Overall, Café September emerges as a buzzing Montreal brunch staple, beloved for fluffy pancakes, avocado toast, halloumi toast, tomato soup with grilled cheese, and a compact yet flavorful menu that tends to deliver comfort food and solid coffee. The vibe is lively and casual, with surf-inspired decor and a crowded, sometimes noisy atmosphere that makes seating tight and the space feel busy. Lines are long, especially on weekends, but many note that the wait is worth it for the quality and consistency of the food. Standout items frequently praised include the pancakes, avocado toast, halloumi toast, and the tomato soup with grilled cheese, while the matcha and coffee are commonly described as satisfying. Service is mixed, ranging from friendly and efficient to overwhelmed during peak hours, and the ordering system (counter service with self seating) can feel hectic. Overall, it offers a dependable brunch experience with strong flavors, provided patience with crowds and limited seating are acceptable.
Went there mainly for the pancakes. It was my first time here & I had high expectations & feel they were not met. I did not enjoy the pancakes as I found them to be salty which was lightly off putting. I ordered a London fog & found it didn't taste much like one & was more on the cold side. The breakfast sandwich was delicious, well cooked egg on a brioche bun & the toppings. There's zero service in my opinion but once again maybe that's their identity. You stand in line to order, wait for your drink, bring it to your table, they do bring the food to you & that's as far as service goes. You have to get your own maple syrup if need be & even water. I would not like to sit on the high face to face tables as they're so tightly close to each other except if your entire crew takes the entire space. Glad I went, would I go again… debatable.
Excellent brunch/lunch spot! Line is always long so recommend getting there before 10am to avoid long waits. Avocado toast & halloumi toast were excellent & filling. Pancakes were superb, salty & generous maple syrup! Iced vanilla latte was delicious.
Nov 16, 2025
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This stunning place is perfect in the fall weather. We only ordered food & orange juice: a fried chicken burger with salad & their classic pancakes. The pancakes were so fluffy & light, topped with butter & salt, & drenched in maple syrup. It was my first time having pancakes in Canada, & they did not disappoint. The place was popular, but it was very cool inside. I definitely recommend it!
The food omg it was a incredibly the grilled cheese it self without the soup was amazing & the soups alone was also spectacular both together was a freiam . The pancakes were also amazing with the maple syrup & the pancake was soft & all together was amazing . I am already a fan you must go
Lieu populaire & ambiance animée. Cuisine savoureuse & délicieux café latte & matcha. Service impeccable!
Les portions sont généreuses, j'ai pu rapporter mon restant de pancakes, qui étaient tout aussi bonnes le lendemain!
I had amazing food here. We tried the pancakes & the grilled cheese + soup. Probably the best tomato soup i've ever had. The pancakes are up there too. However, go early, there was a line to get in, starting around 10am. It was a thursday. Insanely crowded inside. Not a lot of space to sit, & they're mostly high counter tops. The guy cashier barely spoke french & didn't smile at all. Neither did the guy who brought our food. They weren't exactly rude, just not a good service (I myself am a barista). The girl baristas were great & smiley. Matcha & mocha, yum!! Will go back!
Nice breakfast spot. Gets very busy, so come early or be prepared to stand in line.
I got the classic pancakes which were great. If you're coming with someone, easily share with someone & get two sides to share together. You can taste the buttermilk & flavours.
I also got an orange juice & the halloumi. They fried the cheese into thin pieces which is nice as a side dish. Would come back to try other dishes.
You order at the bar & seat yourself. I heard there's always a line, but it moved quickly. The avocado toast was flavorful, dressed with maybe a cilantro lime sauce? It was superior to all other avocado toast I've had. The pancakes were so fluffy, topped with salt flakes. We enjoyed a flat white & latte, espresso was good. The cafe was tastefully designed. They have indoor & outdoor seating. Highly recommend!
Sep 11, 2025
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C'est la saison des rhumes. Je tousse, je me mouche, mes articulations me font souffrir & ma gorge me douille, mais si je me retrouve aujourd'hui avec une extinction de voix, c'est parce que j'ai passé la journée à m'exclamer devant les crêpes extraordinaires du Café September ! Je plaisante, bien sûr - c'est encore mon virus qui tient à me démontrer l'étendue de ses talents.
Cependant, les crêpes (ou « pancakes », à 14 $), elles, sont véritablement exceptionnelles. J'aimerais pouvoir vous les décortiquer & vous expliquer ce qui les rend magiques, mais je ne suis qu'un simple gastronome émerveillé. Serait-ce le babeurre qui fait la différence ? La cuisson parfaite lui donnant une croûte dorée & une chaire moelleuse, légère & souple ? C'est un plat tout simple en apparence, mais je me dois d'applaudir copieusement le chef ou la cheffe pour en avoir maîtrisé l'art.
