• About
  • Blog
  • Working together
  • Testimonials
  • Contact

Girl Gone Travel

Girl Gone Travel

North America, Travel
/
May 19, 2012

Best Bagels in Montreal, Quebec

Enjoyed this post? Give it some love and share!
Share

For the past two days I’ve been touring Montreal, Quebec, Canada with my husband and learning so much about this vibrant, family-friendly (as well as romantic) destination. I have a lot to share on both those angles, but before I did that, I needed to sit down and share one of the most important discoveries I have made to date during my time here: Montreal bagels.

Now, it turns out that according to a lot of folks, Montreal bagels are a must try when on this side of the border. Some have even gone as far as to state that Montreal bagels are the best in the world. Hmm. That’s a bold statement, especially from this New Yorker’s perspective, but I had to try and see what all the fuss was about.

After much discussion with people in the know here in Montreal, there are really only two places worth going to for bagels: Fairmont Bagels and St. Viateur Bagels. Which one is the best out of those two depends on who you ask here in Montreal, thus leaving us to try for ourselves.

What makes Montreal bagels so unique is how they are made. Montreal bagels are smaller than New York bagels and are egg based (not water based). They are also boiled in sweetened water and, the true defining difference, they are baked in wood burning ovens.

Fairmont Bagels are made 24 hours a day, offering customers over 20 varieties to choose from. As we walked in customers made their orders and walked out with large bags full of them. The wood burning oven was hot and staff was busy prepping dough and baking. We ordered two bagels: poppy seed and sesame seed, then walked out.

A short distance away, and in the same multicultural neighborhood in which they are located, we arrived to St. Viateur. I was immediately distracted by the overwhelming sight of bagels in a wooden shoot, where staff picked out orders as customers made them (they sell about 1,000 dozen bagels a day!). And like Fairmont, the wood burning oven was lit and busy prepping for the day. We ordered the same bagels here as well, poppy seed and sesame seed.

Which were our favorites? Well, both were actually pretty good. We could taste the smokiness from the wood burning ovens in both, but there were two major differences that determined our final preferences.

Fairmont bagels are sweeter and a bit more baked through, so not as “doughy”, where as St. Viateur bagels are saltier (closer to that of NY-style bagels) and not as hard, or rather doughier. I loved the sweetness of Fairmont because it was different than what I am used to, but preferred the doughiness of St. Viateur. My husband preferred the latter as well.

But, it’s really a matter of personal taste, which will require you to do your own taste test when visiting. Either way, you won’t regret stopping at both, at least until you find your favorite.

Bon Appetit!

Disclosure: I am the guest of Montreal Tourism, where I am discovering all this wonderful city has to offer. I received no further compensation nor request that I express any particular point of view. Thank you to Montreal Tourism and Montreal professional tourist guide, Annique Dufur for navigating us through our bagel eating experience.

Related

Enjoyed this post? Give it some love and share!
Share
Pin this Post
Share this Post
Carol Cain

Brooklyn native Carol is happiest when on an adventure, whether close to home or farther away. She is a small business owner and travel writer. In addition to creating Girl Gone Travel, she is the Founder and Principal of Brave World Media, a social media marketing, communications, and branding agency. She's mom to three wonderful sons and wife to a handsome Irish/Scot. She lives, works, and plays in the beautiful Finger Lakes region of NY.

You May Also Like...

Christmas Tree Hunting in Long Island, NY

December 12, 2008

Fort Tryon Park, Washington Heights, NY

December 10, 2008

Winter afternoon in the Bronx Zoo, NY

December 16, 2008
5 Comments
  • Corinne @ Have Baby
    May 21, 2012

    I KNEW you would love them! St. Viateur are our faves too! Now you have to go to Quebec City for poutine 😉

    Reply
    • Carol Cain
      Corinne @ Have Baby
      May 21, 2012

      Hahaha! I had poutine in Montreal and loved it…though my thighs, not so much ; )

      Reply
  • Charu
    May 22, 2012

    These are my favorites as well! Better than NYC bagels…

    Reply
  • Ayngelina
    May 22, 2012

    I'm a St. Viateur fan myself but I prefer salty over sweet.

    Reply
  • Siegel’s Bagels – A Real Montreal Bagel Experience | Seattle Foodshed
    July 12, 2012

    […] Best Bagels in Montreal, Quebec (nycitymama.com) […]

    Reply

Leave a Reply to Charu Cancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Previous Post
NYC Landmark: City Island Nautical Museum
Next Post
Romantic Montreal, Quebec, Canada

About me

Hi! I'm Carol! I am an award-winning travel blogger, a keynote speaker, and the Principal and owner of Brave World Media, a social media marketing, communications, and branding agency. I a wife to a handsome Irish/Scot and a mom to 3 sons and 2 puppies. Welcome to my blog where I share stories of my travels and professional public relations insights and advice. Thank you for reading and for your support!

