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Bagel Etc.
Bagel Etc.
Randall Brodeur

The Best Diner Breakfasts in Montreal

No-nonsense classic casse-croûtes

by Tim Forster and Ian Harrison Updated
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Bagel Etc.
| Randall Brodeur
by Tim Forster and Ian Harrison Updated

Breakfast may not be alive and well at some of the city's most notable restaurants, but at old school diners, casse-croûtes, neighbourhood cafés, and greasy spoons, the first service of the day is the bedrock. A few of these landmarks — Beautys, Bagel Etc, Cosmos — serve some of the best weekday breakfasts in Montreal, period. What all of these places have in common, however, is a sense of folksy continuity, and a dedication to daily, no-frills breakfasts.

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Maam Bolduc

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Plateau standby Maam Bolduc, diner par excellence for over four decades, has a great selection of poutines, hotdogs, omelettes, all in a homey space that feels more like a neighbourhood hang-out than a greasy diner.
4351 ave. de Lorimier, Montreal, QC H2H 2B3, Canada
(514) 527-3884
(514) 527-3884
Maam Bolduc

Mont-Royal Hot Dog

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Flat top griddle breakfasts, poutines, burgers, and, toasté hot dogs for over half a century. Current boss Nickolaos Psaradellis is the son of Mont-Royal's original co-owner, Constantinos Psaradellis.
1001 Av. Mont-Royal Est, Montreal, QC H2J 1X7, Canada
(514) 523-3670
(514) 523-3670
Mont-Royal Hot Dog

La Binerie

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So historic it has a Wikipedia page, La Binerie is the city's quintessential Québécois breakfast and lunch counter. Breakfast is served as of 6 a.m. Wednesday to Friday, and as of 7:30 a.m. on weekends.
367 Avenue du Mont-Royal E, Montréal, QC H2T 1R1, Canada
(514) 285-9078
(514) 285-9078
La Binerie

Beautys Luncheonette

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The one, the only. The iconic home of the Special and the Mish-Mash (which is even trademarked) has been in the breakfast game since 1942. Step inside Beautys here.
93 ave. du Mont-Royal Ouest, Montreal, QC H2T 2S5, Canada
(514) 849-8883
(514) 849-8883
Beautys

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Bagel Etc.

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Bagel Etc co-owner Howard Leitner really loves his customers. “I think it’s getting close to being an institution. They’re not customers, they’re all friends. We get to know each other, get to know our personal lives, things that are going on. That’s really the bottom line of the success of the Bagel. We’re like a big family here.”
4320 boul. Saint-Laurent, Montreal, QC H2W 1Z3, Canada
(514) 845-9462
(514) 845-9462
Randall Brodeur

Patati Patata

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Good, cheap, fast breakfasts don't get much better than the ones dished up at this enduring Plateau snack bar, eminently capable of much more than the burgers for which it's known. Breakfast poutines, eggs any style, French toasts, omelettes, even vegan scrambles — Patati Patata is on it, every day at 8 a.m.
4177 Boul St-Laurent, Montréal, QC H2W 1Y7, Canada
(514) 844-0216
(514) 844-0216
Patati Patata

Greenspot

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Greenspot has served Saint-Henri breakfast for more than 70 years. A true neighbourhood staple.
3041 rue Notre-Dame Ouest, Montreal, QC H4C 1N9‎, Canada
(514) 931-6473
(514) 931-6473
Google Maps

Also featured in:

Cosmos

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Nobody handles breakfast quite like the legendary Cosmos, where margarine and flat top management reign supreme. Subject of Ezra Soiferman's 2000 documentary Man of Grease.
5843 Sherbrooke St West, Montreal, QC H4A 1X4, Canada
(514) 486-3814
(514) 486-3814
The Cosmos Creation Sandwich | TripAdvisor

Also featured in:

Chez Claudette

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Steamés, pâté chinois, and more poutines than you can shake a pogo at underline this thirty-five-year-old diner's menu. Hangover breakfasts are also served at Chez Claudette around the clock from Thursday to Saturday, and from 7 a.m. the rest of the week.
351 Avenue Laurier E, Montréal, QC H2T 1G7, Canada
(514) 279-5173
(514) 279-5173
Chez Claudette

Casse-Croûte Chez Pagi

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Any good Hochelaga-Maisonneuve breakfast crawl starts at Chez Pagi, where greasy spoon breakfasts are served all day, every day.
4518 Ste Catherine Est, Montreal, QC H1V 1Y5, Canada
(514) 255-0429
(514) 255-0429
SDC Hochelaga Maisonneuve

Lester's Deli

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Whether for steak and eggs, or bagels, lox, and cream cheese, the six-decade-old Lester's knows breakfast. The smoked meat emporium serves it Monday to Saturday as of 9 a.m.
1055 rue Bernard, Outremont, QC, Canada
(514) 213-1313
(514) 213-1313
Lester's Deli

