A guide to brunch in Montréal

Breakfast and Brunch
  • Bistro Tendresse
  • Brunch, Le Red Tiger
Mayssam Samaha

Mayssam Samaha

Brunch is a very Montréal affair. Montrealers partake in this culinary tradition quite regularly with complete abandon – and at a leisurely pace – to start the weekend on the right note. While there are many delicious brunch options all over the city, here are some of our favourites, listed by neighbourhood.

OLD MONTRÉAL

Olive et Gourmando - Brunch

Olive et Gourmando

A classic all-day breakfast option in Old Montréal, Olive et Gourmando’s pastry counter and delicious sandwiches have garnered a well-earned reputation of being some of the best in town. Special brunch items are available on the weekends but the always available “poached egg on your face” panini, homemade ricotta plate, and granola bowl are great options all week long.

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Le Cartet

Le Cartet

Part restaurant, part fine food store, Le Cartet has a very New York feel to it. It’s open every day from breakfast until late lunch but is especially nice for weekend brunch. Fromt heir hearty “Canton” breunch plate with eggs, sausage, ham, and baked beans to healthier options such as the avocado sandwich, everything here is well executed and beautifully presented.

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Brasserie 701

Brasserie 701

Saturday and Sunday brunches at Brasserie 701 are a laidback affair. The brunch menu includes items such as lobster or duck confit benedicts and croque monsieur as well as your traditional omelets and egg dishes. Make it extra special with a signature house cocktail. 

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Restaurant Dandy

Dandy

Open for brunch every day of the week, Dandy’s menu options include a variety of delicious dishes, from a fried chicken sandwich to a stack of the fluffiest ricotta pancakes served with maple brown butter sauce. 

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Restaurant Mélisse

Restaurant Mélisse

It is an absolute joy to dine in Restaurant Mélisse’s charming Instagram dream of a décor or on its lovely summertime terrasse. Available on weekends only, the elaborate brunch menu is market-inspired and includes flaky pastries, light choices and hearty dishes, including many vegetarian options. 

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Pub Wolf & Workman

The successful Burgundy Lion Group is behind this handsome Old Montréal English gastropub. Named after two former Montréal mayors, Pub Wolf & Workman’s weekend brunch menu offers items such as a full English Breakfast and a duck Scotch egg. If you can, grab a table on their gorgeous patio.

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DOWNTOWN

Café Parvis

Café Parvis

Adjacent to the Quartier des spectacles, downtown Montréal’s “festival centre”, Café Parvis is a lovely spot any time of day. Start your weekend brunch at Parvis with a delicious latté, then dig into their breakfast pizza, a house specialty with pork sausage, smoked tomato sauce, grilled fennel, cheddar, mozzarella, poblano chimichurri, sweet pepper, and jalapeno, and topped with a fried egg.

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Brasserie Le Pois Penché

Brasserie Le Pois Penché

A big bustling brasserie right in the heart of downtown Montréal, Le Pois Penché’s brunch menu is two pages long and will have you hesitating between the tartares, the fresh seafood platter, the classic egg dishes and the warm homemade pastries.

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Four Seasons Hôtel Montréal - Marcus

Marcus Montréal

Celebrity chef Marcus Samuelsson’s eponymous restaurant is located inside the stunning Four Seasons Hotel. Marcus’ contemporary décor is gorgeous and the beautiful terrasse has stunning views of the downtown core and the Leonard Cohen mural. The cuisine is modern American and features a raw bar among other brunch specialties. 

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Maison Boulud | Waffles

Maison Boulud

Chef Daniel Boulud’s eponymous “Maison” is located inside the Ritz-Carlton Hotel and serves weekend brunch in the elegant dining room.  In the summer, enjoy your brunch in the courtyard, a veritable garden oasis right in the heart of downtown Montréal. 

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Restaurant ChinaTown Kim Fung

If you fancy traditional dim sum fare, head to Chinatown’s Restaurant ChinaTown Kim Fung for some of the best in Montréal. Get there early if you don’t want to wait, but the line-up is well worth it for the dozens of delicious dim sum baskets and plates circulating around the room. 

