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.
We ordered a cortado & cappuccino, both of which were nicely prepared. The coffee itself is a safe bean, not having a strong flavour profile (i.e. minimal chcolate, no flaural notes).
The place is popular to the point of bursting & unfortunately how far from downtown it is made it not worth the trek. Seating is at a serious premium & other patrons were rather rude about the whole thing, with people scooping up tables or holding them for who knows what reason or arguing over who was waiting for what.
Jan 26, 2026
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Café Olimpico is an absolute gem. The staff are incredibly warm & welcoming, creating an atmosphere that feels both familiar & full of character. The coffee is the real star here-authentic Italian quality, rich & perfectly balanced, just the way it should be. Whether you're grabbing an espresso at the bar or settling in with a cappuccino, every cup feels like a little trip to Italy. Highly recommend! ☕🇮🇹
Here, as Italian, I am not only happy to find a good espresso or cappuccino, I am proud to find such a'bar' as we would call this in Italy representing real Italian food & coffee tradition. Everything is authentic & the vibe is great on a rainy weekend morning
Endroit fabuleux , entre une très belle ambiance & un café vraiment délicieux, un service vraiment impeccable. C'est vraiment le café qu'il faut boire à Montréal. Pas mieux que leur cappuccino
Apr 9, 2025
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Italian coffee which is similar to what I had in Australia - unlike other coffee I had in North America, I was so happy seeing the right amount of coco powder on top of my cappuccino. & the tiramisu is not too sweet!
Café Olimpico est une institution à Montréal, & l'adresse de St-Viateur ne fait pas exception. Dès que l'on entre, on est enveloppé par l'arôme riche du café fraîchement préparé & l'ambiance animée qui fait le charme du lieu. Que ce soit pour un espresso court & puissant ou un cappuccino parfaitement mousseux, c'est ici que les amateurs de café italien trouvent leur bonheur. Le cadre est simple mais authentique, avec une atmosphère conviviale & sans prétention. C'est un endroit où l'on vient aussi bien pour discuter avec des amis que pour savourer un moment en solo. L'énergie du lieu est contagieuse, & on y ressent presque l'esprit d'un café de quartier en Italie, où les habitués se retrouvent & où tout le monde est le bienvenu. Le café y est toujours excellent, à un prix raisonnable, surtout pour la qualité offerte. Les baristas sont rapides & efficaces, même lorsque le café est bondé, ce qui arrive souvent. Que vous soyez un habitué ou de passage à Montréal, Café Olimpico est une halte incontournable pour profiter d'un café mémorable dans un lieu chargé d'histoire.
The staff is so amazing & the coffee is even better. The only good part of winter is coming to Olimpico for a nice warm cappuccino! The mile end is magical & Café Olimpico plays a big part in that! Thanks for the quick coffee to go boys!
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
Service is always amazing & the atmosphere is laid back but bustling. Do get their cappuccinos & do not get their sandwiches. Also enter the bathroom at your own risk.
On the last day of my vacation day, I've decided to visit Mile End, a local neighborhood located near Mont Royal of Montreal. It has a pretty suburban vibe with many local cafes. I stumble upon Cafe Olimpico (a hidden gem), & it has some of the best Tiramisu & coffee in Montreal. The cappuccino, cortado, & iced latte are bold, yet smooth (& refreshing when served cold). The sandwich is also amazing with its freshly sliced ham & baked sandwich.
Sep 11, 2024
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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!
