Where to eat around the National Bank Open tennis tournament
The 2024 National Bank Open tennis tournament has descended once again upon Montréal. From August 3 to 12, the best male tennis players will be competing at Parc Jarry’s IGA Stadium. Crowds of tennis lovers will be heading to Villeray and Mile-Ex to watch the games and since you might want to know where to fuel up while you’re in this trendy part of town, below is a list of some of our favourite establishments.
5 to 10-minute walk
Dépanneur Le Pick Up
Head to his charming convenience store slash snack bar for its excellent burgers, grilled halloumi sandwiches and loveliest sun-drenched terrasse.
7032 Waverly Street
10 to 15-minute walk
Tapeo
Tapeo is a great neighbourhood restaurant that also happens to be one of the best restaurants in Montréal. The delectable authentic Spanish tapas and the excellent and friendly service make Tapeo a great dining spot. Reservations are recommended.
511 Villeray street
Huis Clos
If you’re an oyster lover, then this is the spot for you. Huis Clos also serves French and Italian-inspired dishes that pair well with their extensive beer, cocktail and natural wine menus.
7659 Saint-Denis Street
Le Petit Alep
Le Petit Alep serves an authentic Syrian cuisine from Aleppo. The food is fresh and full of flavour. Try the fattoush salad, the spicy kebab terbialy or a delicious mazza spread.
191 Jean-Talon Street East
Mesón
By the owners of Tapeo comes Mesón, a casual neighbourhood bistro serving Spanish-inspired comfort food in a gorgeous decor. Whether you decide on dinner or weekend brunch, this spot will surely surprise and satisfy you. Reservations are recommended.
345 Villeray Street
Moccione & Moccione Pizza
Intimate and cozy, Moccione Pizza serves some of the best pizza pies in Montréal while its sister restaurant, Moccione, offers excellent market-driven Italian specialties that include some of the best pasta dishes in the city.
7495 Saint-Denis Street
Comptoir Sainte Cécile
Comptoir Sainte Cécile is a charismatic establishment that’s at once convenience store, lunch and brunch counter and take-out spot with a serious collection of Québec wines and ciders. It’s the perfect place to grab a gourmet sandwich or a delightful brunch on the sunny terrasse.
232 De Castelneau Street
Segreta
Segreta makes authentic Roman-style pizza with light and crispy dough that ferments for 72 to 96 hours. The toppings vary from traditional to creative and include vegetarian and vegan options.
413 Beaumont Avenue
15 to 20-minute walk
Impasto
Impasto is one of the best authentic Italian restaurants in Montréal and it just happens to be a few blocks away from the tennis courts. Indulge in luscious pasta dishes and delectable homemade salumi as well as great desserts. It’s open for lunch on Thursdays and Fridays.
48 Dante Street
Rôtisserie Panama
A most beloved Greek tavern, Rôtisserie Panama is a Park Ex institution that serves a variety of meze and grilled specialties such as lamb chops, octopus and more.
789 Jean-Talon Street West
Bar-St-Denis
The intricate ceiling light fixture that spans the entire length of the room dominates Bar-St-Denis’s stunning décor. The menu counts some elevated bar fare such as a burger and chicken nuggets, but it also serves gems such as lamb tartare topped with fattoush.
6966 Saint-Denis Street
Restaurant Denise
If you appreciate a great selection of natural wines and small, market-inspired plates to share, then book a table in Denise cozy dining room or grab one on their charming terrasse.
386 Beaumont Avenue
Épicerie Pumpui
A cozy and self-serving spot, Pumpui dishes out some of the best Thai-inspired curries in Montréal. The green curry, the fried chicken and the papaya salad are some favourites.
83 Saint-Zotique Street East
Ratafia
Ratafia started out as a plated dessert and wine restaurant whose offering has slowly evolved into a full menu that includes savoury dishes and outstanding sweet fare concocted by the fantastic team of five women pastry chefs.
6778 Saint-Laurent Boulevard
Salle Climatisée
Small and cozy Salle Climatisée serves sharing dishes featuring local and seasonal ingredients with minimal intervention and a nice list of natural wines.
6448 Saint-Laurent Boulevard
Longer than 20 minutes
Anémone
From Asian-inspired temaki to more French-rooted specials, Anémone’s cuisine is hard to define and is rather the culmination of the chefs’ diverse backgrounds but with a focus on always featuring local and seasonal produce.