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Universel Déjeuners et Grillades

With two locations in downtown Montréal, Universel Déjeuners et Grillades is a classic all-day, breakfast restaurant serving a large variety of the usual omelettes, egg dishes, waffles, crêpes, etc. as well as some more elaborate options like fried chicken or breakfast poutines. They also offer healthy and vegetarian options. 

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Bar George - George's Full English

Bar George

Elegant Le Mount Stephen Hotel and its restaurant, Bar George have mastered the art of hospitality. The restaurant’s weekend brunch is British-inspired and features a full English breakfast as well as some other interesting options such as the scrambled eggs with black truffles or the Acadian sturgeon caviar with blinis.

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Sofitel Montréal Le Carré Doré - Renoir

Renoir

Hotel in the heart of Montréal’s Golden Square Mile district. The cuisine by award-winning chef Olivier Perret and award-winning pastry chef Paul Peyrat is rooted in French and inspired by the seasons. They serve a weekend brunch and the copious, fixed-price Sunday buffet is especially delicious. 

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Dame Tartine

Dame-Tartine

Dame Tartine is a restaurant that specializes in breakfasts and lunches with a focus on using prime, healthy, and fresh ingredients. The varied menu appeals to all tastes and includes almond milk, gluten-free bread, veggie pâté and a wide variety of teas, as well as a selection of beers and wines.

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Café Holt

Chic Café Holt serves brunch all day long on Saturdays and Sundays. Breakfast staples, sandwiches and dishes such as burrata eggs Benedict and smoked salmon tartine are on the menu of this beautiful Parisian-inspired restaurant located inside the elegant Holt Renfrew Ogilvy store. 

1300 Saint-Catherine Street West 

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Tiramisu

Tiramisu

An Italian and Japanese fusion restaurant, Tiramisu’s gorgeous decor is only rivaled by its great food. For their “più che perfetto” (more than perfect) brunch elaborated with brunch masters Passé Composé, enjoy a breakfast Carbonara pizza or an arrabiata toast with one of their signature cocktails.

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QUARTIERS DU CANAL

Restaurant Cartier Arms - Cocktails

Pub Burgundy Lion

Pub Burgundy Lion blends traditional British pub fare with a modern lounge bar atmosphere for a unique twist on British pub cuisine. Brunch options range from Scotch eggs to a full English breakfast, in addition to all the usual staples. Wash it down with a King Cole Mimosa or a Burgundy Julep. Hey, it’s the weekend. 

2496 Notre-Dame Street West 

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Bird Bar - Brunch poulet gaufre

Le Bird Bar

Funky Le Bird Bar is in the heart of Griffintown. This is where the trendy crowd gathers to chow down on chicken and waffles, avocado toast or truffle mac and cheese. Forget the latté and order a glass of bubbly. 

1800 Notre-Dame Street West 

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Foiegwa

Foiegwa

A self-proclaimed “Americanized French diner”, Foiegwa’s retro décor is a feast for the eyes. For brunch, dig into some of the best ricotta pancakes in town or order eggs Benedict with duck confit. 

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Café Bloom

Café Bloom

Deep in the heart of Pointe St-Charles is the lovely and eclectic Café Bloom, a great space to sit and eat, nurse a cup of coffee and spend a little time. Café Bloom serves colourful plates for any meal and loads of vegetarian and vegan options.  

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Perles et Paddock

Perles et Paddock

A dreamy space located inside a garage that’s been converted into a greenhouse of sorts in the heart of Little Burgundy, Perles et Paddock is French- and market-inspired with items like roast lobster on toasted sourdough bread and Pavlova with lemon custard vying for your attention. Order one of their great cocktails to start your weekend right. 

403 des Seigneurs Street 

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SHAY Express

Shay

Indulge in the revisited and modernized Lebanese dishes of Shay, a beautiful Griffintown restaurant. Try the shawarma Benedict, avo and halloomi cheese toast or the labneh tartine with zaatar and end your meal on a sweet note with the indulgent baklava pancakes.

