Joie de Livres operates as a specialized hybrid establishment that integrates a curated literary collection with a dedicated beverage service. The interior design emphasizes communal reading areas paired with functional table arrangements suitable for quiet focus. Patrons select from a repertoire of standard hot beverages including roasted coffees and assorted loose-leaf teas prepared through manual brewing methods. Small-scale food offerings focus on portable baked goods such as butter croissants and seasonal muffins crafted for immediate consumption. The space maintains a minimalist aesthetic defined by floor-to-ceiling bookshelves that occupy the majority of the wall surface. This venue provides a controlled environment specifically optimized for visitors seeking a balance between intellectual engagement and caffeinated refreshments in a localized setting.
Joie de Livres is widely celebrated as a magical, cozy sanctuary for book lovers in Montreal, offering a unique blend of a bookstore and a café bar. Visitors frequently praise the enchanting decor, the wide selection of fantasy, romance, science fiction, and horror titles in both English and French, and the welcoming, knowledgeable staff who provide excellent recommendations. While the atmosphere is consistently described as perfect for relaxing with a coffee or a cocktail, some patrons note that the space can become quite crowded, leading to limited seating and occasional challenges with shelf organization. Despite minor feedback regarding price points and the density of the layout, the overall sentiment remains overwhelmingly positive, with many describing it as an essential destination for anyone looking to enjoy quality reading material in a beautiful, immersive environment.
This place appeared like an answer to ancient plea: wanting to hang out somewhere after 5pm without the obligation of eating a whole meal or drinking alcohol like in a restaurant or bar. BUT! You do have the option to do so if you did want to! Joie de Livres is like the holy grail, a mix of coffee shop, restaurant, bar & bookstore all at once.
As you might be able to tell from the photos, I go there pretty often! Even when there's a lot of people, it never takes too long for a table to free up, but when there's none, there's usually at least a spot at the bar. I kinda wish the place was even bigger, but I do love the cozy atmosphere.
The drinks & food are not on the cheap side, although you can find some less pricy options, but the tip is included & everything is good. I highly recommend the'paradox' sandwich & any seasonal drink.
Finally got to visit this bookshop after seeing so many great photos & reviews online. I had been looking forward to it, & it was every bit as awesome as I imagined. The atmosphere, the selection, & the overall experience definitely lived up to the hype. I can't wait to visit again!
It's such a cute & community driven bookstore !
Plus the fact that they're both a café & a bar gives finally a chill, pretty place to hang out after 5pm that's not loud or alcohol only.
Love going there - especially in summer to enjoy that terrasse !
An incredibly charming spot that a local recommended I visit, & now I'm passing along the recommendation to everyone I know! I can only vouch for the horror section, but it was a great variety of books with some deep cuts (Malcolm McDowell's'Blackwater' in French translation!). Really glad I got a chance to stop by.
I had an excellent time grabbing my lunch here. I greatly enjoyed my London fog, le Jardin Secret salad, & carrot cake. Delicious food, delightful staff, & excellent atmosphere.
Incredible bookstore with welcoming staff, good food, & diverse books. It is a fantasy/romance store, so the genres are not super diverse (they also have scifi, horror, & some essays snd children's books, but no mystery & such), but the books themselves have diverse authors & characters, which is super refreshing to see. The inclusive atmosphere can be felt throughout the store, & it makes the whole place seem homey. Have been back many times & will continue to visit
