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.
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
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.
The drinks were nice! But it was a bit too loud with the music & the tables were kinda small & unbalanced. Also, it's kinda hard to find sockets. However, the service was top, & overall it's a nice & quite affordable place to have a chill gathering & get some work done!
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.
the menu is small, but each of their picks are top-notch. love the atmosphere with musical selections being on point. be sure to enjoy the courtyard when the sun's out!
Extremely charming spot, good beverages, haven't tried the food but seems quite delicious. Music a tad loud so if you're looking for a quiet place I'd suggest elsewhere, otherwise definitely check it out!
The staff are always so nice, & they have an amazing variety of food & drinks. Would recommend their matcha, or any of their hot teas! Also, excellent music every single time I go. I've been introduced to so many new artists whenever I spend time there
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.
Nov 1, 2024
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.
I'd suggest trying the karaage sando, but the tamago sando is quite overrated-it was pretty bland. On the other hand, I really enjoyed the matcha latte. The atmosphere was awesome, with R&B music adding a nice touch to the overall vibe.
Will come back again! Ambience 💯 very industrial & edgy, dark & bright at the same time. Dark enough that's laptop friendly 💻 , bright enough that you get sky view from skylights ☀️ Ordered an iced matcha latte 🍵 to start the day fresh, wish it could be bitter but good enough. 4.5/5 I had katsu curry for lunch, the skin is a bit overcooked & feel heavy but the inside meat very juicy & tender. I was hoping more curry in the bowl. & the bowl has a chip at the edge that's actually dangerous for the hands. 4/5 Background music might be a bit loud in the morning, some rock music was playing, I guess they want it to feel more hippy. But it can get even louder when more people come in later in the afternoon. There's outdoor patio to sit but limited seats available. 2hr max wifi connection per user per day. Overall a good place to take a break or having a sprint work/study session. Very friendly staff. Will come back again to try out the sando. Total spending + tip: $27 Overall 5/5
This place is such a vibe for artistic/creative & hipster people. The decorations, the slight underground/cottage feel tucked away on a somewhat busy street. It's a total vibe. I came on a Thursday afternoon & they had the techno experimental music blasting. I ordered a chai latte with soy & decaf Americano...both were very good. The chai was somewhat local from New York & was well spiced & not so sugary which I like. They have some food options as well like sandwiches & vegan curry. Plenty of seating indoor & outdoor in their terrace & at some picnic tables. 2 hour limit on wifi to keep people from docking. Just such a great, aesthetically pleasing cafe! Only improvement would be for more attentive, patient service.
