Food Tour in Montreal: The best restaurants, markets and typical food

Montreal Food Guide

On our food tour in Montreal, we discovered the city's culinary diversity. We visited local markets and sampled specialties such as Poutine and bagels. In charming neighborhoods like Plateau Mont-Royal and Mile End, we found, among other things, unique bakeries and delis.

• Detailed tips, how you can travel through food, you can find here.
• If you'd like to explore Canada more thoroughly, you'll find our Canada travel tips for connoisseurs, which will help you find your way around.
• Such a food tour fits well into a Eastern Canada tour.

 

 

Montreal Food Tour

Our Montreal food tour also took us to small, family-run restaurants where we enjoyed the hospitality and authentic dishes. Montreal is a foodie paradise, and every corner of the city offers new culinary experiences. A food tour is the perfect way to discover Montreal's gastronomic culture.

Our Montreal tips for foodies

 

Anyone who comes here should take their time to eat, because a meal isn't something you wolf down, but rather something you savor at leisure. Ideally with family or friends. Hours often pass in the process. But they are well worth it.

 

 

Culinary highlights in Montreal

The dishes are cooked from the products of the region, which have a variety and abundance, not to mention the taste sensations for the palate. On our trip through the province we got to know producers and learned how much love and enthusiasm they put into producing their products.

The Wines and ciders of Quebec They can compete with the best in the world. Île d'Orléans has been supplying the provincial capital of Quebec with [unclear] for centuries. Fruit and vegetables, blackcurrants, or homemade chocolate, And the Sausage, cheese and poultry specialties There are few places like this in Quebec. Therefore, we are curious to see what the Montreal City Tour has to offer foodies.

 

 

 

Montreal Foodie Experiences

We are traveling with Ruby RoyRuby, a connoisseur of Montreal's culinary scene, tells us she loves to cook and primarily shops at the city's markets. She comes from one of Montreal's neighborhoods, away from the city center, and these are the areas she wants to show us. We head to the Italian quarter below Mount Royal.

 

 

On our way there, Ruby draws our attention to the lampposts along the streets: "Pay attention to them! They look different after a few blocks. When you see new lampposts, it means that you are leaving one neighborhood and moving on to the next. Very few Montrealers know that. The lampposts are my passion. Each of these neighborhoods is a unit in itself. Everywhere you will find a butcher, a baker, a confectionery or chocolate shop and restaurants that are typical of the neighborhood and the ethnic group that lives there."

There is also the vegan montreal, as Mostly Amélie reports.

 

 

Secret culinary spots in Montreal

Those who live here know their neighbors and enjoy a chat with their baker while shopping. They might discuss what new products the competitor in the next neighborhood is offering. In an article about Montreal's foodie attractions, I read about "the war between two bagel shops."

Montreal Bagels are part of a Montreal Food Tour

Ruby shows us the Fairmount Bagel bakery. The huge selection of bagels proves the baker's ingenuity. There are bagels with onions, with garlic, with sesame seeds – all baked with dark flour, or with poppy seeds and white flour. There are New York-style pretzels, bagels with cinnamon, with blueberries, or cranberries. The selection is practically endless. And always delicious.

 

 

Eating in Montreal means enjoying quality

What we are definitely looking for in vain is a supermarket that sells everything. You can only find them in the big malls. "But I don't go shopping there," says Ruby. "I know what I like and what I want. I go to my charcuterie, where I can get exactly the sausage I want. For the cheese that I love, I even drive across town to the Atwater Market on the other side of the city center." Not a short journey, as we discover ourselves. Those who live here are careful about what they cook and with what.

 

 

Our food tour through Montreal takes us to locals.

Ruby takes us to the “Drogheria Fine“, where we meet the owner. She makes her own tomato sauces according to her grandmother's recipes. When we enter her shop, she is busy filling jars with them. By hand, just like my grandmother used to do. The air smells of tomatoes and basil, the two main ingredients of her sauce. She knows Ruby, too. While we look at the sauces on the shelves, she tells her about recent events in her family.”

 

 

Souvenirs for foodies from our Montreal Food Tour

Then Ruby shows us a shop where I would have loved to spend my travel money. Boutique Crème It's a shop where you can get everything you need for the kitchen. From mandolines and cake tins to rolling pins, cutting boards, and even recipes. It's all so beautiful that I'd love to furnish my entire kitchen with it. The perfect Souvenirs for foodiesThe owners are also a foodie institution. They host kitchen parties where they serve their guests dishes they've cooked themselves. We feel this passion for food and cooking in every corner of the shop, until Ruby finally urges us to move on.

 

 

Montreal Food Tour and Sightseeing

Again and again we pass by the typical residential streets of Montreal. Wrought-iron banisters line the steep external stairs that lead into the apartment buildings. In front of it are small gardens, often only a few square meters in size. You can often tell from which origin the residents are: “If you see gardens with flowers and figures of saints, the residents usually come from Portugal.” We cannot verify this statement, but we actually discover such gardens on our tour through the residential areas of Montreal.

