Food itinerary: Hochelaga-Maisonneuve
Indulge in HoMa’s cafés, bakeries, restaurants and other gourmet hot spots. Have fun being a tourist in your own city!
Hochelaga-Maisonneuve
Starting point: Pie IX métro station. Arrival point: Joliette métro station
Distance: 3.6 kilometres
Where to enjoy a snack: Place Simon-Valois, Marché Maisonneuve
Marché Maisonneuve
Marché Maisonneuve, Montréal’s third largest public market, is also chock full of local producers and businesses. In summer, you can choose from an abundance of fresh fruit and vegetables, but you can scoop up some fresh fish and seafood there too. Add to that some delicious cheeses from the cheese shop, you’ll have everything you need, from picnic nosh to cocktail nibbles!
What to order: This is the perfect time to fill up on in-season fruits and veggies!
4445 Ontario Street East
Hélico Café
I love stopping by Hélico Café for a piping hot coffee or matcha latté with scrumptious viennoiserie fresh from the oven. In warmer weather, you can grab a seat on their sunny terrasse and enjoy your menu in its tranquil oasis. Their take-out menu, from the “older brother” Hélicoptère restaurant, always has homemade, seasonal and local fare that’s palate-popping delicious.
What to order: A coffee or matcha with a yummy homemade treat
2009 De la Salle Avenue
Place Simon-Valois
When you get to Place Simon-Valois, be sure to stop by sausage maker William J. Walter not only for traditionally made sausages and microbrewery beers but the more unlikely choice of ice cream! The Arhoma bakery is also right new door, so you can pop over to pick up bread (they have a great selection to choose from) and oodles or artisanal products ranging from dried sausages and olives to cheeses.
The Blind Pig
The Blind Pig is the perfect place to party and enjoy barbecue! With a Texas BBQ-style menu, great sharing options, smoked meats, $3 beers and a festive atmosphere, everything is in place to guarantee a great time for our customers!
What to get: Their pulled pork with signature mustard sauce
3882 Ontario Street East
Les Givrés
When it comes to Montréal’s ice cream parlours, Les Givrés is always top of mind for me. Patrons love it for its use of local, in-season ingredients (rhubarb, strawberry, maple, corn and more) and the fact that the owners don’t add any artificial products or colours. Its menu is pretty original too, and includes treats like “roteux” (an ice cream hotdog - who knew?) and “pitounes” (a nod to the ride La Pitoune at La Ronde). It offers a few vegan ice cream options too.
What to order: I am smitten with their soft homemade ice cream, and with flavours changing every two weeks, it’s hard to stay away. My favourite has to be the strawberry and vanilla pear sorbet, but the chocolate, matcha and pistachio ice creams also get top honours.
3681 Ontario Street East
Boucherie Beau-Bien et/ou Poissonnerie Ô
The Boucherie Beau-Bien and the Poissonnerie Ô are two other musts on Ontario Street. Meat, of course, is the big draw at the butcher shop, but you’d be surprised at the other finds, like the incredible array of hot sauces. While the butcher shop will soon be celebrating its 100th anniversary (wow!), the fish shop will only be a year old this summer – one more great reason to stop by and check them out!
What to order: Boucherie Beau-Bien: a tender cut of meat, their famous homemade, creton as well as a fiery hot sauce. Poissonnerie Ô: the catch of the day (from Québec, if possible!).
3414 & 3748 Ontario Street East
Other restaurant suggestions for take-out or drinks: État-Major, Le Flamant, Resto-bar Le Pick-up, Le Trèfle
Tommy Dion
Tommy is the founder of the blog and gourmet guide Le Cuisinomane, whose mission is to showcase Québec’s local products and gastronomy. With an in-depth knowledge of Montréal’s food scene, his expertise and professionalism make him a trusted source for all the best food spots and experiences in Montréal. In addition to tasting and writing about food, Tommy also creates content for brand, always related to food and gastronomy.