1. Pourquoi Pas Espresso Bar

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Montreal, QC

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Pourquoi Pas Espresso Bar

4.5 (95 reviews)
InexpensiveCoffee & Tea, Cafes
Closed • 7:30 am - 6:00 pm

Pourquoi Pas Espresso Bar Photos

POURQUOI PAS ESPRESSO BAR ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Quiet
Hipster
Casual
Good for working

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Recommended Reviews - Pourquoi Pas Espresso Bar

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Jason C.

Face meltingly good coffee and espresso. I am not exaggerating at all when I say that this is the best coffee I have ever had. They have multiple grinds available every day and the barista can tell you the details of each without batting an eye or pausing to think. Words can't really express how good the drinks are here, but I'm about to try. Espresso drinks are complex beasts. The espresso shot needs to be good, which means your grind must be good, which means your roast must be good, which means you actually have to care about your product and put a ton of effort into it. If you can pull a good shot, you still have to get the milk right. I know that seems like it should be the easy part, but it's a detail that you can't overlook. Most places, even dedicated independent coffee shops (not just Starbucks/Dunkin/Tim Hortons), get their milk too hot; when you overheat your milk it gets bitter and acidic and no longer serves as a foil to the bitterness/acidity of the espresso, but instead it amplifies all the bad flavors you don't want. When I placed the mug between my hands and they were warmed but not scalded I knew I was in for a treat. My expectations were exceeded in ways I couldn't have imagined in my wildest caffeine fueled dreams. After I scraped my face off the table I finished my mocha (not too sweet, not too milky, jusssssst right). On top of crafting amazing drinks, Tony the barista is super friendly. I felt welcomed the second I walked into the bar. On my first day in Montreal he gave me a sample of their freshly delivered baked goods (the onion tart was AWESOME). Then he recommended I try a few things and when I came back the next day he not only remembered my name but asked how my day had gone and had a few more suggestions. Nicest guy I met on my whole trip. The interior space is limited but I'd say it's more "intimate and cozy" than "cramped." They don't have wi-fi but there are a few plug sockets if you're desperate. After you finish your drink, try their water. There won't be a bitter taste in your mouth that you need to rinse out and your mouth won't be burned but you'll be doing yourself a disservice if you don't try their super delicious water before you leave. No, I'm not joking. The water pitcher is filled with lemon peel and fresh thyme sprigs which is the dopest water combination ever. When I return to Montreal, this is my first stop.

Sarah M.

I felt like such a cool Montreal local when I stopped in this groovy little coffee shop one morning while on holiday ;) There was only one dude managing taking orders, making coffee, and taking payment. He was kind, spoke both French and English, and oh-so efficient! My latte was robust and full of body to give my day the boost it needed. Bonus points for getting to grab a healthy to-go juice for a snack later! Inside there is a large table and a few other spaces fit for catching up with a friend of efficient working. Next time I'm back, I want to be able to order in French to feel like a true local at this gem!

Hayong L.

What an amazing cafe in Montreal. I'm so glad I found this place through a suggestion for best cafe spots in Montreal. The space and ambiance is beautiful and more importantly, their coffee is top notch. I can't believe they make their own coconut and almond milk! It's unbelievably tasty and its heated at the right consistency to get the nice foam on cappuccinos and lattes. Mum got a cappuccino and I got a cortado. Both were excellent and I would definitely recommend it to a friend who's visiting Montreal. The cafe is located in the heart of the LGBT community there and its a quiet and respectable neighborhood. Very easy to get to by the metro system. It's been a couple of months since my Montreal trip, but I still dream think about that cortado from time to time. Staff was very nice and just as you interact with them, you know they can make a mean coffee drink for you.

Open the door to awesome espresso
Ben L.

