To start off, a day on the Plateau/Mile End is composed of multiple essentials. To name a few, the Jean Talon market, the Bagel shop on St Viateur street, the Gourmet Laurier (for the Frenchies that miss their beloved country) and the famous Kem Koba ice cream shop.

The Jean Talon Market

The biggest market on the island of Montreal, the place to find the freshest fruits and vegetables. The place is constantly crowded, there’s not a single time we went where it was empty.

If you go and plan on buying food, make sure you GO WITH CASH. Every time we go, we forget and end up coming back empty handed…

Anyways, you will find everything you’re looking for. If you want to eat you can even buy directly from the market shops and eat there! Accommodate any craving you have, even if the craving is looking around and being amazed by the beauty of that place.

St Viateur Bagels

Once you’re done admiring the beautiful market, you can proceed to the long walk (20 mins approximately) towards St Viateur street in the Mile End. There are similarities with the Plateau, that’s why we always get confused… All you need to know is that it’s in the same area haha.

Upon arrival, don’t worry about the line, it goes super fast. In and out in 5 minutes. KNOW WHAT YOU WANT. It’s very touristic and it needs to be quick.

The bagel choices you will have:

– Sesame

– Poppy

– Plain

– All Dressed

– Whole Wheat

– Rosemary & Sea Salt

– Multigrain

– Cinnamon & Raisins

– Flax

Enjoy one for us!

Gourmet Laurier

This little “epicerie” is where you want to go when you’re a Frenchie looking to get back to the roots. We are recommending this place to you because one day during our first year, we ended up there after a long walk in the cold. Our eyes lightened up and it was like we were going to bring the entire store home.

A taste of France in the city, now it feels even more like home.

Kem Koba Ice Cream

Oh my god, best ice cream we ever had yet (we hear there might be other places to fall in love with). Yes, it’s super famous, we know. Never the less, you NEED to go. Even if you live in another country, you need come to Montreal just to taste this ice cream. Don’t come in winter though cause the line is very long. We waited 20 minutes to taste the deliciousness.

One thing we do know is that if you go there DO NOT take the classical flavors you always take; you need to experience other tastes. For example, Salted Butter, Raspberry Lychees and Rose is a delicious discovery!

Let us know what flavours you got.