For anyone with a sweet tooth, brunch almost always begins by scanning the menu's sweeter offerings. That's where you'll find irresistible French toast: pillowy slices of brioche topped with fresh fruit, whipped cream, rich sauces, or plenty of maple syrup. And for those who prefer the perfect balance of sweet and savoury, several Montreal restaurants offer inventive takes that are just as indulgent. Whether you call it pain doré, pain perdu, or simply French toast, this beloved brunch staple has become a must-order dish. Here are a few of the best places to enjoy it in Montreal.
Leméac Café Bistro
1045 Avenue Laurier O, Montreal, H2V 2L1
No list of Montreal's best French toast would be complete without Leméac. Their signature brioche French toast, topped with chocolate cream, fresh bananas, and maple syrup, has long been considered one of the city's great brunch classics. Although it's only served during weekend brunch, you can also enjoy it from the regular dessert menu, where it comes topped with maple caramel and paired with dulce de leche ice cream, making it every bit as irresistible after dinner as it is in the morning.
Régine Café
1840 Rue Beaubien E, Montreal, H2G 1L6
At Régine Café, choosing between the two signature French toast creations is no easy task. One features a sweet-and-savoury combination of brioche, aged cheddar, pulled ham, a sunny-side-up egg, and house-made cream fudge. The other is a comforting, sweeter option topped with banana butter, fresh bananas, mascarpone, and crunchy granola.
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Le Passé Composé
1233 Mont-Royal Ave E, Montreal, H2J 1Y2
Passé Composé puts its own spin on French toast with a crispy version served alongside lime and maple yogurt, a fresh berry salad, toasted almonds, maple syrup, and edible flowers. It's every bit as beautiful as it is delicious.
Le Butterblume
5836 Boulevard St-Laurent, Montreal, H2T 1T3
Butterblume's French toast is especially hard to resist when Quebec strawberries are in season. Topped with whipped cream cheese, buttery shortbread crumble, maple syrup, and delicate marigold flowers, it perfectly captures the flavours of a Montreal summer brunch. As the toppings change with the seasons and the freshest local ingredients available, each visit offers a new take on this beloved brunch classic.
Bloomfield
1199 Avenue Van Horne, Montreal, H2V 1K1
Bloomfield draws inspiration from Middle Eastern flavours with a French toast topped with seasonal fruit, halva, tahini, date syrup, and maple syrup. It's an unexpected combination that stands out from the crowd.
Le Toasteur Villeray
767 Rue Villeray, Montreal, H2R 1J2
Every season brings a new French toast creation at Le Toasteur Villeray, but the current summer version is well worth the visit. Two generous slices of brioche are served with vanilla yogurt, grilled Quebec apples, a mixed berry compote, and a cinnamon oat crumble.
Olive et Gourmando
351 Rue Saint-Paul O, Montreal, H2Y 2A7
True to its seasonal philosophy, Olive et Gourmando continuously reinvents its French toast to highlight the best ingredients of the moment. The current version features cinnamon sugar-coated brioche topped with rhubarb compote, fresh strawberries, cardamom crumble, and candied ginger. It's an elegant yet indulgent creation that changes with the seasons, making every visit a little different.