Osmo x Marusan is the kind of place where creativity meets culture in the most effortless way. This subterranean hub and social club is where vinyl spins, coffee flows, and conversations between students, entrepreneurs, and trendsetters feel effortlessly cool amongst a space of minimalist brutalist design—think steel tables, exposed brick, and greenery—that invites you to stay awhile, maybe over a karaage sando or a steaming bowl of vegan curry.

On weekends, DJs take over the booth, spinning rare grooves, while patrons sip on natural wines or sake, turning this hidden gem into a laid-back social club. Osmo’s vibe is casual but sharp, a place where the Marusan-Japanese inspired menu pairs with a curated vinyl collection.

Café Santropol has been a Plateau landmark since 1976, when it opened to save its building from demolition. Over the decades since, it’s become a cozy, quirky meeting place for locals and visitors alike. Known for its towering sandwiches, comforting soups, and hearty chili, the café offers a variety of vegetarian and vegan options. Still, Santropol is as much about the warm vibe and eclectic décor as it is about the food: Mismatched chairs, free-spirited staff, and a lush, award-winning garden terrace create a relaxed and eccentric ambience. You’ll leave understanding why this neighborhood spot has kept people coming back for nearly fifty years.

Café Olimpico’s got a few locations in town that are all great, but it’s original Mile End location is the one that exudes timeless charm and a rich history dating back to 1970. Founded by Italian immigrant Rocco Furfaro, it began as a haven for sports enthusiasts before evolving into the beloved neighborhood institution it is today. With its classic ambiance adorned with flags of Italian football teams and Montreal Canadiens memorabilia, Olimpico transports patrons to a bygone era. Renowned for its simple yet authentic Italian coffee and sweets, it's a gathering place where locals are welcomed like family.

Mile End’s Caffè In Gamba is where Italian tradition meets modern flair through organic beans from renowned roasters like Intelligentsia and Counter Culture Coffee. With its vintage Faema E61 espresso machine, it's been a pioneer in Montreal's craft coffee scene, drawing a loyal following. Owner Dominic Drouin explains that "In Gamba" embodies doing things well, a philosophy evident in their diverse offerings and award-winning latte art and baristas.

Founded by Erika Lafleur and Antoine Lacroix-Vézina, Saison des Pluies quickly became a neighborhood favorite. The space, designed by Alphabet, offers a comforting ambiance enhanced by the aroma of Quebec-roasted beans from 94 Celcius. From homemade scones to locally sourced sandwiches and salads, every menu item reflects a commitment to supporting small businesses. Recently expanded to include a vegan ice cream counter, Saison des Pluies continues to offer personalized service and culinary delights—damn good coffee too, of course.

Downtown Montreal’s Café Parvis blends history and modernity, with a location that used to be a fur showroom and a name evoking the grandeur of cathedral courtyards. The café's interior from local interior designer Zébulon Perron is an urban oasis adorned with lush greenery and vintage accents. Patrons are drawn to its spaciousness and abundant natural light, but it’s the menu’s affordable gourmet fare—think delicious salads to al taglio-style pizzas—and pinpoint accuracy coffee that really makes the inviting ambiance sing. Folks love this spot, and with good reason.

Café Chez Téta is a delightful blend of traditional Lebanese flavors and modern coffee culture. Opened in October 2020 by partners Antoun Aoun and Mélodie Roukoz, the café radiates warmth and nostalgia, aptly named after the Lebanese word for grandmother. The menu pays homage to Antoun's heritage, featuring man'ouché, hummus, and other Lebanese classics made with locally sourced ingredients. Meanwhile, their third-wave coffee offerings cater to Montrealers' discerning tastes while including classic Turkish styles. Renovated with meticulous attention to detail, the café exudes a sleek look worth spending a couple hours in.

September Surf Café blends the laid-back spirit of surfing with the buzz of a thriving Montreal café. Since opening in 2016 on Notre-Dame Street West, this sunny spot has become a hub for coffee lovers, surfers, and anyone seeking a dose of calm and adventure. Co-owner Mitch Martin, inspired by the vibrant Little Burgundy neighbourhood, envisioned a gathering space where the city’s unexpectedly large surfing community could connect over stellar coffee.

