Café Santropol stands out as a cozy, garden inspired hub with big, satisfying sandwiches and a bohemian, welcoming vibe. The terrace and courtyard feel like a retreat in the city, and the drinks and desserts, from hibiscus lemonade to chocolate cake, are frequently praised. The menu offers vegan and vegetarian options, and bread is a notable feature thanks to a local bakery partnership that supplies their bread and baked goods. Service is described as warm and attentive by many, though experiences vary and waits can be long when the place is busy. Overall, it remains a beloved Montreal staple for relaxed meals, study sessions, and casual catch ups, inviting guests to return to try something new.
ol' reliable café santropol! i love to come here for a quick meal in the summer & sit in the beautiful courtyard or get takeout to sit in parc jeanne-mance. the duluth sandwich, vegan mac & cheese, & chai milkshake (milkshake only available in the summer) are all consistently delicious options on the menu! avoid the iced chai, it was kind of watery.
the service can sometimes be a little disorganized, but the staff is always friendly. overall, i am a very frequent & happy camper at santropol ^_^
Bread bread bread bread bread bread bread bread.
Expected this to be an overpriced date spot but was pleasantly surprised. If given the choice between white & brown bread, I'd take white. Luckily, I wasn't offered a choice. The triplex sandwich was great.
This was my favorite spot for amazing sandwiches & soul healing level plant life on the ceiling. Now you can barely spot a plant but I was delighted to see dogs. Even if I ordered the wrong sandwich option: the bread crust was as dry as day old, the chicken salad lacked seasoning of any kind & the itsy cup of dressing was utterly insufficient. The thrill is gone
A little gem... Santropol is a cozey & welcoming café where service is amazing. All members of the staff are attentive & pleasant. Sandwiches are huge & tasty. Plates are well presented. The Hot Spiced Quebec Apple Juice was a wonderful discovery & exactly what I needed to warm up on a cold winter day.
I would like to go back in the summer to enjoy the courtyard.
This cafe is an experience. The sandwiches are fulfilling & the beverages are on point. Reasonable quantity & price.
I'd definitely visit again to try something new but I'm more into the place & how it's designed. Loved it !
Nov 30, 2025
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The sandwiches r so good the bread is so fluffy & fresh. I also tried the hot chocolate it was delicious not too sweet & the carrot cake was amazing as well. The place itself is so homey & cute, the staff were so kind thank you !!
I have been going to Santropol since they opened many years ago. Yesterday I was there for an early dinner & was looking forward to having my usual. A tuna sandwich with salad. I was horrified to find out that the sandwich options were chicken salad & ham. The country bread is always cut super thick & it is heavy with sharp crusty edges. When there is something soft like tuna inside it is easier to keep together. I ordered the chicken salad which was vile! Imagine canned chicken consistency - thick pieces & dry with barely any mayo. Not chicken salad. The bread was 1.5 inches thick & the heavy meat chunks fell out with the salad & tomato. This led to a disgusting experience of everything falling all over me as I was trying to eat it. The only other non meat choices on the menu are vegan. I also ordered the Carrot/Orange soup & it was thick pieces in watery broth which was not what I was expecting at all.
I am a foodie & eat in restaurants on a regular basis. What chef prepared this meal?
I am embarrassed to say that I wore the sandwich.
I had heard so many great things about this place, but sadly I won't be going back.
We (two of us) entered & were waiting by the wait to be seated sign for 15 minutes but nobody came to see if we needed a table (nobody was in front of us waiting, either). So after the full 15 minutes I tried to peak around to the garden to see if there were staff there (there were 4 people in the kitchen but I didn't want to bother them), & someone from the kitchen immediately came over & yelled at me to not seat myself. I said we'd been waiting a while & just wanted to check for someone, & they yelled no, someone will come. Well, a total of 25 minutes later someone did come & practically threw some menus at us & pointed to a table. Almost a half hour later someone strolled over to take our order. I had a question about salad vs sandwich & I got the full genz stare in return. The food came in about 20-25 minutes (we're almost 1.5 hours after arriving now). It was fine, nothing amazing tbh. The bread is unique but not very filling.
