Café Van Houtte is described as a bright, welcoming spot in the Old Port housed in a beautiful historic building, with friendly staff, quick service, and reasonable prices, making it a solid go to for a quick coffee or bite. The space is praised for natural light and a setup that works for studying or working, yet some reviews note tired floors and a somewhat grungy feel, along with occasional issues such as staff being distracted by personal phone calls or closing early without clear notice and a display case that can look stale. Guests highlight solid coffee and pastries, with several mentioning standout drinks like a highly regarded matcha latte, and there is appreciation for attentive service and reliable Wi-Fi with plenty of seating. Overall, Café Van Houtte is seen as dependable and value-friendly, offering friendly hospitality and a pleasant atmosphere, with occasional operational hiccups noted by a few customers.
The young man manning the place said they were closing at 4pm, with no reason given... so I rushed to finish my coffee which he filled only 3/4 of the way & my turkey blt which had no vegetables in it. Definitely gave an idgaf vibe. Almost as bad as the girl who is almost too busy talking on her phone to notice you.
The big windows make the place nice & bright, but the floors are quite tired looking & make the place feel kindof grungy. At least the prices are reasonable for the area.
Great location in a beautiful old building in the Old Port, but unfortunately that's it. The food in the display case looked pretty stale, & the one girl working was taking a personal phone call while at the counter. At one point she got really loud & tearful; it was disruptive. Maybe staff up so people can take turns? Or train staff not to take personal phone calls while at the counter?
Jan 27, 2026
on Google
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I love this Van Houtte! I just got a pedicure with my friends at LyLy's next door, followed by sandwiches & pastries. The perfect day at a fair price ♥?
Raja & Raphaël sont tellement sympathiques & gentils ! Toujours souriants, attentionnés & de bonne humeur. Leur service est rapide & toujours agréable.
Merci encore pour les fleurs mardi, c'était tellement adorable ! 🌸
La localisation est superbe aussi & l'intérieur est très beau.
Je recommande vraiment d'y aller! C'est toujours frais & bon. Ils ont aussi une belle variété de sandwiches, croissants & muffins.
Great coffee & customer service! I dropped my grilled cheese on the floor & she gave me another one for free! If you're in old Montreal, stop here for a coffee & snack!
Sep 26, 2025
on Google
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very nice café; probably one of the best ones to chill, work, or study. staff is very friendly, & the place is clean. coffee is good.
only issue i have is the opening hours, i know it says it opens at 7am on the weekends, but it seems roughly between 7:45-8:30am maybe even later. not sure why… but if it has been changed, please update it on google maps so others know!
'Great café! Super spacious with lots of natural sunlight, which makes it perfect for studying or getting some work done. The owner is really nice & welcoming-definitely coming back!'
