Saint-Henri, Montréal quartier of cool

Saint-Henri’s limits extend east to west from Atwater Avenue to the border of Montréal West, to the north by Autoroute Ville-Marie and south to the Lachine Canal. We’d suggest starting off any visit with a stop at the iconic Atwater Market, whose clock tower has been setting local’s watches since the 1930s. Named for St. Henry (whose namesake church Église Saint-Henri), the neighbourhood was long known for its working class locals and industrious artisans, whose influence is still strongly felt in its shops and restaurants. Two métro stations also serve the district, including Place Saint-Henri commemorated in song by legendary jazz maestro Oscar Peterson who called the neighbourhood home.

Saint-Henri’s charming residential streets, leafy parks and primary shopping boulevard Notre-Dame Street feature a unique character unlike anywhere else in Montréal. There’s prime people watching from Square-Sir-George-Étienne-Cartier and along the banks of the Lachine Canal, where locals gather to play and relax. Brightly-painted murals dot the sides of red brick buildings, and neighbourhood cafes and ice cream shops do brisk business to passerby. And when hunger strikes, some of the city’s finest eating options are nestled in Saint-Henri, from classic casse-croûte diners to the latest openings.

• Elena (5090 Notre-Dame St W): Elena’s expertise is set out simply in their website’s URL—coffeepizzawine.com—and they’re sure to please any connoisseur of all three. A carefully curated wine selection pairs perfectly with some of Montréal’s finest wood oven pizza, and the coffee bar makes for a great end to a meal or a mid-walk recharge.
• Estelle (630 Courcelle Street): With high-end Italian eats that are delicious as they are Instagrammable, all housed in an attractively converted historic garage space, Estelle makes for a definitive example of Saint-Henri’s go-getter modernization.
• Foiegwa (3001 Notre-Dame Street West): A classic French bistro with a modern twist, Foiegwa’s brunch, dinner and cocktail service until 2 a.m. makes it one of Saint-Henri’s top dining destinations. Try the tasting menus, available both in evening and late night versions.
• Un Instant en Provence (4835 Notre-Dame Street West): Founded by a Montréal-via-Provence transplant, Un Instant en Provence offers up skillfully made viennoiseries, cookies and cannelés all with a Provençal twist.
• TRAN Cantine Vietnamienne (4690 Notre-Dame Street West): With its selective menu of pho, vermicellis and banh mi, TRAN Cantine Vietnamienne’s cute corner location is a great option to add some spice to your day.
• Tuck Shop (4662 Notre-Dame Street West): Tuck Shop’s cozy dining room is both homey and elevated, fitting the creative but comforting menu of tartares, oysters, seafood and poultry. For bigger parties, there’s the option of the adjacent chalet extension.
• Campanelli (4634 Notre-Dame Street West): A true neighbourhood café, Campanelli serves up coffees in genuine Italian fashion, with pastries, sandwiches and a small shop of T-shirts and mugs also on hand. We’d suggest enjoying your order in the adjacent park picnic-style.
• Arthurs Nosh Bar (4621 Notre-Dame Street West): Traditional Jewish favourites served up brunch style in a stylish diner setting. Challah, lox-stuffed bagels and latkes serve as menu foundations, alongside surprises like papaya salad.

• Cordova (4606 Notre-Dame Street West): Coffee and cocktails are the house specialities at Cordova (but the food menu is top-notch too, making for a top rest-and-refuel spot.
• Lloydie’s St-Henri (4601 Notre-Dame Street West): Serving up Caribbean favourites since 1987, Lloydie’s meat patties are a familiar Montréal favourite easy to walk with, while the jerk chicken poutine is a true original.
• Tacos Frida (4350 Notre-Dame Street West) and Tacos Victor (4280 Notre-Dame Street West): Run by a Oaxacan family, Tacos Frida serves up hearty Mexican fare including homemade guacamole and chips. One block over, Tacos Victor’s taco box (covered with fries and sauces) is sure to fill any appetite while the cocktail de crevettes pairs octopus and shrimp in tomato sauce served in a glass.
• Unity juice and smoothie bar (4250 Notre-Dame Street West): Bringing the tastes of Martinique to Montréal, Unity’s tropical smoothie bowls and avocado toasts make for a healthy afternoon snack stop.
• Piklìz (4210b Saint-Jacques Street West): Long a neighbourhood favourite, Piklìz spotlight the tastes and flavours of Haiti and the Caribbean to Saint-Henri. Bonus points for the Poutine Piklìz, spiced up with créole sauce.
• Bonheur d’Occasion (4001 Notre-Dame Street West): Focused on Québec regional food, Bonheur d’Occasion’s menu features locally-sourced and grown products served up in ways equally creative and cozy.
• Maquis Yasolo (3763 Notre-Dame Street West): Exploring the deep roots of the Afro Québécois community, Maquis Yasolo’s culinary offerings include Abidjanaise (grilled fish with Attiéké couscous, a speciality of Côte d’Ivoire) and Ntaba (goat served with chikwange or fufu). There’s also music on the menu, and a small gallery of rotating artworks.
• Satay Brothers (3721 Notre-Dame Street West): Long a hit with locals (including many making the trip cross-town), Satay Brothers brings the tastes of Singapore’s mouth-watering street food to Saint-Henri.

