Café Olimpico is widely celebrated as an essential Old Montreal coffee spot, where rich, smooth espresso and a European vibe draw crowds and a loyal following. The beverage lineup includes cortado and affogato, paired with a pastry program that features tiramisu, cannoli, bomboloni, pistachio pastries, and other sweets that many describe as standout, along with notable hot chocolate and gelato. The atmosphere is warm and cozy, with authentic Italian touches and a lively, sometimes busy energy that makes lines common but often move quickly thanks to friendly and efficient service. Space is small with limited seating, which can be a challenge during peak times, though visitors often say the quality and hospitality make the wait worthwhile. The location in the heart of Old Port adds to the appeal, and many reviews frame Café Olimpico as a must visit, with guests returning on future trips for coffee, desserts, and that distinctive cafe culture.
Tucked along Old Montreal's cobblestone lined streets stands the exquisite Café Olimpico. The warmly lit, woodsy interior felt cozy & inviting when we first visited on a cold, drizzly Tuesday afternoon. The two young men working that day made us feel very welcome with their friendly conversation & good humor.
I ordered an affogato, & forgot to tell the barista -who had added a cannoli shell-that I have Celiac. But he was very understanding & patiently remade the drink without any complaint. The affogato itself was a heavenly merging of silky hazelnut gelato with the perfect shots of full-bodied espresso.
My kids (who do not have celiac) enjoyed fresh, delicious pastries. Among them was a Bombolini that contained a generous amount of rich, creamy filling.
Lovely baristas & family feel. Shows live sports & the coffee is great too, really nice. A few tables to choose from so when it's busy there isn't room to sit.
Also had a pistachio doughnut & amaretto biscuit which was yummy!
Would recommend a visit for a local feel & great Italian coffee, good atmosphere!
Feb 28, 2026
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Café Olimpico: An Authentic Italian Escape in Old Montreal
Step directly into Italy from the streets of Old Montreal. Right in the heart of the city's historic district, Café Olimpico welcomes you with an inviting atmosphere filled with authentic Italian flavors & aromas.
Beyond the excellent coffee, the café offers a wide variety of pastries that transport you to Italy's best pasticcerias from the very first bite. The highly friendly baristas make you feel instantly welcome, as if you're visiting longtime friends.
We have been customers a number of times, & the place is always joyfully relaxing. On our last visit, Julien treated us to great music & engaging conversation while preparing what were truly the best cappuccinos ever.
Finally, the enchanting building & decor complete the experience, making this spot an absolute must-visit.
It's a very nice place, I went to study with my friend (knowing before hand it was a small cafe linked to a hotel lobby), the only issues we've had was that it got cold very easily every time someone opened the door, wind/cold would come in & we were a bit uncomfortable, & my friend also had issues with her order. She ordered a London Fog but the barista seemed to not know what it was / how to do it but took her order anyways, & the tea wasn't infused enough as he didn't really know what he was doing, & then charged her for an Americano with milk. Also he didn't ask her if she wanted the receipt & threw it out immediately, & when she asked for it, he didn't seem to know how to print another one (I'm a cashier so to me that's a very simple thing to do, but I could be wrong). My mocha didn't have a lot of cocoa but the banana bread is insanely good I will say that. +the slice is huge.
The place is honestly lovely, great atmosphere & ambience. Coffee & food absolutely top notch but what took over all this amazing experience was the service of my new friend & great barista Julian, thank you for giving us such a wholesome experience.
While staying in the Old Port I visited this Cafe Olimpico when they opened at 6a each morning.
The barista David warmly welcomed me, & after the first morning impressively remembered my order each successive morning!
I really liked the community he created - locals & visitors alike were talking amongst themselves & it made me - as a visitor to the city - feel like a local.
Cafe Olimpico occupies a prime spot right in the middle of the Old Port, making it an easy & appealing stop when exploring the area. Critically, the coffee here is excellent. It's genuinely high-quality & worth seeking out for the taste alone.
However, our visit tonight was unfortunately dampened by a surprising & unwelcoming interaction with the barista. While this spot is usually packed, we stopped by on a Tuesday evening around 7 PM & were the only customers there. We observed that the barista was actively engaged in a conversation with someone who appeared to be an acquaintance rather than a customer placing an order. When came time for my wife to order coffee, she asked a couple of standard questions about the menu, the barista was quite curt & unwelcoming.
This focus on a personal conversation, even with no other patrons waiting, made the abruptness harder to understand. Great coffee is a powerful draw, & we hope this was an isolated incident.
Currently, our experience at Cafe Olimpico was a disappointing mix of exceptional product & a surprisingly cold reception.