Coming up on their 1 year anniversary, Tony & his small crew are cranking out top notch espesso drinks matching the best in the city (Myriade, Névé/Flocon, Café Plume, Pikolo). Good bean, grind, machines, and baristas. All you need for fantastic espresso. Beans are from Te Aro (Toronto based kiwi Andy Wilkins), meaning Pourquoi Pas is skilled enough to earn the right to buy their roast. - Te Aro has one 24kg roasting machine = capacity to support ~ 30 cafés - Canadian roasted coffee is duty free to US So, one can infer that Pourquoi Pas is judged by Te Aro as one of the top 30 cafes in the ON, QC, and possibly IL, NY, MA area (the reasonable shipping cost area) Wow... too much caffeine = crazy tangents. If you're gonna get wired, why not do it with the best? p.s. their wifi is up and running

Ann T.

Location: Just off Ste. Catherine Est, in the Village. Street parking available [metered] and the closest subway stops are Berri and Beaudry [green]. The place: Very small with a communal table and bar-type seating right in front of the window. Obviously I chose the window because I like to look at people look at me when they walk by. It's a super casual atmosphere and there's no pretentiousness of any kind. Also, I didn't see any hipsters. I did stop in on a Tuesday afternoon so the place was quiet. I'm not sure how it looks on the weekend. The goods: I ordered a Macchiato with the home made almond + coconut milk. The milk is awesome and totally worth it. These guys use Pilot coffee, which I sometimes like, while at other times, it leaves me indifferent. I had a custom blend that was roasted specifically for a café in Québec City that was awesome. The blend used for this Macchiato was OK but it was a little bitter for my tastes. I still enjoyed it though, and I'd say these guys are in my top 6 coffee spots. Yes, that's right, SIX, not five! Service: The barista was so, so nice and friendly. Price point: $3.50 for the Macchiato, though I think there might be a surcharge for the home made milk. I forgot to ask. All in all, a very respectable coffee joint in this part of town. Check it!

Antonio B.

Fabulous Coffee and Friendly Atmosphere are the answers you'll find at Pourquoi Pas. I thoroughly enjoyed my afternoon treats and down time at this special little neighborhood café. This is clearly the place where regulars drop by to get the latest tea, an impressive list of coffees, and sweet treats. This will become a regular stop on my trips to this beautiful burg.

Cappuccino
André M.

Is a good coffee to study quiet. I like coffee's like this one! And the cappuccino is delicious.

Ryna D.

I loved this place! I wanted a good coffee spot near our hotel in Montreal and I found this cute little spot thru Yelp. The set-up is really laid-back and the barista was very nice and friendly. He even gave us recommendations for our stay. And the cappuccino was great so we came back again while on our short trip.

Banana-chocolate square (rectangle). Latte.
Carolyn T.

Located a bit further east than I usually venture, I had to come here after reading the reviews... And the place did not disappoint! First of all, although I love plain ol' cow's milk, almond milk is my default for coffee, so I loved the house blend of coconut and almond milk. The coconut milk added an extra je ne sais quoi that worked perfectly with the nuttiness of the almond milk and the toasty notes of the espresso. They have a variety of baked goods on offer. I chose the banana-chocolate square, which was on the dry side, but it was pleasantly banana-y and had just the right amount of chocolate. The seating isn't the most plentiful and the arrangement isn't the most inviting, but it isn't terrible either. The window seats are perfect for people watching, but they're also up on a platform, so you do need to have some sense about you when going up and down - especially when you have one of their precious lattes in your hands! Will return for sure.

Need coffee first thing to make sense of the map!
Keith O.

As good as Piccolo's Espresso Bar, and slightly cheaper. My go to coffee shop if I'm staying in hostels around St Catherine's, or indeed when I'm willing to walk for it. Choice of daily roasts (Ethiopian and Colombian when I was there). Serving staff were great, and price was right ($2.75). Had free wifi and you could sit at the window looking at the world, or at the bar chatting. A must go.

people sitting at tables
Cindy Feng Xin L.

