Best Cafés in Montreal-East (2026) - Reviews & Menus

La Bella Italiana (La Belle Italienne)

Upscale-casual Italian restaurant with outside tables offering wood-fired pizzas, pasta & gelato.

Open until 10 pm

(480)

Anjou-St-Léonard, Montreal-East

Pizza Italian Ice Cream Café Pasta Mussels

Review Summary

La Bella Italiana offers an authentic Italian dining experience, with wood fired pizzas boasting a crisp, flavorful crust and a menu of fresh pastas, gnocchi and seafood that arrive vibrant and comforting. Starters like burrata and arancini lead into mains praised for balance and texture, from the calabrese pizza with a soft dough to creamy carbonara linguine and tender gnocchi entrées. Desserts and coffee, including tiramisu, pistachio gelato and affogato, provide a satisfying finish, with gelato noted for its quality. Service is consistently attentive and friendly, contributing to a warm, lively atmosphere that remains welcoming even when busy. Reservations are recommended on peak nights, and the overall impression is of generous portions, fair prices and a restaurant that many guests say they will return to again and again.View restaurant profile

Café Danesi

Open until 3 am

(59)

Anjou-St-Léonard, Montreal-East

Café Pizza Italian Sandwiches Poutine

Review Summary

Café Danesi receives generally positive feedback with professional and charming service noted and a pleasant visit, praise for the red wine and several pizzas such as the B Mac and a bigmac style option, and burgers and subs described as solid and tasty with good value compared with other urban cantines. Some reviews place it not as the top pick in the area and mention prices that are not the best, but the smashed burger is seen as well made and the cafe experience as satisfying. An Uber Eats based comment notes it as a takeout order and promises an update after dining in. The waitstaff is repeatedly praised for friendly and lively service that helps set the ambiance, and the coffee along with the overall burger and pizza quality contribute to a positive impression.View restaurant profile

Order

Cafe Mercedes

Open until 3 am

(23)

Anjou-St-Léonard, Montreal-East

Café

Review Summary

Cafe Mercedes draws positive notice for a welcoming staff, reasonable drink prices, and a very pleasant ambiance, especially the small terrace with a fountain that sets a charming scene. Since some guests did not order food, comments on the menu are limited, but service is repeatedly described as attentive and friendly and many say they will return, with plans to come back on Fridays or just another visit. The energy is described as lively and there is a sense of a party vibe at times, with remarks about standout service from a staff member without naming anyone. The pizza and coffee receive compliments along with the overall good experience, and the atmosphere and value are noted as reasons to return. Overall, Cafe Mercedes comes across as a place with a warm mood, attentive service, and solid value that makes it a frequent choice for future visits.View restaurant profile

Café Rdp Sports Bar

May be temporarily closed

RDP-Pointe-aux-Trembles, Montreal-East

Grill Breakfast Café

Atomic Café

Open until 10 pm

(204)

Mercier-Hochelaga-Maisonneuve, Montreal-East

Café

Review Summary

Atomic Café comes across as a quirky retro cafe with a vintage, rock and punk vibe and a welcoming, artsy atmosphere that attracts people for work, study or casual hangouts. Reviews praise the on point decoration, good music, and drinks, with coffee often described as excellent and items like the hot dog and the turkey and pesto sandwich standing out. The open mic Thursdays and the lively mood add a social edge, while the space is spacious, calm for focus, and full of character. Service quality is mixed but generally friendly, with some staff described as super nice and joking around, and others noted as slow or nonchalant. Decor is repeatedly highlighted as unique and authentic, recalling vintage elements and retro futuristic touches, sometimes with a lived in vibe. The menu is appreciated for variety and freshness, though some sandwiches can be chewy or not as strong as other items, and a few reviews mention cleanliness issues or unpleasant restroom experiences. Overall Atomic Café emerges as a neighborhood staple with good prices, great background music, and a warm, if imperfect, atmosphere that makes it easy to stay long and enjoy a coffee, a sandwich, or a chat.View restaurant profile

Café Vienne

Opens Tomorrow at 9 am

Anjou-St-Léonard, Montreal-East

Café Sandwiches Breakfast

Café Victoria's

Open until 11:30 pm

(113)

Anjou-St-Léonard, Montreal-East

Pasta Café Sandwiches

Review Summary

Café Victoria's is described as a popular spot for good coffee and sandwiches with fast, friendly service and a welcoming vibe, though parking can be tight on busy Friday nights. Sausage and steak sandwiches come highly recommended, and the chicken sandwich and chicken salad with hot peppers and fresh mozzarella receive strong praise, even as some note a bun upgrade could improve the chicken sandwich. The food is consistently described as fresh and high quality, with several reviews calling the offerings solid and dependable and the old school Italian lunch specials a highlight. A Thursday special menu featuring Trippa and Bacala in a tomato sauce is also noted. The atmosphere is described as a great place to hang out with friends for drinks, coffee, or a casual meal, and the staff are repeatedly praised for being friendly and efficient, with fast service even when busy. Coffee itself gets rave notes, described as fantastic or made with care, and the overall value is considered reasonable with ample seating and parking on the side that is free in some visits.View restaurant profile