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Arthurs Nosh Bar

Arthurs

Located in the west part of Saint-Henri, Arthurs serves a Jewish-classics inspired menu with items such as the traditional bagel and salmon plate, a latke smorgasbord and challah bread with butter. 

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Junior Filipino

Fancy a trip to the Philippines for brunch? Junior Filipino’s brunch menu is outstanding! If the exotic sounding coconut waffle with lechon (crispy ork belly) doesn’t do it for you, try one of the silogs. The traditional Filipino dish includes garlic rice topped with a fried egg with a side of meat.

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THE VILLAGE

Bistro Tendresse

Tendresse

With its elegant, breezy décor inside and a cozy patio to enjoy in the summer, Tendresse is a great addition to the Village’s dining scene. The brunch menu is filled with delicious and sometimes decadent options that include burgers, waffles, Benedict and breakfast tacos. Everything just happens to be vegan  

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PLATEAU/MILE END/OUTREMONT

Bistrot La Fabrique

Bistrot La Fabrique

La Fabrique’s dining room is designed around the open kitchen that takes centre stage in this dynamic bistro where the food is based on local and seasonal products. The brunch menu is always an elaborate affair here. Try the brioche with halloumi, cherry, soft-boiled egg, and zaatar or the pulled pork focaccia with 67º egg. 

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Restaurant Leméac

Leméac

A favourite among Montrealers who are looking for that French bistro feel, Leméac’s brunches are French inspired and include such classics as rillettes and boudin as well as omelets. The 3-inch-high French toast with caramelized bananas and chocolate sauce is a jaw-dropping dish and one of their classics. If you can, grab a seat on their charming patio. 

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Bloomfield

Bloomfield

The menu at Bloomfield has a definite Mediterranean feel, exotic flavours like tahini, pomegranate and halva front and centre. Try the Palestinian eggs with tomato sauce, lamb kefta, feta and labneh or the Persian koukou sabzi frittata.

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Brunch, Le Sparrow

Le Sparrow

Mile End’s Le Sparrow serves a brunch inspired by international flavours in a cozy décor with plush seating and dark wood accents. Choose among the Turkish breakfast platter,  the morning bánh mì or the naan sandwich with fried egg, bacon, tomato and chilli jam, tarragon labneh, and cilantro.

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VILLERAY/ROSEMONT

Mesón

Mesón

Neighbourhood restaurant Mesón is a popular destination for many locals for its great Spanish-inspired brunch. Patatas bravas, pan con tomate and other specialties are on the menu. Don’t forget to indulge in some fresh churros with chocolate sauce to end your meal. 

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Fanfare

Fanfare

This Villeray boulangerie has garnered a loyal following thanks to its amazing baked goods. Fanfare’s daily brunches are just as delicious with French toast and the croissant croque-madame being among the most popular dishes. The lovely patio adds to the charm of this quaint spot.

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Brunch, Le Red Tiger

Le Red Tiger

Le Red Tiger enlisted the brunch knowhow of Le Passé Composé’s chef Arnaud Glay to create a new menu blending their take on Vietnamese street food with classic North American fare. The result is the unique new brunch at Le Red Tiger’s Angus Shop location.  With a focus on local produce, these brunches are serving up delights such a panko French toast, breakfast banh mi and iced Vietnamese coffee.

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WEEKDAY CHOICES

Greenspot Restaurant

Greenspot Restaurant

Greenspot Restaurant is a Saint-Henri institution that’s been around since 1947 while managing to keep its original décor, right down to the tabletop jukeboxes. It opens at 5 a.m. on weekdays (7 a.m. on weekends) and serves a classic diner / greasy spoon menu.

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Le Vieux Velo - Brunch

Le Vieux Vélo

A Petite Patrie classic, Le Vieux Vélo excels at the all-day breakfast game and serves classics such as traditional egg dishes, Benedicts and more in an unpretentious and friendly ambiance. 