I LOVE THIS CAFÉ! I saw that they were doing personalized latte art (basically they would make a tulip and write whatever word you want inside), so I got my "Cindy" latte from them and it was amazing! The café is really cute and has great ambiance, the interior decor is lovely and there are plants everywhere. I would come back to study and talk with friends!

Lovin' my office this morning... No more meetings in monotonous conference rooms.

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3 months ago

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3 months ago

Hop in for an incredible coffee. Expert baristas. They know their coffee. Highly recommend!

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2 years ago

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Best oar flat white with a wheaty perfume. A regular here for a while. The shop is cozy as a working place as well.

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Pourquoi Pas Espresso Bar Reviews in Other Languages

Review Highlights - Pourquoi Pas Espresso Bar

“I think what really set this one over the top was that they had "house milk" that was a combo between coconut and almond.”

Mentioned in 4 reviews

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La Graine Brûlée - Dinner at 11 p.m. because of a snooze after arriving late to YUL: a vegetarian burrito and tea the more complicated way.

La Graine Brûlée

4.3(73 reviews)
0.1 km•Centre-Ville, Ville-Marie
•$

Sometimes when I travel, it's hard for me to branch out into the unknown, especially when it's in…read moreFrench. Luckily, this place was down the same street as my hostel so I made the trip and was greeted in French but they quickly made me comfortable when they realized my native tongue was English. How freakin' cute is this place ?! SO CUTE. So much to look at and do. Great place to dine alone or with friends. They have Nintendo that you can play with many games, fun booths you literally have to climb into and just so many apparatuses you can check out. Oh yeah! And my chai latte and breakfast burrito (suggested by the lovely barista) tied it all together to make a perfect experience here. Unfortunately, I lost most my photos from this trip but just trust me on this. Reasonably priced food for how dang delicious everything was! Can't wait to return back to Montreal one day, if I do, I'll have to bring in some of my friends to experience such an awesome, sweet place!

An intentionally funky place with a refreshing iced matcha latte. The barista recommended their…read morebrownie, but it was disappointingly dry.

Photos
La Graine Brûlée - You order up the front.  Service was polite.  Radiating small tables in pinwheel form.  (Interesting hat on that urban(e) customer.)

You order up the front. Service was polite. Radiating small tables in pinwheel form. (Interesting hat on that urban(e) customer.)

La Graine Brûlée - Grilled cheese apple and onion

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La Graine Brûlée - Here's the graffiti box, with bench seating to its left, telling you that if you're not hippie-dippy or young, you're not tribe.

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Restaurant Fleurs et Cadeaux

