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celery root sandwich
Keela’s celery root, cheddar, and truffle aioli sandwich
Keela/Facebook

Where to Eat in Montreal’s Gay Village

From bakery to bistro, and everything in between

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Keela’s celery root, cheddar, and truffle aioli sandwich
| Keela/Facebook

Despite its proximity to Downtown Montreal, the Village (and the surrounding Centre-Sud district) hasn’t had nearly the same restaurant boom as other inner-city areas like Griffintown. And in the past year, we’ve seen the loss of what was perhaps its biggest draw: Arcade Fire-backed Haitian restaurant Agrikol. There remain plenty of culinary gems to check out in the hood nonetheless, including newcomers like Keela and Aperitivo and more established spots like beloved BYOB O’Thym.

This map looks at eateries in the area enclosed by Berri to the west, Papineau to the east, Sherbrooke to the north, and the river to the south. If you’re looking for something further east, check out our Hochelaga-Maisonneuve map.

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It’s traditional dishes all the way at this homey Thai spot, as chef Pamika Sukla dreamed of showcasing the wide range of flavours Southeast Asian cuisine can offer. Its fresh salads, soups and curry dishes are all winners, and its cocktails — when on-site dining resumes — add to the impressive menu.

Quietly opening mere weeks before the city went into its first lockdown in 2020, this cozy Village bistro is building a loyal following enamoured by its main draw: flatbreads cooked in a wood-burning oven and served with a variety of toppings, from veggie and cashew cheese to ham and béchamel. A lineup of sandwiches and salads, also catering to both vegans and carnivores, round out the offering, along with a weekly rotation of ice cream and sorbet.

Pataterie Chez Philippe

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Around since 1962, Pataterie Chez Philippe offers up the casse-croûte classics: hamburgers, poutine, club sandwich, and a highly regarded Michigan hot dog.

Le Mousso

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Chef Antonin Mousseau-Rivard’s first restaurant (he previously honed his skills at the Contemporary Art Museum’s in-house resto) has induced many a rave from critics and civilians alike. (So has his second, more casual spot next door, Le Petit Mousso.) And throughout the pandemic, the restaurant’s creative tasting menus — most recently featuring lobster in Armoricaine sauce, and rhubarb and saffron doughnuts — have been boxed up for a splurge-worthy night in.

Aperitivo Village

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Le Blind Pig and Bar Minéral owner Mathieu Ménard’s new Italian grocery store has shelves stocked with imported preserves and oils, charcuterie and cheese, and house-made pasta. Looking for something that doesn’t require cooking? Try the mushroom arancini or a “focapizza,” a cross between a focaccia and pizza, featuring toppings like truffle ham and ricotta.

Pho Viet

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Slurp the night away with a Tonkinese soup from this small family-run Vietnamese operation. It’s been around for years, and its fried noodles are a crowd favourite, too.

One of Montreal’s most beloved BYOW restaurants is this neat spot from Nadine Tessier and chef Noé Lainesse. Hearty dishes showcase Quebec meats in a way that feels rustic but with a level of complexity beyond what the descriptor “rustic” implies. It’s currently offering three-course takeout meals for $35.

Kamé Snack Bar

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Kamé hit the ground running with its Instagram-friendly pink décor and well-designed plates. This Hawaiian snack bar is a great stop for poke and acai bowls, spam musubi, smoothies, and ice cream.

Le Red Tiger

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Vietnamese street food that goes well beyond regular ol’ pho reins at this cool pub on de Maisonneuve, where papaya salad, noodles, and fresh flavours like lemongrass abound. Delivery is handled through Resto Loco.

Café Sfouf

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The primary food offering at this bright, easygoing neighbourhood café is its tartines — toast topped with options like labneh, za’atar, and mint; or goat cheese, pistachios, and honey — that are all worth a try.

Arte & Farina

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One of very few Italian bakeries on this side of town, Arte & Farina’s wagon is firmly hitched on its panettone (a 72-hour labour of love). If you don’t need a loaf of the sweet bread, there’s no shortage of biscotti, focaccia, bombolone, and sandwiches with charcuterie.

Sachère Desserts

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Sweets specialist Sonya Sammut has been running her Gay Village bakery for about three years now — and it just keeps getting better and better. Go for a tartlet, gorgeous cake, or, in the summer, a weekly soft serve twist.

