Overall reviews portray Café Santropol as a beloved, quirky Montreal spot with a lush garden, a serene courtyard and a lively terrace that shines in good weather, making it a favorite spot for coffee, lunch or casual meetups, yet it can test patience when lines are long and seating is slow during peak hours. Food and drinks are frequently praised for generous, well crafted sandwiches, solid soups and desserts, with vegan and veggie options readily available; the bread and fillings are often described as comforting and satisfying. The atmosphere is repeatedly described as cozy, bohemian and charming, with the backyard and decor contributing to a special vibe, and some reviewers especially enjoy the hibiscus lemonade and chai. Service quality is variable: many find the staff friendly, attentive and helpful, while others report slow service, miscommunications about seating or moments of cold or unfriendly service in busy times. Some remarks touch on cleanliness and restrooms and others note high prices though portions are large and value is fair. Overall Café Santropol remains a standout for its ambiance and generous, comforting fare, drawing people back again and again despite occasional delays or uneven service.
"No takeout without a tip" according to staff at front. Used to be one of my favourites, & the food is still great, but not worth the unfriendly & rude front of house.
Oct 5, 2023
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This place is so cute! I’m sad I found it in October & not earlier. The food was very good (huge portions for a cafe) & the ambiance when sitting outside is so cute. I could spend hours here with a book 📚 must try & must see.
i thought it would be expensive because of the location & beautiful garden terrace, but the food was cheap, *&* they had a lot of vegan options, including vegan dessert.
i ate a very good vegan chili which was a good portion for the price, & a small but good vegan "cheesecake".
The location is quite pleasant & comfortable, but the staff is exceptionally unfriendly. The food is reasonably good with generous portions. In summary, it's a place worth visiting, but you may not leave with the feeling of wanting to return.
Cold gazpacho restored our HP on an oppressively hot day. Great sandwiches too--they look huge but the bread is light & fluffy. Really filling, but fresh & light, & doesn't leave you feeling weighed down. The outside area's a great spot to chill.
Sep 5, 2023
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Une attente de 25/30 minutes pour manger sur la terrasse, mais ça en valait la peine ! J'ai pris un sandwich & il était excellent. Les ingrédients étaient frais, le pain moelleux à souhait & la portion généreuse. L'ambiance de la terrasse est unique sur le plateau. On a l'impression de manger dans un petit jardin intime. Pour ce qui est du service, il était rapide & on n'a jamais rien manqué. Je vais définitivement retourner à cet endroit pour expérimenter d'autres mets de leur menu.
We stop here every time we’re in Montreal. Suchhhh fresh & delicious food, amazing atmosphere (especially the back garden!), & really friendly wait staff. My husband is obsessed with the Coin St. Urbain sandwich & i usually get the chili & salad! Their homemade salad dressings are always beyond amazing.
This place embodies so much that I love about Montreal from the food to the staff & the location & especially the beautiful garden. Milkshakes are still amazing after all these years.
This is probably my favourite place in Montreal. I sit on the patio as that is my favourite spot among the trees. Their drinks are incredible & I thought the food was so so. A nice cafe to get some work done.
On y va pour la magnifique terrasse arrière, le lunch, le gros sandwich Racine-Suave, le côté bohémien, les milk-shakes, mais ne vous attendez pas à un service attentionné. C'est quand même un incontournable, juste pour la terrasse.
Very nice little vegetarian, healthy, sandwich place. I got a mango chutney one with chicken salad (sorry i want my meat). It was very fresh & refreshing from all those heavy restaurants. It was a bit expensive in my opinion. My mom raved about this place for so long. The sandwiches are huge! None of us finished them. They were all very good. Too much cream cheese though. I wouldnt mind going back.