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Le Vieux Saint-Laurent

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Almost hidden next to the century-old Segal's grocery store, Le Vieux serves affordable, ample breakfast plates daily as of 6:30 a.m. (7:30 a.m. on Sundays). A quiet staple on the Main for decades.
3993 boul. Saint-Laurent, Montreal, QC H2W 1Y8, Canada
(514) 848-0983
(514) 848-0983

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Casse-Croûte Normand

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Verdun's got diner breakfast game too, thanks to Normand. The casse-croûte has stood the test of time since 1964.
4826, Rue De Verdun, Verdun, QC H4G 1N1, Canada
(514) 439-8285
(514) 439-8285
Casse-Croûte Normand

Snowdon Deli

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Ian Morantz, son and nephew of Snowdon Deli's founders, on breakfast's evolving role at the venerable, 70-year-old diner: “We’ve broadened the menu over the years considerably. It used to be much more restrictive. But people’s tastes change. Breakfast is a big item now. We have the full breakfast all day long. And we make it a nice plate.” Open daily as of 6 a.m.
5265 Décarie, Montreal, QC H3W 3C2, Canada
(514) 488-9129
(514) 488-9129
Randall Brodeur

Also featured in:

Nouveau Système

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The delightfull retro orange interior is a draw to this Beaubien Street diner with no-nonsense greasy breakfast plates that'll cure any hangover.
323 Rue Beaubien E, Montréal, QC H2S 1R9, Canada
(514) 273-3708
(514) 273-3708

Mister Steer

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One of the sole reliable cheap breakfasts in the downtown area, Mister Steer is known for its burgers, but it also has diner classics, including the option for Steerburger and eggs.
1198 rue Sainte-Catherine Ouest, Montreal, QC H3B 1K1, Canada
(514) 866-3233
(514) 866-3233
Mister Steer

Restaurant A.A.

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3702 Rue Notre-Dame Ouest, Montréal, QC H4C 1P7, Canada
(514) 933-9009
(514) 933-9009
Restaurant A.A.

Paulo & Suzanne

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Cartierville's favourite 24-hour diner is a poutine destination in and of itself, but breakfasts both sucré and salé, from French toast and waffles to omelettes, are just as satisfactory.
5501 Gouin Blvd W, Montreal, QC H4J 1C8, Canada
(514) 336-5561
(514) 336-5561
Paulo & Suzanne
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Maam Bolduc

4351 ave. de Lorimier, Montreal, QC H2H 2B3, Canada
Plateau standby Maam Bolduc, diner par excellence for over four decades, has a great selection of poutines, hotdogs, omelettes, all in a homey space that feels more like a neighbourhood hang-out than a greasy diner.
4351 ave. de Lorimier, Montreal, QC H2H 2B3, Canada
(514) 527-3884
(514) 527-3884
Maam Bolduc

Mont-Royal Hot Dog

1001 Av. Mont-Royal Est, Montreal, QC H2J 1X7, Canada
Flat top griddle breakfasts, poutines, burgers, and, toasté hot dogs for over half a century. Current boss Nickolaos Psaradellis is the son of Mont-Royal's original co-owner, Constantinos Psaradellis.
1001 Av. Mont-Royal Est, Montreal, QC H2J 1X7, Canada
(514) 523-3670
(514) 523-3670
Mont-Royal Hot Dog

La Binerie

367 Avenue du Mont-Royal E, Montréal, QC H2T 1R1, Canada
So historic it has a Wikipedia page, La Binerie is the city's quintessential Québécois breakfast and lunch counter. Breakfast is served as of 6 a.m. Wednesday to Friday, and as of 7:30 a.m. on weekends.
367 Avenue du Mont-Royal E, Montréal, QC H2T 1R1, Canada
(514) 285-9078
(514) 285-9078
La Binerie

Beautys Luncheonette

93 ave. du Mont-Royal Ouest, Montreal, QC H2T 2S5, Canada
The one, the only. The iconic home of the Special and the Mish-Mash (which is even trademarked) has been in the breakfast game since 1942. Step inside Beautys here.
93 ave. du Mont-Royal Ouest, Montreal, QC H2T 2S5, Canada
(514) 849-8883
(514) 849-8883
Beautys

Bagel Etc.

4320 boul. Saint-Laurent, Montreal, QC H2W 1Z3, Canada
Bagel Etc co-owner Howard Leitner really loves his customers. “I think it’s getting close to being an institution. They’re not customers, they’re all friends. We get to know each other, get to know our personal lives, things that are going on. That’s really the bottom line of the success of the Bagel. We’re like a big family here.”
4320 boul. Saint-Laurent, Montreal, QC H2W 1Z3, Canada
(514) 845-9462
(514) 845-9462
Randall Brodeur

Patati Patata

4177 Boul St-Laurent, Montréal, QC H2W 1Y7, Canada
Good, cheap, fast breakfasts don't get much better than the ones dished up at this enduring Plateau snack bar, eminently capable of much more than the burgers for which it's known. Breakfast poutines, eggs any style, French toasts, omelettes, even vegan scrambles — Patati Patata is on it, every day at 8 a.m.
4177 Boul St-Laurent, Montréal, QC H2W 1Y7, Canada
(514) 844-0216
(514) 844-0216
Patati Patata

