Overall, the reviews paint Olive et Gourmando as a warm, charming hub in Old Montreal with a vibrant, cozy atmosphere and friendly, attentive service that locals and visitors keep returning for. The menu is described as creative and comforting, with standout items including sweet ricotta, croissants and other pastries, iconic sandwiches like the Cuban and the grilled cheese, and crowd pleasers such as the mac and cheese with gnocchi, the sconewich, and the chicken melt. Coffee and other drinks are frequently praised and the pastries are often highlighted as exceptional, though some readers note the prices are on the higher side and portions can be small for the cost. Lines and wait times are a common theme, especially at peak hours, and a few experiences mention slow or imperfect service or occasional billing mistakes. Nevertheless, the consensus is that Olive et Gourmando delivers strong quality, a lively yet welcoming vibe, and is a must try for a brunch or casual lunch in the city, with many readers stating they would return and recommend it to others.
A lunch well spent at Olive & Gourmando in downtown Montreal on Wednesday; July 1, 2025; which happened to be CANADA DAY. It was a planned school friend's reunion, & it turned out absolutely perfect.
It's easily one of the best brunch/lunch spots in the city. Even when it's busy, the line moves quickly, & the atmosphere is bright, cozy, & full of energy with a lively open-kitchen vibe. The staff are warm, attentive, & efficient, which made our gathering even more enjoyable.
The food was outstanding across the board. The sweet ricotta was a standout, & everything else-from the fresh, well-balanced plates to the ultra-flaky pastries-was packed with flavor. The coffee is top-notch & pairs perfectly with their baked goods. Prices are on the higher side, but fair for the quality & central location. Overall, truly worth the visit & a place I'd happily return to again.
Feb 21, 2026
on Google
🍽️
Know where to eat in Montreal before everyone else.
Get the first look at the hottest openings, secret menus, and RestoMontreal.ca's weekly top picks. Join 50,000+ foodies.
This is was one of the best breakfast/brunch experiences I've had in Montréal or anywhere else. I had a really superior matcha latte & the eggo fuego sandwich minus the meat, which was hands down the best breakfast sandwich I've ever had. In addition to using tasty basic ingredients, the combination of the buttery brioche with the piquant sauce & the rich egg & cheese were an absolute win. Friendly service topped it off nicely.
Such a lovely brunch spot in a perfect location in Old Montreal. The menu is simple but still offers plenty of options for different tastes. The sweet ricotta was amazing & definitely a highlight. They also make excellent coffee & pastries, which makes it hard to go wrong with anything you order.
The atmosphere is cozy, the service is kind & attentive, & everything felt welcoming. We were very happy with our experience. They do not take reservations, so it can get quite busy depending on the day, but it is well worth the wait.
Absolutely delicious brunch spot. Very, very. Dowsed so we were told we'd wait 30 minutes but ended up waiting about 20 minutes total on lovely outdoor benches. The cocktails are tiny yet adorable, & the food was clearly local because is was very colorful, bright, & fresh. The pastored & coffee looked like a serious business. I did not partake myself but could see myself returning for that.
Olive & Gourmando was not the best experience. We ended up coming here because the line was long & the spot looked cute. However, the menu is very odd if you're from the United States. We found it to be very pricey as well for what it is. My sandwich had little to no turkey in it.
On the bright side, however, the servers were incredibly friendly.
If you're looking for a brunch spot in the area, I would look elsewhere.
Sep 5, 2025
on Google
🍽️
Know where to eat in Montreal before everyone else.
Get the first look at the hottest openings, secret menus, and RestoMontreal.ca's weekly top picks. Join 50,000+ foodies.
Everything was great.
The baked eggs were very flavorful, my friend loved the peach french toast (a weekend special), the sconewich was so good I ended up coming here the next day to grab 2 to go. The blueberry muffin was fluffy, moist, & not too sweet.
They nailed the flavors & everything was cooked to perfection, it's no wonder it's one of the top breakfast/brunch spots in Montreal.
I recently visited Olive & Gourmando during my trip to Montreal, & overall, it was a delightful experience that definitely lived up to the hype. The place has a warm, bustling atmosphere with a cozy, rustic interior that instantly makes you feel welcome. We were served by a friendly & attentive waitress who made sure everything went smoothly throughout our meal-excellent service really elevated the experience.
