Montreal is a bitter brew of hip and historic. From mild Old Montreal to the youthful and eclectic Le Plateau-Mont-Royal neighbourhood, Montreal is much like its cafés. There is a flavour for everyone. Home to hundreds of cafés, it might be difficult to seek out the best Montreal cafes.

While I’m hard-pressed to stumble upon a café I didn’t like unless we throw Tim Hortons into the mix (sorry, fellow Canadians!). But Montreal is full of fabulous cafés. I might even dare to say it’s one of Canada’s top cities for cafés! In this roundup of the best Montreal cafés, I’ll share a mixture of Instagrammable cafés and ones with a purely local flair.

5 Best Montreal Cafes

Tommy Café

Located around the corner from Notre-Dame Basilica in Old Town is one of the best Montreal cafes. I’d hate to choose one but Tommy was probably my favourite of Montreal’s cafés! Set in Old Montreal’s British Empire Building, built in 1874 and originally held the Bank of Canada Exchange, Tommy Café is all about atmosphere.

As soon as you walk up those heavy steps and through those Victorian doors, you are instantly swept away. A brilliant white ceiling, wrapped in dynamic crown moulding, a wall of mirrors, and hanging green plants all lends to the café’s refreshing air.

Tommy Café has an adorable front counter filled with mouth-watering sweets and sandwiches. And it’s tri-level layout and modern meets mid-century design screams Instagram-worthy! While I enjoyed a moist and rich almond croissant drizzled in icing sugar, Tommy Café is noted to have the best avocado toast in Montreal.

200 Notre-Dame Street West

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Crew Collective Café

I’ve been in cafés that were old churches, old Victorian homes, and other interesting buildings. But Crew Collective Café takes top espresso shot for best venue. Located in Old Montreal, Crew Collective is set on the ground floor of the original Royal Bank of Canada headquarters that was built in 1928. And they’ve wonderfully maintained the opulence of the building with its 45 foot high curved ceilings, original bronze fittings, and marble inlay floors. But they’ve also kept some of the historic bank features like teller fronts and old deposit slip counters that you can now sit and drink your latte at.

Crew Collective Café has a unique concept. Not only is it a public café that anyone can walk in and enjoy a stellar cup of Joe but it is also a great place to work from. There are private areas and meeting rooms that you can rent out of sorts, by the hour or day. Or you can join the Collective with their flexible memberships.

The clientele is a mix of young hip entrepreneurs and classic office society. Crew Collective Café serves up coffee from Saint-Henri Torrefacteurs and an assortment of healthy small meals, tea, desserts, and more.

360 St. Jacques Street

Café Humble Lion

If you’re looking for a more casual café with a hipster vibe head to Café Humble Lion. With a simple yet literary-themed décor, Café Humble Lion’s style is indie meets mid-century modern. Located across the street from McGill University it has a great location and is home to a coffee driven student clientele.

Step up to the counter, that is made from a recycled bowling alley, and you’ll be met by friendly staff and rich aromas of fresh coffee and baked goods. They offer high-quality roasts from Intelligentsia as well as delicious goodies that are delivered daily from Godley & Crème.

904 Sherbrooke Street West

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Parvis Café

Nearly hidden down a side street is one of the best Montreal cafes and a hidden gem. Parvis Café is located in downtown Montreal and set across the street from an old church. So I was not surprised to find out that parvis means; “an enclosed area in front of a cathedral or church, typically surrounded with colonnades or porticoes.”

As soon as you enter you’re enveloped in warmth. From huge front windows to rich woods Parvis Café has a rusty chic meets classy vibe. With vintage wooden chairs, a solid wood bar, marble countertop, and hanging plants and vines the atmosphere makes you want to take up a pen and paper and start bleeding out a classic literary novel.

There is plenty of seating and they also offer workspaces to rent out upstairs. And if you’re looking for Parvis Café’s noteworthy goods pair their house salads or pizzas with your coffee.

433 Mayor Street

Le Dépanneur Café

If you’re looking for a more local flair then Le Dépanneur Café is exactly what you’re after. Located in Montreal’s Mile End neighbourhood this earthy café has a mix match of bohemian vintage décor and nearly constant live music. The Café encourages the arts and so, showcases 50 hours of live music across the week.

Sitting with my strong coffee on a wobbly table I soaked in the jazzy tunes. With a piano tucked in the corner, locally sourced products on the shelf (including honey from their own beehives), and bacon sizzling in an old skillet Le Dépanneur Café has an edge and softness all at the same time.

Cool note – Le Dépanneur Café is also an Airbnb with six rooms for rent above the café.

206 Bernard O Street

Do you have a favourite Montreal café?

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