Reviewers describe Café 2nd Gen as a standout for inventive drinks and quality coffee, with highlights including ube matcha, jasmine matcha, tiramisu latte, date tahini latte, and a kafta sandwich, plus Vietnamese coffee with creme brulee toppings. The drinks are praised for being well crafted and not overly sweet, and the menu is noted for ambitious twists and seasonal flavors. The staff are consistently described as friendly and welcoming, contributing to a warm, cozy atmosphere, though the space is relatively small and seating can be hard to come by, so many visits are to go. A few concerns include price for the small cup size and occasional too much ice or sweetness in drinks. Parking around the area is challenging, but the cafe is regarded as a valuable neighborhood spot with high repeat visits and a loyal following.
Such a good spot. One of the best viet coffees i have had! So roasty & flavourful. The cafe plays pleasant music suitable for working or chatting. It is not loud even when crowded! The croissant was very good, a plush chewy inside with crispy corner edges, i loved it as i like my croissants more chewy than airy. I can tell their other selections would also be good !
I went to Matcha 2nd Gen Café on March 1st with friends… one of those freezing winter evenings where you just want something soft & comforting after being slapped by the wind.
The first thing I noticed was how kind the staff were. It immediately set the tone. I was served by the owner, Sarah, who answered all my questions & gave thoughtful recommendations based on my mood. I'm very indecisive when I go somewhere new because I want to try everything… which is exactly why I bring friends. More options, more tasting… don't tell them I said that. Love you girls !!
We ended up trying a few drinks:
• Matcha 2nd Gen with coconut milk (my pick)
• Iced matcha with ube topping (Farzy's pick)
• Iced salted tiramisu matcha (Jules's pick)
My favorite flavor was the ube… but I'd ask for a little less ube topping & more matcha next time since it leans a bit sweet. Still really good, just depends on your preference.
One thing I appreciated is that the matcha base actually tastes like matcha. Not overly milky, not hidden under sugar. This is not a spot for fake matcha lovers… & I mean that in the best way.
We also tried their cinnamon brioche, & that surprised me. I'm usually more of a donut person & don't go for cinnamon rolls often , but the texture was soft, balanced, & not too sweet. It was done really well.
The space itself feels thoughtful… from the drinks to the little details like games you can grab & play at your table. They were playing'With You' by Chris Breezy along with other early 2000s R&B, which added to that cozy, nostalgic feeling I love.
The café is still very new, opened about 6 months ago by Sara, her husband, & a friend, & you can feel the care in everything. They also rotate seasonal drinks, so the menu we tried was their March selection.
It ended up being one of those simple outings that just felt good. Cozy time escaping the brutal winter winds… good matcha, good energy, & a place I'd come back to when I want a emotional support matcha or Vietnamese coffee .
I'm just a foodie & travel lover who enjoys trying new places & experiences & sharing them along the way. If you like scrapbook-style posts & discovering spots like this, come hang out with me on TikTok @foxy.appetite & IG @foxyappetite 🫶
Mar 22, 2026
on Google
🍽️
Know where to eat in Montreal before everyone else.
Get the first look at the hottest openings, secret menus, and RestoMontreal.ca's weekly top picks. Join 50,000+ foodies.
Café 2nd Gen has great coffee & really good matcha, definitely worth visiting for the drinks alone. The only downside is that the space is very small. I was hoping to stay & sit for a while, but there weren't enough seats available, so we had to take everything to go instead.
I have been here twice & the drinks are always so good! I could tell they use high quality matcha & coffee. I highly recommend the ube coffee & matcha.
Everyone who works there is also very nice & friendly.
We tried their tiramisu latte which was such an amazing treat, their kafta banh mi was extremely delicious!! Their date tahini latte, can't pin the taste of dates or tahini but it makes the sweetness balance the bitterness of the coffee perfectly. Their hot chocolate was so good & not too sweet.
The owner is just the sweetest & so welcoming.
Definitely will be back to try more & especially for that kafta banh mi!
Love the vibe but felt the lady at the register was lowkey bothered by the fact that I didn't tip for a self-serve $13 croissant & coffee 😭 would come again tho it's cute!
J'adore ce nouveau café dans le quartier! Café Second Gen est rapidement devenu, selon moi, le meilleur coffee shop du Vieux-Port. Leurs cafés sont uniques & créatifs, comme leur incroyable café à l'ube & le latte pomme-miso , deux boissons presque impossibles à trouver ailleurs, & encore moins aussi parfaitement réalisées. Chaque visite est un petit plaisir, & l'ambiance est toujours chaleureuse. Sans oublier la propriétaire, qui est tout simplement la plus adorable de toutes. Une vraie perle! / I'm absolutely in love with this new spot in the neighborhood. Café Second Gen is easily the best coffee shop in the Old Port. Their drinks are unique & inventive, especially their ube coffee & the apple-miso latte - flavors you'll rarely find anywhere else, & certainly not made this well. Every visit feels special, & the vibe is always warm & welcoming. & the owner? Truly the sweetest of them all. A real gem.
I love this place. The employees are very attentive & super kind. Their coffee flavors are original & always hit the spot. Very chill & laid-back atmosphere.
Nov 2, 2025
on Google
🍽️
Know where to eat in Montreal before everyone else.
Get the first look at the hottest openings, secret menus, and RestoMontreal.ca's weekly top picks. Join 50,000+ foodies.
Finally had the opportunity to try this new café in downtown, & it did not disappoint. The interior is industrial-inspired, with a few seats & charging spots available. We ordered the classic Vietnamese iced coffee & the hot Matcha 2nd Gen (matcha latte with condensed milk). Both were excellent. The matcha was rich & well-whisked - perfect for those who enjoy a classic matcha taste.
If you want to try their specialty & more trendy combinations (matcha/Vietnamese coffee with foam toppings like ube or tiramisu), you will need to order the iced version instead.
The coffee & matcha are really tasty & good quality! I love the variety of flavours, especially the seasonal ones, which are really unique. The kafta sandwich is also super good, & the meat is halal. Its gonna be a new go to for me!
