Osmo X Marusan is described as a visually striking, club‑like cafe that blends Japanese inspired sandos, curry bowls and drinks with a strong coffee and matcha scene, attracting a young, studious crowd and often becoming a lively, crowded space. The atmosphere is frequently praised for its architecture, skylights and terrace, sometimes with a DJ or vinyl vibe, but the overall level of noise and activity can make it hard to study or have a quiet meal. The menu features crowd favorites like tamago sando, karaage sando and katsu curry, with matcha and hojicha drinks earning consistent praise, though some reviews note small portions, bland elements or variable quality and long waits during peak times. Service quality ranges from friendly and attentive to slow or uneven, contributing to mixed overall impressions. Taken together, the place shines for its unique vibe, drinks and creative sandwiches and is often recommended for a social visit or a first experience, while not being ideal for those seeking a quiet, quick meal or a predictable cafe routine.
I came here for a quick lunch. The place was very busy. You can tell it's a popular place among students. After ordering at the counter, they give you a number to place on the table & they bring your order to you when ready. The café is nice but quite noisy so it's not the ideal place to sit & study. I ordered the famous tamago sando. It was ok, not great. Apart from the egg, the rest of the sandwich was bland. Just too much bread. On the other hand, the chicken sandwich was very tasty.
I had the lavender London fog here & it was divine! The perfect sweetness while not being sugary, & perfectly warm! Also, the ambiance was delectable with this cafés cool & vintage feel! I definitely recommend!
Apr 28, 2025
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Absolutely lovely, highly recommend. The music was a little maouder than what you'd expect from cafe background music, but that didn't bother me personally (the music was very cool)
Also shoutout to the one black barista, you have a very nice & smooth voice:)
great food & cool vibes but definitely not a good place to get work done. it's located semi'underground' & has cool steel decor. the sandos are delicious & their matcha lattes are some of the best in the city! It does get quite loud in the cafe & the music is usually pretty loud too. plenty of seating but not enough outlets if you plan on doing work. Would recommend for going for lunch or hanging out!
Good food / coffee. Excessive noise for a "café". They have huge amp speakers & they blast aggressive music up to a limit of 80 dB. For reference the legal limit for workplace noise is 85 dB. Above that, protective gear must be used. When asked to slightly reduce the sound, they refuse & point to their dB meter, arguing that it's under the 80 threshold. I left with a headache.
The space was very nice & food was good as well, it was super crowded but that's no fault on the cafes part. However the music was so incredibly loud it was a little annoying. I also unironically saw a small rat in the lobby.
Feb 2, 2025
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The café has a cute & cozy atmosphere, making it a great spot for studying or catching up with friends over coffee. The servers were friendly, & the overall vibe is welcoming. However, there are some notable downsides that take away from the experience. The café is not wheelchair-friendly, which is disappointing, & the stairs were slippery because of the snow, creating a potential safety hazard. Additionally, there are no electric outlets available near the tables, making it inconvenient for those who want to work for an extended period. The 2-hour Wi-Fi limit is particularly frustrating, as it feels unnecessary for paying customers who might want to stay longer to study or work while continuing to order. While the ambiance is nice, these issues make it less appealing for those seeking a more accommodating & convenient space.
I had a green tea, hojicha latte & took a matcha latte for takeout. The green tea & the hojicha was good but nothing exceptional. What stood out to me was definitely the delicious iced matcha latte. It was not bitter & had a unique flavour, more inclined on the leafy side than the sweet/nutty side of matcha that I've grown accustomed to. Although most of my cup was filled in ice, I enjoyed every sip. Can't recommend the matcha latte enough. The employees are very nice but I was not a big fan of the metal tables & metal bench aesthetic. I felt like I was back in school with the wobbly metallic tables lol. It's also a bit noisy in there, from the many students & the music. I wish I had tried their food but kitchen was not open on the day I visited. The prices are also very good, around 5$ per drink. Still debating wether or not to return to this cafe.
Excellente bouffe (j'ai pris le poulet Karaage Sando & un latte), service impeccable... Il y avait juste un peu trop de monde à mon goût. Il fallait se précipiter pour avoir une place assise, on aurait dit une cafétéria branchée pour étudiants. Comme si l'endroit est victime de son succès! Mais un bel endroit avec de bons produits & un super staff...
Went to this cafe based on good reviews from social media. The cafe itself is very aesthetically pleasing, but the food was a disappointment. I ordered two katsu sandos. One was cooked okay, but the other undercooked/cold inside & was the size of a brick. I get food poisoning very easily, so the pork being half raw was particularly upsetting.
Dec 5, 2024
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OSMO X MARUSAN est un lieu unique qui combine à merveille le charme d'un café moderne & l'élégance de la cuisine japonaise. Le menu offre une belle variété de plats & de boissons, toujours préparés avec soin & originalité. Que ce soit pour un matcha latte parfaitement dosé ou un donburi savoureux, la qualité est toujours au rendez-vous. L'espace est lumineux, avec une décoration minimaliste qui invite à la détente. C'est un endroit idéal pour travailler, se retrouver entre amis ou simplement profiter d'un moment tranquille en savourant un bon café. L'attention portée aux détails, tant dans les plats que dans l'atmosphère générale, fait toute la différence. Le service est impeccable, avec un personnel accueillant & attentionné. Les prix sont raisonnables pour l'expérience proposée, & l'endroit se distingue par sa capacité à mêler tradition & modernité. OSMO X MARUSAN est une adresse à découvrir pour tous ceux qui apprécient un café de qualité & une cuisine japonaise revisitée dans un cadre agréable.
This cafe has great potential with a cool concept & very different from other cafes. However, my drinks were just ok, I can get the same from anywhere.
Absolutely warm & upbeat atmosphere. This basement cafe is not afraid to show what its about in terms of decor & music. If its cold & dreary outside, you will feel rejuvenated from the coffee made specially by a barista who knows what he's doing; & feel at home after getting a nice & hot katsu curry. Compliment the DJ in the back, they're making sure your experience goes above & beyond. Highly recommend.
The cafe gives out good vibes & energy & credit goes to the crew working there. The atmosphere is very lively & such a welcoming place where you can sit eat work & relax at the same time.
The vibe & drinks are definitely great. I got the tamago sando with smoked salmon & unfortunately there were a few bones in the salmon. There are definitely a lot of better food options at the café but the tamago sando is a bit overhyped especially for the price.
A really pretty cafe tucked away with a super cool vibe inside. Evidently japanese inspired, i loved their hojicha white chocolate latte 🥹 & their food was super tasty! i honestly take curry over the sandwiches but they're both good ! a must visit in montreal
classic cafe. Not per say the most preserved japanese, but they do things well. The cashiers usually aren't so polite, but the baristas focus on making things well. I'll post more pics later.
I recently visited OSMO X MARUSAN Café-Terrasse & had a wonderful time. The food was delicious, particularly the Karaage sandwich. The atmosphere is cozy & inviting, with a charming terrace for outdoor dining. The service was excellent, & finding a seat was easy despite the crowd. If you're looking for a good lunch experience in Montreal, this is a great option! ☕
