal, QC
$-$$, Dessert
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100048001737092
There are a ton of gelato places in old Montreal. We simply walked into this cute shop along our walk and we’re glad we did! The shop owner gave us so many samples of homemade gelato… that we just had to buy two scoops 🍨
Plateau
Stroll through these neighborhoods close to the University and sample some of the following eats! The parking can be difficult with tight spots and lack of spaces. The traffic can be terrible - it took us 8 minutes to go about one kilometer. So walk if you can!
Schwartz's Deli
3895 St Laurent Blvd, Montreal, QC
$, Deli, Canadian, Kosher
https://www.schwartzsdeli.com/
Arguably the best smoked meat sandwich in the city! It’s not cheap at $12.95 for one smoked meat sandwich, but… you get a mountain of tasty meat 😋 so for us… it seemed worth it! We recommend just going to the takeout counter (it is a separate line from the sit-down restaurant) and taking your sandwich to eat at one of the street benches or parks nearby. The lineup moves much more quickly than the sit-down restaurant. We also got a pickle – it was okay…but from what our friends have told us, it is a must-have part of the experience!
La Banquise
994 Rue Rachel E, Montreal, QC
$, Fast food, Canadian
https://labanquise.com/en/
This is probably the most extensive poutine menu in town… or in the country. They are also open 24 hours, so you can get your poutine fix at any time of day 😬. We had the La Royale but I would try the La Couvre Feu next time!
St. Viateur Bagel
263 St-Viateur O., Montréal, QC (flagship location)
1127, av. Mont-Royal E, Montréal, QC (sit down cafe)
$, Cafe, Canadian, Breakfast
https://www.stviateurbagel.com/
We don’t think you can go to Montreal and not have a bagel 🥯. In fact, we bought 4 dozen home as souvenirs 😂 (not kidding). We know there is quite some debate on the best bagels in town…and a lot of locals prefer St.-Viateur. We had the Traditional (smoked salmon, cream cheese, tomato, onion, capers, lemon) on an all dressed bagel. We also hear that Fairmont Bagel is good – 74 Avenue Fairmount O, Montréal, QC H2T 2M2. Let us know your thoughts!
Outside The City Centre
Orange Julep
7700 Decarie Blvd, Montréal, QC
$, Fast Food
https://orangejulep.ca/
If you have a bit of time before your flight, then stop by the big orange 🍊 off the highway! It’s Orange Julep! Go order a large Julep, fries, a hot dog with coleslaw and mustard on it. The hot dog 🌭will be long and skinny, the fries will be thin, and the drink will taste like an Orange creamsicle!
These are just some of our favorites! If you have any recommendations that you want to share with us, then please don’t hesitate to DM us on Instagram @greatmeals.ca
Our next post on finer dining will come out shortly, so stay tuned!
