Where to eat around the National Bank Open tennis tournament

Gastronomy Sports
  • Buvette Beaubien
  • Mesón
Mayssam Samaha

Mayssam Samaha

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.

Le Pick-Up

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.

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Tapeo Bar à Tapas

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.

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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.

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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.

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Mesón

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Restaurant Impasto

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Pumpui - Curry

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.

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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.

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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.

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Restaurant Anemone

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.

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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.

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Chez Tousignant

Chez Tousignant serves some of the best burgers and poutines in Montréal. Everything is homemade, including the hot dogs and buns.

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Café San Gennaro

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.

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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.

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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

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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.

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Le Havre aux glaces - Ice-cream and dairy store

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.

Café Ferlucci - Grilled cheese

Fuel up!

Café Ferlucci

Tiny but mighty, Café Ferlucci offers great iced coffee, pizza, pastries and friendly service.

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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.

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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.

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Rose Café

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.

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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

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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.

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Brasserie Harricana

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Etoh Brasserie

Etoh Brasserie is an artisanal micro-brewery with a large variety of beers on its menu.

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Jean-Talon Market  - René Lussier

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

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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