Nestled in the heart of the ever-growing Mile End district, Café Olimpico has undoubtedly been one of Montreal's best-kept secrets. In a city known for its multiculturalism, Café Olimpico's European flavor definitely fits the bill. Founded in 1970 by the late Rocco Furfaro, this vibrant and charming café has not only withstood the test of time but has brought together people from all walks of life. From the businessman who sips his early morning espresso, to the artists and students who leisurely enjoy their afternoon cappuccino, Café Olimpico has proven to be a great place to meet great people.
Across reviews, Café Olimpico is consistently praised for outstanding coffee with authentic Italian character, including rich espressos, smooth cortados, and flavorful lattes, often paired with beloved pastries like tiramisu and cannoli. The atmosphere is described as warm, cozy, and lively, with real Italian café vibes, old school decor, sports on TVs, and a buzzing terrace in nice weather. Staff are repeatedly noted as friendly, efficient, and welcoming, helping it feel like a neighborhood hub even during busy periods, though lines and seating can be limited. The spots are seen as Montreal institutions open early and late, with multiple locations maintaining the same charm and quality, and the overall experience is described as a go to for coffee purists craving a true Italian cafe vibe. Desserts and pastries, especially cannoli and pistachio items, are highlighted as must tries, and the quality of the coffee is often described as epic and consistently well balanced. Some reviews mention occasional bathroom or outdoor cleanliness issues during peak times, but these do not overshadow the strong coffee, vibrant energy, and community feel that define Café Olimpico. Overall, Café Olimpico is viewed as a top destination in Montreal for great coffee, tasty sweets, and a lively, sociable atmosphere.
Cafe Olimpico -Mile End
WOW 5 stars, chefs kiss.
I've visited the Olimpico in Westmount many times & am very familiar with the hospitality of the staff there (outstanding) & this being the second location I've visited- Olimpico as a chain is warm, professional, & friendly across the board!!
Specifically Alex & Claudio- even on an astoundingly busy Sunday rush, their attentiveness & attention to detail is revelling. Not bogged down by the rush & unwavering'pep' in their step.
Other cafes pale in comparison, although busy their demeanor could put an ornery businessman at ease!
A bustling atmosphere & smiles coming in & out of this place. They greet you like family- in a true Italian style with added expertise & poise.
AMAZING coffee & treats that make it hard for me not to buy all of their pastries lol.
Places like this radiate the essence of community & are the heart of Montreal in my opinion.
Just wish I lived closer!!
Feb 15, 2026
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The vibe at Cafe Olimpico is always buzzing, always busy, always friendly & fast. Came highly recommended, & would highly recommend! They have oat milk & were very accommodating with a'half-caf' request. The perfect pick me up for two New Yorkers visiting Montreal's Mile End: Cafe Olimpico for an oat milk latte then down the street for St Viateur Bagels ('all dressed' for everything bagel lovers).
Very popular & busy, delicious drinks & pastries, great spot. So busy that most don't prefer to sit & enjoy as it's too crowded but lots of spots outside to enjoy. Probably too expensive for the value received but great spot to try!
One of the best coffees in Montreal. Expect a line-up during the busy hours (depending the season) almost every day; early in the morning (rush hour), around noon & all the evening.
The only point to improve for them is maybe to clean the washrooms regularly , considering the high traffic!
Café Olimpico is hands down my favorite coffee spot! I recently had their cannoli & latte, & both were absolutely delicious. Their pistachio croissant is also a must-try-it's consistently amazing, though if you're visiting their Centre-Ville location, it may not be available before 10 AM so it's something to plan for if you're craving one early in the day. It might be different now, but that was my experience in the past. (I'm not sure if this applies to all locations, but it's something to keep in mind.)
The staff is fast, friendly, & always makes the experience enjoyable. The cleanliness of the place is excellent, which adds to the overall appeal. The only minor challenge is finding a spot to sit during busy times, but it's worth it for the quality of the food & coffee.
Whether you're stopping by for a coffee, a croissant, or a sweet treat like their cannoli, Café Olimpico never disappoints.
Feb 6, 2025
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Finally tried the original olimpico. It's open late at night & the coffee is delicious! It's also way bigger than the other locations but as busy if not more. Highly recommend!
The cafe is really busy & all chairs & tables are occupied however you can bring th food outside & sit on the bench. The tiramisu was a lil too sweet for me but the cafe di crema & cannoli were heaven
Visited the spot multiple times during my trip to Montreal. My girlfriend & I loved their beverages, especially the Remix. The tiramisu was solid as well, I'd fight someone to defend it's integrity. Finding seats indoors is a little tricky but they have nice benches/seats right outside their shop. Staff are super friendly & always smiling, loved the energy. The place is popping, busy, but justifiably so. They're slinging out stellar offerings left & right. Don't goof up & skip this gem of a spot. Hope they consider Toronto as a second home & open up shop.
It's perfect on a sunny day cause they really set up a good patio. Their cappuccinos are really good because they load up the foam. It is busy though... don't be surprised if there is a line. Can't wait to back to try their pastries because their canoli & tiramisu look really good
Oct 11, 2024
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Café Olimpico remains one of the best cafes in Montreal. Their coffee is really good. If you are a first timer you should try out the cannolis if they are available. This particular location in my opinion serves the best coffee, but it's always busy. The place has a vibe of its own.
I love this neighborhood, if you go on a Saturday afternoon there is so many things to look around. Cafe Olimpico will always be busy but that's part of the experience. I always get their latte fredo with oat milk & it never disappoints. I got a bomboloni & it was also so good!
I went there on a sunny Sunday afternoon with my sisters. The whole vibe is really loud & chill 😎. The waiting line was super long, it started right when we entered the room, we made a u turn & then went to the counter. Since it was 4 of us, we ordered a bunch of desserts to share. Unfortunately, the cashier got one of our orders wrong, & it was too busy & packed. Then, we were not able to get back to him to correct it. As for the cafe, the latte was pretty standard, good but not fantastic, the cappuccino with sugar was pretty though. We shared two tiramisu, it was rich & tasty overall, a bit too sweet to my taste. The fried Italian doughnut looking dessert ( forgot the name) was decadent , filled with ricotta, not too sweet, & I like it better. If you want to check them out, remember to go there on weekdays!
March 8, 2023 - Great little spot for a coffee, it does get quite busy so be prepared to wait if you want a seat. They didn't have many plugs available & my phone was running low on battery, they were nice enough to help me charge it behind the counter. Great service.
