Fairmount Bagel Bakery produit des bagels emblématiques de style montréalais grâce à un processus traditionnel de cuisson au four à bois qui assure un extérieur distinctement croustillant et un intérieur dense et moelleux. Chaque bagel est roulé à la main et bouilli dans une eau infusée au miel avant d'être cuit sur des planches en bois pour obtenir une teinte dorée caractéristique. Le menu se concentre sur ces anneaux artisanaux disponibles dans des variétés classiques comme le sésame, les graines de pavot et le mélange tout garni. Les clients accompagnent ces créations fraîches de fromage à la crème, de saumon fumé ou de câpres disponibles sur place. La boulangerie demeure un fournisseur essentiel du patrimoine culinaire local en conservant des techniques séculaires. En privilégiant strictement les méthodes de cuisson artisanales, l'établissement reste une référence incontournable pour les amateurs de produits authentiques.
Fairmount Bagel Bakery est largement reconnue comme une institution montréalaise emblématique, célèbre pour ses bagels frais cuits au feu de bois, caractérisés par une texture dense et moelleuse avec une légère note sucrée. Les visiteurs apprécient souvent l'expérience de les déguster chauds à la sortie du four, soulignant la variété des saveurs et l'atmosphère authentique de l'établissement. Bien que de nombreux clients considèrent ces bagels comme les meilleurs en ville et un arrêt incontournable, certains mentionnent que les options de paiement, limitées à l'argent comptant ou à la carte de débit canadienne, peuvent représenter un inconvénient. Les avis sur le service sont partagés, certains clients profitant d'un accueil chaleureux et efficace, tandis que d'autres se sentent pressés ou trouvent l'accueil moins adapté aux touristes. Malgré l'absence d'espace pour manger sur place et les files d'attente occasionnelles, la majorité des habitués et des visiteurs considèrent que la qualité et l'histoire unique de ce lieu justifient amplement le détour.
USA TOURISTS BEWARE!
Fairmount Bagel does not take credit cards & takes advantage of American tourists by accepting USD. No matter how enticing & convenient this may sound, DO NOT PAY IN USD!!! They do not exchange it properly - they treat it as CAD & give you CAD back, which is valued significantly LESS than USD. For example, if you give them $20USD you are really giving them $28CAD so they're making $8 off of you. If you give them $50USD you're giving them $70CAD but they're acting as if you only gave them $50CAD & are making an extra $20. I would understand charging a small fee to use USD, but to just ignore the exchange & higher value of USD altogether is crazy. They are stealing your money!!
We unfortunately made this mistake & paid a total of $24.50 USD for 2 bagels (that were not anything special) that should've only cost us $7.50USD. After realizing how much money they made off of us we tried to get our USD back by paying them in CAD & they said our cash was'locked up & inaccessible'.
We saw so many other tourists paying in USD not realizing they were being taken advantage of as well. Please learn from our mistake & either pay in CAD or just steer clear completely. The bagels aren't worth it anyway.
Edit: bumped up 1 star because of owner's reply, thank you. I actually drove many km to the store. My 2 debit cards were tried by phone & the physical cards. They are from Canadian banks & I have used numerous/hundreds of times in Montreal & all over the world. I suggest discussing with your payment system provider to'avoid confusion' where there should be none.
Beware, very limited payment options. 2 different bank debit cards did not work. Cashier said was because don't accept debit mastercard (it was a bank chequing debit card that also had mastercard logo), so I tried second card - same result. No credit cards accepted either. Very frustrating experience. Cinnamon raisin bagels were okay... but way overpriced.
Montreal classic bagels, somewhat flat if compared to NY-style. The store is easy to spot, no line when I arrived but it moves steadily when guests start arriving. Plan ahead your order, be kind to the small crew. The pretzel isn't such, just the folds give a pretzel shape, not a good value or specialty creation. The store clearly states that they don't accept credit cards. So, if you are not a local using debit, bring cash. They accept usd $ at $1 for 1$. Some of us paid in usd, not very visitor-friendly move. Still, their prices are budget & worth the visit.
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.
One of the original bagel places in the city that serve up fresh baked Montreal style bagels. Bagels were nice & warm & had great chew, the signature bite of a Montreal style bagel. It's pretty cramped inside at the cashier so make sure you have a good idea of what you want so you don't take up time & space.
Note, below $10, they will only take cash. I only had old notes, which they rejected. Also only local debit cards accepted, but will take overseas cards for a fee. At that point, I left, without trying. St-Viateur win hands down with their immaculate service. For just over $8 for 2 bagels & tuna spread, they provided serviettes, a knife, & cleaned a preparation table for me, all with friendly smile, & accepted my overseas credit card without any fuss.