Coffee fuels the majority of the café’s offerings, served in a bright, minimalist space with both front and back patios perfect for soaking up the vibe. On the menu, the chef crafts simple yet satisfying dishes like avocado toast, fresh salmon bowls, and one of the city’s best breakfast sandwiches made with homemade smoked ham.

Café des Habitudes is a welcoming, eco-conscious space dedicated to community, sustainability, and good habits. Since opening in 2021, this Rosemont spot has offered a fully vegan menu made with local, organic ingredients alongside events, workshops, outdoor seating, and a small eco-friendly boutique. With tangible low-waste initiatives (like their zero disposable cups policy) and a cozy, inclusive vibe, Café des Habitudes offers a serene space to slow down, connect, and recaffeinate responsibly.

This cozy cafe comes from Gatineau-born Gabrielle; after spending a year and a half on the road in her van "Cass," she’s planted roots in Montreal, bringing her love for the area and passion for sustainability to life. Completely reimagining the former Chez Serge, Gabrielle co-designed the space herself, creating a warm café that’s 100% vegan, eco-conscious, and proudly local. From Dam milk to Binocle coffee, every detail is about reducing waste and carbon emissions. Drop by for a grilled cheese, a wrap, or just a great coffee. The event space in the back is quite a looker, too.

Le Petit Dep’s got charm in spades. Whichever location in town you land in, this quaint café-delicatessen fusion adorned with vintage accents and a signature aqua green facade is all about the table service cafe experience. Founded in 2015 by Magda Slezak, it's more than just a convenience store like the name implies; delectable pastries, locally sourced ingredients, fine coffee and more go so well with its restored furnishings and stained-glass lamps. Le Petit Dep is a treasure trove when it comes to cafe experiences in town.

Le Moineau Masqué is a charming third-wave neighborhood café tucked away on a quiet street in the Plateau. Open since 2013, owner Fanny Godey named it after the sparrows in the garden and the slightly hidden or “masked” quality of the café’s location. Inside, the space glows with white paper lanterns, exposed brick, and mismatched vintage furniture, while the back garden offers a leafy summer escape. The menu keeps things simple and local: excellent coffee, buttery pastries, light lunches, and even some gluten-free treats.

La Finca’s cafe and coworking space invites folks to make themselves at home while they work. Since 2016, co-owners Geneviève Lavoine-Houle and Marie-Laurence Guindon have fostered a welcoming atmosphere where laptops are not just tolerated but encouraged. Sip on carefully crafted coffees from local roaster De Mello Palheta as you snack on baked goods. When the shop fills up, retreat to the cozy outdoor space in the summer or book the private room for collaborative sessions if you’ve got friends to hang out with.

Since 2011, Le Brûloir has been both a cozy café and an artisan roastery dedicated to quality and sustainability. Their bright café serves carefully roasted single origins and blends, paired with a high-quality breakfast and lunch menu spanning bakery items, sandwiches, and plenty of vegetarian and vegan options. Committed to direct relationships with farmers, Le Brûloir prioritizes transparency and flavor, offering coffees that tell a story from soil to cup. Friendly staff, Wi-Fi, and a sense of purpose make this a go-to Ahuntsic stop.

This bright outpost of one of Montreal’s pioneering micro-roasters, Café Saint-Henri, is perfectly at home among Marché Jean-Talon’s fresh, seasonal bounty. For over a decade, Café Saint-Henri has roasted carefully sourced beans to highlight the unique character of each terroir. This bustling location offers expertly pulled espressos, filter coffees, and friendly service in a leafy, vibrant setting, complete with seasonal outdoor seating. A favorite stop for market regulars and curious tourists, it’s an ideal place to pause, sip, and take in the colors and flavors of Jean-Talon.

Café Melbourne brings a slice of Australia to Montreal in the form of a laid-back vibe and serious coffee culture. Since opening in 2015, it’s become a brunch hotspot for Montrealers looking for something a little different. The café’s Aussie roots are unmistakable, from the menu offerings to the warm, no-fuss hospitality that makes you feel like you’ve stumbled into your local Melbourne coffee joint.

