Food Itinerary: Villeray
Indulge in Villeray’s cafés, bakeries, restaurants and other gourmet hot spots. Have fun being a tourist in your own city!
Villeray
Departure point: De Castelnau métro station or 55 Nord bus (De Castelnau stop)
Distance: 3 kilometres
Places to stop to enjoy your snack, meal or drink: Parc Jarry
Comptoir Sainte-Cécile
232 De Castelnau Street East | website
I’m pretty sure that every Montrealer wishes they had a spot like the Comptoir Sainte-Cécile in their neighbourhood. A combination micro grocery store (with a very respectable selection of Québec wines, beers and cider), take-out counter and restaurant, it will woo you with its excellent selection of local products as well as fuss-free, delicious meals.
What to order: A few bottles of natural wine, cider and/or beer with a sandwich to go.
Café Larue & Fils
244 De Castelnau Street East | website
The first coffee break of the day will take place at Café Larue et Fils, where you can leisurely sip your brew on its inviting outdoor patio. The coffee is delish, the staff is lovely and now you can enjoy order a soft vegan ice cream from La Royale, their sweet little dairy bar.
What to order: An iced latté
Les Givrés
334 Castelnau Street East | website
When it comes to ice cream shops in Montréal, Les Givrés is always one of the first that comes to mind. We love their use of local and seasonal ingredients (rhubarb, strawberries, maple, corn, etc.) and the fact that no artificial products or colours are added to their cool treats. They offer a pretty original menu too that features “roteux” (ice cream hotdogs) and “pitounes” (a nod to La Pitoune, the ride at La Ronde). Prefer vegan? They’ve got several choices for you too.
What to order: I adore their homemade soft ice cream, which changes flavour every two weeks. The strawberry and pear/vanilla sorbets are my faves, and as to the ice creams, the chocolate, matcha and pistachio take home top prize for me.
Pain dans les Voiles
357 De Castelnau Street East | website
Le Pain dans les voiles bakery may be renowned for its delish baguettes, but it would be total taste deprivation to leave your foodie exploration at this. Aside from their array of breads – both savoury and sweet –, I have to admit that I am more than willing to make a detour for their sandwiches. If you ever order their copious, gourmet vegetarian sandwich, stacked with ingredients that change with the seasons, you are in for a treat. Their quiches and sweet treats are also highly covetable.
What to order: One of their gourmet sandwiches.
Cafécoquetel or Café Ferlucci
426 Faillon Street East | website
432 De Castelnau Street East | website
Go to Cafécoquetel to sip on an excellent third-wave coffee and or try their booze-infused coffee cocktails, then Café Ferlucci for an Italian roasted coffee. Both places have great service and a great ambiance: your only job right now is to choose what suits your mood. If you love affogato (ice cream drowned with a shot of espresso), the ones at Café Ferlucci are the absolute bomb.
What to order: Espresso Old Fashioned at Cafécoquetel and an affogato at Café Ferlucci
Boulangerie Jarry
380 Jarry Street East | website
La Boulangerie Jarry is not only one of my favourite Montréal bakeries, but it’s also my go-to for baguettes. Thanks to their mill (and use of Québec grains), you couldn’t ask for fresher flour than this. Their delicious breads boast rich and complex flavours, and their pastries are equally drool-worthy. To try!
What to order: A baguette, a loaf of yummy bread and the ham sandwich.
Knuckles
241 Jarry Street East | website
I’m betting that you’ll love this little neighbourhood gem. You can pass by at happy hour for a drink or spend and an entire evening there, nibbling your way through a menu that shines the spotlight on fresh vegetables in season. And no Knuckles experience would be complete without at least trying a delicious, plump panzerotto.
What to order: Start with a few panzerotti, then move on to some smaller side dishes… because the night is still young.
Other suggestions for take-out or a drink: Meson, Tapéo, Moccione, Etna, Vesta, Restaurant Daou, Tandem, Huis Clos, EtOH Brasserie
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.