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.
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.
May 2, 2025
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(updating review from a few months ago) Ordered an single shot Americano, they gave me a big cup with the same amount of water as a double shot Americano. Obviously, the "coffee" looked like dirty water! What kind of a coffee shop, on Mont-Royal Ave. no less, doesn't know how to keep the correct proportions on a cup of coffee! When I challenged them, i found out that they made a double espresso, then throw out half the coffee & filled the big cup with water! &, then charged me for two shots! Their excuse, their machine doesn't make single espressos! Lol. I got a replacement cup that was better proportioned, but the coffee was actually not very good, especially when you pay 5 freaking dollars for an espresso with hot water. Definitely not coming back!!!
Cozy cafe with a good vibe & good coffee. I just ordered a spicy decaf latte & it was really good. Staff is chill & yeah just a good experience. Wifi & indior & outdoor tables to work. It's a bit small so will fill up quick.
Points forts - Bonne musique - assez propre Points faibles - 6,89$ pour in chai latte moitié mousse - serveur blasé (pas impoli, mais genre pas très accueillant non plus)
An exemplary espresso with beans from a tasty roaster in Quebec City. Extremely friendly staff who were happy to help me as I learn French. Très agréable ! Avec le bon café.
Toute première fois que j'y vais & je ne manquerai pas d'y retourner. Ambiance décontractée, employée très sympathique & souriante & mon Chai latté était simplement incroyable! ^_^
Le Cardynal est un petit café de quartier très sympathique ☺️ J'aime bien varier entre un Americano, un Cortado & un Latte, alors j'apprécie le fait qu'on m'offre toujours 2 choix de café Espresso. L'été, il y a une belle terrasse à l'avant ☀️
Barista sympa & ambience bonne. Les grains sont délicieux. Mais les cafés sont souvent (toujours) surextrait (trop amer) & lait pas moussé correctement (texture/température inadéquate). En tant normal, ça me dérangerait pas, mais pour du café de spécialité, c'est arrivé trop souvent. Au point où malheureusement, je pense devoir changer l'endroit où je vais chercher mon café.