The food? Classic brunch fare, but with an unmistakable connection to the café’s source material: Smashed avocado on toast, salmon bagels, and soft-boiled egg platters are part of the lineup, but it’s the more eclectic dishes that steal the show: Chipotle chicken sourdough toasties and jaffles—a type of toasted sandwich that’s sealed at the edges, allowing for oozing, sauce-filled combinations like mac ‘n cheese or baked beans stuffed between crisp, golden bread.

Beyond the food and drink, it’s the relaxed and friendly atmosphere that keeps people coming back. The café’s motto—“Our French isn’t great, but our coffee is”—sums up the place’s spirit: welcoming, unfussy, and full of charm. It’s a place where you can grab a bite, sip some of the best coffee in town, and maybe try Vegemite for the first time.

Hélico Café, nestled in Hochelaga, has become a beloved spot for coffee lovers and brunch enthusiasts alike since opening in 2018. It brings a fresh and vibrant touch to the neighbourhood: The design, with its cheerful orange and white tones, creates a cozy, inviting atmosphere perfect for enjoying the café’s standout offerings.

Known for its exceptional homemade pastries including flaky croissants, decadent kouign-amanns, and one of the best brownies in town, the café also serves up a savory menu featuring seasonal, market-inspired dishes. Their breakfast sandwich, a local favourite, pairs perfectly with a cup of coffee. Just as good for a pastry and coffee or a full lunch or brunch, Hélico Café is a bright spot.

Myriade’s a Montreal institution known for pioneering the city's craft coffee movement. With several locations including a chic hideaway beneath Club Monaco on Ste. Catherine, its principle and barista Anthony Benda curates blends from top roaster 49th Parallel. Their commitment to excellence extends beyond locally sourced pastries to an ethos centers on community and discovery, evidenced by their rotating selection of guest roasters. Behind the scenes, Anthony's passion for perfection drives the café’s success. Doesn’t matter which address of theirs you go to—they’re all on point.

Nestled in the heart of Mile End, Café Club Social has been a local staple since 1982. What began as a cozy card club founded by Vincenzo Lucifero has grown into a lively spot where espresso flows freely. The menu offers satisfying paninis and tempting desserts, perfect for a quick bite or a relaxed afternoon. Grab a seat inside or soak up the sun on the corner terrace. When big games roll around—especially if Italy’s on the field—the café buzzes with energy, turning into an impromptu sports bar. Café Club Social is a true neighborhood home away from home.

Café Paper Hill is where espresso meets apéro in a space that feels as much like a neighbourhood living room as it does a café-bar. Housed in a historic building on Saint-Alexandre Street, it honours the area’s past as a hub for publishing and printmaking—hence the name, a nod to its literary roots. A full wall of books reinforces that connection, inviting customers to browse, linger, and maybe even swap a laptop screen for a page.

Owner Selma Gueddich envisioned Paper Hill as a space for both residents and workers, a spot that evolves with the rhythm of the day. Mornings bring Escape Coffee Company brews and light breakfast options, while lunchtime leans into fresh, unfussy fare—salads, sandwiches, and seasonal specials. By evening, it shifts gears, offering wine, cocktails, and shareable plates in a laid-back apéro setting, with a strict no-screens policy after 5 p.m. Add in a back terrace, occasional DJ sets, and a steady flow of creative events, and you’ve got a downtown staple in the making.

Café Dispatch’s commitment to exquisite coffee and transparent sourcing is unparalleled. Owner Chrissy Durcak's journey from mobile café on wheels to a roastery and multi-location café brand reflects her dedication to the craft. Dispatch's largest outpost on St-Laurent Boulevard epitomizes minimalist elegance, with a sleek design that accentuates its primary focus: Exceptional coffee. Baristas engage patrons in lively conversations at the long, Apple Genius Bar-like counter, sharing insights and techniques. It’s perfect for their farm to cup approach to meticulously brewed coffee in a warm ambiance.