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Where to Eat and Drink in Villeray

From tapas to tacos — and lots of Italian in between

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The primarily residential northern neighbourhood of Villeray, with its charmingly leafy streets and proximity to Jean-Talon Market and Jarry Park, has seen a big culinary boost in recent years. An array of cool young things — cafés, restaurants, and other neighbourhood haunts — have settled in, but among them are some longtime favourites, like Syrian-Armenian restaurant Alep, Haitian food counter and grocery store Méli-Mélo, and Spanish tapas frontrunner Tapeo.

Here are some of the best of both worlds — old and new, food and drink.

Health experts consider dining out to be a low-to-moderate risk for the vaccinated. For updated information and regulations, please visit the official sites of the Quebec government and Montreal’s public health authority (Santé Montréal).

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Meli-Melo Market

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The place to go for home-style Haitian food, long-standing community staple Meli-Melo has been serving its flavour-rich griot cubes to Villeray denizens since 1984. Grab an extra jar of pikliz off to go.

Bar Le Record

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Take a trip back in time at this St-Hubert Street spot spinning classic vinyl in a space replete with Mad Man-era vibes. Wines are offered by the glass, and the cocktail menu is heavily gin- and bourbon-based — a great place for a date.

Tandem isn’t just a fantastic Villeray restaurant or a go-to BYOB — it’s a great restaurant, period. Chef-owner Pascale Turgeon puts on a menu replete with French classics, from foie gras to meaty mains laden with mushrooms and buttery sauces.

Mr. Azteca

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A neighbourhood taqueria offering lots beyond the standard taco; they’re also selling chilaquiles rojos, flautas, gorditas, and plenty of vegetarian options.

On the scene since 2004, the focus of this 100-seat Spanish restaurant is strictly tapas. Diners can choose from a wide range of dishes — all meant to be shared — including must-haves such as fried calamari, tuna albacore, and grilled shrimp. The paella is another notable highlight.

Knuckles Cantine & Vins

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Its “knuckles” or panzerotti (golden, fried envelopes of dough filled with tomatoes and cheese) may be the inspiration behind this Villeray newcomer’s name, but chef Vincent Lévesque-Lepage (formerly of Hoogan & Beaufort) is also serving up raved-over pasta dishes chock-full of local produce.

Restaurant Vesta

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Unlike the Neapolitan style embraced by sibling restaurant Gema, Villeray’s Vesta makes its pizza thicker and crispier, drawing on North American traditions. Still sticking on this side of the Atlantic, it has cheesy Italian-American sides like mozzarella sticks and garlic knots deliciously slathered in a cacio e pepe sauce.

Huis Clos

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This bar exploded onto the scene eight years ago, when few people would think of heading to Villeray as a drinking destination. Upscale bar fare centred around seafood — think oysters and tartare — seals the deal.

Restaurant Moccione

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Villeray has a strong contingent of spots where to sample Italian classics, but a seat at this three-year-old eatery may arguably be its most sought-after. Owners Luca Cianciulli and Maxime Landry bring experience from acclaimed Toqué, and the result is simple, sumptuous fare in a super cozy atmosphere.

Cafécoquetel

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This Villeray newcomer takes you from morning rose latte to afternoon cocktail (or mocktail) in a cinch, with grilled cheese and veggie-heavy snacks to keep you fed.

Lahmajoune Villeray

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The legacy of defunct lahmajoun bakery Chez Apo lives on at this Villeray newcomer started by one of its former employees in the same locale. Expect the namesake tomatoey, beefy flatbreads, plus a bevy of house-made dips, sweets, and snacks.

Braseiro

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Far from new and trendy, this Portuguese restaurant is a mainstay for seafood dishes (garlicky shrimp, grilled octopus, and, of course, sardines, to name a few) and grilled chicken — prepare to leave full.

Café Ferlucci

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Set on the ground floor of a converted duplex, this café pulls a mean Italian-style espresso while also serving traditional pastries, panini, and grilled cheese sandwiches. Peep the extensive collection of VHS tapes, too.

Café Vito

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This Italian coffee shop founded by a barista from Mile End favourite Olimpico has a great community vibe, alongside great espresso, cannoli, and panini. Many take their coffee to go, but if you choose to stay, it’s almost guaranteed to have a soccer game playing in the background.

La Ruelle Épicerie et Café

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Steps away from Jarry Park is LaRuelle, a Colombian sandwich shop, café, and grocery store serving up veggie and beef arepas, as well as Southern comfort foods like brisket sandwiches and three-cheese mac and cheese. Stock up on the Colombian coffee, hot sauce, and plantains chips that line its grocery shelves.

Comptoir Sainte-Cécile

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Five-year-old Comptoir Sainte-Cécile has you covered at lunchtime with salads, soups, sweets, and some not-to-be-missed sandwiches. Recent options include a salmon tartare sandwich filled with potato confit sour cream and one with mushrooms, carrots, basil, and curry mayo. They’ve also got you covered for drinks, with loads of wines, ciders, and beers from Quebec.

