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Coffee Shop Top Pick

Anticafé Montreal

Downtown
4.2$
OPEN10 am - 10 pm
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
Anticafé Montreal Montreal Restaurant: Menu, Reviews & Reserve (2026)
CaféDesserts & Sweets
Anticafe Montreal- best place in Montreal to work, study or chill. Coffee shop concept upside-down. You only pay for the time you spend inside, everything else comes free! Coffee, large selection of tea, snaks, fruits and veggies, break, condiments, bowl of rice... Everything is free. You pay 4$ for the first hour, 2$ every hour after, maximum 12$ for the day. We take care of the rest. You get a great view of Place Des Arts square with endless festivals, concerts and events. We are 200 steps away from the metro Place Des Arts. This is a fantastic place for students to study, for self-employed to do some work, and for others to chill and enjoy a coffee or tea, while looking at Place Des Arts, or reading a book, playing chess or take a nap

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5★
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4★
11%
3★
6%
2★
16%
1★
2%

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Reviews for Anticafé Montreal

Food
Service
on Google4.5 (500+)
*as of 2026-04-01
5★
65%
4★
11%
3★
6%
2★
16%
1★
2%

Review Summary

Anticafé Montreal offers a chill vibe and a unique pay-by-the-hour concept that includes unlimited coffee, tea, and snacks. Reviewers describe cozy, well-decorated spaces on several floors with a variety of seating options that make it easy to focus or study. The concept is praised as affordable for longer stays, with the option to stay all day, it can feel very affordable. However, some find the space less ideal for quiet work due to conversations that carry through the rooms. The staff are repeatedly described as friendly and helpful, and the decor is often noted as charming and homey. Some reviews mention occasional slow service or intermittent wifi, while others highlight the range of rooms and a comfortable atmosphere. Overall, Anticafé Montreal is seen as a distinctive option for a casual study session or workday, offering a different rhythm from standard cafes and a chance to have drinks and snacks close at hand. Food options include vegetarian and vegan choices, and the space is described as pleasant and air conditioned on hot days.
Page 1 of 1 - 11 Reviews

This place is so unique. You can just focus on your work & not worry about how hungry you get because you can have as much snacks & drinks as you want & you only pay by the hour.
I definitely recommend this place if you want to just focus on your work & have anything you might want close by.
The cafe itself is very cozy & nicely decorated, helping me enjoy the little breaks as well with a nice view & air conditioning on hot days.
The staff are super friendly & helpful.
I highly recommend & will myself stop there more often to support such unique & valuable businesses.

Aug 10, 2025
on Google
5.0

This was my favourite place to work during my time at McGill. Every room is cozy & comfortable, & it's the perfect space to concentrate!

Mar 28, 2025
on Google

I have always passed by this café but never had the chance to visit until yesterday. There was a lovely event organized by three wonderful sisters, Yvette, Annie, & Ines, called "Tribe" (it was their first experience hosting it). The event was about swapping gifts brought from home, whether new, old, used, or unused. The atmosphere was warm & cozy, with all snacks included, & you could order as many drinks as you wanted. The café itself is amazing; every corner & room has its own character. The antique furniture, decor, & the thoughtful organization of each space truly make you feel at home. Upon entering, you write down your name (whether it's your first visit or you're a regular), change into slippers, wash your hands, & choose where to sit. You can then help yourself to a variety of foods from the kitchen area, including eggs, veggies, hummus, popcorn, biscuits, & a range of coffee & tea options. The matcha I had was perfect, especially with the special preparation by Sofi, the barista, who added lemon, sugar, & ginger. Unfortunately, I couldn't enjoy any of the snacks due to my gluten-free diet, which was a downside for me. I hope they might consider adding more fruits, veggies, & gluten-free snacks in the future. Additionally, the café has many microwaves, a printer, & board games, making it a great spot to study, work, relax, or enjoy some snacks, tea, & a good book. You only pay for the time you spend there, & if you're there for more than five hours, the maximum cost is $21, including taxes. I highly recommend this place!

Dec 22, 2024
on Google

pros: cool concept, cozy vibes, pretty decor, speedy service, drinks were very tasty, & the staff was happy to explain the concept to newcomers :) cons: limited snack options (no rice or hot chocolate or chai or hummus or yogurt), very cold in the bathrooms, wifi was slow at times, we saw a mouse, & one of the baristas laughed at my friends on two separate occasions :( maybe miscommunication but it left a bad feeling & they didn't feel entirely welcome requesting more drinks

Dec 12, 2024
on Google
5.0

Magnificent! I was thinking exactly along these lines-I believed it was impossible to strike a balance between the cozy atmosphere of a home & the vibe of a coffee shop, especially in a capitalist world. But this place proved me wrong. It's the perfect spot for coffee, work, & hanging out. I'm just afraid it might lose its private sense, though-let's hope not

Sep 2, 2024
on Google

L'ambiance est magnifique & cozy & la serveuse est très aimable mais.... j'ai beaucoup de points négatifs. J'espère que ce seras pris comme critiques constructives plutôt que des critiques malintentionnées. 1) Les boissons sont absolument formidables mais... Mon verre avait une odeur vraiment pas belle (comme l'odeur du jaune d'oeuf). J'ai pas pu finir de boire ma boisson. (voir point 2 pour la possible explication). 2) J'ai réalisé qu'il fallait nous-même faire notre propre vaisselle, ce qui, dans mon opinion, devrait être fait par la personne en charge du café puisque les gens ne nettoient pas tous la vaisselle d'une façon raisonable & sanitaire. Il n'y a pas d'eau de javel sur le comptoire du lavabo donc la vaisselle est juste lavée avec du savon à vaisselle par les clients je suppose. (L'eau de javel est essentielle pour enlever l'odeur de jaune d'oeuf de la vaisselle). 3) Il y a avait une forte odeur désagréable qui venait du lavabo de la cuisine. 4) Il y a pas de pinces pour se servir dans tous les bols de collations donc j'imagines que le monde se servait les chips avec leurs mains. Mon total pour 2 heures (ils chargent pour le nombre d'heures & non pas pour ce que vous mangez): 1 boisson 1/2 bue + 1 croissant non-frais = 13.50$ (incluant le pourboire). Ça m'aurait coûté moins cher ailleurs & j'aurais été beaucoup plus confortable (étant très bactériophobe). Vraiment, j'aime beaucoup la place. J'ai été à plusieurs emplacements de l'Anticafé à cause de l'ambiance chaleureuse & les serveurs très amicals & sympatiques. Je m'excuse fortement si mes commentaires causent du mécontentent, c'est aucunement mon intention.

May 24, 2024
on Google

Cozy Cafe is a hidden gem nestled in the heart of Montreal's festival scene. The warm & inviting atmosphere feels just like home, making it the perfect refuge when you're missing the comforts of home. 🏡 🫶🏻 The landlord, a lovely lady, adds a personal touch with her kindness. It's not just a cafe; it's a place where you find a sense of belonging amidst!☕️🫖

Feb 1, 2024
on Google
4.0

a beautiful & cozy space! felt really productive working here today. really good selection of hot drinks, the london fog is amazing! a good selection of snacks (nuts, chips, cookies, popcorn) but I wish they would include something acidic, like sour candies, fruits or fruit juice!

Dec 26, 2023
on Google

Cozy place , le personnel est très serviable & aimable .
You feel home

Sep 20, 2023
on Google

Beautiful gem! My salmon bagel & flat white were delicious. But the greatest thing are the eclectic decoration & great taste music that I Shazammed! Lovely original cozy place

Sep 11, 2023
on Google

The food was great ! Nice & cozy!

Aug 29, 2023
on Google