Sep 30, 2025
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I recently visited Caffè Glacè at Olympico Café in Old Port Montreal, & it was an outstanding experience that I can't wait to share. The atmosphere is vibrant & welcoming, blending a cozy café vibe with a touch of urban energy. It's a perfect spot to relax & soak in the local culture.
The highlight of my visit was, without a doubt, the delicious coffee. Their specialty drinks are expertly crafted, & I particularly enjoyed their signature espresso, which was rich & flavorful. The baristas are knowledgeable & passionate about their craft, offering great recommendations & ensuring that every cup is made to perfection.
What truly sets Caffè Glacè apart is the delightful selection of pastries & light bites. I indulged in a fresh pastry that paired perfectly with my coffee, & it was simply divine. The combination of quality ingredients & attention to detail shines through in every item on the menu.
The location in Old Port adds to the charm, as it's surrounded by beautiful scenery & bustling streets. Overall, Caffè Glacè at Olympico Café is a gem in Montreal. I highly recommend it for anyone looking for exceptional coffee & a warm, inviting atmosphere. I can't wait to return!
This café has become my sanctuary. The cappuccinos here are absolute perfection-creamy, rich, & balanced with that beautiful velvety foam that only a skilled barista, like Sam, can achieve. But it's not just the coffee that keeps me coming back; it's the people. The staff radiate warmth & & energetic vibrancy & the atmosphere is uniquely inviting, with its cozy, cave-like feel. It's my local spot where I love sipping on my cappuccino, while soaking in the easy rhythm of life that hums through the room.
I had an extremely upsetting & disappointing experience at Café Olimpico in Montreal. At first, everything was going well-I was joking around with the cashier while paying, & we were having a good time. But then another staff member, a tall, blonde, tattooed guy working behind the barista counter, completely ruined the mood with his rude & racist behavior.
When I politely asked if my iced latte had been mixed, he snapped,'It's your job to do that.' I calmly told him he could speak more respectfully to clients, & instead of responding professionally, he mocked me by repeatedly saying'habibi, habibi' in a sarcastic & condescending tone-clearly targeting me for being Arab.
When I asked for his name (at least five times), he refused to give it. Instead, he stepped out from behind the counter & tried to intimidate me, as if hoping I would react so he could shift the blame onto me. I didn't respond to his provocation, but the whole situation left me feeling humiliated & unsafe.
This type of behavior is completely unacceptable. No customer should ever face racism or intimidation-especially not in a diverse city like Montreal. I sincerely hope Café Olimpico takes this seriously & enforces proper training & accountability.
Très bon chocolat chaud, les heavenly sont super bon ! Le barista aux cheveux orange qui c'est occupé de notre commande est très gentil & professionnel, il nous a même donné des conseils pour visiter Montréal ! Je recommande fortement ce café :)
Just went to the Olimpico cafe in old port & the coffee was amazing!! They have a lot of snack options so I got myself a little pistachio croissant ✨ Léo was the barista that served me & his coffe was perfectly done, coming from someone that drinks coffee every day. You might have to wait a couple minutes but it's definetly worth it! The atmosphere is warm & you have a couple tables to seat if you want to.
I had a fantastic experience at Cafe Olimpico! The coffee is delicious, & the atmosphere is so inviting. Nick & Nico are incredible baristas-friendly, knowledgeable, & always ready with a smile. Plus, the location is perfect for a coffee break before heading on a walk or a dinner. Highly recommend this gem!
Oct 24, 2024
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Got the cafe crema, caffe latte, nutella croissant, pistachio bomboloni , & tiramisu. AMAZING taste. Legitimately the most delicious cafe drinks & food. The service was also spectacular. Since we speak english we expected to be treated with a bad attitude like some places in montreal, yet the baristas were super friendly & conversational. Will recommend to everyone & come back for sure! It was quite busy & a long line though. The prices were also very reasonable, our drinks were like 4$ each.
I highly recommend for a coffee (I took latte), a dessert & even the sandwiches were tasty. It is located in Vieux Montreal in a cute area. The barista Julien was very welcoming & friendly, he took the time to discuss & give recommendations in Montreal.
A great place. We took cappuccino, coffee crema, cannoli, & Nutella cookies. Everything is fresh, crispy, & tasty. My favorite is coffee crema ❤️ The line was so huge, but it took maybe 5min to get my order. The barista super fest, I really appreciate the service.
I wish I would have asked the name of this amazing passionated barista here. Hands down the most professional I have even came across my life. How lucky I am that on my first day of my first time visit to the beautiful city of Montreal, I happened to find this place at the right time with this gentleman & have the chance of having a great shot of espresso & a shot conversation. Can't wait to get back here again.
