You know the conniving voice in your head that tells you, ‘you can eat the extra piece of pie.‘ Because you are traveling you tell yourself, ‘I don’t do this every day,’ knowing very well that a piece of pie plus the chocolate tart is a tad overindulgent. Needless to say, every time I’m in Montreal, that pesky voice chimes in with each boulangerie and pâtiserrie I pass. I try to look away but to no avail. On the bright side I have garnered a proficient knowledge in quality and addictive desserts, as well as a few cavities.
Première Moisson
Première Moisson is a bakery and pastry shop, one of my favorites in the city. The bread is baked fresh everyday, and the pastries are delicious. There was a time where I visited this bakery everyday and always came out with either a loaf of fresh bread or a crème brulée. There are various locations throughout Montreal, but the one I frequented the most is in the Jean Talon Market.
Juliette et Chocolat
Juliette et Chocolat is a cafe that specializes in chocolate concoctions. It is one of the best chocolate shops that I have ever been to, and I don’t like to brag, but if there is one thing I know it is chocolate and cupcakes. I have been a fan for quite some time now. If you are a true chocolate fan you must try their chocolates to drink, grandma style, which is very rich and tasty. Another favorite of mine is their salty caramel brownie. There are other items on the menu besides chocolate including savory crepes and salads.
Cocoa Locale
Cocoa Locale is a small party shop owned by Toronto native Reema Singh. Although Reema makes various desserts and treats, the shop is best known for its cupcakes and cakes. She is the sole owner and worker, so she spends her day taking care of customers amidst her baking. The whole experience is like you stepped into someone’s private kitchen, or back in time with June Cleaver, what with all the vintage decorations on the wall. Reema herself is a modern woman with a successful business but her creations bring you back. She has few flavors but they are all you really need: strawberry, vanilla, lemon coconut, chocolate chai, and chocolate mint.
Image via: Katerine’s Blog – Epicurean Life
Au Pain Doré
Au Pain Doré is another bakery and pastry shop in Montreal. Just like Première Moisson, you won’t have trouble finding one in your neighborhood. My suggestion for when you visit this shop is to try a tartelette, the mini tarts and pies. My favorites are the tartelette au sucre (sugar tart) and the tartelette au chocolat (chocolate tart). Their chocolate tart rivals even Juliette et Chocolat.
Les Glaceurs
Les Glaceurs is located around the corner from Notre Dame, a perfect spot to attract tourists, but this cupcake haven is not only for tourists. Les Glaceurs is one of the most popular, and most delicious, cupcake places in Montreal. This store comes in tied with Cocoa Locale as my favorite cupcakes shops in any city. Where Cocoa Locale tastes homemade, Les Glaceurs tastes more like the various cupcakes stops in other cities (think magnolia) except even better. The red velvet is always a crowdpleaser, but also try the citron vanilla and coco lime!
Petits Gâteux
The cupcakes at Petits Gâteux are definitely beautifully made, however I hate to admit they are not my favorite. They are a little dry compared to the other cupcake places in Montreal and the flavors didn’t leave me drooling for more (as most cupcakes usually do). The shop is very conveniently located on Avenue Mont-Royal diagonal from the Metro stop, however I wouldn’t go out of my way to get these cupcakes. This is my opinion however because I knew a few others who liked this cupcake place, but it was not anyone’s favorite by far.
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