Quick answer
Montreal bagels are smaller, denser, and sweeter than New York bagels — hand-rolled, boiled in honey water, and baked in wood-fired ovens. The result is a slightly crunchier exterior with a chewier, more flavourful interior. Buying one fresh from the oven is one of the great food experiences in Canada.
- Best overall
- St-Viateur Bagel
- Top pick
- St-Viateur Bagel
Top verdicts
- St-Viateur Bagel: Go at 3 AM if you want the ritual — the bagels are still warm and the line vanishes.
- Fairmount Bagel: Cash gets you in and out faster than card; the line at the wood-fired window moves quickly regardless of length.
- Bagel St-Lo: Grab them within an hour of opening — production is smaller than the Mile End giants and the best-quality bagels move fast.
The rivalry between St-Viateur (1957) and Fairmount (1919) is the stuff of Montreal legend. Both use wood-fired ovens, both are open 24 hours, and both have passionate defenders. Newcomers like Bagel St-Lo in Rosemont are starting to challenge the establishment. Whichever you choose, get them warm — the difference between a fresh Montreal bagel and one from the day before is enormous.
Area map
All 10 spots at a glance
| # | Name | Style | Price | Area |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | St-Viateur Bagel | restaurant | mid | 263 St-Viateur Ave W, Mile End |
| 2 | Fairmount Bagel | restaurant | mid | 74 Fairmount Ave W, Mile End |
| 3 | Bagel St-Lo | restaurant | budget | 1080 Beaubien St E, Rosemont |
| 4 | R.E.A.L. Bagel | restaurant | budget | Off the main tourist strip, Montreal |
| 5 | Bagel Etc | bagel-brunch | mid | 4320 St-Laurent Blvd, Mile End |
| 6 | Premier Bagel | restaurant | mid | 5263 Côte-des-Neiges Rd, CDN |
| 7 | Le Trou | restaurant | budget | Mile End area, Montreal |
| 8 | Beauty's Luncheonette (bagels) | restaurant | mid | 93 Mont-Royal Ave W, Plateau |
| 9 | Monsieur B | modern-brunch | mid | 371 Villeneuve Est, Plateau |
| 10 | Yiddish World | restaurant | mid | Near the old Jewish Quarter, Plateau |
1St-Viateur Bagel
RestaurantQuick comparison
- Best for
- The classic 24-hour Montreal bagel pilgrimage
- Strengths
- Known for Restaurant · 263 St-Viateur Ave W, Mile End
- Price / value
- $1–$2 each
- Why it made the list
- Open since 1957 in Mile End and the bagel half of Montreal's great civic rivalry. 4.5 stars on 4,200+ reviews, 24-hour service, and a slightly chewier, more uniform bagel that defenders insist is the platonic Montreal form.
- What to order
- A sesame bagel straight out of the wood-fired oven.
2Fairmount Bagel
RestaurantQuick comparison
- Best for
- Pilgrims comparing both legendary Mile End shops
- Strengths
- Known for Restaurant · 74 Fairmount Ave W, Mile End
- Price / value
- $1–$2 each
- Why it made the list
- North America's oldest Montreal-style bagel shop, opened 1919 — the other half of the rivalry. 4.5 stars on 3,800+ reviews, slightly sweeter and softer than St-Viateur, and the Mile End faithful are vocal about preferring it.
- What to order
- A poppy seed bagel warm from the oven, or a half-dozen mixed sesame and poppy.
3Bagel St-Lo
RestaurantQuick comparison
- Best for
- Off-the-tourist-route Montreal bagels
- Strengths
- Known for Restaurant · 1080 Beaubien St E, Rosemont
- Price / value
- $1.50–$3 each
- Why it made the list
- Rosemont's young challenger to the Mile End duopoly — wood-fired ovens, 4.3 stars on 680 reviews, and a steadily growing local following from people who don't want to fight the Fairmount tour-bus crowd.
- What to order
- A sesame or everything bagel; their everything blend is heavier than either Mile End shop's.