Restaurant Tendresse

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Open since winter 2019, this vegan bistro caters to more than just herbivores. Tendresse serves brunch, lunch, and coffee, and its eye-catching pink bar stools compliment the leafy, minimalist décor. The food skips the granola vegetarian stereotypes in favour of menu items like mushroom waffles, gazpacho, and General Tao tofu.

The carefully crafted Caribbean menu at Palme covers islands from Jamaica to Haiti, offering everything from jerk chicken to tropical ceviche — currently available for delivery in picnic baskets fit for four.

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Pamika

It’s traditional dishes all the way at this homey Thai spot, as chef Pamika Sukla dreamed of showcasing the wide range of flavours Southeast Asian cuisine can offer. Its fresh salads, soups and curry dishes are all winners, and its cocktails — when on-site dining resumes — add to the impressive menu.

Keela

Quietly opening mere weeks before the city went into its first lockdown in 2020, this cozy Village bistro is building a loyal following enamoured by its main draw: flatbreads cooked in a wood-burning oven and served with a variety of toppings, from veggie and cashew cheese to ham and béchamel. A lineup of sandwiches and salads, also catering to both vegans and carnivores, round out the offering, along with a weekly rotation of ice cream and sorbet.

Pataterie Chez Philippe

Around since 1962, Pataterie Chez Philippe offers up the casse-croûte classics: hamburgers, poutine, club sandwich, and a highly regarded Michigan hot dog.

Le Mousso

Chef Antonin Mousseau-Rivard’s first restaurant (he previously honed his skills at the Contemporary Art Museum’s in-house resto) has induced many a rave from critics and civilians alike. (So has his second, more casual spot next door, Le Petit Mousso.) And throughout the pandemic, the restaurant’s creative tasting menus — most recently featuring lobster in Armoricaine sauce, and rhubarb and saffron doughnuts — have been boxed up for a splurge-worthy night in.

Aperitivo Village

Le Blind Pig and Bar Minéral owner Mathieu Ménard’s new Italian grocery store has shelves stocked with imported preserves and oils, charcuterie and cheese, and house-made pasta. Looking for something that doesn’t require cooking? Try the mushroom arancini or a “focapizza,” a cross between a focaccia and pizza, featuring toppings like truffle ham and ricotta.

Pho Viet

Slurp the night away with a Tonkinese soup from this small family-run Vietnamese operation. It’s been around for years, and its fried noodles are a crowd favourite, too.

O'Thym

One of Montreal’s most beloved BYOW restaurants is this neat spot from Nadine Tessier and chef Noé Lainesse. Hearty dishes showcase Quebec meats in a way that feels rustic but with a level of complexity beyond what the descriptor “rustic” implies. It’s currently offering three-course takeout meals for $35.

Kamé Snack Bar

Kamé hit the ground running with its Instagram-friendly pink décor and well-designed plates. This Hawaiian snack bar is a great stop for poke and acai bowls, spam musubi, smoothies, and ice cream.

Le Red Tiger

Vietnamese street food that goes well beyond regular ol’ pho reins at this cool pub on de Maisonneuve, where papaya salad, noodles, and fresh flavours like lemongrass abound. Delivery is handled through Resto Loco.

Café Sfouf

The primary food offering at this bright, easygoing neighbourhood café is its tartines — toast topped with options like labneh, za’atar, and mint; or goat cheese, pistachios, and honey — that are all worth a try.

Arte & Farina

One of very few Italian bakeries on this side of town, Arte & Farina’s wagon is firmly hitched on its panettone (a 72-hour labour of love). If you don’t need a loaf of the sweet bread, there’s no shortage of biscotti, focaccia, bombolone, and sandwiches with charcuterie.

Sachère Desserts

Sweets specialist Sonya Sammut has been running her Gay Village bakery for about three years now — and it just keeps getting better and better. Go for a tartlet, gorgeous cake, or, in the summer, a weekly soft serve twist.

Restaurant Tendresse

Open since winter 2019, this vegan bistro caters to more than just herbivores. Tendresse serves brunch, lunch, and coffee, and its eye-catching pink bar stools compliment the leafy, minimalist décor. The food skips the granola vegetarian stereotypes in favour of menu items like mushroom waffles, gazpacho, and General Tao tofu.

Palme

The carefully crafted Caribbean menu at Palme covers islands from Jamaica to Haiti, offering everything from jerk chicken to tropical ceviche — currently available for delivery in picnic baskets fit for four.