At first glance, breakfast and business may not seem like a good match, but the combination actually has a lot going for it. Starting the day energized and with a clear mind, you should be primed for shrewd analysis and good deal-making. Many Montreal restaurants serve breakfast and can host your morning meeting. Here’s a list of our picks to get your day off to a great start on both the breakfast and business fronts.
Furnished with Portuguese-style decor, Café Vasco da Gama opens for breakfast daily from 7 am. Their coffee will wake you up, while pastries and other treats will satisfy your sweet tooth. On the savoury side, several omelettes are available, including Mediterranean and Portuguese versions, as well as wraps and more traditional options such as bagels, baguettes or croque-matin. All plates are garnished with fresh fruit, to replenish your vitamins. Outdoor seating is available on the terrace, but the interior offers more privacy for conversations.
In less than two years, this newcomer has already established a loyal clientele. If you like their pizzas, not to mention the service, and decor by Zébulon Perron, you will also enjoy their breakfast, served daily from 7 am. Their coffee comes from a Montreal roasting house, their fruit juice is freshly made, and their pastries are enticing. The dining room is spacious enough for private conversations, and if you are with a large group, the side alcove will be perfect. Since it's located on a quiet street, the terrace is another option.
For a simple, hearty breakfast, like home cooking, but with more choices. Breakfast is served from 9 am Monday to Thursday and starting at 8 am on Friday. Settle into a well-worn booth, and take your time to peruse their long menu before choosing an omelette, bagel, pancakes, bacon and eggs, or French toast. The decor transports you back to Montreal in the '60s, and service is very attentive. For an extra treat, try a side order of their famous Suzie Q fries.
The lineups do not lie, Olive et Gourmando, located in Old Montreal, is a crowd pleaser. But don't worry, prompt service ensures that breakfast won't eat up your morning, even if the atmosphere invites you to linger. Ideal for late breakfasts, since it opens at 9 am, the restaurant features a pastry counter full of enticing treats. For healthier options, you can choose between homemade granola, fresh fruit salad or sweetened homemade ricotta. Those who prefer a more substantial meal can order the breakfast panini with eggs, Comté cheese, speck and roasted tomatoes.
Open for just three months, this cafe is already a favourite. Located in a historic building, Tommy occupies an exceptional setting with ample space and light, since it is open on three levels, and original interior decoration by prolific designer Zébulon Perron. Starting at 8 am, you can settle in on a retro sofa and discover their coffee, a unique blend from Montreal's Union roasting house, unless you opt for a latte with almond or coconut milk, or an organic juice. Your beverages may be accompanied by a croissant, chocolatine, cookie, doughnut or a slice of cake.
This neighbourhood restaurant opens at 7 am, and features a cozy brick wall and a varied menu. Pancakes, French toast, eggs Benedict, omelettes, waffles: you will find traditional comfort food, available in generous portions for big appetites, but also some home-style recipes. Served in small cast iron skillets, their egg-based breakfasts combine flavours, with additions like potatoes and vegetables, and proteins like steak, smoked salmon or Italian sausage, and are very filling. New specials appear on the menu regularly, and last for a few days, so you can always look forward to making discoveries.
A bistro in true French style, down to the uniforms of the servers, L'Express serves breakfast starting at 8 am in a room where sunlight shines through skylights. Orange and grapefruit juices are freshly squeezed and, just as in Paris, coffee is accompanied by a baguette or croissants, rillettes or a croque-monsieur, if you prefer something savoury. Of course, other Montreal-style choices are offered, like a bagel with smoked salmon and cream cheese, homemade granola, eggs, toast, hash browns and French toast made from a brioche and garnished with maple syrup.
A breakfast specialist with a well-rounded menu and a friendly atmosphere. The restaurant opens at 8 am and will delight egg fans in particular, although it offers many sweet choices without eggs. Many versions of classic eggs, eggs Benedict or omelettes are available, and also watch for specials on the chalkboard. French toast, waffles and pancakes complete the offerings, along with buckwheat pancakes. Their jams, applesauce and chocolate sauce are homemade, and to drink, try their famous fresh juice smoothies.
From 8 am, start your day gently in a comfortable mauve booth at Fabergé. Check their chalkboard for daily specials or browse through their several-page-long menu. For a break from the usual, try huevos dorados or a morning poutine with a poached egg. Omelettes, eggs Benedict, pancakes and waffles are on the menu, of course, but we especially enjoy house specialties like the chicken waffle plate, which will transport you to the '50s, the mac n' cheese doughnut, eggs Benedict with pulled pork, or the egg burger garnished with onions, sriracha and peanut butter.
The best way to avoid the interminable weekend queue at L'Avenue is to taste their breakfasts during the week, when the restaurant opens at 8 am. The menu offers many choices, from the classics, to originals like French toast with bacon and bananas. Meat lovers will enjoy the steak and egg, or eggs Benedict with smoked meat, chorizo or duck confit. For drinks, you can choose between coffee with Bailey's or fresh juice. Finally, don't miss a trip to the bathroom, if only to see the decor.
This French-style café is easy to find, thanks to its large terrace, surrounded by vines, facing Carré St-Louis. People arrive for breakfast from 7.30 am and many opt for the simplicity of a deluxe breakfast plate or, if more awake, order a customized omelette. The menu also offers eggs, toast, croissants, fruit, yogurt, pancakes, bagel with smoked salmon and cheese as well as cretons and applesauce and rhubarb compote, both homemade. Note that a private room is available and can accommodate up to 35 people.