4R.E.A.L. Bagel
RestaurantQuick comparison
- Best for
- Locals near Côte-des-Neiges and the West Island
- Strengths
- Known for Restaurant · Off the main tourist strip, Montreal
- Price / value
- $1.50–$3 each
- Why it made the list
- Côte-Saint-Luc and Plamondon-area shop — solid Montreal-style execution at a price tier comparable to Mile End, but with no tourist queue. 4.2 stars on 520 reviews keeps it in the conversation among locals.
- What to order
- A half-dozen mixed sesame and poppy, fresh from the back.
5Bagel Etc
Bagel BrunchQuick comparison
- Best for
- A sit-down bagel breakfast on St-Laurent
- Strengths
- Known for Bagel Brunch · 4320 St-Laurent Blvd, Mile End
- Price / value
- $12–$22
- Why it made the list
- Mile End sit-down bagel diner — Leonard Cohen ate here, the room hasn't changed much, and it's one of the few places in Montreal that turns a bagel into a full sit-down meal. 4.2 stars on 950 reviews.
- What to order
- A bagel breakfast plate with eggs, smoked salmon, and a side of cream cheese.
6Premier Bagel
RestaurantQuick comparison
- Best for
- Côte-des-Neiges locals stocking the freezer
- Strengths
- Known for Restaurant · 5263 Côte-des-Neiges Rd, CDN
- Price / value
- $1.50–$2.50 each
- Why it made the list
- Côte-des-Neiges classic, with a quiet local following stretching back decades. 4.1 stars on 430 reviews — not a destination shop, but a reliable neighborhood option that consistently turns out wood-fired Montreal-style bagels.
- What to order
- A dozen mixed bagels to take home; this is more retail than dine-in.
7Le Trou
RestaurantQuick comparison
- Best for
- Hidden Mile End alternative
- Strengths
- Known for Restaurant · Mile End area, Montreal
- Price / value
- $2–$4 each
- Why it made the list
- Mile End side-street shop with a niche local following — hand-rolled, wood-fired, and a smaller production run than the big two. Listed by neighborhood blogs as a sleeper alternative when the Fairmount line is doing its thing.
- What to order
- Whatever's just come out of the oven — production is small and the freshest stock moves fast.
8Beauty's Luncheonette (bagels)
RestaurantQuick comparison
- Best for
- Classic Plateau bagel-brunch counter
- Strengths
- Known for Restaurant · 93 Mont-Royal Ave W, Plateau
- Price / value
- $14–$22
- Why it made the list
- Plateau institution since 1942 — not a bagel bakery but the most famous bagel-and-lox brunch counter in the city. 4.3 stars on 1,350 reviews, classic mid-century luncheonette look, and the Mishmash omelet is a Montreal cultural artifact.
- What to order
- Beauty's Special — a sesame bagel with cream cheese, lox, tomato, and onion.
9Monsieur B
Modern BrunchQuick comparison
- Best for
- Modern bagel brunch in the Plateau
- Strengths
- Known for Modern Brunch · 371 Villeneuve Est, Plateau
- Price / value
- $14–$24
- Why it made the list
- Modern Plateau bagel-and-brunch room with a more contemporary spin — 4.1 stars on 520 reviews, smaller menu, and dishes that play with the format rather than just serving the classic Montreal bagel.
- What to order
- The bagel-egg-and-smoked-salmon plate, the kitchen's most-ordered weekend dish.
10Yiddish World
RestaurantQuick comparison
- Best for
- Bagels with broader Jewish-deli context
- Strengths
- Known for Restaurant · Near the old Jewish Quarter, Plateau
- Price / value
- $10–$18
- Why it made the list
- Plateau spot near the historic Jewish Quarter — leans into the cultural context of Montreal Jewish food, with bagels alongside a wider Eastern European menu. 4.0 stars on 380 reviews.
- What to order
- A bagel with cream cheese and a side of latkes.
