Café So

Café-resto: In Plateau Montréal
1302 Ave Mont-Royal E (H2J 1Y5)
Corner: Rue Chambord
T: +1.514.590.0076

Great place for café. Very good casual dinner (fried squid, hamburger platters), full alcohol service. Enjoy the open space and facade looks out onto busy Mont-Royal.

Note: Recently renovated in Spring 2005 due to a fire from last year.

El Dorado

Café-resto: In Plateau Montréal
921 Ave Mont-Royal E (H2J 1X3)
West: Rue Mentana
T: +1.514.598.8282

This is a great place to enjoy the atmosphere of the Plateau Mont-Royal. The entire facade window gives a great view onto busy Ave Mont-Royal. The ambience can switch from one crowd to another -- artists, PIB (people in black), to hip students. Go for the comfy banquettes. If you don't get a window seat there is always a view from any vantage point. There's also a quiet alcove in the back.

Note: Great hamburger platters (includes good salad or homemade fries). Full alcohol service. Beers are mostly microbreweries.

Java U Lounge

Café-resto-lounge: In Vieux Montréal
191 Rue St-Paul O (H2Y 1Z5)
NE corner: Rue St-François-Xavier
T: +1.514.849.8881

This is a café/ bistro with a new modern concept. Enjoy the relaxed ambience -- lounge sofas in sandy leather. It's a loft dressed in dark wood, marble, leather, and the right touch of metal.

The greystone walls of the original fort city are immaculately revealed and dressed with ceiling-to-floor heavy velour drapes in the same sandy tone. Try the wall-to-ceiling window seats or lounge sofas.

Java U offers a great lunch selection of hot panini sandwiches and salads. In the evening it becomes a tapas-style bar serving light food (good quality with a modern fusion twist) and drinks, with occasional live music (live DJ at night).

Note: Café in the day & lounge at night. Does not allow children during lounge hours (starting 17h00).

Café du Nouveau Monde

Café-resto: Downtown Montréal
84 Rue Ste-Catherine O (H2X 1Z6)
SE corner: Rue St-Urbain
T: +1.514.866.8669

This café-bistro is housed in the same premises of the Théâtre du Nouveau Monde. You have a choice of the foyer, mezzanine, or the terrasse.

Note: Typical french bistro with modern edge. Great for café or wine before or after a show in the theatre. Very popular during the Montréal Jazz Festival.

La Colombe

Resto: In Plateau Montréal
554 Ave Duluth E (H2L 1A9)
SW corner: Rue St-Hubert
T: +1.514.844.8844

Great service, great food. Expensive. RSVP required.
Amazing! Market fresh cuisine with small charming dining area. Great service.

Specialty: Resto marché. French-North African Fusion. Bring your own wine.

Cluny

Café-resto: In Cité Multimédia Montréal
257 Rue Prince (H4C 1RB)
T: +1.514.866.1213

The Cluny Art Bar is located in the heart of the Cité Multimédia in Vieux Montréal. It’s a converted factory space with tables and features made from former industrial apparatus. More arty than contemporary, featuring consistently original and great food. (MOCO Montréal)

L'Arrivage

Café-resto: In Vieux Montréal
350 Rue Place-Royale (H2Y 3Y5)
Corner: Rue De-la-Commune O
East: Rue St-François-Xavier
T: +1.514.872.9128

Situated inside (penthouse floor) of the Pointe à Calliere building.

L'Arrivage is a café/resto/caterer housed in an open loft with sleek, modern decor that includes elegant mirrors and tables fashioned from metal. L'Arrivage's gourmet specialties change from one week to another. The enterprise is mainly a caterer, which explains the detail to the food’s aesthetic display and quality.

L'Arrivage also features a table d'hôte menu that includes an entree, a main course and a dessert, as well as an express menu with a wide array of soups and sandwiches to choose from. They have amazing French crêpe with fresh French dessert that melt in your mouth. Elegant ambience that is completely open-aired, which makes it a great visit in summer or spring.

Specialty: Brunch-Lunch. RSVP is highly recommended if you are more than two persons. I recommended reserving for 11h00 to 12h00 if you want to enjoy and relax without rushing as the resto closes at 15h00 (kitchen closes at 14h00). After 14h00 you can order only snacks (e.g., bagels, muffins, etc.)

French wine is available.
Hours: Mon-Fri lunch. Sat-Sun brunch.
$: 3-course meal $20 & under.

Note: It’s a great location in the heart of Vieux Montréal. Terrasse with tables for 2-3.

L’Entrecôte Saint-Jean

Resto: Downtown Montréal
2022 Rue Peel (H3A 2W5)
NW: Rue De-Maisonneuve
T: +1.514.281.6492

Excellent French bistro. Simple and excellent menu $10+. Steak and profiterole. Excellent for couple or group.

Note: Must try to get the cozy window tables (only two in the restaurant).