Order

Second Cup Café

Opens Tomorrow at 7:30 am

(31)

Mercier-Hochelaga-Maisonneuve, Montreal-East

Café Sandwiches

Review Summary

Reviews of Second Cup Café describe a relaxing place with solid breakfast options and flavorful coffee, where drinks are prepared with extra care to look pretty and taste good and service tends to be fast and attentive. The staff are consistently friendly and the owner is described as sweet, creating a welcoming atmosphere that customers clearly appreciate. The breakfast quality is praised as higher than many fast food chains, with better ingredients contributing to the overall positive impression. One note mentions a mix up related to a lactose intolerance, with a lactose latte served despite a request for oat milk and maple drink, suggesting training on menu items and dietary needs as well as pricing.View restaurant profile

Order

Café Allegria 2000

Open until 3 am

(17)

Anjou-St-Léonard, Montreal-East

Café

Café Milano

Open until 1 am

(766)

Anjou-St-Léonard, Montreal-East

Sandwiches Salads Café

Mentioned in: Your Guide to Montreal's Must-Try Sandwiches

Review Summary

Reviews describe Café Milano as a legendary and historic spot with an old school vibe and a reputation for great Italian sandwiches, cannolis, and espresso, plus strong value and a welcoming atmosphere that invites conversations and late night visits. The coffee and desserts are frequently praised, with several describing the café as a reliable place to meet up or grab a bite, and the sandwiches and cannolis often highlighted as standout items. The ambiance and a large terrace are noted positives, though some reviewers warn that the interior can be noisy or dim and that cleanliness needs attention, with one or two saying the place isn’t as fresh as in the past. Service is described as friendly and prompt at times, but other comments point to inconsistent experiences, long waits, or miscommunications during busy periods. Parking is occasionally mentioned as a challenge, but the overall sentiment remains affectionate, presenting Café Milano as a classic, comforting Italian cafe that draws visitors for coffee, paninis, and sweets despite the caveats.View restaurant profile

Order

Café Des Alizés

Opens Tomorrow at 7 am

(32)

Montreal-East, Mercier-Hochelaga-Maisonneuve

Café Sandwiches

Review Summary

Overall, Café Des Alizés appears as a charming, unpretentious spot with a warm family atmosphere and homemade meals from the owners. Reviews highlight fresh soups and sandwiches with customizable bread options, and coffee drinks that pair well with dairy alternatives like soy, almond, and oat milks, with the chai latte and cappuccino noted as delicious when made with oat milk. The service is generally friendly, patient, and welcoming, especially toward English speakers, though a few visits mention a colder greeting and a more modest ambiance. The cafe suits simple meals or takeout and leaves a lingering kitchen aroma, with an emphasis on fresh ingredients and reasonable prices. All in all, it is seen as a dependable place to enjoy a quick bite or coffee and to feel at home, prompting many to return.View restaurant profile

Rockaberry

Open until 10 pm

(349)

Anjou-St-Léonard, Montreal-East

Café Desserts & Sweets

Mentioned in: The Best Dessert Places in Montreal

Review Summary

Rockaberry is widely praised for its fresh, flavorful cakes and pies, with many reviews noting that the desserts are a highlight and that the pastry quality shines across flavors, from fruit desserts to cheesecakes. Service is described as friendly, attentive, and efficient, with staff remembered by regulars and able to suggest strong options. The atmosphere ranges from cosy and welcoming to crowded or less warm depending on location, and some reviewers miss the vibe of the old place while others appreciate a newer cafe feel. The venues are consistently described as clean and calm, sometimes with a lively social media presence mentioned by patrons. A few criticisms include isolated hygiene issues, limited seating due to student crowds, and concerns about price versus value on larger slices. Overall, Rockaberry seems to be a popular dessert and cafe destination that draws repeat visits for treats and quick service, while noting occasional inconsistencies in ambiance, service, and pricing.View restaurant profile

Order

Boulangerie Au Pain Doré

Opens Tomorrow at 7 am

(42)

Mercier-Hochelaga-Maisonneuve, Montreal-East

Bakery Pastries Café Sandwiches

Review Summary

Reviews of Boulangerie Au Pain Doré describe a place with warm, welcoming staff and a convenient location near a park and transit, where many visitors return often, including some who say they come daily during a stay in the neighborhood. The offerings are highlighted for strong pastry and bread options, including croissants (notably a chocolate croissant), and savory items like a chicken pesto sandwich and a salmon cream cheese sandwich, along with a pleasing array of verrine desserts and sliced breads; the salmon Danish is also mentioned as very good, as is a lemon-basil lemonade. Service is generally praised as impeccable and friendly, though a few reviewers note room for improvement in staff training and order accuracy. Beverage quality receives mixed reviews, with most pastries praised but one iced Matcha latte described as unpalatable. The terrace is described as pleasant in summer, and the shop's proximity to Prefontaine metro and a bike route makes it easy to visit, with some diners discovering the bakery by chance and planning to try other items like a tuna and vegetable sandwich. Overall, the bakery is regarded as a solid destination for a range of baked goods and snacks, with strong croissants and versatile options appealing to different tastes, despite occasional service or beverage glitches.View restaurant profile