Why brunch is such a big deal in Montreal, and where you should get it

Le Vieux Velo Montreal Brunch
Katherine Sehl
Katherine Sehl

Why is brunch such a big deal in Montreal? Why ISN’T brunch such a big deal everywhere else? It’s a general rule of thumb that the later you wake up, the hungrier you are, and the hungrier you are, the better things taste. It’s also a well-known fact that sleep is good for you, so brunch, by extension, is good for you too. It’s just science, folks. Here are Montreal's scientifically selected greatest bruncheries, and the reasons why they're so freaking good.

Le Vieux Velo Montreal Brunch
Katherine Sehl

Brunch is awesome, but waking up early is not.
Le Vieux Velo
Rosemont-Petit Italie
Le Vieux Velo, and their adjacent café, Odessa, makes mornings a whole lot easier. Their BAB dish, an eggs Benedict w/ brie, avo, and bacon, makes life worth living. And they serve brunch all day, ideal for even those up at the crack of noon.

L’Avenue Montreal Brunch
Katherine Sehl

Montrealers like to have fun at night.
L’Avenue
Plateau
... But they like to have fun in the mid-day too (not too early now)! That’s why joints like L’Avenue end up having longer lines than most clubs. Also: a cooler bathroom, w/ black lights, graffiti, and wildlife nature programs playing on a flatscreen.

Sparrow Montreal Brunch
Katherine Sehl

In Montreal, brunch is basically another reason to drink more.
Sparrow
Mile End
... Which is why this bar, that moonlights as a restaurant, is an ideal spot from brunch drinking. Sip on their blood orange mimosa or their bourbon lemonade while you devour their red velvet waffles or their fried chicken and waffles plate.

Beauty’s Montreal Brunch
Katherine Sehl

Somehow combining breakfast & lunch leads to endless, glorious options.
Beauty’s
Plateau
What’s better than a Montreal bagel? A Montreal bagel sandwich. Or how about a “mish-mash” omelet that includes a hot dog, salami, green pepper, and fried onion inside of it. Beauty’s has been making the meanest brunch combos since '42.

Bistro Le Passé Composé Montreal Brunch
Katherine Sehl

Since you’ve already skipped one meal, decadence is strongly encouraged.
Bistro Le Passé Composé
Plateau
Le Passé Composé takes things to a new level of decadence with dishes like eggs Benedictine with ratatouille, poached eggs with foie gras, or their Panko-crusted French toast. Brunch is the only meal that allows for this kind of gluttony w/out the impending sense of shame.

Figaro Montreal Brunch
Katherine Sehl

You can have dessert after brunch!
Figaro
Outremont
Figaro, a Parisian-esque mainstay, was pretty much designed for a perfect brunch experience, because while you’re picking up your tab, you can grab a little something something from their dessert counter for the road.