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.
If I were allowed to listen to one piece of music for the rest of my life, it'd be the Brandenburg Concerto. If I were allowed to eat one kind of bread for the rest of my life, it would be the sesame bagle from St Viateur of Montréal.
There are very few things in life more enjoyable than taking a couple of fresh out of the oven St Viateur seasme bagels up to the Mont Royal lookout or to the steps of Saint Joseph Oratory & just sit there looking down at my favorite city & eating my favorite bagel. If you time the bus schedules just right (55 southbound to Mont-Royal transfer to 11 up hill) you can achieve arriving at the lookout with bagles still warm!
It's a religion. One has to have experienced it to believe it. But once hooked, there is no going back.
Whenever we visit Montreal, we always make a stop at St-Viateur Bagel-it's a must! They're hands down the best bagels I've ever had. Each one is hand-rolled & baked in a traditional wood-fired oven, which makes all the difference.
The staff are always friendly & patient-likely because there are so many bagels to choose from. The bagels come out warm & incredibly tasty every time. Our favourites are the sesame seed & poppy seed bagels-we absolutely love them!
Chaque fois que nous visitons Montréal, nous nous arrêtons toujours chez St-Viateur Bagel - c'est un incontournable ! Ce sont, sans aucun doute, les meilleurs bagels que j'ai jamais mangés. Chacun est roulé à la main & cuit dans un four à bois traditionnel, ce qui fait toute la différence.
Le personnel est toujours amical & patient - sans doute parce qu'il y a tellement de variétés de bagels au choix. Les bagels sortent chauds & sont incroyablement savoureux à chaque fois. Nos préférés sont ceux au sésame & au pavot - nous les adorons absolument !
For Newyorks bagel is sacred, but if there is anything taste or feel like fresh, just right texture, bite, warmth. - then this is it. Its heaven, all flavors are great, my personal favorite is sesame, onion, everything, rosemary & maple-apple. Now New York bagel will never taste the same.
If you're visiting Montreal & want a truly authentic local food experience, St-Viateur Bagel is an absolute must. This iconic spot has built a reputation that goes far beyond hype.
The moment you walk in, you're greeted by the comforting aroma of freshly baked bagels. What really sets this place apart is that the bagels are almost always warm-often straight out of the wood-fired oven. That warmth isn't just a detail; it completely transforms the experience. The outside has a slight crispness while the inside remains soft, chewy, & subtly sweet, thanks to the traditional honey-water boiling method.
Watching the bagels being made right in front of you adds to the charm. Whether you go for a classic sesame or poppy seed, or try something like cinnamon raisin, every bite tastes fresh & satisfying.
Pros:
- Consistently warm, fresh bagels straight from the oven
- Authentic Montreal-style bagels with a unique slightly sweet flavor
- Open 24/7, making it perfect for late-night cravings
- Affordable pricing for high-quality, handmade products
- A true local experience with visible traditional baking methods
Cons:
- No seating on this location, this is more of a grab-&-go spot
- Can get quite busy, especially during peak hours
- Cash-only at times
- Limited menu if you're looking for a full café-style experience
Overall, St-Viateur Bagel isn't just a place to eat-it's an experience. The combination of tradition, quality, & that signature warm bagel every time makes it unforgettable. If you're in Montreal, skipping this spot would honestly mean missing out on one of the city's most beloved culinary traditions.
best bagels i've had by FARRRRRR. you have to try these. you can't go wrong with everything bagels i tried a few but they were sold out of onion 💔 so i just ended up getting everything, poppy seed, sesame, & rosemary salt? i think that's what it's called. if i had to say my least favourite was the rosemary salt. it was too dense. the everything bagels on the other hand. they were crispy & salty on the outside & warm & soft & slightly sweet on the inside. amazing. i have to try onion next time. but yeah im definitely okay with only ever having the everything. it was just too good. most of the cream cheese options were decent but the kiri cream cheese is the best. go home toast your everything bagel & get some kiri cream cheese & slice some cucumbers & it might be the best thing you've ever had. thank me later.
Mar 24, 2026
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This is definitely one of the best spot to go if you want to taste a Montreal Style bagel when in Montreal. Their bagels are really fresh & delicious! Highly recommended bagel shop!!
Mar 21, 2026
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Quite simply the most iconic spot in Montreal for fresh bagels, no matter what time of day or night I've been coming here since I was a kid & now my kids come here too
A bakery with no seating, just in & out to buy very affordable bagels of different flavours. They also offer you a special bag for freezing the bagels if you need one. Recommend for a visit (or weekly ones).
