Since 1957, St-Viateur Bagel has been a central part of the culture and daily life of Montreal. Its legendary landmark bagel shop operates 24/7 and sells over 1,000 dozen bagels a day.
St-Viateur Bagel is described as an iconic Montreal spot with a wood-fired oven that bakes bagels fresh in view, offering classics like sesame, poppy and plain alongside a wider range such as all dressed, cinnamon raisin, rosemary sea salt, whole wheat, blueberry and pumpernickel. Reviewers praise the fresh hot bagels with a chewy center and crisp crust, and many say the aroma and taste are outstanding, worth the wait though lines can be long. The shop operates as a grab-and-go with little or no seating and is cash only, with an on-site ATM and packaging that encourages taking them home. Service is fast and friendly in busy times, though a few notes mention occasional uneven quality or bagels that are drier on some visits. The experience is described as a Montreal ritual, a must-stop for visitors, with bagels often called among the best in the city and the chance to watch the bakers at work in front of you. Location near transit makes it easy to reach, and many customers buy a dozen or more to take away, while some reviews compare it to other local bagel spots and say preferences vary. Overall the sentiment celebrates fresh, hot bagels, a classic flavor profile, a steady crowd, and a strong sense of tradition that keeps people returning to St-Viateur Bagel when in town.
St-Viateur Bagel ( as La Maison du Bagel), founded in 1957, original shop is located in Montreal's Mile End neighborhood & is Montreal's longest-established bagel shop.
Bagels are a quintessential Jewish traditional food, their history deeply intertwined with the migrations of the Jewish people. Bagels originated in 17th-century Jewish communities in Poland. At that time, bagels were given as gifts to postpartum women, their circular shape symbolizing'life cycle' &'eternity.'
In the early 20th century, with the large-scale migration of Jewish immigrants from Eastern Europe, bagels were brought to cities like New York & Montreal. St-Viateur Bagel was founded in 1957 by Myer Lewkowicz, a Polish Jewish Holocaust survivor. He had dreamed of having a loaf of bread while in a concentration camp, & after his rescue, he established the shop in Montreal, continuing the traditional wood-fired baking method.
The combination of bagels, cream cheese, & smoked salmon is a classic brunch setup for North American Jewish families.
Mar 15, 2026
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Une petite virée un soir en passant avant Noël pour une commande de bagels iconiques de Montréal.
Accueil un peu froid, communication en français limité mais bagels inégalés 😉
Never a disappointment here. Find a parking spot & you're good to go to enjoy the best bagels, no matter the the flavor. They have cream cheese for immediate bagel consumption.
Mar 8, 2026
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Une adresse incontournable reconnue par tous. Il y a une file d'attente, mais le service est rapide & l'attente n'est pas longue. Laissez-vous séduire. Je recommande +++
These are my new favorite bagels! Soft texture & great flavor! I treated myself to 4 or 5 bagels & just snacked on them throughout the afternoon. You should definitely stop here if you're visiting Montreal!
It felt like there was magic all over Montreal, Quebec.
I think it was my second day there when my friends wanted to try this bagel shop. When we arrived, we were stunned by how popular the place was - there were people from different provinces & even other countries who had come to visit. Everyone had the same chill, natural manner. Despite the cold & the long line, I noticed a vintage shop next door that added even more charm to the scene.
I have to say, everything related to Quebec seems so stylish & unique.
Finally, we got inside the store. Newspapers & photo memos were pinned to the wall like butterfly wings. The staff moved around constantly, almost like they were part of a well-rehearsed dance. That's when I realized this place only sold bagels, & you could choose your own toppings or sauces to make them yourself 😋 - a truly authentic experience. We ordered every kind of bagel to try, along with some root beer. Of course, we couldn't finish it all.
I have to admit, they offered more variety here than any other bagel shop I've been to. However, only the most popular bagel was served warm - the rest were cold & hard. The garlic & herb cream cheese was okay, but not great.
Still, I'd say this was more of an experience - almost a social experiment for me.
The parking situation was an impossible mission. We drove for almost an hour trying to find a spot - but there were none. In the end, we took a chance & parked in front of an apartment building 🫢. By the way, there was a lot of snow on the streets at the time, & the shop was in an ethnic neighborhood. It almost felt like being in another world 🔮.
Cash only! ATM on site that charges about $4 in fees. They help people really fast & the line moves fast! I got a variety of bagels & they were patient & courteous helping me out.
I've gone here for years to st Viateur & mont royal but when I get home the bagels are always burned despite me asking politely for unburned ones, they could care less, - Bye!
