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10 great cafés in the Quartier des Spectacles

January 20, 2023

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Winter is the ideal time to explore some new cafés – they’re perfect for enjoying a good book, working or spending time with friends and colleagues. Not sure where to grab a hot or cold drink with your friends the next time you’re in the Quartier des Spectacles?

Here are ten cafés, each with its own unique vibe, where you can take a cozy break on a chilly winter day!

CAFÉ PARVIS

433 Mayor St.

Not far from Sainte-Catherine St. W., behind St. James United Church on tiny Mayor St., you’ll find the elegant Café Parvis. This quiet spot welcomes tourists, passers-by and Quartier regulars from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. In addition to delicious coffee, the café offers a selection of alcoholic beverages. If you’re hungry, share a charcuterie board or have a delicious pizza.

CAFÉ 1880

1186 Saint-Denis St.

Once you find a table at this UQAM neighbour, you’ll soon understand why it’s usually busy. The 1880 has all the hallmarks of the new cafés that have sprung up around Montreal in the last few years: delicious drinks, trendy customers and modern décor.

ANTICAFÉ

294 Sainte-Catherine St. W.

Nestled in an old-fashioned two-story apartment overlooking Place des Festivals, Anticafé is ideal for reading or working. The huge, very quiet space will charm you instantly. The café serves its favourite teas, coffees and cookies – and it’s all free! It’s a simple but brilliant concept: you pay for the time you spend there.

CAFÉ ST-HENRI

301 Emery St.

This understated café, just steps away from UQAM and across the street from the Cineplex, is a Quartier Latin gem. Its enthusiastic owners scour the world for the very best coffee beans and build solid long-term relationships with the farming families who grow them. It’s a great spot for taking a break from the neighbourhood’s hustle and bustle.

CAFÉ PISTA

1587 Saint-Laurent Blvd.

Warm: that’s the best word to describe this café. The Quartier des Spectacles establishment has a number of strong suits, including calm and elegance. Its large tables can easily accommodate groups, while the fair-trade, sustainable coffee tasting menu is simply mouthwatering.

PARVA CAFÉ

475 de Maisonneuve Blvd.

The café in the Grande Bibliothèque is well worth checking out. Its inviting, well-lit space, furniture by Bixi creator Michel Dallaire and affordable prices give it plenty of appeal. Have a delicious latte and try the all-local menu, including chocolatines and croissants from Les Co'Pains d’abord.

CAFÉ LÉO

1215 Berri St.

This new establishment, located a stone’s throw from Berri-UQAM metro station, is the realization of engineer Andréanne Léonie Murdaca’s dream. It embodies all her passions: coffee, art, sports and sociability. The brightly lit, fully modular space can be transformed as needed, and the walls are decorated with works by local artists.

CAFÉ du Grand salon, dans le pavillon de l’esplanade Tranquille

1442 Clark St.

Inside Esplanade Tranquille’s multi-purpose pavilion, Café du Grand salon offers delicious snacks and a large selection of hot and cold drinks. Operated by Patin Patin, it has everything you need to warm up and enjoy a refreshment in a friendly, cozy setting.

CAFÉ SAT

6 Place du Marché (Place de la Paix)

This non-profit café is located just outside the Chinatown gates, across from Place de la Paix, which you can admire through the café’s floor-to-ceiling windows. There’s an ample selection of coffees and teas, along with organic wines and microbrews. Not to mention the menu featuring seasonal local produce and vegan and vegetarian options, all at modest prices.

CAFÉ de la cinémathèque

335 de Maisonneuve Blvd.

This friendly little café at the Cinémathèque is a wonderful spot for after-work drinks. Offerings include beers from the MaBrasserie co-op and a tempting wine list, along with coffee, lemonade and home-made iced tea to sip quietly. In the evening, the space comes alive with screenings attended by cinephiles and film professionals.

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