Restaurant Fleurs et Cadeaux

4.5(37 reviews)
1.3 km•Chinatown, Centre-Ville, Ville-Marie

I'd give this place 10 stars if I could. This is the kind of place you crave for days and are sad…read morewhen the meal is over! So much so that I got an extra meal at the end to take home to our Airbnb so I could try another dish and come back the next day after our day tour and be excited to eat the leftovers from Fleurs et Cadeaux. The waiter mentioned these dishes are made to be shared lime tapas and to get about 5-6 for our group of 3. There was so much on the menu that sounded delicious. Our waiter was Jolen and he was absolutely adorable and amazing. Super helpful explaining the many and helping us chose dishes. He was very attentive and impressive in remembering orders. He also has excellent taste and we appreciated his guidance and reco because he even mentioned that 2 dishes we got were similar in case we wanted to try something different vs having something within the same flavor profile. Bella was also the one who brought out our dishes and explained what things were as they came out. She was very friendly and helpful. We had gotten the F&C CHIRASHI SUSHI, TATAKI D'ALBACORE, and LÉGUME OHITASHI to share. The veggies of the day were carrots and bell peppers. The Chirashi sushi was the best sushi we had ever had. Everything just melted in your mouth. The portions were generous and perfect for 3 sharing as all the 4 different fish came with 3 pieces of sashimi. The albacore fish was also just as amazing with. Wonderful green sauce that tasted like a mix of miso and wasabi. The vegetables also didn't sound amazing until they came out and they were roasted to perfection. Perfect balance of soft and crunchy with a wonderful glaze of a sauce. We each also got our own dish for the rest. I got the PARFAIT DE SHIITAKÉ & SHOKUPAN and ONSEN TAMAGO. My friends got the MAGRET DE CANARD AU MISO BLANCO and AGEDASHI TOFU. The egg was an interesting experience with the poached egg in a vinegar fish sauce. You cut the egg in half and let the yolk mix in with the fish sauce and just slurp it up or can bite it. I went for it and slurped it. It was a bit refreshing to start with. The mushroom parfait was also so flavorful and boldly mushroom forward, which I love! My friends both loved their duck and then the tofu noodles. They both had a good mushroom forward taste which we all love. Every bite was a treat and the plates were licked clean in the end. I enjoyed everything so much that I ordered the TANTAN UDON at the end too because it was another dish that sounded flavorful and I still had some room to eat but also just wanted leftovers for the day after. These Udon Noodles were the best I have had because the broth is so flavorful and different. There is also a spicy kick to it that I am always down for spice in my life. The ground beef was spectacular and soaked up so much flavor. The both makes a creamy sauce when mixed in with everything and the udon noddles get coated in this sauce of flavors. Overall, an amazing experience from the food to the service. Thanks for indulging us in such amazing cuisine! Highly recommend anyone in Montreal checks this restaurant out.

Just updating my review with the pictures I found in my camera roll. I can't believe I never posted…read morethese pictures. Cannot wait to come back to try more food!

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Restaurant Fleurs et Cadeaux - Vinyl DJ

Vinyl DJ

Restaurant Fleurs et Cadeaux
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Marché Vieux Montréal - Salmon avocado toast

Marché Vieux Montréal

3.5(19 reviews)
1.3 km•Vieux Montréal, Ville-Marie

Best way to describe this place is 'lovely'. Amazing attention to details and full of design…read moretouches in every corner, including the ceiling. It's almost being in a museum. The food was excellent, great healthy selection focused in breakfast and salads (they also have a selection of sandwiches). Breakfast plates come with fruits. Polite and helpful staff.

After walking around old Montreal for two hours, my husband and I agreed we could not walk another…read moreblock without some coffee and refreshment. We had a list of cafés that were highly rated on Yelp, but none of them were right in front of us, and this one was. So we walked in without having checked any reviews first. Sometimes we get lucky that way! This time, we did not. First, we really just wanted a cup of drip coffee. That was not offered here. The only options were various espresso drinks, starting at $4.50. We each got a café Americano. They were ok. None of the food in the display cases looked that appealing, so we picked a large chocolate cookie with a fudgy center to share. Can't go wrong with a chocolate cookie, right? Wrong. It was dry and lackluster in flavor. There was only one person working there, and he was surly. We thought perhaps he was just annoyed with us for asking for wifi (not offered) and regular non-espresso coffee, but we listened to him interact with customers who came after us, and he was short and abrupt with them too. The back part of the store sold souvenirs, but nothing unique or exciting, just mugs and magnets and stuff you could get anywhere. The decor was eclectic mix of antique furniture, which seemed kind of funky and fun, until I sat down. The seat part of my old wood stool wobbled and tilted and I slid right off because some screws were missing. I had to catch myself along the counter and regain balance. I was fine, but this would not have been a safe situation for someone less steady on their feet! I liked the pressed tin ceiling and the chandelier. There were different books on the counter available for public browsing while we drank our coffee, which was nice. The windows were large and the potted plants seemed to be doing well in their sunny spot. I liked looking out at the sidewalk passersby. I would not come here again.

Photos
Marché Vieux Montréal - Ceiling

Ceiling

Marché Vieux Montréal - Egg avocado toast

Egg avocado toast

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At entry point

Pourquoi Pas Espresso Bar - coffee - Updated October 2026

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