271 Saint-Zotique Street West
J’ai Feng
Chef Anita Feng owns and operates J’ai Feng, this small Asian lunch counter / grocery store where she serves daily lunch specials that showcase Szechuan cuisine.
43 Beaubien Street East
Chez Tousignant
Chez Tousignant serves some of the best burgers and poutines in Montréal. Everything is homemade, including the hot dogs and buns.
6956 Drolet Street
Bottega / San Gennaro
Bottega and its next-door sister restaurant San Gennaro are both great to grab a pizza, Neapolitan-style with a glass of wine at Bottega and Roman-style with a pulled espresso at San Gennaro.
Bottega : 65 Saint-Zotique Street East
San Gennaro : 69 Saint-Zotique Street East
Cafeden
If you love Vietnamese food, head to chic Cafeden, where you can feast on green papaya salad, pho, and more specialties in an elegant décor or on the charming terrasse.
6576 Saint-Laurent Boulevard
Vin Mon Lapin
Wine bar Mon Lapin is an outstanding eatery serving a market-driven regional cuisine with one of the best natural wine lists in town
150 Saint-Zotique Street East
Bar Mamie
Open for lunch and dinner, Bar Mamie is an excellent choice for a casual, French-inspired lunch paired with affordable wines from their own importation.
328 Beaubien Street East
Sweet!
If the temperatures are soaring and you’re in the mood for some ice cream, head to Les Givrés on De Castelnau Street or Havre-aux-glaces at the Jean-Talon Market. Crèmerie Meetha serves unique Indian-flavoured ice cream such as jalebi, masala chai or falooda. For great frozen custard, the takeaway at Pizzeria Gema is always a good idea. For cake and pastry lovers, head to Mlles Gâteaux or Le Pain dans les voiles to satisfy that sweet tooth. Alati Caserta is also a great choice for cannoli and sweet Italian specialties. A little more upscale, Nanana is perfect for enjoying one of their gorgeous desserts or an ice cream cone.
Fuel up!
Café Ferlucci
Tiny but mighty, Café Ferlucci offers great iced coffee, pizza, pastries and friendly service.
432 De Castelnau Street East
Café Larue
Whether you’re arriving in Villeray via the Jarry, Jean-Talon or De Castelnau metro stations, there is a café Larue nearby to keep you well caffeinated throughout the day.
Different locations
Café Vito
An Italian-style café located a block east of Parc Jarry, Vito will make you feel like you’re part of the extended family while serving you an excellent espresso.
151 Villeray Street
Rosa
All clad in pink roses, the adorable Rosa is ideal for a little refreshment as well as a great sandwich on their homemade focaccia.
26 Gounod Street
Café Saint-Henri
This Montréal coffee institution recently moved its roasting facilities to Mile-Ex. Eat and fuel up at this location or at their Jean-Talon Market one
Different locations
Café Caron & Frères
Located in the heart of Little Italy, this cozy café is owned and operated by two charming brothers who feature great roasters and serve perfect brews.
26 Bélanger Street
Bars and breweries
Brasserie Harricana
Brasserie Harricana is a microbrewery and restaurant that is open from noon until 2 am every day. The house craft beers are a must.
95 Jean-Talon Street
Wills Beer
Wills has taken over the beautiful Alexandraplatz space. In it, they serve their own beer brewed with “consideration, intent, determination and joy”. Another reason to go: the Nouveau Palais food truck parked out front and serving exceptional burgers.
6729 Avenue de l’Esplanade
Vices & Versa
Vices & Versa is a popular neighbourhood bar and restaurant serving over 40 different kinds of draft beers along with a menu that includes several vegan options.
6631 Saint-Laurent Boulevard
Miss Villeray
A neighbourhood bar since the 1960s, Miss Villeray is a great spot to grab a drink and a bite and get to know some of the locals.
220 Villeray Street
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.
211 Beaubien Street
Bar Cicchetti
Italian-inspired cocktails and bites, natural wines, a sunny terrasse and a dolce vita vibe are all on the menu at Bar Cicchetti in the Mile-Ex.
6703 du Parc Avenue
Etoh Brasserie
Etoh Brasserie is an artisanal micro-brewery with a large variety of beers on its menu.
8100 Saint-Denis Street
PS: don’t forget to visit the Jean-Talon Market while you’re in the neighbourhood; it’s an absolute mecca for all food lovers!
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.