Verdun food guide
Verdun’s Wellington Street has just been named the “world’s coolest street” for 2022 by Time Out. This comes as no surprise to the residents of this Montréal neighbourhood that’s been steadily inching its way up the trendy ladder for the past few years. One of the factors that makes this street–and neighbourhood–so incredibly cool is the dozen of trendy and traditional eateries sprinkled along Wellington Street and beyond. Follow our guide below to eat your way through the coolest street in the world.
Restaurants
A plethora of Asian restaurants have elected to make Verdun their home. From sushi and handroll specialist Akafuji to Chinese noodle specialist Hong Mère. Popular spot Les Street Monkeys specializes in Cambodian cuisine and has been staple in the neighbourhood for several years. The same team is behind the new Cambodian sandwich and noodle bar Ketiw. Korean food lovers can choose one of several places located in Verdun, notably Comon, Mon Ami and KUI.
If you’re a fan of pizza, there are several choices for you to satisfy that craving. Named after the owners’ grandmothers, Rita is a new Italian spot specializing in cicchetti (Venician antipasti), pizza, pasta and more. For a more traditional pie, head to Woodland Pizza, the neighbourhood spot that’s been pleasing crowds since 1960. New York-style pizza lovers can grab a gigantic slice at two specialty pie slingers Brook and Slice + Soda. Famous and top-notch chain Pizza NO.900 also has a restaurant on Wellington.
More fine dining choices are available in the neighbourhood. Both Bistro Entre Ciel et Terre and Bistro Paname specialize in French cuisine. Restaurant Pigor is a wonderful establishment serving a local and seasonal cuisine with a fabulous wine list and outstanding service. Highly praised Beba is a neighbourhood gem of a restaurant serving “food and drink inspired by the Spanish and Italian cultures that settled in Argentina”.
Some other restaurant choices in that part of the neighbourhood include Les Îles en ville, a restaurant that brings the cuisine of Québec’s Magdalen Islands to the city. Seafood, local cheeses and a lot of lobster are featured on their menu. Mile-End falafel mecca Falafel Yoni has recently opened a second location on Wellington Street. Chez Boss et Fils serves great comfort food with a focus on fish and seafood and an outstanding wine list. Open day and night, Pavillon Snack Bar’s menu include breakfast sandwiches, avo toast, pad thai, burgers and salads as well as an assortment of drinks from coffee and kombucha to natural wines. BOSSA is another great option for oversized hot or cold Italian-style sandwiches, pasta, coffee and more.
And of course, great traditional casse-croûtes abound in Verdun, from iconic Pierrette Patates to Restaurant Bingo and New Verdun.
Other restaurants to try in the neighbourhood:
Comptoir 21, Jack le Coq, Uniburger, Tejano, Honi Honi, Archway, and Villa Wellington.
Coffee, breakfast, brunch and lunch
Lili & Oli, Café Saint-Henri, Saint JJH & Café, and Café le 5e have you covered when it comes time for a caffeine break and a little snack. Café Lido’s Italian-style coffee and delicious specialties like mountain-high sandwiches and crispy cannolis is a great stop any time of day. Komma Rosta is a roaster and café that also serves Japanese-inspired food. Station W has an extensive menu of sandwiches, bowls and salads for lunch as well as some great brunch dishes. If coffee is not your thing, head to Maison de thé Cha noir, a tea house offering 100 or so choices and an unequivocal passion for the art of brewing tea.
If you think straying this far from the Mile End means missing out on great bagels, think again, because this part of town is home to not one, but two great bagel shops. Bagel St-Lo and Wellington Bagels churn out piping hot bagels while also serving breakfast and lunch in the case of the former and scrumptious sandwiches by the latter.
If brunch is your favourite meal of the day, you don’t need to wait until the weekend to indulge in a great meal at Janine Café, Restaurant Well or brand new Millmans. They all serve some traditional morning meals as well as more elaborate creations.
Chez Jackie et France is a true staple of the Verdun breakfast scene serving classic casse-croûte fare from early morning until mid-afternoon every day of the week.
Sweet spots
Dessert lovers are in for a treat at Sweet Lee’s, a bakery offering rustic creations that’s been well established in the neighbourhood for years. Alice & Theo are a more recent addition to Wellington Street and specialize in artisan ice cream and decadent cream puffs. When it comes to bread and pastries, head to Le Toledo where you can grab a flaky croissant, a crunchy baguette or one of their great French pastries. Boulangerie Pâtisserie Wellington is also a great place to stock up on bread and European-style pastries.
Bars & Wine Bars & Brasseries
Whether you fancy a craft beer or a great glass of wine, Wellington Street has you covered. Head to Verdun Beach Bar for fancy cocktails, great wine lists and elevated bar fare. Benelux Brasserie Artisanale is all about microbrewery beer and lovely snacks. Le Trèfle offers a large selection of microbrewery beer and whiskeys alongside a hefty food menu that includes weekend brunch, all served in an Irish pub ambiance. Bar Social Verdun is a beloved neighbourhood bar with great drinks, an elaborate food menu (including brunch) and an even greater ambiance.
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.