Greenspot

3041 rue Notre-Dame Ouest, Montreal, QC H4C 1N9‎, Canada
Greenspot has served Saint-Henri breakfast for more than 70 years. A true neighbourhood staple.
3041 rue Notre-Dame Ouest, Montreal, QC H4C 1N9‎, Canada
(514) 931-6473
(514) 931-6473
Google Maps

Cosmos

5843 Sherbrooke St West, Montreal, QC H4A 1X4, Canada
Nobody handles breakfast quite like the legendary Cosmos, where margarine and flat top management reign supreme. Subject of Ezra Soiferman's 2000 documentary Man of Grease.
5843 Sherbrooke St West, Montreal, QC H4A 1X4, Canada
(514) 486-3814
(514) 486-3814
The Cosmos Creation Sandwich | TripAdvisor

Chez Claudette

351 Avenue Laurier E, Montréal, QC H2T 1G7, Canada
Steamés, pâté chinois, and more poutines than you can shake a pogo at underline this thirty-five-year-old diner's menu. Hangover breakfasts are also served at Chez Claudette around the clock from Thursday to Saturday, and from 7 a.m. the rest of the week.
351 Avenue Laurier E, Montréal, QC H2T 1G7, Canada
(514) 279-5173
(514) 279-5173
Chez Claudette

Casse-Croûte Chez Pagi

4518 Ste Catherine Est, Montreal, QC H1V 1Y5, Canada
Any good Hochelaga-Maisonneuve breakfast crawl starts at Chez Pagi, where greasy spoon breakfasts are served all day, every day.
4518 Ste Catherine Est, Montreal, QC H1V 1Y5, Canada
(514) 255-0429
(514) 255-0429
SDC Hochelaga Maisonneuve

Lester's Deli

1055 rue Bernard, Outremont, QC, Canada
Whether for steak and eggs, or bagels, lox, and cream cheese, the six-decade-old Lester's knows breakfast. The smoked meat emporium serves it Monday to Saturday as of 9 a.m.
1055 rue Bernard, Outremont, QC, Canada
(514) 213-1313
(514) 213-1313
Lester's Deli

Le Vieux Saint-Laurent

3993 boul. Saint-Laurent, Montreal, QC H2W 1Y8, Canada
Almost hidden next to the century-old Segal's grocery store, Le Vieux serves affordable, ample breakfast plates daily as of 6:30 a.m. (7:30 a.m. on Sundays). A quiet staple on the Main for decades.
3993 boul. Saint-Laurent, Montreal, QC H2W 1Y8, Canada
(514) 848-0983
(514) 848-0983

Casse-Croûte Normand

4826, Rue De Verdun, Verdun, QC H4G 1N1, Canada
Verdun's got diner breakfast game too, thanks to Normand. The casse-croûte has stood the test of time since 1964.
4826, Rue De Verdun, Verdun, QC H4G 1N1, Canada
(514) 439-8285
(514) 439-8285
Casse-Croûte Normand

Snowdon Deli

5265 Décarie, Montreal, QC H3W 3C2, Canada
Ian Morantz, son and nephew of Snowdon Deli's founders, on breakfast's evolving role at the venerable, 70-year-old diner: “We’ve broadened the menu over the years considerably. It used to be much more restrictive. But people’s tastes change. Breakfast is a big item now. We have the full breakfast all day long. And we make it a nice plate.” Open daily as of 6 a.m.
5265 Décarie, Montreal, QC H3W 3C2, Canada
(514) 488-9129
(514) 488-9129
Randall Brodeur

Nouveau Système

323 Rue Beaubien E, Montréal, QC H2S 1R9, Canada
The delightfull retro orange interior is a draw to this Beaubien Street diner with no-nonsense greasy breakfast plates that'll cure any hangover.
323 Rue Beaubien E, Montréal, QC H2S 1R9, Canada
(514) 273-3708
(514) 273-3708

Mister Steer

1198 rue Sainte-Catherine Ouest, Montreal, QC H3B 1K1, Canada
One of the sole reliable cheap breakfasts in the downtown area, Mister Steer is known for its burgers, but it also has diner classics, including the option for Steerburger and eggs.
1198 rue Sainte-Catherine Ouest, Montreal, QC H3B 1K1, Canada
(514) 866-3233
(514) 866-3233
Mister Steer

Restaurant A.A.

3702 Rue Notre-Dame Ouest, Montréal, QC H4C 1P7, Canada
3702 Rue Notre-Dame Ouest, Montréal, QC H4C 1P7, Canada
(514) 933-9009
(514) 933-9009
Restaurant A.A.

Paulo & Suzanne

5501 Gouin Blvd W, Montreal, QC H4J 1C8, Canada
Cartierville's favourite 24-hour diner is a poutine destination in and of itself, but breakfasts both sucré and salé, from French toast and waffles to omelettes, are just as satisfactory.
5501 Gouin Blvd W, Montreal, QC H4J 1C8, Canada
(514) 336-5561
(514) 336-5561
Paulo & Suzanne