Open seven days a week, maman offers a selection of delicious baked goods, coffee, fresh breakfast and lunch options, and seated lunch, brunch, and a full bar at selected locations.
Reviewers describe Maman in Griffintown as a charming, cozy cafe with a warm, French countryside bakery vibe blended with a modern urban energy, a reliable weekday brunch and lunch spot that stays busy but inviting. The pastry program is a frequent standout, with almond and pistachio croissants, pain au chocolat and other beautiful, fresh treats that many guests praise. Breakfast and lunch items like pancakes, French toast, a generous breakfast sandwich, ratatouille toast, and a varied sandwich lineup receive praise for flavor and generosity, though a few notes point to certain dishes being a touch sweet or not as memorable. Coffee and drinks often earn compliments, including distinctive options such as tahini honey latte, lavender latte, and a solid cappuccino, while some visits report inconsistency or longer waits during peak times. Service is described as friendly and efficient on many visits, with the owner and staff warmly welcoming guests, yet other experiences mention overwhelmed staff, slow service, and a crowded, noisy room with close tables. Prices run a bit high for a casual cafe, but several reviewers feel the quality justifies the cost, and reservations are advised on weekends due to popularity. Overall the space, decor and vibe are repeatedly praised, making Maman a go to spot for a comforting brunch and a place to linger over pastry and coffee, even if some visits fall short on timing or balance.
Brunch was very mid for what we paid, I had the avocado toast (underwhelming) & my friend had the chicken sandwich (she said the chicken was tough). We each paid around 35 dollars, which we regret doing. The coffee was good though, I'd come back just to have a coffee & pastry, but nothing more.
Maman in Griffintown is a charming & essential spot for breakfast, brunch, or lunch. It fills a valuable niche as the go-to cafe in the neighborhood that's reliably open throughout the week, not just on weekends.
Atmosphere:
The cafe has the warm, inviting feel of a French countryside bakery blended with a modern urban vibe. It's the perfect setting for a casual meal, a coffee meeting, or grabbing a treat to go. The space is bright, cozy, & consistently bustling with a pleasant energy.
Service:
Service is efficient & friendly, geared towards both dine-in patrons & those grabbing items quickly. The staff are helpful, & the ordering process at the counter is straightforward, even when busy.
Food:
The food is where Maman truly excels. The sandwich we had was excellent-fresh, well-balanced, & flavorful. The true stars, however, might be the pastries. They are not only beautiful to look at but live up to their promise: incredibly tasty & fresh. Taking an assortment to go is highly recommended & ensures the delightful experience continues after you leave.
Value:
It should be noted that Maman sits a bit on the pricier side for a casual cafe. However, the quality of ingredients, the care in preparation, & the overall experience generally justify the cost for a special treat or a reliable weekday meal.
Verdict:
Maman is a definite recommendation for anyone in Griffintown. It provides consistently high-quality food in a lovely setting & serves the crucial role of being a weekday brunch & lunch haven. It's the kind of reliable, delicious neighborhood spot you wish was on every corner.
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French Review: Maman - Griffintown, Montréal
Évaluation Globale: 4.5/5
Maman à Griffintown est un endroit charmant & essentiel pour le petit-déjeuner, le brunch ou le déjeuner. Il comble une niche précieuse en étant le café incontournable du quartier ouvert de façon fiable toute la semaine, & pas seulement le week-end.
Ambiance:
Le café a l'atmosphère chaleureuse & accueillante d'une boulangerie de campagne française mélangée à une ambiance urbaine moderne. C'est le cadre parfait pour un repas décontracté, un café-rencontre ou pour emporter une gourmandise. L'espace est clair, confortable & animé d'une énergie agréable.
Service:
Le service est efficace & amical, adapté à la fois aux clients sur place & à ceux qui prennent des articles rapidement. Le personnel est serviable & le processus de commande au comptoir est simple, même lorsqu'il y a du monde.
Nourriture:
La nourriture est là où Maman excelle véritablement. Le sandwich que nous avons pris était excellent-frais, bien équilibré & savoureux. Les vraies stars, cependant, sont peut-être les pâtisseries. Elles sont non seulement magnifiques à regarder, mais tiennent leurs promesses : incroyablement savoureuses & fraîches. Emporter un assortiment est fortement recommandé & permet de prolonger l'expérience délicieuse après votre départ.
Rapport Qualité-Prix:
Il faut noter que Maman se situe un peu du côté plus cher pour un café décontracté. Cependant, la qualité des ingrédients, le soin apporté à la préparation & l'expérience globale justifient généralement le coût pour un petit plaisir ou un repas de semaine fiable.
Verdict:
Maman est une recommandation certaine pour toute personne à Griffintown. Il offre une nourriture de qualité constante dans un cadre charmant & joue le rôle crucial d'un havre de brunch & de déjeuner en semaine. C'est le genre d'endroit de quartier fiable & délicieux que l'on souhaiterait avoir à tous les coins de rue.
J'adore venir bruncher chez Maman. C'est un endroit très sympa pour y manger matin & midi, il y a beaucoup de choix. Grosse préférence pour les pancakes, c'est toujours un 10/10 pour moi. Il est facile de réserver, il y a souvent de la place (ça évite les longues files d'attente). Les serveurs sont toujours tres gentils & accueillants. Je recommande !
Brunch chez Maman : top du top ! Le personnel est sympathique, attentionné & l'ambiance vraiment agréable. On s'est régalé du début à la fin, rien à redire. Une adresse que je recommande sans hésiter !
What a wonderful restaurant!
Had a lovely brunch with my friend. Arrived there at 2pm. Waited 5 mins for a seat. The food came quickly, even though it was during rush hour. The staff were so welcoming. I am glad I have tried this iconic spot in NYC. Reservations are suggested during weekends as it can get packed pretty quickly, I will be coming back!
