Montréal’s best buvettes

Gastronomy Bars and pubs Indoor
Buvette chez Simone
Mayssam Samaha

Mayssam Samaha

The official definition of a buvette is a small café or simple counter where drinks and light meals are served. Most of Montréal’s buvettes are neighbourhood gems that serve their own interpretation of Montréal cuisine and an excellent list of curated natural and biodynamic wines in a causal and unpretentious ambiance that is conducive to gathering and conversing for hours on end. Below is a list of some of our favourite buvettes.

Lundis au soleil

This Villeray spot has gathered a loyal following since it opened its sun-drenched space. Lundis au soleil has a winning formula of great plates to share, an amazing wine list that includes a lot of local Québec wines and an adorable staff that makes everyone feels right at home.

vinvinvin

vinvinvin

Rosemont’s vinvinvin is a popular choice in the neighbourhood and beyond. This “Nordic wine bar” serves a handful of season-centric dishes that include its homemade sourdough bread. The natural wine card is a curated list of eclectic and affordable bottles that are a pleasure to share.

Le Elsdale café-buvette-boutique

Le Elsdale

Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner most days of the week as well as weekend brunch, Le Elsdale is a lovely and unpretentious neighbourhood buvette. The evening menu offers snacks such as a charcuterie platter as well as more generous dishes such as zaatar cacio e pepe pasta or BBQ pork chops.

Taverne Atlantic

Taverne Atlantic’s legendary rooftop terrasse makes waves all summer long. This popular Park Ex “tavern” is open every night of the week. The food menu includes their now-famous pizza pies and some favourite “casse-croûte” fare such as hot dogs and shrimp rolls. The drink menu is a fully loaded affair with wine, cocktails, ciders, and beers.

Cicchetti

Bar Cicchetti

A Venetian specialty, cicchetti are small snacks or plates served with a glass of wine or a cocktail before dinnertime. They’re the inspiration behind Mile Ex’ Bar Cicchetti, a charming spot that welcomes diners to their sunny terrasse in the summer or their gorgeous dining room in the winter.

Café Denise

Café Denise

Tiny Park Ex’ Café Denise is the perfect definition of a buvette. Serving seasonally focused small plates to share and a beautiful array of natural wines, the 20-seat dining room is basically one big bar counter for people to gather around and chat.

Mamie

Bar Mamie

Bar Mamie’s Beaubien Street terrasse buzzes with crowds of happy patrons all summer long. This Montréal neighbourhood bar specializes in generous charcuterie and cheese boards as well as comforting, Mamie (or grandma) style dishes to share. They also have a wine private import business so the wine list is excellent.

Brouillon

Plaza St-Hubert’s Brouillon occupies a small space that’s centered around a central bar. The design is a little mid-century modern with a cosy ambiance and a neutral palette. They serve seasonal and local fare and a beautiful list of local beers and ciders as well as great bottles of natural wine.

Buvette Pastek

Buvette Pastek

At Old Montréal’s Buvette Pastek, you can snack on specialties such as imported seafood conservas and charcuterie platters as well as feast on more elaborate dishes such as beef tartare, clams in wine sauce or a ribeye with mashed potato. 

Buvette chez Simone

Buvette chez Simone

Certainly one of the city’s most famous buvette, Buvette Chez Simone has been a popular hangout by wine connoisseurs for years. Small dishes, charcuterie and cheese platters, their famous roast chicken and a well-curated wine list are on the menu in a relaxed and unpretentious ambiance.

Bar a Flot

Bar à Flot

The team behind Buvette chez Simone is also behind this new spot located right next door. Cocktails, excellent bottles and a few fish and seafood forward plates to share are on the menu. Bar à Flot (“afloat Bar” or “Flo’s Bar”) is a play on words on sommelière Florence Pelland-Goyer’s name, since she’s taking the lead on this project.

Verdun Beach

Bar Verdun Beach

With a list of 100 or so natural wine bottles, Bar Verdun Beach is a great place to gather and celebrate. In addition to the wines, the menu of beautiful small plates and the charming space (and terrasse in summer) contribute in creating a great dining experience.

Motel Motel

Motel Motel, the Village's newest addition, is a stunning wine bar and buvette with a menu featuring seasonal ingredients. At first glance, this place may seem like a normal buvette, but its true essence resides in the spectacular nightclub concealed in the back.

Le Plongeoir

Le Plongeoir, an unpretentious drinking spot in Mile End, combines the charm of a classic neighbourhood dive bar with natural and low intervention wines, as well as delicious snacks from local purveyors like Aliments Viens. Enjoy a game of billiards while indulging in some of drinks and bites the area has to offer.

Bon Délire

Bon Délire is a unique and vibrant bar with a quirky and colorful aesthetic that incorporates elements from the 2000s. Located in Saint-Henri, this laid-back establishment provides the ideal atmosphere to unwind with a delicious fancy drink or classic cocktail while playing a game of pool on the table adorned with leopard print. They even offer Italian-inspired sandwiches such as muffuletta, chicken cutlet, and polpette.

Buvette Pompette

This Little Italy buvette serves a menu featuring bar food with a distinct Iberian influence, accompanied by a curated wine list of privately imported natural and low-intervention wines.

Azalea

Founded by a mother-and-daughter duo, Plateau Mont-Royal’s Azalea is an inviting buvette and wine shop with exceptional Persian-inspired mezzes.

June Buvette

June Buvette

Scallop pogo, lobster mac and other delights are on the menu at June Buvette, a cozy and unpretentious neighbourhood bar in Pointe Saint Charles where the passion for great food and excellent wines is palpable.

Chez Josie - Cheers!

Chez Josie

Chez Josie is another excellent spot in Villeray in a neighbourhood that teams with great eateries. In addition to the classic beef and salmon tartares listed on the menu, you’ll find gems such as the burrata and fattouche or the beef braised in red wine.

Annette bar à vin

Backed by the skilled team of Hoogan & Beaufort, Annette has emerged as one of Montréal's premier wine bars. The décor here is truly gorgeous and the ambiance always buzzing. Annette boasts an impressive selection of wines, signature cocktails and a delightful menu featuring seasonal snacks and shareable plates such as the beef tartare with Avonlea cheese and brioche, an instant classic.

Supernat

From banh mi to tomago sandos, the menu at Supernat is clearly inspired by various Asian cuisines, which differentiates it from most other wine bars around town. Pair your “super instant ramen” or your Peking duck sandwich with a glass of wine from their impressive list and you’ll be all set for an excellent evening. 

Buvette Beaubien

Buvette Beaubien

A cozy and welcoming spot, Buvette Beaubien is the place to stop for a coffee, a casual lunch or a great glass of natural wine paired with small, seasonal plates for dinner.

Le Rouge Gorge

Here are some other notable Montréal buvettes:
 

  • Rouge Gorge
    1234 Mont-Royal Avenue East 
    Website
  • Monopole Café & Buvette
    782 Wellington Street 
    Website
  • Café Cerise
    234 Fleury Street West 
    Website
  • ETNA
    244 Jarry Street East 
    Website
  • Kaviar
    30 Sainte-Catherine Street West 
    Website
  • Le Wine Room – Pamika
    240 Laurier Avenue West 
    Website
Mayssam Samaha

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.

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