14 Best Places Where to Eat at the Jean-Talon Market
With thousands of visitors a day and hundreds of products to browse, Jean-Talon Market is one of Montreal’s most popular tourist destinations.
The Jean-Talon Market is Montreal’s largest indoor food market. From April to November, vendors set up shop on the first floor, offering everything from local organic products to artisanal cheese.
So I have compiled a list of the top 14 places where to eat at the Jean-Talon market. This list includes everything from fast food joints to French cafes and restaurants.
Where to Eat at the Jean-Talon Market
1. Pâtisserie Saint Martin
Address: 268 Rue Jean-Talon, Montréal, QC H2R 1S7, Canada
Phone: (514) 379-1101
Website: Visit Website
Sweets and savory breakfast and lunch fare on their (mainly Italian) breads are available at this local bakery chain (which also has outlets in Laval and Mascouche). Save space for zeppole or cannoli even if you go for savory (or both).
2. La Boite Aux Huîtres
Address: 7070 Avenue Henri-Julien, Montréal, QC H2S 3S3, Canada
Phone: (514) 277-7575
Website: Visit Website
Oyster seller La Boite Aux Huîtres more than meets the standards expected of any respectable food market by providing a large selection of oysters from both coastlines of Canada, as well as Europe and the United States.
Take a seat and we’ll shuck your oysters right in front of you, or we can package them up for you to take home in a box.
3. Les Sucreries De l’Erable
Address: 7070 Avenue Henri-Julien, Montréal, QC H2S 3S3, Canada
Phone: (514) 279-7830
Website: Visit Website
If you go to a Montreal market, you can’t leave without buying some maple. Les Sucreries De L’Érable (a branch of a Dunham-based business) offers a selection of healthy, homemade-tasting quiches, pies, and tarts.
The maple sugar pie is the crowning glory of the authentic Quebecois store. The quiches are tasty for individuals who don’t like for sweets.
4. El Rey Del Taco
Address: 232 R. Jean-Talon, Montréal, QC H2R 1S7, Canada
Phone: (514) 274-3336
Website: Visit Website
El Rey Del Taco, which faces the market and is one of Montreal’s most popular Mexican restaurants, has been there for over ten years.
The tacos are the most well-known item on the menu, but the restaurant also serves a wide variety of other traditional Mexican dishes, such as enchiladas, quesadillas, sandwiches, soups, tamales, sopes, and, of course, an extensive selection of sauces ranging from mild to extremely hot.
5. Charcuterie Balkani Montreal
Address: 7070 Avenue Henri-Julien, Montréal, QC H2S 3S3, Canada
Phone: (514) 807-1626
Website: Visit Website
Balkani, one of numerous butcheries at the Jean Talon market, has been serving customers for over 15 years.
The European-style butcher store not only sells cold meats and sausages to take home, but also grilled sausage sandwiches to go.
6. Bouffe-moi !
Address: 7070 Avenue Henri-Julien, Montréal, QC H2S 3S3, Canada
Website: Visit Website
The mozzarella sticks (served with homemade marinara sauce) and deep-fried poutine (also served on a stick) at Bouffe-Moi are great for filling your hunger without requiring you to stop your exploration of the market
. Founded by two sisters who are relative newbies to the Montreal dining scene, Bouffe-Moi is known for its hyper-local snacks made with products from the neighborhood market.
7. Crêperie du Marché
Address: 7070 Ave Henri-Julien, Montreal, QC
Phone: (514) 238-0998
Website: Visit Website
Customers in the Jean-Talon area have had access to authentic Breton crêpes from Crêperie du Marché since 2005.
There are both sweet and savory options, such as crepes stuffed with apples and maple butter, or crepes stuffed with smoked salmon, spinach, and goat cheese. Options suitable for vegans and vegetarians are also provided.
8. Havre aux Glaces
Address: 7070 Henri Julien, Montreal, QC
Phone: (514) 278-8696
Website: Visit Website
A perfect spot to let out your inner ice cream scream, even if that scream only comes once a year. With ice cream flavors like pistachio and dulce de leche, and sorbet flavors like nectarine and masala chai, it’s impossible to eat just one.
9. Robin Des Bois
Address: 7070 Avenue Henri-Julien, Montréal, QC H2S 3S3, Canada
Phone: (514) 288-1010
Website: Visit Website
The Robin des Bois Jean Talon booth is an extension of the popular Mile End eatery and charitable foundation of the same name (in addition to a selection of heat-at-home proteins).
10. Les Filles Fattoush
Address: 7070 Avenue Henri-Julien, Montréal, QC H2S 3S3, Canada
Phone: 514 834-9277
Website: Visit Website
Montreal’s Filles Fattoush, a catering firm staffed solely by Syrian women who entered Canada as refugees, has opened a new stand at the market.
You may get a variety of drinks, Syrian spices, and other kitchen necessities, as well as popular mezze dishes including hummus, baba ghanouj, mtabal, and mouhamara.