Frequently asked questions
What makes Montreal bagels different from New York bagels?
Montreal bagels are smaller, denser, and sweeter. They're hand-rolled, boiled in honey-sweetened water (New York uses salted water), and baked in wood-fired ovens. The result is a crunchier exterior, chewier interior, and slightly sweet flavour. Montreal bagels have no preservatives and are best eaten the day they're made.
Which is better: St-Viateur or Fairmount?
Reddit is split. Fairmount is slightly sweeter and many say better fresh from the oven. St-Viateur freezes better and has a slightly different chew. Most locals eat both without strongly preferring one. The best approach: buy from both and compare. You're in Montreal — this is the correct thing to do.
Can I get Montreal bagels 24 hours?
Yes — both St-Viateur and Fairmount are open 24 hours, which means you can get fresh bagels at 3am. This is part of what makes the Montreal bagel pilgrimage so special — there's always fresh, warm bagels available regardless of when your craving strikes.
How much do Montreal bagels cost?
Individual bagels at St-Viateur or Fairmount cost CAD $1–$2 each, or about $8–$12 for a half-dozen. This makes them one of the best food values in Canada. A full dozen is typically $14–$18.
Should I eat Montreal bagels plain or with toppings?
Fresh from the oven: eat plain. The wood-fired flavour is best unadorned. If you want a more complete experience, cream cheese and smoked salmon is the classic combination. You can buy cream cheese at most bagel shops. Lox (smoked salmon) is available at nearby delis like Wilensky's.
Can I bring Montreal bagels home on a plane?
Yes — Montreal bagels travel well and are a favourite souvenir. St-Viateur's bagels freeze particularly well. Buy a bag, let them cool completely, then double-bag them. They'll keep in the freezer for 2–3 months without significant quality loss.
Which is better, St-Viateur or Fairmount Bagel?
This is Montreal's most famous culinary debate! <a href="#st-viateur-bagel"><strong>St-Viateur Bagel</strong></a> is known for a slightly chewier, more uniform bagel, while <a href="#fairmount-bagel"><strong>Fairmount Bagel</strong></a> (North America's oldest) offers a bagel often described as a touch sweeter and lighter. The 'best' is entirely subjective; locals often have fierce allegiances. We highly recommend trying a fresh bagel from both to form your own opinion!
Are Montreal bagels boiled before baking?
Yes, a crucial step in the traditional Montreal bagel-making process is boiling the hand-rolled dough in honey-sweetened water. This step significantly contributes to their unique dense texture and subtle sweetness before they are moved to a wood-fired oven for baking, which gives them their distinctive crispy, slightly charred exterior.
Can I find gluten-free bagels in Montreal?
While traditional Montreal bagels are made with wheat flour, some modern bakeries or cafes in Montreal might offer gluten-free bagel options, though they won't typically be wood-fired. For an authentic experience, expect the real deal to contain gluten. If you have dietary restrictions, it's best to check with individual establishments directly before visiting.
What's the best way to reheat Montreal bagels at home?
To bring your Montreal bagels back to their freshly baked glory, a quick toasting in a toaster or toaster oven is ideal. For a whole bagel, you can also sprinkle a little water on it and warm it in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 3-5 minutes. This helps restore some of their famous chewiness and crisp crust, especially if you've bought a dozen from <a href="#st-viateur-bagel"><strong>St-Viateur Bagel</strong></a> or <a href="#fairmount-bagel"><strong>Fairmount Bagel</strong></a>.
Do Montreal bagel shops accept credit cards or is it cash-only?
Many of the smaller, traditional bagel shops, especially the iconic ones like <a href="#st-viateur-bagel"><strong>St-Viateur Bagel</strong></a> and <a href="#fairmount-bagel"><strong>Fairmount Bagel</strong></a>, historically preferred cash for quick transactions. However, with modern times, most now accept debit and credit cards. It's always a good idea to carry some cash just in case, especially for smaller purchases or if you're visiting a less-trafficked local spot.