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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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2★
16%
1★
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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 2 of 4 - 77 Reviews

It's was super pretty & vibe & until I saw a RAT walking next to me. & then when I told the worker she said "well it's downtown what do you expect. It always happens".

Jan 20, 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
5.0

I was in Montreal looking for a place to work & was really happy to have found Anticafe. I love the concept: you pay for your stay on an hourly basis & get access to excellent specialty coffee, tea, & unlimited snacks. The atmosphere is great. With its two-story layout, it was easy for me to find a spot I liked. Overall, it's a fantastic place & highly recommended!

Dec 20, 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

J'aime bien la vibe, mais il y avait du bruit de construction ou nettoyage sur le toit, ce qui nous a pas aider à étudier, & la première heure est 7$ seulement pour rester & ça augmente de 2-3$/h

Dec 8, 2024
on Google

10/10 coziness Best place for a break from the city! It's giving at your grandma's home vibes

Nov 21, 2024
on Google

I come here a bit too frequently ahaha. The place is amazing, the price & quality of food & snacks matches well. Whenever I go to the place, the staffs change but I became friends with a few of them they're very very friendly🥰 The environment is very quiet & chill too, it's a great place to focus & do my work. Will keep visiting:)

Nov 3, 2024
on Google

This is a great place to work from! You just pay for your time there & you have access to all the beverages & snacks. There is a cafe downstairs if you need to eat an actual meal, & they'll give you a discount is you are from the Anticafe. Their iced matcha latte was really good, & there was a lot of space to sit & work from.

Oct 30, 2024
on Google
2.0

Came with friend to study & eat. Friend ordered a smoothie (was a decent smoothie). Asked the woman working at the counter for the wifi password but she refused to give it to me because we made our order too long ago (was plannig to order more as well). Cool looking place but would not come back.

Oct 25, 2024
on Google

It is the perfect vibe for my mystical services. I offer tarot & palm readings & it provides a quiet private spots, good coffee & retro ambience!! My tarot clients love it!

Oct 22, 2024
on Google

Homely & calm place with helpful staff. Will go back.

Oct 5, 2024
on Google

Poor coffee

Sep 2, 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

The atmosphere at this cafe is tremendous, with two spacious floors that offer plenty of room to work or relax. The beautiful aesthetic adds to the inviting ambiance, making it a great spot to spend a few hours. While the coffee quality is decent, it could be served hotter. Additionally, the iced Marche could benefit from more flavor. Despite these minor drawbacks, the overall experience is positive, especially if you're looking for a comfortable place to unwind or be productive.

Jul 28, 2024
on Google

Interesting area, creative decor, however, the hourly rate is kind of a scam, & the coffee is mid. & we have to wash our dishes ourselves.

Jul 26, 2024
on Google

This is another hidden gem. We enjoyed our coffee in a cool place.

Jul 11, 2024
on Google

I love this place! I've been going here since Fall 2017 or so! It's about 7 dollars for the first hour, then it goes down to about 4 dollars for the next hour. I don't remember the exact prices, but it's well worth it! Instead of paying for the food, you pay for the time, & it's all you can eat & drink cafe fare! I'm kind of sad 3 other Anticafe's closed down during the pandemic, but glad this one is still open. Back in 2017, this Anticafe had a disco bathroom! (Disco lights) & entry for the first hour was about 3 dollars! But there was inflation so they gradually had to increase the prices. I had a nice hot chocolate when I went last week, today I had a nice London Fog, but I substituted Tetley Orange Pekoe instead of Earl Grey. It was great! Next time I go, I'll get an iced coffee or iced hot chocolate maybe! They even have Matcha! On busy days they make crepes! I missed it the last two times I went, though. I had a fun game of Dominion! It's a cool deck building game, but the cards were in the wrong spots. Someone accidentally flipped the card listing paper, upside down. I fixed it though! (I was wondering why some cards were hard to find!) In fall, winter & spring, apparently they make rice! Also you can bring food from other places, into here! They have potato chips, so if you buy a hot dog nearby, you can pair some food together! They have a small Pac Man arcade cabinet, upstairs! They have vanilla syrup, so I might also get a vanilla Latte next time. I'll be back again! Great service, great food, & nice atmosphere!

Jul 10, 2024
on Google

L'endroit & la déco sont vraiment sympas. Par contre, nous n'y allons plus car hormis des salades, il n'y a rien de végane... c'est quand même dommage, surtout dans un contexte où il y a une très grande offre de desserts. Quelques options véganes ne semblent pas inaccessibles, d'ailleurs les autres cafés le font!

Jul 6, 2024
on Google
5.0

Long wait time, but very friendly staff & good tunes.

Jul 5, 2024
on Google

😀

Jun 30, 2024
on Google