Whether you're a first-time visitor or a resident convinced you already know it all, a food tour of Montreal is a great way to discover new neighbourhoods and deepen your understanding of the city's culinary identity, including the foods you thought you knew best. Food tours introduce you to the people who feed the city, taking you behind the scenes and into the institutions that form its cultural fabric. From piping-hot bagels pulled straight from wood-fired ovens to late-night poutine and colourful public markets, every neighbourhood has its own flavour. You could wander for years and still miss some of the city's best bites, which is exactly why food tours are among the tastiest ways to experience Montreal.
This guide rounds up standout tours that do more than fill your stomach; they fill your heart and soul with stories of perseverance and passion, helping you understand why Montreal eats the way it does.
Spade & Palacio - Beyond the Market Tour
Spade & Palacio's Beyond the Market tour operates all year round in any weather condition. This "non-touristy" 3-hour tour focuses on the Jean-Talon Market and its surroundings. It's designed to take participants beyond the typical tourist spots and into the heart of Montreal's multicultural food scene by visiting independent eateries with stories to tell. The tour explores the Jean-Talon farmer's market while sampling a variety of bites and ventures around the market for more food and stories. At the end of the tour, participants receive a curated list of the guides' favourite restaurants, cafés and bars to explore while in Montreal.
Read also:
Montreal's Culinary Legacy: Uncovering the City's Oldest Restaurants
Taste of Chinatown with a Food Writer
Food writer and editor Victor Wu leads participants on a fascinating 3-hour tour of Montreal's Chinatown, where you'll taste Chinese regional specialties at several stops around the neighbourhood. Victor is an inexhaustible source of knowledge when it comes to the food culture and history of Chinatown and will regale participants with many stories and anecdotes. Book your private tour with Victor by sending him a DM on his Instagram account.
Context operates tours all over the world led by local experts and their Savoring Montreal: Exploring the Marché Jean-Talon tour is no different. This 2½-hour private, expert-led experience focuses on Quebec's rich food culture at one of North America's largest open-air markets. Guided by a local food writer or chef, participants explore Jean-Talon Market's stalls of fresh seasonal produce, artisanal cheeses, maple products, cider, and more, with many tastings along the way. Tour participants learn about the ingredients, history and culinary traditions that define Montreal's vibrant food scene, as well as the history of the market and its surroundings.
'Round Table Tours crafts a variety of culinary experiences that go beyond typical sightseeing to explore Montreal's culture through food, neighbourhoods and the people behind the bites. Options include Iconic Dishes: Jewish Montreal, Under the Surface: Chinatown, and Montreal: Ultimate Chocolate Expedition. They also offer themed experiences such as chocolate, tea, third wave coffee, fermentation, micro-distillery and mixology, and customizable private tours tailored to your food interests. Most of these tours feature generous tastings and historical context for a deeper taste of the city's gastronomy.
Beyond the Bagel - Museum of Jewish Montreal
The Museum of Jewish Montreal's Beyond the Bagel Tour is a walking food tour through the Mile End and Plateau that explores Montreal's Jewish culinary history past and present. Created by a Jewish food historian, it pairs iconic tastings such as Schwartz's smoked meat, Saint-Viateur and Fairmount bagels, and Wilensky's Light Lunch with lesser-known dishes and hidden stories uncovered in back alleys. Led by expert guides, the tour offers insider insight into legendary institutions, vanished businesses, and the revival of Montreal's Jewish food scene. Food tastings are included, so come hungry!
VDM Global has been showcasing Montréal and beyond for more than 40 years, offering in-depth, expertly guided experiences for visitors and locals alike. Their Montréal food tours explore neighbourhoods like Mile End, Old Montréal, and Jean-Talon Market, diving into the city's culinary history while introducing guests to local chefs and artisans. All of VDM's food tours are offered privately, making them ideal for customized, small-group experiences. Tours must be booked directly by email or phone.
Beer aficionados will appreciate the Montreal Brewpub Experience Craft Beer Tour, a 3-hour guided walking tour that showcases the city's vibrant craft beer scene by visiting three local brewpubs plus a beer tasting bar. Participants will sample 8+ craft beers brewed on site, paired with local bites like beer poutine, local cheeses, and more. Along the way, knowledgeable guides share insights into the neighbourhood's history and culture, making it fun for beer lovers and visitors alike. The tour combines tasting, food pairings, and local stories to give a flavourful snapshot of Montreal's beer culture.
Local Montréal Food Tours offers a handful of guided, walkable food experiences that highlight the city's most vibrant neighbourhoods and its culinary culture through tastings and storytelling. The neighbourhoods featured are Old Montréal, Mile End, and Little Italy including the Jean-Talon Market. They also offer themed group options like a bachelorette party food tour and an evening food & drink experience for corporate or private groups. Tours combine history, culture and local eats on leisurely walks through Montreal's culinary hotspots.
As a longtime lover of Montréal's food scene, I lead my own guided tours of my favourite place in the city: the Jean-Talon Market. I've lived just around the corner for years and spend countless hours there shopping, chatting with vendors, and building relationships, some of which have turned into friendships. I truly believe the market is a must-visit for any food lover, whether you're visiting Montréal or call it home. My two-hour tour features stops at my favourite stalls and shops, with plenty of tastings, from local cheeses and ice cider to pastries and seasonal produce. Custom tours are also available based on your interests. To book, you can email me or DM me on Instagram.
