Villeray and Saint-Michel hide some of the city's best-value tables, from Bib Gourmand bistros to the Syrian mezze counter at Le Petit Alep.
Casavant is a warm Bib Gourmand bistro near the Jean-Talon Market in Villeray, Montreal, pairing convivial French-Quebecois plates with a lively natural list.
Order: The daily plats and a bottle from the growers' list.
Tip: It is a genuine neighbourhood room; book midweek and settle in for the night.
Le Petit Alep is the beloved Syrian-Armenian bistro by the Jean-Talon Market in Montreal, a Bib Gourmand pouring Lebanese wine over warm mezze.
Signature: Muhammara, Sujuk
Order: Muhammara, sujuk and the garlicky grilled meats.
Tip: The casual Petit Alep next to formal Alep is the one you want; it takes no reservations.
Moccione is a tiny, charming Italian trattoria on Saint-Denis in Villeray, Montreal, hand-rolling pasta and pouring Italian wine in a snug neighbourhood room.
Order: The cacio e pepe or whichever pasta is fresh that night.
Tip: It seats barely thirty; book ahead or aim for an early weeknight table.
Chez Tousignant is a retro snack bar in Villeray, Montreal, upgrading the casse-croute with a griddled cheeseburger, steamed hot dogs and hand-cut fries.
Order: The cheeseburger with a side of fries and a maple milkshake.
Tip: It nails the diner classics with better ingredients; the burger and a shake is the whole point.
Cafe Larue & Fils roasts its own beans for a small family of Villeray cafes in Montreal, a welcoming neighbourhood roaster near the Jean-Talon Market.
Tip: The Castelnau cafe near Jean-Talon is the flagship; the house roast is sold by the bag at the counter.
Sources from: Colombia, Ethiopia, Guatemala
How they serve: Espresso, Filter, Whole bean retail
Brasserie Harricana is a bright Villeray brewery and restaurant in Montreal near the Jean-Talon Market, brewing a broad house range beside a full kitchen.
Tip: It is a full restaurant as much as a taproom; the house IPAs pair well with the fried snacks.