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.
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.
Food & service was great but you have to remember its a tiny space, lots of customers, super long line & waited a good 20+ minutes in line just for 2 coffees. Patience is a virtue at any location I've noticed.
This café served delicious coffee, cake, & cookies, & the manager was especially friendly & tidy. Despite the long line, they were warm & kind to the children. It's definitely a place I'd love to visit again while I'm in Montreal.
Sep 27, 2025
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Le Café Olimpico dans le Vieux-Port est une adresse qui respire le charme européen. Dès qu'on franchit la porte, on est transporté par son décor chaleureux : plafond travaillé, présentoirs de pâtisseries & gelatos artisanaux, ambiance feutrée qui donne envie de prendre son temps.
☕ Le café : un espresso bien serré, riche en arômes, exactement ce qu'on attend d'une maison qui fait honneur à la tradition italienne.
🍪 Les douceurs : biscuits, gâteaux, une touche gourmande parfaite.
🏛? Le lieu : niché dans un magnifique bâtiment de pierre, l'endroit a une authenticité qui colle à l'âme du Vieux-Montréal. L'intérieur est intime, mais on peut aussi profiter du charme du quartier avec son vélo ou à pied.
En bref : une halte idéale après une balade dans le Vieux-Port, que ce soit pour un café rapide ou un moment plus long entre amis. Ce café a réussi à conserver son identité tout en s'intégrant parfaitement à l'atmosphère historique du quartier.
I'm not a coffee drinker, but have been here three times & always really enjoyed it. Outstanding, fun & friendly people behind the counter, you never feel rushed or ignored. The pastries I've had (lemon cake, for example) have been very good, & they have a good tea selection in addition to their coffees. The other draw is the fantastic space - gorgeous wood decorative ceilings, ancient stone walls, & a tight but comfortable seating that doesn't feel crowded even when it is. The coffee bar is really nice to see. It is in the heart of downtown & lots of tourists, but I've always been able to get a table with friends, despite the small size. They do what they do very well, you don't need my review to know it's popular!
Coffee & pastries were delicious. Be ready to wait in line as it's very popular for a reason! However service was fast & efficient. Everyone was friendly.
I was shocked how hard it was to find a coffee shop other than Dunkin open at 6am. Thankfully I came across this place that I had walked by the night prior. Short line, single person staffing shop, but he was on it. Clearly this was a place where locals come as he had orders being made as he saw people coming up & was talking to a few of them. Very friendly & very efficient. A couple good pastry options. My espresso came out pretty quick & was perfect. Temperature wasn't blistering hot, it was smooth, & just perfect to start my day. If you are an early riser, or just like coffee I would definitely check this place out.
It's was late-night we were taking a nice stroll in the old port. We had a taste for a coffee... looked up on Google map & found a nice coffee shop minutes walk from where we were... open the door to this coffee shop there's a good lineup waiting to order... my wife & I look to each other & said the coffee must be good lol. So we waited ( not very long considering all the people there) get 2 lattes to go... WOW best coffee ☕? I ever got. Rich creamy tasteful perfectly blend. Highly recommend this place.