 

 

Gain insights on the Montreal Food Tour

The mix of people we encounter along the way is just as diverse. After our Montreal food tour with Ruby, we set off on our own through the city's residential neighborhoods. We sit down in one of the bistros. On our walk, we simply set off without paying attention to a map, street names, or our sense of direction. So we ask our waiter for directions. How long will it take to walk downtown? At first, he looks at us, a little puzzled. Then he says, "I can't say exactly. I usually go by bike." But he points us in the right direction. After a short while, he returns and tells us that it will take us about an hour.

 

 

He keeps coming back and shows us the right way on the map. He also tells us, that he is originally from Romania and stayed in Montreal during a trip. I ask him, how he likes his life in Montreal. He laughs and points to the environment, that appears more small-town than metropolitan: “I feel good here and found my friends here. I am fine and don't want to leave Montreal. "

We can certainly understand that. We find Montreal beyond the tourist attractions and highlights very appealing, and we can easily understand why people feel at home here.

 

 

Current trends: Montreal is committed to urban agriculture

Montreal is becoming a leading city in urban agriculture. Initiatives such as Lufa Farms operate the world's largest commercial rooftop greenhouses and supply the city with fresh, pesticide-free produce year-round.

Conclusion of our Montreal Food Tour

Montreal is definitely a foodie paradise. Your visit to this city offers a culinary diversity that you absolutely shouldn't miss. From iconic dishes like poutine and Montreal-style bagels to creative, modern cuisine, the city has something for everyone.

On a Montreal city tour, you can explore the city's neighborhoods and discover the best restaurants, markets, and delis. The Jean Talon Market and the Atwater Market are must-sees for sampling fresh, local produce and soaking up the vibrant market atmosphere. Family-run restaurants in neighborhoods like Plateau Mont-Royal and Mile End offer not only delicious food but also warm hospitality.

Montreal is a city that is best explored through the stomach. The recommendations and tips will help you find the best culinary experiences. Whether you want to try traditional dishes or discover new culinary trends, Montreal will delight you.

• If you are interested in Quebec food, you will find a Restaurant at Manoir Hovey in North Hatley about two hours south of Montreal.

Questions and answers about a Montreal food tour

What seasonal food events are there in Montreal?

Montreal is a foodie paradise year-round, but there are some special events you shouldn't miss! In February, there's Poutine Week, where restaurants offer creative twists on the classic dish. In the summer, the Montreal en Lumière Festival beckons, where top chefs conjure up gourmet meals. And in the fall, the city celebrates Mtl à Table, a culinary event with special menus at the city's best restaurants. Perfect for discovering a new side of Montreal's food scene!

Where can you find the best hidden culinary treasures in Montreal?

In addition to the well-known hotspots, Montreal has many hidden gems! If you're looking for authentic Italian cuisine, you should explore Little Italy. Street food fans will also enjoy a visit to the food trucks at Viger Square. And if you love small, family-run bakeries, you should look for fresh croissants in the Hochelaga-Maisonneuve neighborhood. Often, it's the small, unassuming shops that offer the best taste experiences!

Which typical Canadian drinks should you try on a Montreal food tour?

Besides wine and craft beer, Montreal offers several Canadian drinks you should definitely try! A real highlight is Cidre de Glace – Canadian ice wine made from apples, which is sweet and aromatic. If you prefer something drier, try a Bière de Garde, a traditional strong beer from Quebec. And of course, you can't miss a real Caesar cocktail – a spicy Canadian Bloody Mary made with Clamato juice. These drinks are perfect for discovering Montreal not only through its cuisine, but also through its beverages on a Montreal food tour!

How sustainable is Montreal's food scene?

Montreal is increasingly focusing on sustainability! Many restaurants and markets are working with local producers to minimize transportation. Farm-to-table restaurants like Candide or Vin Mon Lapin are particularly popular. Zero-waste concepts that prevent food waste are also becoming more and more prevalent. And if you want to buy fresh produce directly from the source, you should visit the many urban community gardens and rooftop farms – you can often even get involved yourself!

What role does multicultural cuisine play in Montreal?

Montreal is a true melting pot of cultures – and that's reflected in its food! Alongside French-influenced cuisine, you'll find fantastic Jewish delis, outstanding Vietnamese pho restaurants, and authentic Caribbean specialties, like those served on Rue Jean-Talon. Syrian and Lebanese cuisine, which has become increasingly popular in recent years, is also particularly exciting. Anyone visiting Montreal can look forward to a culinary world tour – without ever leaving the city!

 

More things to know

• Ottawa Food Tour
• Canada in the fall

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Source Montreal Food Tour: On-site research at the invitation of Tourisme Montreal. Our opinions, however, remain our own.

Text Montreal Food Tour: © Copyright Monika Fuchs and TravelWorldOnline
Photos: © Copyright Monika Fuchs and TravelWorldOnline
Video: © Copyright Petar Fuchs and TravelWorldOnline