• Café Saint-Henri (3632 Notre-Dame Street West): Québec’s first micro-roaster, Café Saint-Henri has expanded from its Saint-Henri roots to locations across the city, but their neighbourhood location is one of the best.
• Savsav (780 Brewster Ave): Savsav’s menu ranges from breakfast bowls, eye-popping sandwiches and pitchers of strawberry matcha, all served in a bright and welcoming space.
• 9 Tail Fox (3401 Notre-Dame Street West): Korean fusion that ranges from kimchi caesar salads to a twist on duck confit, 9 Tail Fox offers some of the most original eats in the neighbourhood.
• Sumac (3618 Notre-Dame Street West): Traditional Lebanese cuisine expertly done with family style group plates available for sharing. The long wooden tables add to the community charm.
• La Spada (3580 Notre-Dame Street West): A true-to-form osteria romana restaurant that brings a corner of Saint-Henri to the heart of Rome, and the dishes are almost too pretty to eat.
• Greenspot (3041 Notre-Dame Street West): A traditional casse-croûte diner that’s been serving hot dogs, poutines and more to the Saint-Henri neighbourhood from its classic digs on the corner of Notre-Dame Street and Greene Avenue since 1947.
• Restaurant La Toile (3279 Saint-Jacques Street): With one of Montréal’s best pies, the La Toile artisanal pizza parlour serves up the classics alongside new spins including Al Pastor and Enchilada toppings.
• Regashi (820 Atwater Avenue): A classic Japanese izakaya, Regashi’s traditional offerings are sure to impress, but their dry aged sashimi is a unique highlight. 

• A/Maze Escape Game (3550 Saint-Jacques Street): We all love an escape room, and A/Maze Escape game offers multiple settings including Lost Temple and Prison Break, and The Secret of the Lachine Canal outdoor escape game takes players outdoors on a historical treasure hunt.
• Atwater Cocktail Club (512 Atwater Avenue): Doing just what their name suggests, the Atwater Cocktail Club specializes in mixologist masterpieces utilizing handpicked ingredients and homemade syrups in a tucked-away speakeasy atmosphere.
• Riverside St-Henri (5020 Saint-Ambroise Street): Gather by the banks of the Lachine Canal in the shadow of the former Canadian Malting silos, this former garage now hosts one of Montréal’s most unforgettable event spaces. And in the winter months, Hiverside transforms the outdoor patios into a picturesque igloo to keep the party going. Bonus: pets are always welcome!

• Bon Délire (4855 Notre-Dame Street West): At first glance, with windows and signage decked out like a pawn shop, Bon Délire is not quite what it seems. With cinematically-lit pool tables, boozy slushies, deli sandwiches and unbeatable ‘90s hipster decor, the bar more than lives up to its name which translates simply to “good fun”.
• Bar de Courcelle (4685 Notre-Dame Street West): With the flavour of an old-school working-class brasserie, Bar de Courcelle has long been a favourite of locals and newcomers. The neon winking cat logo marks it as one of the primary meeting spots in the neighbourhood.
• BarBara (4450 Notre-Dame Street West): Enjoying their eye-popping wine list, curated aperitif and beer selections, BarBara’s open front façade and lively terrasse lets the assembled celebrants spill out onto the street. The food menu is also fantastic, with large slabs of homemade focaccia one of the leading stars.
• Jules Bar (4005 Notre-Dame Street West): Charming and chic, Jules Bar’s signature cocktails pair just right with the tasty menu of sandwiches (like their unbeatable grilled cheese) and pasta.

• Le Saint Motel (4000 Saint-Ambroise Street): Any influencer’s dream studio, Le Saint Motel offers 13 themed rooms for all your selfie and photo shoot needs. Plus, a ball pit that welcomes adults is an absolute win. 
• Librairie Saint-Henri Books (4622 Notre-Dame Street West): A cornerstone of Saint-Henri, Librairie Saint-Henri Books’ selection features local writers, zines and seasonal staff suggestions. The book bags make for a good take-home keeper or gift too.
• BBAM! Gallery (808 Atwater Avenue): Gallery, cinema, performance space and used record store, BBAM! offers something for everyone. Check their website and Facebook page for new vinyl arrivals and show listings.
• GanK (4644 Notre-Dame Street West): GanK’s Montréal-made fashions feature bold colours and minimalist cuts, proving once and for all that the most simple design flourish is often the most stylish.
• Olive Saint-Henri (4411 Notre-Dame Street West): Specializing in olive oils and balsamic vinegars, Olive Saint-Henri’s gourmet accessories are sure to please, with tastings available to help you make that oh-so-important selection.
• Crossover Comics (3560 Notre-Dame Street West): A rich selection of comics ranging from superhero favourites to independently-published graphic novels. There’s a sweet selection of figurines available too.
• Bait & Schlang Tattoo (4929 Notre-Dame Street West): Stepping into Bait & Schlang Tattoo’s finely decorated interior feels like setting back the clock. And there’s enough old-school charm to take in, you won’t even notice the sting of the needle.