Café Olimpico is a beloved Montreal staple known for bold espresso, rich tiramisu, and a wide range of Italian pastries, with staff praised for warmth and helpful recommendations; the space is small and often crowded, making takeout the easiest option, though the vibe remains lively and authentic; while the coffee and desserts are consistently praised and some call it the best in town, a few reviews note occasional inconsistency in drinks or portions, limited seating, and a tipping on the machine for takeout without a clear choice for customers; some experiences also reflect the bustling energy and friendly atmosphere that draw locals and visitors alike to this cafe, sometimes accompanied by longer lines but quick service.
I didn't like the experience at all ! The place is so small that I had my coffee near the trash can! The service is horrible as well ! The barista was kind but the person who took my order was rude! Absolutely not worth it
Best coffee in Montreal among all the cafes i tried. Would even venture it is the best cuppa joe i've had outside of the weasel coffee in Vietnam.
Cafe Olimpico's coffee was robust, with a strong nutty flavour, & woke me right up from my fatigue after an hour of walking around the neighbourhood.
Seemingly never-ending queues of people going for a cuppa so there doesnt seem to be a good time. But queue moved very quickly despite just two baristas manning the fort, so it was inpressive.
Apr 15, 2026
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ALWAYS ASK FOR RECEIPT!!! 18% TIPS AUTOMATICALLY ADDED FOR TAKEOUT ORDERS.
Updated on April 12, 2026 to respond to the owners's reply:
We invite the owners to take a look at the cashier camera on April 02, 2026 shift to see how your cashier works on the tap machine. We have invoices as proofs.
So instead of inviting customers to provide more details to double check & review internal process for improvements, the owners simply just conclude that'this is not accurate'.
Given their responses, we conclude that this tipping practice was tolerated & that we will NEVER come back.
An excellent coffee cannot win us over a terrible customer service because adding automatic 18% tipping for takeout orders (without giving customers a choice) is stealing customers' money, simply put.
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ALWAYS ASK FOR RECEIPT!!! The cashier automatically charges 18% tips on take-out orders without giving customers the machine to choose what they want to tip (keep in mind this is about takeout orders).
We happened to notice this problem because we got paper invoice this time, otherwise we won't be aware because we just simply tap the machine. We will still support the shop but this tipping practice is disgusting, the owners need to address.
That being said, the coffee is so delicious (we ordered mocha). The barista is friendly & welcoming. The place is small, has a few tables so it's more suitable for take-out. Our experience is pleasant most of the time.
Espace quelque peu exigu mais chaleureux. Je note le'Bonjour' du barista dès l'entrée. Bien qu'occupé, le service est attentionné & sympathique. Le café, typique italien, atteint la cible.
Le goût de café est bon , mais l'endroit est vraiment trop serré pour rester sur place. Le service laisse à désirer 👎👎👎
Le barista préparait ma commande en jasant avec des clients au lieu de se concentrer. J'ai demandé un espresso simple allongé & on m'a servi un court.
Loved setting up to get some work done here! There is limited seating so getting there earlier is recommended for sure. The guys working the barista station were super nice & definitely knew lots of the regulars coming in, they were also giving recommendations to a couple of tourists coming in to look for fun things to do in the city.
I had one of their lattes & a pistachio cream croissant (highly recommend!). Very fun place!
Feb 20, 2026
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I've been a customer for few months now & I always received an excellent service.
This is thanks to JUSTIN, the barista that will take care of you if you get the chance to step into the Cafè during his working shift.
I really enjoyed the cappuccino he prepares & the conversations we keep having together make my experience just much better.
I didn't have to think twice to bring my brother & friend from Italy at cafe Olimpico, not just because of the quality of the cafe, but also for the care we receive from Justin.
I had been planning to visit Café Olimpico but stayed busy for a while. I found out they opened a new branch on Saint Catherine, so I finally dropped by. The place is small, perfect for a quick takeout coffee. The Filipino barista deserves a shoutout. He was friendly & welcoming. I ordered the hot chocolate, & it tasted amazing. Rich & smooth, & different from other coffee shops I've tried. Definitely comeback!
Des années que je vais là, mais le barista du moment est vraiment désagréable & condescendant, sans parler du tips qui débute à 18%, un peu intense pour un 0 service!
Depuis 2 ans, je me rends au café Olympico chaque fois que je travaille en présentiel! Les barista savent exactement comment préparer mon café latte comme je l'aime! Un vrai délice qui débute bien ma journée! Le service est excellent & personnalisé. Le local est chaleureux & me fait penser aux bars jazz new-Yorkais. Je recommande sans hésiter!
We had a lovely stop into Cafe Olimpico & were welcomed with open arms by the master barista, Justin. It was wildly impressive to watch him engage with every single customer, flawlessly make drinks, & enjoy every second of it. He made our morning in Montreal & we hope to make it back someday.
Nov 16, 2025
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the barista's got charm, the kind that fills the room before the smell of coffee does. I ask him how it is. he laughs,'not good.' a joke, maybe. maybe not. he wasn't lying. it's the kind of coffee that tries too hard, like a man in a new suit with nothing to say. bitter, empty, no heart, no art. you drink it because you have to, because the day's too long, because you forgot what real coffee tastes like. it'll wake you up, sure, but it won't make you feel alive.
Wish the coffee was better!
Sadly, the coffee just wasn't good. I was really excited to try it after visiting three different shops during my work trip, but the latte was poorly made. Instead of using a slow, circular pour to incorporate the milk properly, the barista just dumped it in all at once. The result was a very bitter drink. I tried to finish it but ended up having to throw it away. The vibe was nice, but the coffee & the long line just weren't worth it. I'm not sure if they had token their time with the latte it could have been better, but I wouldn't go back. The good thing is there are plenty of other options in the area.
