The rebirth of the Saint-Henri neighbourhood
June 10, 2015
Like other areas of Montreal’s southwest, Saint-Henri is a neighbourhood whose history is strongly influenced by the manufacturing and industrial past of the city. This popular older area is tucked in between the Ville-Marie and Décarie Expressways, where the Lachine Canal and Atwater Avenue are going through major changes; an increasing number of young professionals and families are settling there, attracted to the affordable homes.
All aspects of Saint-Henri are changing, including the commercial landscape; within a few years, Saint-Henri has managed to acquire some of the restaurants, cafes, bars and shops that are among the most popular in Montreal, making "The Hen" more vibrant.
When it comes to restaurants in this neighbourhood, as is the case for the entire Sud-Ouest borough, greasy spoons are quietly giving way to a more diversified offering. Notre-Dame Street West, Saint-Henri’s main commercial artery, is now home to small unassuming eateries and fancy restaurants offering elegant dining. EVOO, Smoking Vallée, Henri Saint-Henri, the Tuck Shop and the H4C Place Saint-Henri, among others, are all top foodie destinations. For a more casual meal, head to Sumac, Ludger, Tejano BBQ, Satay Brothers or Sandwicherie Saint-Henri.
More and more small independent shops are laying down roots in Saint-Henri. You will find boutiques like Campanelli Shop, an extension of the café of the same name, that caters to “street style” and L’Archive for eyeglasses.
But the regenerated interest in this former working-class neighbourhood popular among Montrealers, is probably owed to two cafes that have been around for a few years: Campanelli and its unrivalled sandwiches and Saint-Henri Micro-Torréfacteur, which quickly established itself as one of the best roasters in Montreal. Together, those small neighbourhood cafes have, slowly but surely, brought more people to discover the area. Today, a new wave of gourmet addresses such as Rustique, Pops Art and Sweet Lee's continue the work. Proof that sometimes a cup of coffee can generate a lot of buzz.
Photos by: Henri Saint-Henri, EVOO, H4C Place St-Henri
About Maxime Ruel
A lover of foods, wines and good times, Maxime Ruel lives in Montreal, where he works as a freelance writer and journalist, drinks a lot of coffee and goes to bed way too late.