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.
Final day in Montreal had us come across this lovely cafe. Wonderful staff & delicious food. The coffee was the best we had in our short stay in Montreal. Picked up some granola & Muesli as well as the delicious pastries on the way out
Quaint & charming atmosphere.
We had the chicken melt sandwiches, way overpriced for a simple sandwich on a brioche with no side.
We paid $67 plus tip for two chicken sandwiches & a drink. Not worth it at all.
Bathroom right next to dining tables is quite unpleasant.
Overall probably best for a coffee & pastry to enjoy the charming atmosphere.
Mar 21, 2026
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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.
Really lovely little spot that felt very welcoming with a friendly team. I ordered the banoffee French toast & it was really, really good! The ricotta so perfectly balanced the intense sweetness of the caramel & banana, & the crunch bits of seeds & nuts made the whole thing a textural joy. The coffee was pretty good as well, although not quite in the same league as the food ⭐?⭐?⭐?
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.
A place where time slows, coffee warms the hands, & the city softens into something intimate. Familiar, grounding, & quietly generous , like returning to a thought that always knows you.
Dec 30, 2025
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I have been to o+g on average once a year since it opened. I brought family visiting last week & I will not be doing that again. It was embarrassing, 25$ for the most basic panini grilled cheese, 25$ for the'Cubano' I had with one slice of pork & a few pea sized chunks of pickle, not even a slice of pickle. Bill was 125$ for three paninis & three coffees.
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.
Sep 8, 2025
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What a place.
Packed. Clean. Friendly. Delicious.
Very well oiled machine. Staff was fantastic as we're the pastries & sandwiches. Coffee was the best in all of Montreal. Can see why after almost 30 years it's still going strong.
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.
Jun 28, 2025
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The cutest corner coffee shop. The staff was very friendly & accommodated English speakers with no problem. I got the sconewich & it was fantastic. Great portion size & absolutely so fresh! The flaky sea salt on top was perfection. Would highly recommend to others! The atmosphere was busy but the warmth of the walls, the open windows & plants all gave a home feeling which was delightful.
We thought there was rush but we were quickly seated. The food & coffee were great, & so was our server. She chatted with us a bit & gave us ideas about places to visit besides the regular tourist attractions.
We asked our local friends for the best bakery & breakfast place & they immediately suggested Olive & Gourmando. The service was fast & friendly, & the food was incredible. I had the breakfast panini (not as spicy as they claim), & it was amazing. The pastries were delicate, sweet (but not overly sweet), & fresh. The coffee had quite a punch, I'm not sure what bean they use but it was stronger than neighboring shops, but that was very welcome. If we're ever back in Montréal, this will be our first stop.
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. 🫶