I went there for brunch, once I was seated I waited nearly 15 minutes before anyone even came to take my order. When the food finally arrived, it was noticeably subpar the fried chicken looked & tasted more like breaded rotisserie chicken, which was frankly unpleasant.
The service itself was friendly when it happened, but it's obvious the staff are overwhelmed. It feels like whoever owns this place is cutting corners maximizing the number of seats, minimizing the personnel, & serving lower quality ingredients.
I almost feel like I just got scammed out of $60. What should have been an easy, enjoyable brunch ended up leaving a bad taste literally & figuratively.
Maman est une très bonne place pour bruncher ! Je vous recommande vivement de passer un moment agréable avec vos amis ou votre famille là-bas. Le seul bémol est que sur les toasts, il y a un peu trop de saumon, ce qui devient écoeurant. Après tout, ce n'est pas si grave ! Il vaut mieux que ce soit trop que pas assez !
Made a reservation for Sunday afternoon brunch
Used to be one of my favourite places however it downgraded hard
Waites 50 minutes for our food .. I had an hour in total since I had a baby waiting, which I advised the server prior to order.
We understand it's Saturday & the place is busier than during the week, however restaurant should be able to accommodate the right amount of staff for the amount of customers.
Not coming back unfortunately
Aug 4, 2025
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Went here for brunch with a friend. We waited 10 minutes to be seated despite multiple empty tables on the patio. Once we were seated it took 20-30 minutes for our server to come check in with us so we could order drinks & food. Drinks were good & came within 10-15 min. Food took over an hour to come - we ordered the papa breakfast & pancakes with a side of fried chicken. I cut into the chicken & it was visibly raw in the centre - the person who brought the food out agreed it was raw & asked us to check the other fried chicken & it was raw as well. They took them back to the kitchen. By the time they had come back with the chicken - over 20 minutes later we were mostly finished our meals. They also brought out the same chicken cut in half & it was obvious they just threw it back in the deep fryer - it was black in some areas but obviously not raw anymore. I asked for my meal to be discounted as I was not going to be eating the chicken & the person said it was not possible. I again asked our waitress when it was time for the bills to get a discounted meal & the ?manager came out. Said it was not possible the chicken was raw & when I explained the situation she called the owner & they just removed my latte from the bill. Overall it was a bad experience, poor customer service & mediocre food.
L'endroit est vraiment sympa & une partie du staff aussi, mais on a attendu 1h pour notre brunch. C'était si long, la nourriture ne valait pas toute cette attente. C'est bon mais c'est pas non plus exceptionnelle. Personnellement j'ai pris le bol déjeuner Papa & en plus ils ont oublié de mettre l'avocat, on a du le signaler & ils nous l'ont donné par la suite. Je pense sincèrement que cet endroit a du potentiel, mais la lenteur de la cuisine est vraiment à revoir, en plus de ça, leurs repas c'est un petit budget, alors si en plus d'attendre 1h & +, on doit payer $30 & +, c'est vraiment décevant. En conclusion, il y a mieux sur 10.
I visited Maman today for brunch with a couple of friends. The place is absolutely charming. It's adorable, very champêtre, & it instantly reminded me of the South of France. The space is airy & cozy, & it feels thoughtfully decorated.
When you walk in, you're welcomed by who I believe is the owner. She gives off a real mom vibe. She's warm, sweet, & incredibly kind. In all fairness, she's doing way too much. She welcomes people, seats them, takes orders, cleans tables, & manages the staff. It's actually exhausting to watch. She's clearly passionate & hardworking, & you can feel she wants guests to feel at home.
That was the highlight. Unfortunately, everything else fell flat.
The food was very average. The presentation was nice & the portions were generous, but the flavors were off. My salad came with potatoes & salmon, which were decent, but the sauce was overly sweet & lacked balance. My friend ordered the French toast, & all three of us agreed it was far too sweet. It wasn't just a matter of taste. It genuinely lacked contrast.
Pricing felt a bit much for what you get. The food itself is priced decently, but the extras are where it gets frustrating. Charging almost a $1 for an extra piece of toast or an additional espresso shot for 1.5$ feels high & a little cheeky.
What really disappointed me was the staff. Aside from the owner, the rest of the team seemed completely disinterested. We waited 20 minutes just to get a menu, & then another 30 for the food to arrive. During that time, the staff were chatting, laughing, & taking photos of each other. Meanwhile, the owner was running around trying to do everything herself. It was frustrating to watch & didn't make us feel cared for as guests.
Would I go back? Maybe, but only if the service improves. The owner is the only reason I'd consider giving it another shot. She truly brings heart to the place, but she deserves a team that matches her energy & commitment.
For now, I'm giving it two stars. One for the beautiful setting, & one for the incredible effort of the owne
I've been to maman 3 times twice for brunch & once for a'quick' coffee. Both times I've visited for brunch were amazing, the service was good, & the food was even better! They have seasonal & fun drinks that I'm always wanting to try. Today I went to grab a quick coffee with my friend & I'm sad to say I was disappointed with my experience. I went to try the tahini honey latte, I was lucky & there was a sign next to the cash so I just pointed at it. My friend decided to get the same, & when it came to pay for our 3 drinks & 3 pastries I DOUBLE checked to make sure it was the tahini honey lattes that we were getting & the poor person behind the cash looked new so I double checked for that reason & of course the order came out wrong. I was missing a cookie & turns out my drinks inputted as lavender lattes. When I said I ordered the tahini honey lattes, I was shocked when the other person asked me to pay the difference. Great overall customer service :)