Alep/Le Petit Alep

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An anchor in the neighbourhood, Alep shines as a premier destination for Syrian and Armenian flavours in a table-clothed setting. Next door, laid-back bistro Le Petit Alep shares a kitchen and offers lunch service with the same comprehensive wine list.

Meli-Melo Market

The place to go for home-style Haitian food, long-standing community staple Meli-Melo has been serving its flavour-rich griot cubes to Villeray denizens since 1984. Grab an extra jar of pikliz off to go.

Bar Le Record

Take a trip back in time at this St-Hubert Street spot spinning classic vinyl in a space replete with Mad Man-era vibes. Wines are offered by the glass, and the cocktail menu is heavily gin- and bourbon-based — a great place for a date.

Tandem

Tandem isn’t just a fantastic Villeray restaurant or a go-to BYOB — it’s a great restaurant, period. Chef-owner Pascale Turgeon puts on a menu replete with French classics, from foie gras to meaty mains laden with mushrooms and buttery sauces.

Mr. Azteca

A neighbourhood taqueria offering lots beyond the standard taco; they’re also selling chilaquiles rojos, flautas, gorditas, and plenty of vegetarian options.

Tapeo

On the scene since 2004, the focus of this 100-seat Spanish restaurant is strictly tapas. Diners can choose from a wide range of dishes — all meant to be shared — including must-haves such as fried calamari, tuna albacore, and grilled shrimp. The paella is another notable highlight.

Knuckles Cantine & Vins

Its “knuckles” or panzerotti (golden, fried envelopes of dough filled with tomatoes and cheese) may be the inspiration behind this Villeray newcomer’s name, but chef Vincent Lévesque-Lepage (formerly of Hoogan & Beaufort) is also serving up raved-over pasta dishes chock-full of local produce.

Restaurant Vesta

Unlike the Neapolitan style embraced by sibling restaurant Gema, Villeray’s Vesta makes its pizza thicker and crispier, drawing on North American traditions. Still sticking on this side of the Atlantic, it has cheesy Italian-American sides like mozzarella sticks and garlic knots deliciously slathered in a cacio e pepe sauce.

Huis Clos

This bar exploded onto the scene eight years ago, when few people would think of heading to Villeray as a drinking destination. Upscale bar fare centred around seafood — think oysters and tartare — seals the deal.

Restaurant Moccione

Villeray has a strong contingent of spots where to sample Italian classics, but a seat at this three-year-old eatery may arguably be its most sought-after. Owners Luca Cianciulli and Maxime Landry bring experience from acclaimed Toqué, and the result is simple, sumptuous fare in a super cozy atmosphere.

Cafécoquetel

This Villeray newcomer takes you from morning rose latte to afternoon cocktail (or mocktail) in a cinch, with grilled cheese and veggie-heavy snacks to keep you fed.

Lahmajoune Villeray

The legacy of defunct lahmajoun bakery Chez Apo lives on at this Villeray newcomer started by one of its former employees in the same locale. Expect the namesake tomatoey, beefy flatbreads, plus a bevy of house-made dips, sweets, and snacks.

Braseiro

Far from new and trendy, this Portuguese restaurant is a mainstay for seafood dishes (garlicky shrimp, grilled octopus, and, of course, sardines, to name a few) and grilled chicken — prepare to leave full.

Café Ferlucci

Set on the ground floor of a converted duplex, this café pulls a mean Italian-style espresso while also serving traditional pastries, panini, and grilled cheese sandwiches. Peep the extensive collection of VHS tapes, too.

Café Vito

This Italian coffee shop founded by a barista from Mile End favourite Olimpico has a great community vibe, alongside great espresso, cannoli, and panini. Many take their coffee to go, but if you choose to stay, it’s almost guaranteed to have a soccer game playing in the background.

La Ruelle Épicerie et Café

Steps away from Jarry Park is LaRuelle, a Colombian sandwich shop, café, and grocery store serving up veggie and beef arepas, as well as Southern comfort foods like brisket sandwiches and three-cheese mac and cheese. Stock up on the Colombian coffee, hot sauce, and plantains chips that line its grocery shelves.

Comptoir Sainte-Cécile

Five-year-old Comptoir Sainte-Cécile has you covered at lunchtime with salads, soups, sweets, and some not-to-be-missed sandwiches. Recent options include a salmon tartare sandwich filled with potato confit sour cream and one with mushrooms, carrots, basil, and curry mayo. They’ve also got you covered for drinks, with loads of wines, ciders, and beers from Quebec.

Alep/Le Petit Alep

An anchor in the neighbourhood, Alep shines as a premier destination for Syrian and Armenian flavours in a table-clothed setting. Next door, laid-back bistro Le Petit Alep shares a kitchen and offers lunch service with the same comprehensive wine list.