Yep – I’m calling it this early… I’ve been here for nearly 3 weeks and I’ve had plenty of time to explore my awesome, hipster, buzzing neighbourhood of the Mont-Royal Plateau. And I feel that by chance and a little bit of fate, I’ve managed to find the 3 BEST CAFES in the area. Maybe it was chance, but I think my classic Australian coffee-snobbery gift led me to find these little gems. Who knows, but damn I’m happy I’ve found these places.
Kahwa Cafe
To give you my first impression of the cafe – my first experience here went a little something like this. I walked in with my new book ‘The Danish Girl.’ I ordered my Americano (in French). He asked if I wanted milk or sugar and I said no. He looked at my book and said ‘forget the Danish girl, you’re a real girl.’ Apparently you’re tough af if you have your coffee black here. After paying, I grabbed my coffee and sat on a long bench where people were set up with laptops. I then looked around and saw a camera crew and two actors sitting at a table candidly sipping their coffee. I asked if they wanted me to leave – just in case I would be in their way and they insisted I stay. They were making a music clip for a song they were about to release.
So apart from this incredibly cool experience, the coffee was great- and absolutely huge. There’s artwork all over the walls from local artists and apparently they do pretty amazing cous cous. Yep, this cafe does just coffee and cous cous. What an amazing combination?!
Le Moineau Masqué
This gem is literally 2 mins from my house! *HALLELUJAH* It’s a cute little cafe with AMAZING coffee. The staff are also ridiculously lovely! I speak French with them- when in Montréal- and they always take the time to ask how I am.
The other morning I went down to get my morning coffee and I only took $5. Then I noticed that they had fresh croissants, aka, exactly what you need on a Sunday morning. I asked how much that would cost… $6. I said don’t worry about it because I only had $5. But the guy insisted I take it. I refused and said, no no no it’s fine. And he said please take it, you can make up for it next time. He recognized my face (because I’ve been there my fair share of times over the past few weeks) and I felt like I not only belonged in this cafe, but in this city.
It was at this moment I pledged my loyalty to this cute little cafe for making me feel like a local.
La Distributice
As you walk south along Mont-Royal, you may not even see this cute little cafe. The epitome of ‘hole in the wall,’ this little cafe provides the goods. My absolute fave is a latte glacé (iced latte!) It’s sweet and strong and perfect! Their espresso coffee is superb as well, so next time you find yourself on Mont-Royal, make sure you slow down a little bit so you don’t miss it!
Oh – and one of the barista’s there has red hair, and that’s how you tell if a place is good or not 😉
What are your favourite cafes in Montréal? Do you have any more recommendations? Let me know in the comments below!
A Worldly Addiction 
