Little Italy
Eating is central to life in this neighbourhood – that means dining out and grabbing fresh, seasonal produce at the Jean-Talon Market. Little Italy has a nice mix of affordable and high end dining options.
Popular hotspots:
- Caffe Italia: This small cafe has been open since 1956, serving a crowd of regulars and attracting tourists to the area. It's got an old school vibe and plenty of delicious cappuccino on hand!
- Impasto: Impasto has been popular with Montreal's food critics and neighbourhood residents, offering expertly executed traditional Italian food and affordable wines, in an unpretentious yet hip atmosphere.
- Restaurant Inferno: Inferno opened in 2013, serving homemade Italian market food – think modern plates and comfort food classics. Everything is made in-house, including the large portions of braised meat and pasta.
- Jean-Talon Market: This is one of the best outdoor/indoor farmers' markets in the city providing seasonal fruit, vegetables and a variety of handmade smoked meats. Many of the city's chefs buy their produce here.
Old Montreal
Le Plateau is home to a variety of restaurants, supper clubs, lounges and nightlife. Some of the best cheap eats in Montreal can be found in this neighbourhood.
Popular hotspots:
- Shwartz's Deli: Montreal is famous for its smoked meat, and this hotspot often has a line down the street filled with people waiting for a smoked meat sandwich with coleslaw and a kosher pickle.
- Aux Vivres: This vegan restaurant is a great spot for rice and tofu bowls, but are also known for their veggie burgers.
- Kem CoBa: This ice cream shop is cheap and delicious – just look at its 4.9/5 star rating on Zomato! Known for long lineups and wacky flavours, this is a must-see.
- St-Viateur Bagel: This spot has been a part of Montreal foodie history since 1957, known for smoked meat, poutine and bagels of course! It's also open 24/7, believe it or not!