24 May 2026, Montréal: from morning to midnight and beyond

Slide into a sunny booth at Beautys, an 80-year-old Montreal diner with garment district roots. Montrealers swear by their classic St-Viateur sesame bagel with smoked salmon and cream cheese, or opt for the trademarked (ugly-delicious) mish-mash omelette with hot dog slices inside. Beautys’ huge glasses of ultra-fresh orange juice and bottomless filter coffee will give you enough energy to run up nearby Mont Royal; if you’re looking for something stronger, check out their Bloody Caesar. No reservations, but the lineups are part of the fun. 

Le 5 à 7 is a big thing in Montreal, and the French (from France) owners of Mamie have tapped into it with their super convivial spot just south of Little Italy. Wines by the bottle, pitcher, or glass, and generous locally-sourced cheese and/or charcuterie boards make for a lovely late afternoon stop and a chance to see what a typical Montreal neighbourhood is all about. Very relaxed and exceedingly reasonably priced, the owner’s grandmother’s memorabilia are all over the walls, including her copper pots. There always seems to be room here for one more. 

Pull up a seat at the big round bar for a nightcap and a nibble (way) after dark at Bar Darling in Leonard Cohen’s former Little Portugal neighbourhood; his three-story greystone faces Darling’s welcoming summertime terrasse. The antique-packed indoors is cosy, with that big bar evoking a jaunty carousel and a talented kitchen open from morning to the wee hours. Darling’s late-night menu hits just right, with oysters, polenta fries, burgers (veg and non-veg), grilled meats and a few different tartares. Expect an extensive selection of local ciders and beer, plus some very celebratory bubbles for a happy and very Montreal vibe. 

_{Photo credit: Bar Darling}