Bakery$mile-endDaily 00:00-24:00
Fairmount Bagel has wood-fired Montreal's oldest bagels since 1919, a 24-hour Mile End window turning out sesame and poppy rings a block from its rival.
Try: Wood-fired bagel
Tip: Buy a hot dozen and settle the Fairmount-versus-St-Viateur argument for yourself on the walk home.
Street food$$plateauDaily 00:00-24:00
La Banquise is Montreal's 24-hour poutine temple on Rue Rachel, ladling gravy and squeaky curds over fries in more than thirty over-the-top combinations.
Try: Poutine
Tip: The classic proves the kitchen; add smoked meat or guacamole once you have tried it straight first.
Portuguese$$plateauTue-Sun 11:00-21:00
Ma Poule Mouillee grills charcoal Portuguese chicken to order on Rue Rachel in Montreal, its piri-piri birds and chicken poutine drawing a permanent line.
Try: Portuguese charcoal chicken
Tip: Get a half chicken with hot piri-piri to go; the tiny room has almost nowhere to sit.
Portuguese$$plateauMon-Sun 10:00-21:00
Romados is the Plateau rotisserie and bakery in Montreal whose charcoal chicken and custard tarts pull a lunchtime line out the door onto Rue Rachel.
Try: Portuguese charcoal chicken
Tip: Order the chicken and a couple of pasteis de nata; cash keeps the fast-moving queue moving faster.
Middle Eastern$downtownMon-Sun 11:00-24:00
Boustan has fed downtown Montreal since 1986, a late-night Rue Crescent counter with garlic-heavy shawarma and the fried-potato Aladin pita past midnight.
Try: Shawarma and pita
Tip: Ask for extra toum garlic sauce and pickled turnip; it stays open long past the bars for a good reason.
Vegan$mile-endMon-Sun 11:00-21:00
La Panthere Verte fries crisp falafel and stuffs zesty vegan pitas in Mile End and across Montreal, a green-minded counter for a fast, meat-free lunch.
Try: Falafel pita
Tip: The falafel pita with green sauce is the order; it is fully vegan even when it does not taste it.