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Régine Café - Brunch

Régine & Janine Cafés

Régine and Janine have built a reputation as Montréal weekday brunch authorities of sorts and for good reason! Their elaborate brunches include dishes such as corn waffles with trout gravlax and poached eggs with mushrooms. Their vertical plate with homemade pastries and jams is a must as well.  

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Larry's - Brunch

Larrys

Larrys is a hybrid space in the heart of the Mile End that’s open all day, 6 days a week. Coffee, pastries, small plates to share (or not), breakfast items, excellent wine and more are available for your eating pleasure.  

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Beauty's Restaurant

Beautys Luncheonette

Beautys Luncheonette is an iconic Montréal institution that’s been serving breakfast and lunch for the past 70 years in a diner setting. The Beauty Special, a bagel with cream cheese, lox, red onions and tomatoes on a toasted bagel, is legendary.

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Le Elsdale café-buvette-boutique

Le Elsdale

This charming little café is open for brunch from 9 a.m., 6 days a week with a more elaborate menu on weekends. Le Elsdale’s breakfast sandwich with Île aux Grues cheddar or Turkish eggs are great options to start your day or your weekend on the right foot.

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Bagel etc. 

Open every day from early morning until late afternoon, Bagel etc. is a classic retro looking diner in the heart of the Portuguese ghetto of Montréal. It serves your classic Jewish-inspired specialties including excellent blintzes with a variety of fillings. 

4320 Saint-Laurent Blvd. 

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Le Toasteur Villeray 

This is a classic all-day breakfast restaurant serving all your favourite classics from omelets to eggs Benedict to crêpes and waffles. Located in Villeray, Le Toasteur is open from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. every day except Tuesdays.

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L'Entre-Pots Masson - Brunch

L’Entre-Pots

L'Entre-Pots is a small and charming Rosemont restaurant that serves brunch and lunch every day of the week.  The staff is friendly, the space cozy and the generous dishes are market inspired. The adorable sunny terrasse is the perfect place to enjoy one of L’Entre-Pots’ sandwiches or bowls. 

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Maamm Bolduc 

Although best known for its poutine, Maamm Bolduc is a great place for a weekday breakfast or weekend brunches starting at 9 a.m. Eggs, crepes, bagels and other morning delights are all part of the colourful menu. 

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Restaurant Antipode

Restaurant Antipode

Antipode, a restaurant located on Laurier Street East near Papineau Avenue, has brunch served daily, elaborate coffee concoctions and much more. Begin the day with one of their specialty lattes that come in a variety of flavours. Their Antipode specials such as brown butter eggs, eggplant croquettes or shashukas (including a vegan one) are all excellent. 

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Restaurant Millmans

Millmans

Open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. every day except Mondays, Millmans is an unpretentious, diner-style establishment with an old-school look but a great menu. All the diner classics are prepared using excellent ingredients such as bread from Miette Boulangerie for the BLT and beautiful local berries on the fluffy pancakes. 

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Fabergé

Fabergé

The weekend line-ups in front of Fabergé are a testament to its ongoing popularity. The extensive menu features a dizzying lineup of classic brunch dishes such as eggs, waffles, Benedicts and more. Fabergé is open every day as of 8 a.m.

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La Binerie

Quaint casse-croûte La Binerie is legendary in Montréal. Operating since 1938, it is the most quintessential Québec diner in the city. From black pudding to cold pork roast, La Binerie serves traditional quebecois breakfast items. The fèves au lard or baked beans are a specialty here and an absolute must.

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ON THE WATER

Croisières AML - Croisière brunch

Croisière AML’s Signature Brunch Cruise

Hope on Croisière AML’s Cavalier Maxim ship and cruise around Montréal for a very special brunch time. The signature brunch cruise includes a glass of mimosa, a three-course menu cooked on board and featuring local and seasonal ingredients and breathtaking views of Montréal as you’re cruising on the St-Lawrence. 

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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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