Cardynal - Bar à Espresso feels cozy with warm, attentive staff and consistently excellent coffee and tea, plus tasty pastries and gluten free options; the seasonal soups, especially a creamy sweet potato and squash variety with croutons, are a standout that visitors keep returning for. The atmosphere suits relaxed chats, reading, or working, with a calm vibe and a pleasant outdoor seating area shared with nearby restaurants, and the matcha latte and drip coffee receive praise for balance and smoothness.
A cortado: equal parts espresso & warm milk, perfectly balanced, no foam overload, just smooth, rich coffee with a silky finish.
Small, strong, & precise. One sip & it's all depth, warmth, & quiet intensity, the kind of coffee that doesn't need to shout to be unforgettable. #CafeCardynal #Montreal
Apr 16, 2026
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Impeccable service !! Merci Félix & Fanny pour votre accueil, on a aimé échanger avec vous! Ça nous a fait très plaisir de vous rencontrer. Continuez avec la passion avec laquelle vous faites les choses ! ✨
The potage du saison here was soooo good. When we were there, it was a creamy sweet potato & squash soup with croutons, we came back over & over just for that on our Montréal trip! The people are lovely too!
One of the best places in the area for coffee & tea. My espresso was excellent. I liked their outdoor seating area, which they seem to share with neighboring restaurants.
J'adore ce café ! Le personnel est toujours chaleureux & attentionné. Le café est excellent, & le cadre est vraiment agréable ! parfait pour se détendre, travailler tranquillement ou chiller entre amis.
À très vite !
Aug 6, 2025
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Stopped by on a road trip around the Plateau Mont-Royal neighbourhood. The baristas were friendly & efficient, & the place overall is very cozy on a Sunday.
Honestly I still think about the matcha latte - it's a little sweet & a little bitter, with a non-overwhelming earthy aftertaste. The drip coffee also had a smooth taste.
It was exactly what I needed. I was just coming from the doctor's office & after that visit needed some comfort. I needed an internal hug so I thought coffee & googled near by coffee shop. I found Cardynal & saw awesome reviews & thought why not.
The ambiance was perfect. Cozy, warm & just a great place to sit, eat & enjoy a moka latte like I did. I also got this amazing raisin & cinnamon foccacia with melted Brie cheese. Although there was just one person here kindness & professionalism brighten my day. This small moment that I got to spend with myself at the cafe definitely changed the trajectory of my day.
