Montreal Food Guide
On our food tour in Montreal we discovered the culinary diversity of the city. We visited local markets and tried specialties such as poutine and bagels. In charming neighborhoods like Plateau Mont-Royal and Mile End, for example, we found unique bakeries and delis.
Montreal trip for connoisseurs
Our Montreal foodie tour also took us to small, family-run restaurants where we enjoyed the hospitality and authentic dishes. Montreal is a paradise for foodies, and every corner of the city offers new taste experiences. A food tour is the perfect way to get to know Montreal's culinary culture.
Our Montreal tips for foodies
Anyone who comes here should take their time to eat, because a meal is not something you wolf down quickly, but rather something you enjoy at your leisure. Preferably with family or friends. Hours often pass by, but they are worth it.
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Montreal local specialties
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 Travel 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 Quebecs can compete with the best in the world. The Ile d'Orleans has supplied the provincial capital of Quebec for centuries Fruits and vegetables, cassis or homemade chocolate, And the Sausage, cheese and chicken specialties in Quebec are unparalleled. We are therefore curious to see what the Montreal City Tour has to offer for foodies.
Typical food for Montreal
We have discovered some of the typical dishes in Montreal that you should definitely try:
- poutine – A classic made with fries, cheese curds and gravy. This hearty and cozy specialty is a must in Montreal.
- Montreal-Style Bagels – Thinner and sweeter than their New York cousins, these bagels are traditionally baked in a wood-fired oven. St. Viateur and Fairmount Bagel are two famous addresses.
- Smoked Meat Sandwich – Schwartz's Deli has the best smoked meat sandwich in town. It's served with mustard on rye bread.
- Tourtiere – A savory meat pie, often filled with beef, pork, or game. This dish is especially popular during the holidays.
- Steamé – A steamed hot dog served in a soft bun, often garnished with mustard, cabbage and onions.
- Chinese dough – A kind of shepherd's pie made from minced meat, corn and mashed potatoes. A simple but popular dish.
- Beaver Tails – A deep-fried dough pastry that is dipped in various toppings. Cinnamon and sugar or chocolate are particularly popular.
- Bagel and Lox – A bagel with cream cheese and smoked salmon, often garnished with onions and capers.
These local specialties give you a good insight into Montreal's culinary diversity. Each dish tells its own story and is an important part of the city's food culture.
Montreal Foodie Experiences
We are on the go Ruby Roy, an expert on Montreal's culinary scene. As she tells us, she really enjoys cooking herself. To do this, she mainly shops in the city's markets. Ruby comes from one of Montreal's neighborhoods, away from the city center. These are the regions she wants to show us. We head to the Italian quarter below Mont Royal.
Montreal Markets
- Jean-Talon Market – A huge market with fresh fruit, vegetables and regional specialties.
- Atwater Market – Known for its cheese and meat stalls as well as its bakeries.
- Maisonneuve Market – A smaller market with a good selection of local products.
- Lachine Market – Historic and charming, perfect for fresh food.
- Market of the Exclusiers – A waterfront market with farm stalls and culinary delights.
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."
That too vegan montreal There is, as Mostly Amélie reports.
Montreal Food Tour with a look behind the scenes
Those who live here know their neighbors and like to have a chat with their baker while shopping. The conversation often revolves around what new products the competitor in the next neighborhood is offering. In an article about Montreal attractions for foodies, I read about "the war between two bagel shops."
Montreal Bagels
Ruby shows us the Boulangerie Fairmount Bagel. The huge selection of bagels proves the baker's inventiveness. There are bagels, with onions, with garlic, with sesame - all baked with dark flour, or with poppy seeds and light flour. There are New York-style pretzels, bagels with cinnamon, with blueberries or cranberries. The choice is almost endless. And always good.
Eating in Montreal means to savor 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.
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A culinary tour of Montreal takes us to locals
Ruby takes us to the “Drogheria Fine“, where we meet the owner. She makes her own tomato sauces, using her grandmother's recipes. When we enter her shop, she is just filling them into jars. By hand, just like my grandmother used to do. It smells of tomatoes and basil, the two main ingredients in her sauce. She knows Ruby too. While we look at the sauces on the shelves, she tells her about the latest 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 Cream is a shop where you can get everything you need for the kitchen. From kitchen slicers to cake tins, rolling pins, cutting boards and even recipes. It's all so beautiful that I would love to equip my entire kitchen with it. The perfect Gift for FoodiesThe owners are also an institution for foodies. They host kitchen parties where they serve their guests home-cooked food. We feel this enthusiasm 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 Montreal typical residential streets. 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.
Insights for Foodies on this Montreal Food Tour
The mix of people we meet along the way is just as colorful. After our Montreal food tour with Ruby, we set off on our own through the city's residential districts. We sit down in one of the bistros. On our walk, we just started walking without paying attention to the map, street names or our bearings. So we ask our waiter for directions. How long will it take to get to the city center on foot? At first he looks at us a little confused. Then he says: "I can't say exactly. I usually cycle." 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.
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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 understand that well. We like Montreal off the beaten path, and we can well relate on how you feel at home here.
Family-run restaurants in Montreal for your Montreal Food Tour
- Schwartz's Deli – An iconic Jewish deli famous for its smoked meat sandwich. The atmosphere is cozy and the staff friendly.
- The Express – A French bistro in the heart of the Plateau Mont-Royal. Here you can expect classic dishes as well as a warm, inviting atmosphere.
- Joe beef – A small restaurant in Little Burgundy known for its creative cuisine and cozy atmosphere. The owners place great emphasis on hospitality.
- Au Pied de Cochon – This restaurant in the Plateau Mont-Royal offers a rustic atmosphere and traditional French-Canadian cuisine. The warm service makes the experience unforgettable.
- The ice – Famous for its poutine, this 24-hour restaurant is a must-visit. The family-run eatery offers a friendly and relaxed environment.
- Le Vin Papillon – A cozy wine house and restaurant run by the Joe Beef family. The atmosphere is relaxed and the service very friendly.
Conclusion of our Montreal Food Tour
Montreal is definitely a paradise for foodies. Your visit to this city offers a culinary diversity that you definitely don't want to miss. From iconic dishes like poutine and Montreal-style bagels to creative, modern dishes, the city has something to offer for every taste.
On a Montreal City Tour, for example, 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-stops to sample fresh, local produce and enjoy the lively market atmosphere. Family-run restaurants in neighborhoods such as 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.
questions
Which markets in Montreal are best for fresh, local produce?
Jean-Talon Market and Atwater Market are the best markets in Montreal for fresh, local produce. Both offer a wide variety of fruits, vegetables, cheeses and more.
Are there any guided food tours in Montreal that you would recommend?
Yes, there are many guided food tours in Montreal. Tours of the Plateau Mont-Royal as well as the Mile End are particularly recommended as they offer a wide range of culinary experiences.
What are some vegetarian options in Montreal restaurants?
Many restaurants in Montreal offer vegetarian options. Vegetarian poutine, fresh salads and creative vegetable dishes are particularly good at restaurants like Lola Rosa and Aux Vivres.
Where can I try the best Montreal-style bagels?
For the best Montreal-style bagels, visit St. Viateur Bagel and Fairmount Bagel, both of which are known for their traditional, wood-fired bagels.
Are there any special culinary events in Montreal that I should attend?
Yes, Montreal offers many culinary events such as MTLàTABLE, an annual restaurant festival in November, as well as First Fridays, a food truck event every first Friday of the month from May to October. These events offer great opportunities to experience the city's culinary diversity.
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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
