This summer my mother and I had three to four hours to kill while we waited for my sister who was at an event near Old Montreal. The initial plan was to find a coffee shop, order a drink and wait there, but finding a cute spot to sip hot drinks turned into a mini expedition throughout the city.
The area has always been one of my favourites. With its narrow cobblestone streets, quaint shops and old buildings, this part of town always makes me feel like I stepped into a European city.
Our first find was La Tour de la Bourse near Square-Victoria. It’s full of office spaces, but coming up from the underground tunnels, you find yourself in a small mall. Despite looking expensive, it’s a place that someone could easily spend hours hanging out at. Between a building that looks English and a fountain that belongs in a piazza, Montreal felt like it was across the Atlantic from where I was.
After a pit stop at the entrance of the Square-Victoria metro station, we headed to the Notre-Dame Basilica (near Place D’Armes metro). The entrance fee was a tad pricey $6, but the inside was beautiful. They also hold tours for those who want a more thorough experience and knowledge of the basilica.
When we left Notre-Dame, we realized that we had already spent hours out, and we had to head back. We took Saint-Paul Street heading west, and stumbled upon the cutest little shop. Seafoam green frames, dangling fairy lights, potted flowers by the window, and a hanging sign that read “since 1822,” lured me into Le Petit Dep.
We finally grabbed a creamy latte—freshly ground Colombian beans—no need for sweetener, it was that good. If you’re wandering around Old Montreal, I strongly suggest you stop by. If you’re looking to grab a bite to eat, you have your options here: pastries, lunch, snacks, and in the summer, homemade ice cream. It was really a treat to discover.
Le Petit Dep doesn’t have an official website, but it does have a Facebook. More information can be found here