With so much cultural diversity, Montreal is a city
that has everything. All the fast-food conveniences of a major city, combined
with mom and pop restaurants that offer a one of a kind culinary experience, and
menus stretching from every corner of the globe. Tucked in amongst the French
bistros and ethnic delicacies that make Montreal the gastronomic capital of
Canada are a fair share of cafés and dining spots which pride themselves on local,
fair trade, and organic products. Most offer more than just delicious food and
are integral part of a lifestyle trending toward the promotion of everything
that the city has to offer including arts, culture, music and theatre.
Aux Vivres
Montreal, Quebec, Canada
(514) 842-3479
Located in the heart of downtown and best known for
its chapati sandwiches, Aux Vivres is the most popular destination among
vegans. Promoting health through vegan cuisine, Aux Vivres has an international
menu but gives priority to local and seasonal produce in all of its dishes.
Le SainBol
5095 Fabre St.
Montreal, Quebec, Canada
(514) 524-2292
Using only market fresh and in-season ingredients,
Chef Houtin serves up a meal that's made to order. It's an unassuming little place
tucked away along a side street in Montreal's trendy plateau region. Vegetarian
that includes fish, it's a small menu with each mouthwatering dish tailored to
perfection.
Café Zosha (Le
Zigoto Café)
Montreal, Quebec, Canada
(514) 867-9005
As renowned for the works of art that line the walls
as it is for its fair trade and organic coffees, Café Zosha is as much a place
to meditate as it is to enjoy a meal. The café offers an array of vegetarian
and vegan dishes and is well-known for its Mediterranean style breakfasts made
with organic eggs and served all day.
Cabaret-Boutique
des BonsVoisins
247-A Lakeshore Road
(514) 505-0578
Cabaret Boutique des BonsVoisins is more of a
community centre that offers dining. In addition to their meals they offer live
music and other cultural events or workshops almost every night, as well as a
grocery store selling local, organic, and fairly traded food stuffs. Located in
the quaint old village of Pointe Claire, a thirty-minute bus ride outside the
city, it's worth a trip in itself.
Fait Ici
519, Notre-Dame O
Montreal, Québec, H3J 1N6
(514) 439.3888
Fait Ici stands by its name which means "made here". They promote supporting the local community and creating better relationships between producers and consumers. Besides their store which sells local and organic foods, Fait Ici offers a small sit down café with a menu offering a variety of sandwiches and salads made from the same ingredients that are on their shelves.