We ordered a variety of dishes to get a good feel for the menu: the Grilled Cheese, Tex-Mex Baked Egg, & the Melted Chicken Sandwich with a side of chips & grilled chicken. I also had a cappuccino, which was smooth & perfectly balanced-not too strong, not too light.
Out of everything we tried, the Grilled Cheese was hands-down my favorite. It was rich, cheesy, & perfectly toasted-a comforting classic done right, & I would go back just for that. The Tex-Mex Baked Egg came second; it had a nice depth of flavor & a good balance of spices, though a bit on the heavier side for my taste. The Melted Chicken Sandwich was my least favorite-it wasn't bad, but I'd give it a 5/10. It felt like it was missing something in terms of flavor or texture.
What I appreciated most was the quality of ingredients & the care put into the food. Everything tasted fresh & thoughtfully prepared. The vibe of the café was lovely-lively without being overwhelming-& I can see why it's a staple for locals & tourists alike.
While Montreal offers a wide range of incredible food options that I still want to explore, Olive & Gourmando was a great stop. I'm glad I visited & would recommend it as a one-time must-try, especially for brunch or a light lunch. It's a spot that combines good food, good coffee, & great service-all the things that make for a memorable café experience.
J'ai récemment visité Olive & Gourmando lors de mon séjour à Montréal, & dans l'ensemble, ce fut une très belle expérience. L'endroit a une ambiance chaleureuse & animée, avec un décor rustique & accueillant. Le service était excellent - notre serveuse était souriante, attentionnée & vraiment professionnelle. Cela a rendu le repas encore plus agréable.
Nous avons goûté plusieurs plats : le grilled cheese, les oeufs Tex-Mex au four, & le sandwich au poulet fondant avec des chips & du poulet grillé en accompagnement. J'ai aussi pris un cappuccino, parfaitement équilibré, avec une belle mousse & un goût riche sans être amer.
Parmi tous les plats, mon préféré a été le grilled cheese - croustillant à l'extérieur, fondant à l'intérieur, vraiment délicieux. Je le recommande sans hésiter. Les oeufs Tex-Mex étaient également bons, bien assaisonnés, avec des saveurs intéressantes. Le sandwich au poulet fondant m'a un peu déçu - je lui donnerais une note de 5/10 ; il manquait un peu de caractère ou d'équilibre dans les saveurs.
Ce que j'ai particulièrement apprécié, c'est la qualité des ingrédients & le soin apporté à chaque assiette. On sent que tout est préparé avec attention. L'ambiance du café est conviviale, animée sans être bruyante - c'est un lieu très agréable pour bruncher ou déjeuner.
Même si Montréal regorge de bonnes adresses à découvrir, Olive & Gourmando vaut vraiment le détour au moins une fois. J'ai adoré l'endroit & je le recommande à ceux qui veulent vivre une belle expérience gourmande dans le Vieux-Montréal.
Nice restaurant but not for brunch. Not many options on the menu we decided to leave because we didn't like the coffee. The server was very understanding & nice to us. 🫶
My partner & I always visit Olive & Gourmando when we visit Montreal! The French toast is world class & always hits the spot. This season, we tried the blueberry & white chocolate version. It was delicious & the buckwheat added a nice crunch. I'd definitely recommend it for brunch. There was no wait for us but we did go at 2:00pm on a Friday 🙂
Do yourself a favour, if you are in Montreal make the journey to this place.
We were lucky enough to be staying a short walk away & thought we would try it out when we first arrived. It was really busy, which is always a good sign & we had to wait a while for a table. It was certainly worth the wait. The food was top quality, fresh & bursting with flavour. The staff were all friendly, bilingual & attentive. That is quite something when a place is so busy.
There is a good selection of food & drinks so everyone should find something. The pastries & coffee were also great.
This place has a reputation for a reason. It was so good we ended up having brunch here four times!
The fruit & yogurt granola was great, good coffee. Loved the vibe, butter croissant was great too. Highly recommend. Great spot for breakfast/brunch if you are visiting Montreal & staying at one of the nearby hotels
Endroit fort sympathique pour le brunch du dimanche. On y va en petit comité puisque l'endroit n'est pas très grand, mais très chaleureux. Clientèle touristique & locale s'y mêlent dans une ambiance café-resto dès plus agréable.
