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

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 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's paradise, and every corner of the city offers new taste experiences. A food tour is the perfect way to experience 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.

 

 

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 can compete with the best in the world. The Ile d'Orleans has supplied the provincial capital of Quebec for centuries with 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.

 

 

 

Montreal Foodie Experiences

We are on the go with 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.

 

 

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 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 are part of a Montreal Food Tour

Ruby shows us the Fairmount Bagel bakery. The huge selection of bagels demonstrates the baker's creativity. There are bagels with onions, garlic, and sesame seeds—all baked with dark flour, or with poppy seeds and white flour. There are New York-style pretzels, cinnamon bagels, and bagels with blueberries or cranberries. The selection is virtually 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.

 

 

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, 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 Crème 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 souvenirs for foodies. The 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 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 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.

 

 

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.

 

 

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 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 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?

In addition to wine and craft beer, Montreal has several Canadian drinks you should try! A real highlight is cider de glace – Canadian ice wine made from apples, which is sweet and aromatic. If you prefer something more bitter, try a bière de garde, a traditional Quebec stout. And of course, a true Caesar cocktail is a must – a spicy Canadian Bloody Mary with Clamato juice. These drinks are perfect for discovering Montreal not only through food but also through liquids 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 this is reflected in the food! In addition to the 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 have become increasingly popular in recent years, are also particularly exciting. Visitors to Montreal can look forward to a culinary journey around the world – without leaving the city!

 

Do you know this?

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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