La Bête À Pain draws a broadly mixed picture, with breads and pastries frequently praised for freshness and flavor while service and value are questioned. Reviewers love the croissants, breakfast sandwiches, avocado toast, and canelé, yet many note slow, unfriendly service, long waits, and mood swings tied to staff. Several comments mention price increases and smaller portions since a baker change, suggesting better value elsewhere despite occasional high quality. Temperature and timing issues also show up, from interiors that feel too hot to coffee that can be cold or under heated, and lunch service starting late or missteps like a soup order. Ambience is described as pleasant and lively at times, though efficiency and consistency can be hit or miss. Overall, La Bête À Pain remains a notable bakery cafe for its core pastries and breads, appealing to those with time to spare and a willingness to sample a range of items, while some encounters warn to temper expectations about speed and consistency.
Les points négatifs, en ordre chronologique:
- L'employé à l'accueil n'était pas serviable.
- Une ardoise indiquait que la soupe du jour était à l'aubergine grillée. À 9$ c'est cher mais pour de l'aubergine, ok. Or sans préavis c'est de la soupe à la courge qui nous fut servie.
- Le café était probablement le moins chaud que j'aie eu depuis des années, & il était médiocre. Encore là, prix élevé de 4,50$: pour moins cher j'aurais eu quelque chose de nettement mieux au Tim Horton's.
- En sortant, on a signalé à l'employé (le même) la méprise sur l'ardoise. Il ne s'est pas excusé, c'est à peine s'il a accusé réception de notre remarque.
Pour 28$ avant taxes - deux soupes à la courge, un café ordinaire & un café correct, ma conjointe n'ayant pas fait le même choix - on s'est fait avoir (pour rester poli). Je ne remettrai jamais les pieds à cet endroit.
I would have given this place 7 stars if I could! We tried half of the menu in 3 different times everything was delicious (both food items & pastries) the bread is incredible so I bought a few! The owner & staff were extremely nice as well! It's definitely a sort of a hidden gem in the heart of griffintown! Very recommended ❤?
Oct 11, 2025
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The food is great, baked goods top notch.
But the lack of efficiency in the staff there is astounding. I was there picking up coffee & croissant & waited 30min, & just watching them operate, sigh. Don't go there if you're in a rush, but do go if you have time to kill & the patience.
Best thing about this place used to be their delicious croissants but unfortunately lately they are almost always out of croissants before noon on weekends, & if you're lucky enough to make it before they run out, you need to wait minimum 20-25 minutes to pay since the cashiers are overloaded & very slow. Would suggest management plan better for busy weekends.
Superb ambience & they had some great options for sandwiches & bakery items.
Their avacado toast was amazing but the eclairs I felt were a tad bit too sweet for my liking.
But overall amazing experience. Worth visiting atleast once when you are in Montreal.
Aug 22, 2025
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We went here a few days ago & we liked their pastry & breads. I can say we liked it & not loved it as I've had better ones before so I give it 4 stars. The sandwich was delicious & I saw them cutting good provolone cheese at the kitchen, so i would say the material quality was good too. I would be happier if the sandwich was cheaper.
My wife got a creme pistachio pastry she loved.
I also got a olive & tomato bread that was awful! 😖
This is the kind of cafe & bakery experience we were looking for when we came to Montreal. I can't say enough about how delicious & fresh my mortadella sandwich tasted. It reminded me of some of the best Italian grocery store sandwiches I've had. We came twice during our trip. We enjoyed the food & the croissants so much to start our day.
On a rather quiet road with a warm atmosphere & good pastries. I loved the pistachio éclair, but unfortunately didn't get anything else. They serve matcha, coffee, bread & sandwiches. On the side they have a little fridge for canned drinks like Loop.
My friends travel far & wide - & the best part? Catching up over brunch in Montreal, swapping stories between bites of smoked salmon croissant & sips of iced latte. ✈?🥐💬
Jul 27, 2025
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Cool patisserie/boulangerie in Griffintown, open early 8:00, filled up pretty fast, limited seating. They bake their breads on place, therefore very fresh & crunchy. They are a bit understaffed,m. Therefore, service suffers a bit.
just went by this morning at 8am
found out only once there, their kitchen doesn't open until 9am
a bit strange for a bakery place
ended up just grabbing a coffee & a croissant