Carol Cain

Categories

  • Asia5 Post(s)
  • Caribbean17 Post(s)
  • Central America4 Post(s)
  • Europe53 Post(s)
  • North America316 Post(s)
  • Oceana1 Post(s)

Contact

  • carol@girlgonetravel.com

Follow @girlgonetravel

I’ve been a mom for a really, really long time. I’ve been a mom for a really, really long time. As the oldest of all my many, many siblings, caring for littles started very early in my life. I have cared for, changed diapers for, fed, rocked to sleep, booboo-kissed, advised, reprimanded, worried for, been frustrated and given anxiety by more kids than I care to count. Because I started caring for children so young, I was convinced I wouldn’t have any of my own. But I had my three beautiful boys.

I miss the little babies they were, sometimes to the point where it aches, but I love seeing the men they are becoming. I am most grateful to them for the ways in which they continue to help me discover more about myself both as a mom and beyond motherhood. My identity was never fully in being a mom, I never wanted that for myself and they all have respected, accepted, and given me space for that. And I love them unconditionally for it. Because as they start to find their own paths in life, I am not left with an empty anything, instead I find myself with a life fulfilled. Of which being their mom has been the greatest adventure.

Happy Mother’s Day to all the amazing mother figures, caregivers, and humans who have provided for another in loving, maternal ways regardless of biology and traditional roles and societal expectations. ♥️ May you find fulfillment, love, and joy in the ways you have tried to give to others who needed it most.
The Village of Monticello is located right off NYS The Village of Monticello is located right off NYS Route 17 (future I-86), mid-way between New York City and Binghamton. It is also the largest community of the Sullivan County Catskills. Like many rural downtowns across the U.S., Monticello has experienced some hardships. However, what I found especially lovely was how there is a vibrant BIPOC community, especially Latino, thriving with their small businesses and eateries keeping Downtown Monticello alive.

Imagine my delight to have seen several Dominican- Puerto Rican eateries serving and sounding like a slice of home. Last night’s treat was had at @nellys_latin_restaurant. 

Roasted pernil, grilled chicken, rice and peas, yuca, sweet plantains, ox tail, goat….the list goes on and on. Right here in Monticello, NY. I ate and washed it all down with a cool papaya shake, just like from the islands.

So, if driving through, be sure to check out downtown Monticello for some good Caribbean eats…and wait till I tell you about breakfast!!! Thanks @nickfingdavis for the find! 🇩🇴🇵🇷

#monticellony #catskills #goodeats @sullivancatskills
Nothing like the beautiful golden hour in @flxwine Nothing like the beautiful golden hour in @flxwinecountry.🌞

#myflx
These days you will find me walking in the rain, c These days you will find me walking in the rain, chasing waterfalls, and anything nature filled. Such is spring in the Finger Lakes 🌷

#fingerlakes #lifeinthefingerlakes #cascadillagorge #ithacany
I sometimes can’t believe how easily I fell in l I sometimes can’t believe how easily I fell in love with this life.

There was a time when my DREAM was to be one of those old NYC ladies living in a 4 story walk-up, and who people would often see pulling around her shopping cart from market to market. And while I long for a NYC that barely exists anymore, I do have to say I am still often surprised at how dramatically that dream has changed.

Now I dream of uninterrupted days spent tending to my garden and growing food and other pretty greenery I never knew I could. Or figuring out new recipes and sitting by the fire with my puppies on my lap.

I crave mornings made foggy by the adjacent lake, and early wake-ups by the sound of the passing horse and buggy on Sunday mornings.

Yeah. The world is big and there is so much I want to see still but I also love this place where it feels like nothing else matters, not even the mud on my hands and boots.

📸 Gardening bliss on a rainy day at @theflxcottage.
Yesterday, we headed to @tanglewood_nature_center Yesterday, we headed to @tanglewood_nature_center to scout a photography location. The focus was work. But as we took the 3 mile hike to the overlook, through the mud, in the rain…and the sun, because spring, and as the birds sung, the woodpeckers pecked, and the deer strutted, I felt myself feel lighter, happier, and at ease. With just a walk, in this beautiful place. Alongside my beautiful partner.

If you call the Finger Lakes home, I hope you can also appreciate it and the gifts it offers, even when we least expect it. And if you need a reminder, just go outside.

#tanglewoodnaturecenter #fingerlakes

Copyright © 2023 Girl Gone Travel | Privacy Policy | Copyright Notice