Then nobody ever came to check on us or see if we wanted anything else or to pay. I ended up having to ask the barista behind the drinks counter if we could pay at the front, & they said yes so we just did that to finally leave. They also made sure to check that we tipped - they have a sign about minimum 15% or something.
I have worked as a server & know what a tough job it is. But the attitude here is frankly unwelcoming bordering hostile. The food is ok, but the experience was so unpleasant & kind of made me feel bad for the whole day. The place wasn't packed or anything, either. Would not go back.
Oct 6, 2025
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MY NEW OBSESSION CAFE IN MTL! 😍 the employees are amazing & so friendly, the pumpkin spice latte is phenomenal, & so are the sandwiches. The outdoor vibe is so serene & really gives an escape from the city.
Delicious food with the best pumpkin spice latte for fall. One of my new favourite cafes in Montreal. Must try the sandwich with pear & caramelized onions
Went there at noon for our first visit.
We went on the terrace even though it was a little cold
We had soup & bread which was delicious
Each had a large sandwich with a very small salad which was also delicious
For dessert I had a carrot cake which is so good that after our after lunch walk I went back in to buy a piece to bring home
Cookies are also excellent
Service was top notch
A bit pricy
Atmosphere is like a ln eclectic dream
Very relaxed
Would definitely recommend
Tks to Clara for her excellent service
Points positifs : endroit joli, serveuse souriante & agréable, belle vibe
Points négatifs : la bouffe & le prix
Pour résumer : sympa pour prendre des photos mais ne vaut pas le détour pour y satisfaire une envie de se régaler.
19$ pour un sandwich qui n'est même pas bon .. dommage !
(la photo c'est le reste de mon sandwich après avoir mangé le tempeh)
I saw a lot of reviews of this place that were positive so we wanted to check it out while visiting Montreal on our last day. We went to many other places with everyone being so polite. Anyways- Despite the service being slow, nearly an hour to get our sandwiches i would never complain because I understand things are out of people's control. The food was fine. Not amazing, but the vibe is what you go for anyways. However what really upset me was my friend who is foreign paid & couldn't realize the machine is touch screen- so she skipped tipping on accident. I know her well & she does tip normally at sit downs even though its not really common in her culture. Immediately after she pays the waiter asks if she has a problem with her service in which she confused, responded no. She then goes on about how tipping isn't included in the price & we're now extremely uncomfortable. If you want tip to be mandatory add it to the price. A tip is preferred but not enforced & being rude to customers is not the way to receive one. As someone who's worked in service id never say that to a customer. The rest of us tipped anyways but after that i really didnt want to, as we all always do at restaurants but if you want to go somewhere with kind staff I do not recommend it as I felt disrespected.
Everytime I visit Montreal I must stop for a chai & Duluth sandwich. Idk how they get the bread that soft & delicious but I am very appreciative for its existence. Also our server Jo was the best ever!!! Would come back just for her.
Café Santropol, nestled in Montreal's Mile-End neighborhood at 3990 Rue Saint-Urbain, is a beloved local spot celebrated for its cozy ambiance, diverse menu, & inviting garden terrace. Founded in 1976, it has become a staple for both locals & visitors seeking a relaxed dining experience.
What a cool place to relax & enjoy !
🥪 Menu Highlights
The café offers a variety of sandwiches, including the popular Duluth, known for its harmonious blend of flavors. Other favorites include the Killer Tomato & the Chaucer Salad. For those with dietary preferences, there are vegan & gluten-free options available.
🍰 Desserts & Beverages
Café Santropol is also renowned for its delectable desserts, such as the three-layer chocolate cake & carrot cake. Beverage options include a selection of teas, lattes, & their signature Santropol Chai.
🌿 Atmosphere & Outdoor Terrace
The café's backyard terrace is a highlight, featuring a koi pond & lush greenery, providing a serene setting for patrons to enjoy their meals. It's particularly popular during the warmer months.
