The Montreal food scene is outrageously delicious. We only had a long weekend in this amazing city, but we made sure that our trip was jam-packed with as many delicious foods in Montreal as possible. Montreal is proud of their history and the communities that have brought their classics to Montreal.
This post is all about food in Montreal!
1. Arthur’s Nosh bar
Travel bloggers, influencers and really anyone recommending restaurants typically speak in hyperbole. I truly mean it when I say that my breakfast at Arthurs Nosh Bar was one of the top 5 breakfasts I’ve ever had in my entire life.
I ordered the eggs and salami which consisted of multiple slices of beef salami cooked with maple syrup, a pressed challah roll, soft scrambled eggs and a potato latke with apple sauce and sour cream.
Arthur’s Nosh Bar is also known for their syrniki – an Eastern European cottage cheese pancake with fresh Canadian maple syrup and flaky sea salt.
2. montreal bagels (St. viateur vs. Fairmount)
Bagels in Montreal are a way of life. These bagels are completely different from their New York counterparts, but also incredibly delicious. They’re made with eggs and honey in the dough making it a sweeter and denser bagel. The bagels are also wood-fired instead of baked in an oven.
There are two famous bagel shops in Montreal – Fairmount and St. Viateur. I highly recommend that you visit both and decide which one you like best. After trying one of the most popular foods in Montreal you can decide for yourself whether NYC or Montreal has the best bagels.
3. smoked meat showdown (Lester’s vs. schwartz’s)
One of the most classic foods in Montreal is the smoked meat sandwich. Jewish immigrants from Eastern Europe brought smoked meat to Montreal in the early 1900s. Today, the two most popular delis to sample these delicious meaty sandwiches at are Lester’s and Schwartz’s. Both delis are well-known, loved and integral to the community, and both have their own cult following.
True Montreal diners know that the black cherry flavored Cott soda is the only beverage to properly pair with the smoked meat sandwich. I don’t think it’s fair to decide which is better after visiting each place only once, but I’ll say that they are definitely both worth a visit.
4. poutine (la banquise vs. chez claudette)
Poutine might be the most well-known Canadian delicacy, and for good reason! It’s hard not to love french fries topped with cheese curds and a rich delicious gravy. It’s very easy to over order and to allow your eyes to be bigger than your stomach.
The two poutine places that were most recommended to us were Chez Claudette and La Banquise. We sat down and enjoyed a dinner at La Banquise which was a nice experience. We indulged on some poutine from Chez Claudette after going to a Montreal Canadiens hockey game! Both poutines were delicious and very filling.
5. Wilensky’s
Wilensky’s is a cheap and old-school luncheonette-style institution in Montreal. Moe Wilensky opened his restaurant in 1932 and very few things have changed since the day it opened.
Order the “special” with cheddar cheese and you’ll find yourself loving an understated beef bologna, beef salami, cheese and mustard sandwich. Their old-school soda fountain is fully functional and is the perfect drink to pair with this sandwich.
6. Léché donuts
I’ll admit it, I’m not a donut girl. Personally, I’m much more of a cookie girl. I also didn’t expect a donut to be one of the best foods in Montreal. That being said, these donuts at Léché bakery are next-level. There isn’t a single bad flavor that we were able to discover. In my opinion the érable (maple) flavored doughnut was the best.
What sets these donuts apart is their chewy texture, their lack of a greasy mouthfeel and their unique flavors.
The bakery is also large with lots of great indoor and outdoor space for reading a book, doing some studying or remote working!
7. marché jean-talon
One of the best ways to get to know a new city is through its stomach. It’s so nice to go to local markets and to see the produce, products and prepared foods. This market has a whole variety of the best foods in Montreal. Here we found lots of cheeses, maple syrup, frozen maple syrup on a stick, jams and preserves, crepes, baked goods and fresh fruits and vegetables!
If the weather in Montreal isn’t great during your trip, walking around this indoor market is a great way to experience Montreal!
If you loved this article about different foods in Montreal, here are some additional food guides around the world!
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