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From traditional Milanese recipes to creative local spins.
Panettone is deceptively simple: flour, butter, eggs, sugar, and a whole lot of patience. But anyone who's tried to make one will tell you it's a nightmare. The dough needs days of careful fermentation, precise temperature control, and obsessive attention that separates hobbyists from pros. Mess it up, and you've got an expensive doorstop.
Which is why, when the holidays roll around, most of us are better off leaving it to the experts. Montreal has no shortage of panettone—some made locally by bakers who've spent years perfecting the process, others flown in from Italy by importers who know exactly what they're doing. The tricky part is knowing where to look.
In this guide, we’ll explore Montreal’s panettone landscape, showcasing the best the city has to offer. What we've got here should be just right for both connoisseurs of crumb structure as well as those simply seeking a handcrafted holiday indulgence.
In Saint-Henri, Elena emerges as a testament to Italian cuisine reimagined. Opened in early 2018 by the team behind Nora Gray, this spot pays homage to inspiring individuals like Elena Pantaleoni, whose spirit infuses the establishment’s warm, unpretentious hospitality. It integrates seamlessly into the neighborhood, reflecting its evolution with a vibrant, inviting space designed by Kyle Adams Goforth. The menu, crafted by Emma Cardarelli and Janice Tiefenbach, showcases dynamic iterations of Italian classics—from artisanal pizzas to homemade pastas, all complemented by Ryan Gray’s meticulously curated natural wine list. This new culinary landmark not only promises exquisite dishes but also embodies a modern trattoria's soul, where every detail underscores a commitment to quality and community.
Hof Kelsten is a beloved Plateau bakery-deli hybrid that offers some of Montreal’s finest bread and pastries. Chef-owner Jeffrey Finkelstein, whose impressive culinary journey includes stints at world-renowned restaurants like Per Se, The French Laundry, and Noma, shifted gears from haute cuisine to artisanal baking when he launched this spot in 2013. Croissants, pain au chocolate, and babka are all stars here.
The bakery’s weekend brunches are legendary, featuring standout dishes like shakshuka with merguez and a French toast made with challah and topped with veal pancetta. Every bite reflects Finkelstein’s dedication to high-quality ingredients, many of which are locally sourced, and his passion for elevating simple comfort food into something extraordinary.
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.
Bossa has carved out a name for itself in Montreal’s crowded Italian food scene by weaving its family roots together with exceptional Calabrian food. Helmed by chef and founder Daniel Lo Manto, this dual-purpose gem combines the charm of a specialty grocer with the vibrant energy of a bustling sandwich counter. From tender porchetta to crispy chicken parmesan, Lo Manto’s creations are as much an ode to his Italian heritage as they are a nod to Montreal’s love affair with robust, comforting flavours.
The heartbeat of Bossa lies in its history: mornings spent crushing tomatoes for Sunday sauce, summers tending a backyard garden for the freshest produce, and lessons in hospitality passed down from grandparents who lived to feed others. What started as one sandwich shop has since grown to multiple locations since, drawing lines down the block and fans from across the city and beyond.
Le Toledo is a meticulously crafted love letter to the art of breadmaking and community connection. Born from the vision of François Barrière, a former banker turned boulangerie mastermind, and Riccardo Arnoult, a seasoned baker from Toulouse, this Plateau landmark is built on a foundation of passion, collaboration, and a relentless pursuit of quality.
Inside the airy, light-filled space on Mont-Royal, visitors are greeted by a vintage Toledo scale—a serendipitous discovery that inspired the bakery’s name. The design, a blend of industrial charm and warm minimalism, invites you to linger at communal tables beneath a constellation of salvaged lamps.
The menu champions Quebec’s organic flours and slow fermentations, offering everything from buttery almond croissants to Scandinavian-style smørrebrøds. These are found at every one of their locations, good for grabbing a crusty sourdough loaf as much as they are for awesome sandwiches and breakfast chaussons.
Viva Panettone is crafting what might just be the city’s finest rendition of a notoriously challenging Italian delicacy. At the heart of their process is an unwavering commitment to tradition: organic fruits are candied in-house over 20 painstaking days, and each panettone demands 48 hours of meticulous preparation. Founders Éric Goeury and Anthony Daniele bring the precision of Olympic athletes and the soul of Milanese masters to every loaf.
