Fairmount Bagel Bakery produces iconic Montreal-style bagels through a traditional wood-fired oven process that ensures a distinctively crisp exterior and a dense, chewy interior. Each bagel is hand-rolled and boiled in honey-infused water before being baked on wooden planks to achieve a signature golden hue. The menu centers on these hand-crafted rings, which are available in classic varieties like sesame, poppy seed, and everything. Patrons often pair these fresh creations with high-quality cream cheese, smoked salmon, or capers available for purchase. The bakery functions as an essential purveyor of local culinary heritage, maintaining long-standing techniques that define the regional bagel profile. By focusing strictly on artisanal baking methods, the establishment remains a cornerstone for those seeking authentic, high-quality products that prioritize texture and flavor above all else.
Fairmount Bagel Bakery is widely celebrated as an iconic Montreal institution, famous for its fresh, wood-fired bagels that feature a signature dense, chewy texture and a hint of sweetness. Visitors frequently praise the experience of eating them hot straight out of the oven, noting that the shop offers a variety of flavors and a charming, traditional atmosphere. While many reviewers consider these to be the best bagels in the city and a must-visit destination, others point to the limited payment options, specifically the policy of accepting only cash or Canadian debit, as a potential inconvenience. Experiences with service appear mixed, with some guests encountering friendly and helpful staff while others report feeling rushed or finding the environment less welcoming to tourists. Despite the lack of indoor seating and occasional long queues, most patrons find the quality and unique history of the establishment well worth the stop.
Met an ol fella from Montreal shortly before my trip & he made it very clear this was a must. We made sure this was our last stop before making the trek back to NB, as we wanted fresh bagels for home.
I grabbed a bag of'yesterdays bagels', seemingly the best option if you want a large variety. I believe we got 18 bagels & a very nice assortment. My favorite was the blueberry vanilla.
While inside a customer who could clearly tell we were tourists leaned in & told me to order a fresh sesame seed bagel out of the oven with butter, & im so glad he did. Aside from cosmos this was one of the best things I had the chance to try while in Montreal.
I even brought back half a dozen bagels for the ol fella that suggested I go there.
On n'y va pas pour l'ambiance mais pour leurs bagels. J'ai grandi avec des bagels pour déjeuner, dîner, souper & les fins de soirée bien arrosées. Bien avant que les Bagels de Montréal deviennent populaires. Sésame ou Pumpernickel (quand on est chanceux) à vous le choix. Même aux oignons. Avec ou sans fromage à la crème. Avec ou sans saumon fumé. Avec ou sans capres. Avec ou sans oignon frais. Délicieux à tous moments de la journée. Même nature, tout frais, tout chaud sorti du four à bois. Avec ou sans beurre. À vous de les personnaliser. :-)
Au déjeuner, parfois avec du beurre d'arachides. Ça me permet de résister jusqu'à tard en après-midi.
The best bagel I've ever had! We had the sesame seed bagel with cream cheese. It was perfect. There is no seating here, so we walked around & ate it. Then we went to the corner to the Italian place for a delicious treat & drink.
Jun 29, 2026
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We headed to the newly opened Fairmount bagel cafe where they serve coffee, smoothies & various sweet & savoury bagel sandwiches. My husband chose the smoked salmon on a sesame bagel & I chose butter, honey & sea salt also in a sesame bagel. The coffees were very good & the bagel sandwiches were delicious! Exactly the style of bagel I prefer.
An iconic bagel shop in Montreal that's conveniently open 24/7. I got their sesame & onion bagels which I enjoyed. Personally do prefer St.Viatuer's but these are quite good as well. They are cash only under $10 I believe & also accept debit.
The Pina Colada bagel was AMAZING! (It wasn't in the photo-I didn't see that side of the board from outside.)
If it's your first time, we suggest getting a sesame bagel (or another classic flavor) along with something more adventurous like the Pina Colada. Don't worry-you'll have no problem finishing both while walking a few blocks around Montreal.
Coming from Florida, we've always heard that New York has the best bagels. After eating these, there is absolutely no comparison. Fairmount Bagel has completely changed our minds.
Overhyped with some pretty bad customer service. They don't take credit card, won't take CAD $20 bills & were very pushy. Said they had everything & it was all fresh but then when we tried to order different flavors we're told they didn't have any. Why even bother lying? The sesame bagel was way too sweet - think Chinese sesame bun sweet.
Now I clearly understand why everyone recommends this place when it comes to bagels in Montréal. As soon as you walk in, you're greeted by the smell of fresh bagels. I tried the sesame & all-dressed bagels, & both were incredible. The outside is slightly crispy, while the inside is soft with a lightly sweet flavour. Eating them fresh out of the oven is a completely different experience. The variety is really impressive from classic sesame, poppy seed, garlic, &'everything' bagels to sweet options, there are plenty of choices.
