August 3, 2009 – There’s nothing better, morning or noon, than a cup of piping hot joe to get you going. Mind you, many people feel the same way about coffee mid-afternoon and evening. In Montréal, not only can you enjoy some of the world’s best coffees, but also some of the best places to sip them.
We often think of the French as coffee-drinkers (they are), but it was the Italians who first brought their coffee-making skills to Montréal. Little Italy, close to the Jean-Talon Market on Saint-Laurent Blvd., abounds with excellent coffee shops, including the neighbourhood favourite, Café Italia. Neither glitzy, nor artsy, this authentic little shop is an excellent choice for a typical Italian caffè, sided with biscotti.
Downtown, java seekers need look no further than Vasco da Gama on Peel Street. As the name implies, it has a Portuguese flavour, including walls lined with azuelos, but the mouth-watering menu is also Montréal-influenced. After some shopping, order an espresso and savour a sweet moment with an almond tart, vanilla crème brûlée or natas.
Aux Deux Marie on the busy Saint-Denis Street, (named after two real-life Maries) is an authentic, relaxed café. Follow your nose to the aroma of roasting coffee wafting out to the sidewalk, as you eye up huge sacks of fresh coffee beans in the window. On the outdoor terrace, pull up a chair, sit down with a cup, and watch the world go by…
Olive et Gourmando on Saint-Paul Street West, is a classic. It started out as a bakery and still is, serving beautiful organic breads, pastries and paninis. Home-made muffins and "extraordinaire brownies" are to die for and the coffee is always full-bodied, aromatic and comforting.
Close by, on McGill Street south of Square Victoria, is Le Cartet. Outside main meal times (Saturdays and Sunday brunches), Le Cartet reverts to its origins as a fine coffee shop where you can sit round one of several large wooden tables, read the newspaper, chat with friends and savour a moment of down time.
New to the brew scene is Nespresso on downtown’s Crescent Street. The sleek boutique features a coffee-tasting concept (16 premium blends to choose from) as well as the chance to browse and buy a wide range of coffee machines and accessories.
Café Vasco da Gama
Olive et Gourmando
Le Cartet
Nespresso
