There are the well-kept secrets, the obligatory stops and those that are worth the detour. There are above all essentials of all kinds that are good to share. For the pleasure of your palates, The duty therefore imagined an appointment in the form of a gourmet notebook, one theme at a time. This time, we’re taking advantage of the longer days to go out and have brunch. From little neighborhood pearls to chic tables, you will also find places that make you travel, some that stop time or welcome children. Addresses where idleness certainly rhymes with bliss.
MONTREAL
Beautys
Founded in 1942 by the couple Hymie and Freda Sckolnick and now run by their son Larry and their granddaughters Elana and Julie, Beautys has everything of the institution: a timeless decor, a menu almost unchanged since opening and a service welcoming as if we were coming home each time. On the plate, several classics: the generous bagel — from Saint-Viateur — with smoked salmon, cream cheese and red onion, the extremely moist French toast or even the Mish-Mash omelette garnished with sausage, salami, green pepper and fried onions and served with a bagel. Several smoothies are also offered, as well as freshly squeezed orange juice. A renewed pleasure each time.
93 Mont-Royal Avenue West
Byblos the little cafe
Since 1989, this Iranian restaurant has offered a charming portrait of Middle Eastern cuisine that delights all the senses. Undoubtedly, the simple idea of tasting the wonderful dill eggs will wake you up, if not the chance to eat the inimitable feta omelet, the specialty of the owner Heméla Pourafzal. People flock there solo, as a couple and as a family – children will love the boiled eggs with sweet bread and homemade jams, including the one with rose petals and pistachios. We do not sulk our pleasure and we offer ourselves, to finish, a sweet tea. A beautiful journey of flavors to start the day.
1499 Laurier Avenue East
Lemeac
Charming bistro where French cuisine blends with Quebec ingredients, the Leméac transports us to a bubble of pleasure at brunch time. Perfect place, especially, to highlight good news or celebrate loved ones. The plates are beautiful, generous and perfectly balanced. Mention for the grapefruit aperitif which gets the ball rolling, the house pudding dish and the smoked salmon with the blinis. The bright atmosphere of the restaurant adds to the aura of relaxation. We come out sated, calm, without any idea of what time it is. And that’s good.
1045 Laurier Avenue West
Coffee at Teta
After working in the hotel and catering industry, Antoun Aoun wanted to have his own restaurant; a tribute to the cuisine of his grandmother, his maternal “teta” – which can be found on the establishment’s logo. With his wife Mélodie Roukoz, he opened Café chez Téta in 2020. The vibrant atmosphere is a beautiful setting for the combination of flavors and freshness of each of the dishes offered. The undisputed star: the manouchés, traditional Lebanese flatbreads filled in different ways. Whether you go with the classic zaatar or an Americanized version like halloumi bacon, the treat is guaranteed. And because the idea here is to share everything, a portion of homemade labneh with a beet salad is ideal. Last tip: say yes to the cardamom latte.
227 Rachel Street East
QUEBEC
Botanists
This address in the Cap-Rouge district is a must for anyone who wants to eat well in a warm setting; elegant and approachable. Already listed as one of the best places to eat with children, Les Botanistes offers an appetizing weekend brunch menu where Emeline Péro’s brigade plays with seasonal products. Earl Gray tea waffle, homemade smoked salmon, pork belly or shrimp roll, the ultimate is the appetizer and hot drinks included on the menu. A rarity that gives an even more special touch to the experience. Tip: reserve one of the velvet benches for a cocooning effect!
2010, avenue Jules Verne
The KEBABerie
An address known to people from the Limoilou district, the KEBABerie brightens up your days with its Mediterranean lunch plate — and what a plate! Yogurt with honey and almonds, delicious brick pastry stuffed with eggs with a choice of grilled vegetables, ham or tuna, cucumber salad with mint, fresh fruit, bread and fig jam. Everything, “washed down” with orange juice and Turkish coffee, is served with humor and a smile by the owners, Marie and Mouldi Ben Amor. And then, as its name suggests, it also serves the traditional kebab that unites people from all over the city.
1238.1D Avenue
The 101 neighborhood restaurant
The echoes are unanimous: behind the large windows overlooking rue Saint-Joseph, in this contemporary lair where the chef’s hat has been dusted off, a high-calibre gourmet brunch is being cooked. In addition to the regular menu — which changes with the seasons, as it should — it offers a five-course menu at $50 per person, enough to extend the bridge between morning and afternoon. Since its opening in 2021, Le 101 neighborhood restaurant has positioned itself as one of the new creative restaurants in Quebec, also renowned for its honest prices and for its impeccable and personalized service.
101 St. Joseph Street East
The fox and the owl
It’s the return of the lunch buffet at the café-bar Le Renard et la Chouette. Undoubtedly a classic of the capital, frequented as much by families as by early risers or night owls. We push the door and, already, the smell of coffee and the hubbub typical of a neighborhood restaurant delights us. The self-service menu offers the centerpieces of Quebec cuisine and local specialties: eggs, fresh bread, cheeses, charcuterie, grilled vegetables, baked beans and tutti quanti. Falling for something ? The good all-you-can-eat filter coffee and the famous house ham. There is also a good drinking menu, including Autour de la pomme ciders. Note: the formula is also offered on weekdays!
638 Saint-Vallier Street West
Rioux Pettigrew
In this former general store dating from 1860, a few steps from the Old Port, chef Dominic Jacques and his team concoct one of the best brunches in town. Halfway between meals to share at the sugar shack and third courses garnished for afternoon tea, the Rioux Pettigrew menu offers a wide range of things to taste, both sweet and savory, including a scrambled egg truffle eggs and fried French toast. Everything is served in the center of the table for a beautiful moment of pure conviviality. Note: the space, as vast as it is historic, welcomes small groups.
160 St. Paul Street
Monteregie
Ricardo Coffee
We hesitated before putting Café Ricardo on this list, mainly because we prefer to stay away from the chains and favor unique addresses. In fact, influenced by the rumor of “brunches at Ricardo’s” and conquered by said brunch with friends, we wanted to say only one thing: “You’ll never guess where we ate! Not only are the staff welcoming, courteous and patient, but we also deliver the goods in the kitchen. The dishes are generous, hot (yes, yes!) and well seasoned. A real treat. Even if it’s a bit generic in decoration, you don’t feel like you’re in an impersonal restaurant disguised as a bistro either. And also, the appetizing children’s menu leads us to believe that we will return with the kids.
Three addresses, including the original at 310, rue d’Arran, in Saint-Lambert