Montréal's best food tours
This article was updated on January 26, 2024.
One of the best ways to discover a city is through its culinary culture. Several companies offer food tours of Montréal, including the city’s markets or historical neighbourhoods. Whether you’re a tourist or a local, these tours are a perfect way to spend a few hours walking or biking around, tasting some delicious bites and learning about Montréal’s history.
VDM Global DMC
VDM Global DMC has been providing tourists and locals alike with comprehensive tours of Montréal, the Québec province and beyond for the past 40 years. Guided by experts, learn about the culinary history of Old Montréal, the Jean-Talon Market, or the city’s Southwest neighbourhoods and meet some local chefs and purveyors. An electric scooter street food tour through Mile End, Little Italy or the Lachine Canal and the Atwater Market are also available.
Local Montréal Food Tours
The two main walking food tours guided by Local Montréal Food Tours focus on Mile End and Old Montréal. The tours take guests on a cultural and culinary tour of these two iconic Montréal neighbourhoods through their unique and rich history. Six or more food stops are planned with each tour, making them satisfying in every aspect. You can also book a craft beer tour, an Old Montréal evening food and drink tour and even a bachelorette party food and drink tour.
Montreal Craft Beer Tours
If you’re a beer aficionado, then this is the tour for you! Montreal Craft Beer Tours will take you on a discovery of the city’s brewpubs while also telling you about the visited neighbourhood’s history and putting you in touch with the artisans behind the brews. You’ll also get a taste of poutine, local charcuteries, cheese, chocolate and more to pair with those beers. Each tour includes at least 6 craft beer tastings and 3 brewpubs.
‘Round Table Tours
Whether you’re passionate about craft beer, micro-distillery, fermentation artisanal chocolate, specialty coffee or afternoon tea, or just want to explore Montréal’s Chinatown or the best of its iconic dishes, ‘Round Table Tours has an outing with your name on it. Their tours are designed to take customers “beyond the cheap clichés normally destined for tourists” and to explore Montréal’s neighbourhoods through culture and gastronomy. You’ll meet the people behind the food and hear their stories. Can’t decide on a tour? Then book a custom one that explores all your interests.
Spade & Palacio Tours
All of Spade & Palacio’s tours include a bite, a drink, a picnic lunch or more but if you’re a food lover and would like more than just a nibble, their “Beyond the Market” tour takes you on an exploration of Montréal’s Jean Talon Market and beyond. The small, non-touristy tour visits at least 7 of the local guides’ favourite eateries and watering holes, enough to satisfy any hunger! Spade & Palacio will also hand you a little guide of their personal restaurant, cafés and cocktail bar at the end of the tour.
Context
Context operates tours led by locals all over the world. It started operating in Montréal a few years ago. The Jean-Talon Market tour takes guests on a discovery of Montréal’s largest market. Several tastings are planned, from local cheeses, ice wines, charcuteries, seasonal fruits and veggies and more, served with a side of market anecdotes and history. I am one of the leaders of this tour, so who knows? You may get me as your docent when you book.
Museum of Jewish Montreal
The Museum of Jewish Montreal’s Beyond the Bagel Tour will take you on a discovery of the city’s most iconic Jewish foods around the Mile End and Plateau neighbourhoods. You’ll visit some of the city’s oldest and most beloved food institutions. From classic foods such as bagels and smoked meat to more overlooked items, the tour focuses on the city’s rich Jewish food history and shares fascinating facts and hidden treasures.
Taste of Chinatown With a Food Writer (Random Cuisine)
Go on a 3-hour long fascinating tour of Montréal’s Chinatown with Victor Yu, a freelance food writer and editor-in-chief of two food blogs whose knowledge will astound you. His tour takes you around the compact streets of Chinatown where you will try several regional delicacies. You can book this tour via Airbnb Experiences or you can DM Victor directly on Instagram for all private tours of 6 people and more.
A food tour with me!
And finally, as a food lover and enthusiast of anything pertaining to the local culinary culture of Montréal and Québec, I offer my own food tours. My most popular tour is of the Jean-Talon Market, my absolute favourite place to shop for food and partake in captivating discussions with the vendors. I believe it’s an essential place to visit for anyone who likes to eat and/or cook, whether you’re a tourist or a resident. The tour includes stops at my favourite stalls and shops and a lot of tastings from local cheeses and ice cider to pastries and seasonal produce. I can also design a custom tour based on your preferences. To book a tour with me, you can email me or DM me on Instagram.
Mayssam Samaha
Mayssam Samaha is a food and travel writer and blogger and the founder behind the blog Will Travel for Food. She travels the world in search of the next culinary discovery. From Iceland to South Africa, she’s already visited over 36 countries and there’s nothing she enjoys more than wandering around a farmers’ market in a foreign city. She is also the founder of the SAISONS intimate dinner series highlighting Québec products and chefs.