Pourquoi Pas Espresso Bar is a cafe in Downtown, Montreal.
Pourquoi Pas is a tiny, welcoming espresso bar in the Village near downtown Montreal, a longtime neighbourhood favourite for careful coffee and a chat.
Editorially verified July 1, 2026 by Lewis Vaughan, TableJourney editor. Source.
Tip: It is small and friendly rather than a work cafe; go for a proper espresso and a chat with the barista.
Address: 1447 Rue Amherst, Montreal, QC H2L 3L2
Pikolo Espresso Bar is a two-level jewel near Montreal's Quartier des Spectacles, serving careful espresso and pastries to students off Rue Clark.
Signature drink: Cortado
Tip: The mezzanine has the quiet seats; the ground floor fills with a takeaway rush around lunchtime.
Cafe Pave is a snug, design-minded coffee bar on Rue Notre-Dame in Old Montreal, a calm stop for espresso, natural wine and light daytime plates.
Signature drink: Cappuccino
Tip: It is a small daytime coffee bar that pours wine later; a quiet alternative to the busier Old Montreal cafes.
Cafe Olimpico has poured Italian espresso in Mile End since 1970, a loud, cash-friendly Montreal institution where regulars argue over soccer at the counter.
Signature drink: Cappuccino
Tip: It is cash-only and standing-room busy on weekends; take your cappuccino to the terrace out front.
Cafe Myriade helped launch Montreal's third-wave scene, pulling precise espresso and pour-overs on Avenue du Mont-Royal for a laptop-and-book crowd.
Signature drink: Filter coffee
Tip: The Mont-Royal branch has more seats than the tiny Mackay original; come mid-morning for a table.
Pikolo Espresso Bar is a two-level jewel near Montreal's Quartier des Spectacles, serving careful espresso and pastries to students off Rue Clark.
Signature drink: Cortado
Tip: The mezzanine has the quiet seats; the ground floor fills with a takeaway rush around lunchtime.
Crew Collective pours coffee inside a cathedral-like 1920s bank hall in Old Montreal, its marble and brass ceilings drawing remote workers all day.
Signature drink: Flat white
Tip: It doubles as a coworking space; grab a coffee and gawk at the ceiling even if you are not staying to work.
Olive et Gourmando is the beloved Old Montreal bakery-cafe from Dyan Solomon, packed daily for its Cubano, banana bread and pastries on Rue Saint-Paul.
Signature drink: Latte
Tip: The queue at lunch is long but fast; order the Cubano sandwich and grab a chocolate brioche to go.
