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.
Fantastic service & delicious sandwiches! Ordered their Cuban sandwich & Chicken Melt & for once, my partner & I didn't swap sandwiches because we each loved ours so much. Store manager was especially kind & understanding when there was a minor hiccup with my order, I really appreciate it. Will definitely be back to try more of their breakfast/lunch menu & pastries!
Recommended to all my friends, some of whom ordered sandwiches for lunch too. Happy bellies all around :)
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
Mar 30, 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.
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.
Good bakery, good service, positive experience.
A take away breakfast.
The bread & pastries were so inviting, it was hard to choose. So we doubled our order.
Nov 11, 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.
Excellent place for breakfast. It is a bit of a hole in the wall as there are no other restaurants nearby. The atmosphere is very authentic with cute decor throughout.
We had the egg & salami burger, which is pretty good, & the kids grilled cheese sandwich, along with a croissant. The fresh baked pastries are very tasty. Note that these don't come with sides so you might need to order a bit more.
Make sure to go early as it gets later in the morning & you'll have to wait.
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.
Jun 12, 2025
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A very popular place on a Saturday around lunchtime. My wife & I both got the Caesar salad with broccoli & added chicken. I really liked the salad, but there was something on it that my wife did not like at all & we figured out it was dried capers. Once she picked around those, she enjoyed her salad. our daughter had some type of bowl with salad & she really enjoyed it. Overall, a good experience oh yeah, the pastries looked so awesome!
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!
Olive & Gourmando is an absolute gem in Montreal! The variety of pastries is impressive, & everything we tried was incredibly fresh & flavorful. From buttery croissants to unique sweet & savory options, each bite was a delight.
The ambiance is warm & cozy, making it the perfect spot to enjoy a leisurely breakfast or coffee break. The staff is friendly & welcoming, adding to the overall charm of the café.
It's definitely a busy place, & for good reason-the food & atmosphere are worth the wait. If you're in Montreal & looking for a top-notch café experience, Olive & Gourmando is a must-visit!
There was an excellent selection of pastries, & they were wonderful. I believe Olive & Gourmando may be the best French-style/Parisian pastry you can get in Canada. With that said, get ready to wait in line!!!
Jan 4, 2025
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I saw everywhere that this was a great place. But the coffee wasn't good, they almost didn't have any pastries, & what they had was not that good. I didn't feel that comfortable...
Every time we come to Montreal we come to Olive & Gourmando, & it never disappoints. Pastries, coffees, & service are consistently top-notch. Arrive early if you can to get a table, enjoy a languid breakfast, lunch, or snack & watch the world go by.
Olive & Gourmando in Montreal is a fantastic spot for a casual yet gourmet meal. The cozy, vibrant atmosphere makes it a great place for breakfast or lunch. Their fresh pastries & creative sandwiches are top-notch, with salads such as the salty ricotta & homemade pastries being standout items. The coffee is excellent, & the service is friendly, though it can get busy, so expect a wait during peak hours. Overall, a must-visit for anyone craving high-quality food with a relaxed vibe in Old Montreal.