Their crowning achievement, Le Signature, is a triumph of flavour—zesty candied citrus, plump sultanas, and rare vanilla swirl into a feather-light brioche. The dedication has not gone unnoticed: Viva Panettone represented North America at the 2024 Panettone World Cup in Milan.
From their Saint-Léonard headquarters to pop-ups in Laurier West and Old Montreal, this seasonal staple is a must-try, embodying the warmth, tradition, and festive joy of Italy in every bite.
Arte & Farina is a vibrant slice of Italy tucked into the heart of Montreal’s Village. This bakery and café, helmed by Venetian-born pastry chef Sandro Carpenè, serves as a love letter to Italian culinary tradition. From morning bomboloni to Roman-style pizza al taglio, the menu speaks to devotion aimed at high-quality ingredients like Domori chocolate and Petrilli tomatoes.
The airy, sunlit space—designed with Quebec maplewood accents and crowned by a 45-year-old olive tree—balances rustic warmth with a modern flair. Guests can linger over ricotta gnocchi or porchetta sandwiches, or browse a selection of imported Italian goods. Come summer, the terrace doubles the seating and introduces spritzes served with lemon sorbet, a refreshing nod to the aperitivo culture. What’s more, Arte & Farina’s handcrafted panettones have earned citywide fame, cementing it as both a culinary and cultural beacon.
Café Dei Campi has a unique application of Italian flair to plant-based, offering a thoughtful menu that’s both indulgent and sustainable. Tucked along Rosemont Boulevard, this small café-pâtisserie dating back to 2015 is the creation of Nicola Vardaro and Isabelle Deschamps; every item is 100% vegan, though you might never guess it—the goal here is less about labels and more about crafting irresistibly good food.
The offerings range from savoury focaccias and calzones to delicate pastries like olive oil buns and lemon cookies, all made with seasonal, local ingredients. Isabelle’s expertise as a pastry chef shines through, with house favourites rotating to match the rhythm of the seasons.
With its eco-conscious ethos—compostable packaging, preserved summer produce, and a near-zero waste model—Café Dei Campi is a must-visit spot for guilt-free indulgences.
What began as a pandemic-era side hustle out of Léché Desserts has become a pillar of the community, blending old-world craft with California-inspired innovation: Miette puts sourdough at the centre of its own quiet revolution in Little Burgundy.
Helmed by self-taught baker and former LA marketer Thea Bryson, this minimalist bakery focuses on naturally leavened loaves made with organic, local flours and painstakingly slow fermentation. The result? Crusts that crackle and interiors that melt—quality that’s head and shoulders above many others.
The space, designed by Thea’s sister Celia, feels more like a modern gallery than a bakery, with its high ceilings, streaming natural light, and open kitchen showcasing the artistry of bread-making. Focaccias, marbled rye, and olive-walnut sourdough are just a few of the stars in Miette’s rotation, drawing a devoted following willing to cross the city for a loaf.
From French classics to creations influenced by Scandinavian and Californian traditions, Automne Boulangerie has firmly planted its roots in Rosemont–La Petite-Patrie, earning a reputation as one of Montreal’s most beloved bakeries. Launched in 2016 by Julien Roy and Seth Gabrielse, the bakery’s ethos centres on craftsmanship, seasonality, and a deep connection to local farmers and producers. With the addition of longtime baker Quentin Lamensch as co-owner in 2022, the team continues to refine their vision of artisanal baking.
Since their second outpost on Bélanger, they’ve expanded production capabilities while doubling as a cozy café. Patrons can enjoy signature treats like the cardamom knot or jambon-fromage pastry in the welcoming dining space, where families and friends gather over coffee and freshly baked goods.
Baristello is where Italian coffee culture meets modern Montreal charm. Helmed by Piero Ciampoli—an icon of the city’s coffee scene—this café is a spacious, light-filled homage to the grand cafés of northern Italy. Located on the Université de Montréal’s MIL campus, the café’s high ceilings and panoramic windows create an inviting atmosphere, landing it a spot among the city’s most beautiful coffee shops.
True to Italian tradition, the menu balances sophistication with comfort: Think expertly crafted espresso, southern-style pizzas reminiscent of nonna’s kitchen, and sweets from Café Dei Campi. It’s a space designed for connection, where patrons are encouraged to pause, share stories, and savour the moment over a rich espresso or a soft, cheesy pizza.
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