Éclair is described as a standout destination for specialty coffee in Montreal, delivering a memorable pour over experience with a broad bean selection and tasting checks before serving. The baristas are consistently praised for their knowledge, friendliness, and careful guidance, while the atmosphere is noted as cool, cozy, and social with a central bar that encourages sharing. The space is small and sometimes crowded, with long waits when busy and limited seating, but the quality and craft of the coffee are seen as worth it. Some reviews mention price and value, calling it pricier but fair for the experience, and a few notes point to occasional inconsistency in drinks. Across the board, there is a strong emphasis on top-tier coffee, international roasters, and a Montreal vibe that makes this place feel essential for serious coffee lovers. Overall, Éclair is regarded as among the best in the city, a place that draws devoted fans for remarkable pour overs and a welcoming, communal vibe.
Five clients to take care of, the guy takes my order & says to go sit down (he'll bring the coffee over he says). Waited 20 minutes, looked up from my book, he's sitting at the bar chatting with some girl, I make eye contact with him three times, I don't exist. Is this a self serve café? I don't get it.
Jan 24, 2026
on Google
🍽️
Know where to eat in Montreal before everyone else.
Get the first look at the hottest openings, secret menus, and RestoMontreal.ca's weekly top picks. Join 50,000+ foodies.
Beautiful café with a great atmosphere. I really liked the central bar & how it encourages people to share the space & enjoy a coffee together. Service was very good, & the coffee itself was solid. A pleasant spot to stop & take in the vibe.
We had a fantastic experience here!! Love all the different options they had available for pourover, & they brewed a delicious cup of the wilder lasso gesha. Cool ambience, vibe, & friendly people. We would highly recommend - this & escape lab a cafe were our favorite coffees in MTL.
Un de mes cafés préférés à Montréal. Leurs cafés figurent clairement dans mon top 3, & le personnel est toujours incroyablement gentil :).
Ça peut sembler tout simple, mais lors de ma dernière visite, j'étais avec mon petit en porte-bébé & je peinais un peu avec mes cafés. La barista est immédiatement venue m'aider à « gérer » tout ça. C'est la première fois qu'on m'offre un soutien aussi attentionné, & c'était tellement apprécié ! J'adore aussi le mur comprenant des livres qu'on peut acheter : une excellente idée.
Really excellent cafe. Pour over is excellent & they have a really wide selection of coffees. The baristas are also really friendly knowledgeable. Great atmosphere too.
Café Éclair
This little spot was right across from where I parked, near all the vintage shops I started exploring. It looked tiny-a hole in the wall-but packed with locals, so of course I had to try it. Inside, everyone seemed to know what they were doing, most of them gathered around a big table that looked like they were all doing their homework. I ended up at the only other table with a few strangers, & we all enjoyed our coffee together. This, to me, is what Montreal is all about. Top points for that Montreal vibe.
Nov 1, 2025
on Google
🍽️
Know where to eat in Montreal before everyone else.
Get the first look at the hottest openings, secret menus, and RestoMontreal.ca's weekly top picks. Join 50,000+ foodies.
I did not know this was a serious coffee shop for real coffee drinkers. It was cold, I wanted something warm, & this cafe was across the street. I have learned words I did not know existed
But, I am pleasantly surprised!
Very cool place. I'm a little too socially anxious for a wrap around bar in a cafe, but I have never seen the concept before, & I thought it was pretty interesting
Chai latte was nice & spicy how I like it, without being overpowering. I got mine with some simple syrup (I'm a fake coffee drinker sorry y'all) & it was tasty. One of the best I've had if I'm being honest (they're pretty much all I order… I've had many). So I decided to try their matcha & it was actually good??! I say this with shock bc I usually find that matcha tastes like grass… this one was yummy though. I'm beginning to understand the matcha hype.
Staff are kind people too. It seems like they actually like their job, which says something about management. Customer service is stressful! They clearly knew a lot about coffee. I heard them using several very important serious sounding words. The coffee people nodded sagely. Be sure to arrive early if you want a pastry!
If there exists a better coffee shop in Montreal, with smoother steamed milk & more dynamic & expertly roasted beans, then surely it is on some other plane of existence - accessible only through absolute divine transcendence. For a mere approximation of that, a sip of the sublime - there's Café Éclair.
Sep 19, 2025
on Google
🍽️
Know where to eat in Montreal before everyone else.
Get the first look at the hottest openings, secret menus, and RestoMontreal.ca's weekly top picks. Join 50,000+ foodies.
Disons juste que je viens de trouver mon nouveau café préféré dans ce coin. Les deux baristas avec qui j'ai parlé étaient très agréable & les cortados (oui j'en ai pris deux!) étaient peut-être les meilleurs que j'ai jamais bu. Je serai de retour!
Absolute 11/10 cafe experience here. Staff were incredible, vibe was awesome & I had a top 10 coffee of my life there. It tasted like fuzzy peaches! This is an MTL must visit
Have been visiting Eclair for years whenever in Montreal. They have an exceptional approach to coffee, sourcing some of the best beans in the world & preparing beverages with uncompromising attention to detail. All of the staff I've interacted with are knowledgeable & passionate about their work. The cafe itself is beautiful, clad in green & white, & stocking an eclectic mix of books which decorate the walls. Highly recommended, one of my favourite cafés.
