Yann Bris, owner and chef, originally from Brittany in France, more precisely from the city of Paimpol, a small fishing port in the Cotes d'Armor, settled in Quebec in 2005. After earning his degree in hotel and restaurant management, he worked for the Accor Group as director of hotel-restaurant in the southwest of France, a bastion of French gastronomy. He opened his first crêperie in Fort Lauderdale, on the coast of Florida, in the United States.
This success and some leisure travel to the beautiful city of Montreal, prompted him to return and try the Quebec experience. He opened a decoration boutique in downtown Montreal, on Amherst Street, which he calls Karactère with a "K". Despite the success of this enterprise, he misses restauration. He decides to close the shop and starts a project that is closer to his love of gastronomy by opening a crêperie in the now trendy district known as Griffintown.
He sets his sights on a former hairdressing studio that he completely transforms to create Spanel, the Breton word for "spatula" Spatula for turning pancakes. Spanel's philosophy is based on a cuisine made exclusively with fresh, quality products. Thanks to the proximity of the Atwater Market, Yann can fulfill his wish to serve his customers crepes and gourmet dishes. Spanel is also committed to offering its customers a warm and friendly atmosphere.
The choice of a shady terrace, surrounded by trees and equipped with heaters, allows them to make the most of outdoor dining, from the first days of summer until the arrival of winter. The chef hopes you'll enjoy discovering Spanel and come back often to spend pleasant moments.
Reviewers describe SPANEL CREPES ET GOURMETS as a warm, welcoming, family-run spot with attentive service and a cozy, homey vibe. The menu offers a diverse range of buckwheat crepes, savory and sweet, with many vegetarian and gluten-free options and generous portions. Guests praise the high quality ingredients, thoughtful preparation, and comforting flavors that suit brunch, lunch, or a casual coffee break. The setting features a charming interior and a back garden patio that adds to the relaxed atmosphere. The staff are friendly, patient with non-French speakers, and accommodating of allergies or special requests, making guests feel welcome. Prices are fair and the experience is consistently delicious, inviting visitors to return to try more crepes such as the Verdun and Atwater varieties. This spot stands out for tasty crepes, warm hospitality, and a neighborhood-friendly feel.
Une parenthèse hors du temps, un accueil chaleureux sans être obséquieux, les crêpes toutes meilleures les unes que les autres.
Service irréprochable, on adore & on recommande vivement.
Bravo!
Dec 19, 2025
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On a partagé deux crêpes moi & ma femme (la kinder, qui est sucrée & la Atwater, qui est salée), & c'était excellent! Le service est chaleureux & l'ambiance est très joyeuse & apaisante! Je recommande fortement pour un déjeuner en amoureux!
The restaurant entrance looked quite simple, but as soon as we walked in, we felt a special warmth & friendliness - & the hostess definitely played a key role in that. We started with delicious mimosas & pour-over coffee, & the two crêpes we ordered from their diverse menu were, in my opinion, the best we've had in our three years in Montreal - they truly made our day. Highly recommended!
We don't speak French, so we were a bit nervous, but the server was very patient & friendly.
The restaurant has a cozy & relaxing atmosphere, with even an outdoor garden seating area.
The dishes were beautifully presented, thoughtfully prepared, & delicious.
Highly recommended!
What a hidden gem in Montreal! The crepes here are truly amazing…one of the best we had so far (highly recommend the Martiniquaise). We also tried two savoury crepes for breakfast, & everything was fresh, flavourful, & beautifully prepared.
You can feel the care & hard work in every detail. The service was warm & attentive. The owner was very kind, honest, & offered us great recommendations from their menu, & made us feel welcome.
A wonderful experience all around for me & my partner! Highly recommend stopping by if you're in Montreal
Première visite chez Spanel, & belle surprise 😲
L'ambiance est agréable, le personnel accueillant, & les crêpes sont vraiment excellentes 😋
J'ai goûté la « Verdun » (porc effiloché à l'érable, oeuf miroir, emmental) en salée, puis la « Banana Split » en sucrée : un vrai régal du début à la fin.
Un café americano ☕? pour finir, & l'expérience était complète.
Une belle adresse sur la rue Notre-Dame que je recommande volontiers.
🥞🥞🥞🥞
First time at Spanel, & what a nice surprise 😲
The atmosphere is pleasant, the staff is welcoming, & the crêpes are truly delicious 😋
I had the'Verdun' (maple pulled pork, sunny-side-up egg, Emmental) as a savory option, followed by the'Banana Split' for dessert - absolutely delightful from start to finish.
I wrapped it up with an Americano ☕? & the whole experience felt complete.
A great spot on Notre-Dame Street that I definitely recommend.
'Nestled near downtown Montreal, this cozy gem offers an exceptional dining experience. The ambiance is warm & inviting, complemented by a courteous & respectful staff. Our waitress, Vong, was particularly outstanding, providing impeccable service with a friendly & professional demeanor. The menu features a unique & delightful mix, with crepes taking center stage in a variety of innovative dishes. I highly recommend it to anyone looking to enjoy a diverse & flavorful meal.'
May 3, 2025
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A cute & charming restaurant with one of the best selections of crêpes in town! Everything was absolutely delicious, & the staff were incredibly friendly & welcoming.
I especially loved the little garden in the back-perfect for enjoying a quiet moment on a warm day.
Highly recommend for anyone craving a delicious sweet or savoury crêpe.
Enjoy!
The ambience was lovely, & the staff were both attentive & knowledgeable. I had the special crepe of the day, which came with a mimosa & a delicious soup-such a great combo.
The crepe itself was next-level: Serrano hamon, roasted cherry tomatoes, spinach, arugula, goat cheese, all wrapped in a buckwheat crepe with a perfectly fried egg on top. The staff recommended adding maple syrup-& wow, that took it over the top!
I'm definitely going back to try more from the menu. Highly recommend!
I had an unpleasant experience during my recent visit. The restaurant wasn't full when we arrived, & we only ordered two crepes. After waiting 45 minutes, my girlfriend had to leave due to another appointment. While the waitress was kind & apologetic, waiting that long for crepes is simply unacceptable.
To make matters worse, the crepes were average in taste & overpriced for what they were. No discount or compensation was offered for the delay, which was disappointing.
This wasn't my first visit, but unfortunately, I can't recommend this place anymore. You're better off going to September - similar pricing, a nicer interior, & much better food.
Apr 13, 2025
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This is a great place for brunch! Lots of savory & sweet crepe options. Also plenty of alcoholic & non-alcoholic drinks (including coffee). In the summer they have a great patio out back for seating. Highly recommend!
Delicious crepes with a good selection to choose from sweet or salty. We were there during the holidays, so possibly the staff were tired but we could have done with a more patient & attentive waitstaff. Will absolutely recommend to others & return again
This restaurant is absolutely fantastic! Hands down, the best crepes I've had in town so far. My husband & I each ordered two crepes-one savory & one sweet-& they were all incredibly delicious & perfectly soft. I tried the savory "Mont Royal" & the sweet "Banana Split," while my husband went for the "V.S.L" savory crepe & the "Petit Secret" for dessert. I'd definitely recommend ordering two crepes per person, as they're on the small/thinner side. However, if you go for the "Banana Split," it's big enough to share-definitely a two-person dessert in my opinion. The atmosphere was cozy & welcoming, & the service was outstanding. I can't wait to return & try even more flavors! Highly recommend it!