Les convives, eux, doivent maîtriser l'art de se dénicher une table dans ce café bondé. Pas commode, commode ! Même un mardi ordinaire, à 11 h 30, ça grouille de monde venu « déjeunetter ». Alors, on reste patiemment debout dans une section du restaurant, guettant la moindre table qui se libère. C'est comme un jeu de chaises musicales au ralenti. On pourrait souhaiter une meilleure organisation, mais on pourrait aussi affirmer que, à la rigueur, c'est le concept même du restaurant. & avoir un concept, ça fait distingué.
Un concept ne suffit pas ? En voici un autre : l'éclatement de la sphère intime. À la quantité de monde au pied carré, il faut accepter de partager son oxygène avec des inconnus, & si votre voisine a une voix stridente qui vous vrille les tympans, vous seul recours est de prendre votre mal en patience. En somme, cette atmosphère effervescente n'est pas de tout repos & vous vous incitez vous-mêmes à déguerpir dès la pose finale de votre fourchette.
Hélas ! Que voulez-vous ? Les gens sont friands de bons déjeuners, & les déjeuners du Café Septembre, euh, September, sont très bons & pas trop chers. Vous pourrez certainement vous rassasier pour moins de 25 $ par personne. Un réconfortant chocolat chaud (4,30 $), un sandwich grillé au fromage généreusement beurré avec son onctueuse soupe à la tomate (15 $) & vous voilà gavés à plus ou moins 20 $. Pour du plus costaud, on commande, sur un lit d'agréables frites texturées, un burger classique absolument dégoulinant de sa savoureuse sauce (19 $) - attention à vos vêtements… j'ai appris à mes dépens qu'elle traverse avec aisance le sac en papier. Splich - splach - splouch, une belle flaque sur mes pantalons. Dans l'ensemble, le menu propose un répertoire soigné de vos mets favoris du matin, sans fioriture.
Le décor suit la même philosophie : minimaliste, rehaussé de touches amusantes & originales, dont des planches de surf, un portrait de Bill Murray, une porte de bois travaillée qu'on devine étant celle d'origine, des petites ampoules ici & là… On crée ainsi une impression d'espace bien aéré, nous évitant ainsi de nous sentir coincés & oppressés au milieu de cette multitude de gens affamés.
En somme, le Café September tire brillamment son épingle du jeu sur la mythique Rue Notre-Dame Ouest en servant un déjeuner classique & de qualité à prix compétitif. Victime de sa popularité (notamment auprès de sa jeune clientèle), j'éviterais à tout prix de m'y pointer en gros groupe… mais l'endroit convient joliment pour un tête-à-tête délicieux & efficace. Un dernier conseil, & je vous en conjure : ne faites surtout pas l'impasse sur les crêpes !
There's always a line outside this place, but it is worth the wait. The pancakes are super fluffy & big enough to share. The tomato soup & fried chicken sandwich are both amazing, & the iced vanilla latte is something special. A must-go in the city!
Les pancakes étaient vraiment très bon, moelleux & gourmand. Le poulet frit était bon & les frites aussi j'ai juste trouvé ça dommage que le poulet se séparait de la chapelure, ça faisait comme une carapace plutôt qu'un enrobage. Merci aux serveuses pour leur gentillesse & leur bonne humeur.
Sep 6, 2025
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Luckily was able to squeeze in a brunch here before leaving Montreal & I'm so glad that I did! Every dish was delicious & was worth the lineup. These are probably the best pancakes I've ever had! Latte was very smooth & creamy, & the service was friendly & quick. Will definitely return once I'm back in the area.
Lively. From the heart cooking. Best pancakes I have ever had. The owner was so welcoming & kind. I told her I was from Toronto & they were the best pancakes we have ever had. Everything else was also delicious. Lattes. Breakfast sandwich. Chicken sandwich. This is a MUST STOP in Montreal.
The food was absolutely phenomenal from this restaurant. I can't wait to come back next year! I had a fantastic deluxe breakfast sandwich & a pancake. Those were probably the most delicious versions of those two foods I have ever had. Don't hesitate to come here but make sure you show up early enough if you don't want to be stuck waiting for too long!
Very nice place, good & welcoming atmosphere, absolutely place to visit at least few time to try all their breakfast menu, pancakes & avocado sandwich is one of the best