11. Mazorca MTL
Address: 7070 Avenue Henri-Julien, Montréal, QC H2S 3S3, Canada
Website: Visit Website
In addition to its colorful tacos like the chicken with grilled lime and tequila, the popular Mexican eatery Mazorca has upgraded its facade by opening a new terrace where customers can sip on fruity cocktails or one of the restaurant’s distinctive IPAs as they eat.
Market-goers on the fly who are parched can rejoice: Mazorca’s drinks are available in convenient cans.
12. Café Saint-Henri
Address: 260 Place du Marché nord, Montreal, QC
Phone: (438) 385-3856
Website: Visit Website
Going to the market first thing in the morning? Coffee is a must. Saint-Henri is known for its excellent lattes and selection of Montreal-roasted bean mixes. For those who like their coffee on the stronger side, they have what they call Godshot Espresso.
13. Casa di Toto
Address: 178 Place du Marché-du-Nord, Montréal, QC H2S 1A1, Canada
Phone: (438) 380-4344
Website: Visit Website
Traditional Italian restaurant La Casa di Toto, located on the highly-visible Place du Marché-du-Nord, has quickly become a favorite among locals and visitors alike thanks to its delicious pizzas, paninis, and sweets like crisp cannolis and zeppole filled with ricotta cream.
14. Joe la Croûte
Address: 7024 Avenue Casgrain, Montréal, QC H2S 1B2, Canada
Phone: (514) 272-9704
Website: Visit Website
This market-facing favorite among locals is known for its delicious breads and viennoiseries, which are perfect for a picnic (though you’ll want to buy extra to take home). A sandwich is instantly elevated when served on this delightfully crisp and chewy bread.
5 Places to Eat less than 5 Minutes from the Jean-Talon Market
1. Le Petit Alep
Over the past decade, we have sent more travelers to Petit Alep than any other restaurant. Our crew loves it so much that we frequently have our annual Christmas celebration there.
Located on Jean Talon Street and across the market, this cozy eatery is known for its authentic and flavorful Syrian and Armenian fare.
We love coming back for the tisane, which is laced with cardamom, mint, and orange blossom, and the staff tisane, which is served with the kebabs, grilled pitas, and variety of mezze (small sharing dishes, similar to tapas).
And most especially for the mouthwatering mouhamara, our favorite mezze.
2. Gema
Little Italy is home to some of the best pizza in the world, and Stefano Faita and Michele Forgione’s Pizzeria Gema is right there among the best.
Choose from a dozen different pizzas with thin, crispy crusts and a variety of traditional antipasti. While Margherita pizzas are the most common, you should also try the pizza of the month, which features a different topping combination every month.
The handmade mortadella and pistachio pesto on the Vetri pizza are reason enough to make the journey. The salad at Jean Talon Market is delicious as well since it uses fresh, in-season produce.
After a satisfying lunch, cap it off with a scoop of handcrafted frozen custard, available in chocolate or vanilla and topped with anything you choose (nuts, caramel, Baci crumble, etc. ).
In the summer, you may place your order at the tiny window on St. Dominique street.
3. Marché Hung Phat
Traditional Vietnamese sandwiches, or Bahn Mi, have long provided Montrealers with a delicious and affordable way to eat out on a budget.
You may get delicious sandwiches of various varieties at Marché Huang Phat. chicken, pork, or a typical cold meat combination, or even a vegetarian alternative. No comments about the decor, but the service is excellent.
When we’re in a pinch and need something good quickly, there’s nothing better. Please note that in addition to the aforementioned classic Vietnamese sweets, you may also sample one of their many delicious soups, such as the spicy beef soup known as Bun Bo Hue.
4. Café Larue et fils
If you’re looking for a great café in Villeray, go no farther than Café Larue, located only one street north of the market.
The sun-drenched terrace is popular among regulars since it is a wonderful spot to get to know the neighborhood and people-watch on Castelneau street.
The coffee here is what truly sets them apart from the competition, however they do offer a nice selection of pastries.
If the terrace is occupied (which is likely), you may take your espresso or latte to go and enjoy it on the plaza in front of the church, which is just across the street. There isn’t any difference in the beauty of the scenery.
5. Salmigondis
This eatery’s mission was to provide guests with a quality and novel dining experience using foods from all across Québec.
We haven’t been there for supper yet, but we can vouch for their wildly popular weekend brunch (which begins at 10 am).
It’s an excellent plan for fueling up for an assault on the market and its surrounds after a hearty morning and afternoon meal.
While the menu changes often, you can expect to see items like fish with romesco sauce, waffles, rabbit with poached eggs, arctic char, and even a good steak.
The foods are usually unique and intriguing, even if the menu itself is unexpected. Also, I have to give them props for the creativeness of their sweets (donuts with pine sugar and juniper, among others).
Conclusion
At the Jean-Talon market, there’s no shortage of places to eat. You’ll find everything from tacos, crepes, burritos, churros, and smoothies.
I’m always trying new food when I go to the Jean-Talon market, so it’s important that I bring a few recommendations along.
Check out my best places to eat at the Jean-Talon market to make sure you’re hitting all the best spots!
