When you think of Montreal, food probably isn’t the first thing that pops into your mind. It’s probably not even the second, but it should be! Montreal is a great place for foodies to explore French-Canadian fare, eat at a local institution, and visit some haute patisseries. And if you’re staying at an Old Montreal hotel, most of these things are within walking distance!
Local Favorites
First thing’s first: local favorites! You can’t visit Montreal and not eat the following things or visit the following places.
Poutine
This amazing dish was founded in Quebec and may not sound that appetizing, but rest assured–it’s one of the most fantastic things that’ll ever cross your lips. The dish starts with French fries, which get smothered with brown gravy, and mixed up with some cheese curds. The end result is like nothing else you’ll taste. There are places that mix it up a bit and offer Mexican- and Indian-style poutine but stick with the original for your first tasting. You can find poutine all over Montreal (from upper scale restaurants to diners and bars), so you almost have to try it.
Schwartz’s
No trip to Montreal is complete without visiting Schwart’z Deli, a Montreal institution. The deli has been around since 1928 and the menu hasn’t changed much–smoked meat sandwiches, a few side choices, pickles, and black cherry sodas. Stick with the original to see what all the hype is about and why this place has existed for so long. (Then go back and try something different!)
Bagels
Bagels might seem like an odd choice because they’re so basic, but Montrealers do bagels a bit differently than they’re done in the States. Fairmount Bagel was the first bagel bakery in Montreal, opening its doors in 1911, and beginning its 100-plus-year-long tradition of hand-rolling bagels and baking them in a wood-fired oven. You’ll be hard-pressed to not find a line, but they’re worth waiting in line for.
Something Sweet
If something sweet is more your style, don’t fret: Montreal’s got some delights for you!
Cronuts
Lots of places have tried to imitate the cronut (believe me, I’ve done the legwork), but they just don’t come close to the real thing that you’ll get in Montreal. If you’re unfamiliar, the cronut is a cross between a croissant and a donut–it’s got sort of flaky layers on the outside but is dense and soft like a donut on the inside. There are a few different varieties to suit everyone’s tastes (sugar, custard, Nutella), so pick your poison and walk down the path of no return.
Patisserie
If you’re looking for something sweet and a beautiful ambiance to match, check out Maison Christian Faure in Old Montreal. This patisserie opened its doors in late-2013 and, in addition to being a functional bakery, is also a pastry school. The offerings are as delicious as they are lovely to look at and you’d be remiss to not try the truffles (and order a bottle of champagne to go along with them).
No matter what kind of food you’re looking for, Montreal is sure to have it! Get out there and work your way through this list (and then report back to me on what I’ve missed!).
