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.