The baguettes are close to perfection at these bakeries/restaurants/grocery stores from Marc-André Royal with locations in Ahuntsic, Griffintown and Laval. Loaves, like the fougasse, multigrain, and levain, are also not to be missed.

As the name implies, bread is what puts the wind in the sails of Le Pain Dans Les Voiles. Classic staples like brioche and sesame loaves are offered alongside creative choices like a fig, goat cheese, honey and rosemary baguette.

The brainchild of chef Seth Gabrielse and renowned baker Julien Roy, this bakery has made it its mission to source, use, and promote local grains. Almost all of the flour they use is from Quebec, and they keep their ingredients to a minimum, so you taste the integrity of the grains, while still offering creative choices like kamut with blueberry and ginger confit or an apple and cheddar loaf.

A plateau staple since 1999 with locations on Mont-Royal, Rachel, and Masson, Boulangerie Les Co’Pains d’Abord is well known for its artisanal breads as well as croissants and pastries all baked by hand. Also, not to be missed are its signature gingerbread men cookies.

Arhoma is somewhat of a Montreal success story when it comes to bringing artisanal bread to the masses. What started as a tiny boutique in Hochelaga-Maisonneuve in 2007 has become a familiar brand that you can find in many grocery stores across the city, or even get delivered right to your door.

The chocolate babka gets most of the hype at this Mile End Jewish staple, and for good reason — but the challah is also a winner. An added bonus is that it’s open from early morning until 11 p.m. on all days except Friday and Saturday, in observance of Shabbat.

Baker and owner Jeffrey Finkelstein has made quite the name for himself making loaves from challah to rye. Stop in for lunch and enjoy a coffee and a sandwich made from the freshest of breads. Indulging in some of its chocolate babka isn’t a bad idea, either.

Offering a succinct but well-executed selection of bread and viennoiseries, Farine et Vanille brings some diversity to Mile End’s carbohydrate selection. Try Mexican-inspired sweets like the concha, a shell-shaped sweet bread, or go savoury with the garlic and coarse salt twist.

The smell of fresh baked breads lures patrons off of Greene Avenue and upstairs into this Italian bakery offering traditional baguettes alongside a variety of loaves like challah, ciabatta, and country, as well as double chocolate, lemon poppyseed, cheese and egg, and more. They also serve sandwiches, flatbread pizzas, and a vast assortment of Italian sweets including cannoli, cornetto, bombolone, and tiramisu.

Organic sourdough is what it’s about at this Little Burgundy newcomer offering the classic alongside flavoured options like cinnamon raisin, olive and walnut, and marble rye. It’s open Wednesday to Sunday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with deliver to certain zip codes.

Baguettes are a staple, but NDG’s Chez Fred is worth checking out for its viennoiseries, which are touted as having some of the best croissants in the city. Fun fact: it’s founded by a Parisian lawyer turned baker.