Old Montreal tastes better when someone points out what to eat and why. I love the historic bank setting for the opening smoked salmon bagel, and I also love how the tour mixes food stops with real landmarks like Place d’Armes and Notre-Dame Basilica from the outside. One thing to consider: this is a walking tour and it’s not suitable for wheelchair users or people with mobility impairments.

You get 6+ tastings in about three hours, plus a local, English-speaking guide who explains what you’re seeing while you’re walking. You’ll sample classics like poutine and craft beer, but you’ll also hit specific Montreal stops you might not choose on your own—especially for the sweet finish. The tour runs rain or shine or snow, so dress for the weather and don’t plan on dawdling.

Seeing Old Montreal by food first is a smart move if this is your first day in town. I like that the price includes both eating and guiding, not just one or the other. And from the guide names I saw—Laurie, Cécile, Ronnie, David, Fran, Debby—this company clearly puts real personality and city know-how into the role.

Key things I’d circle on your plan

• Former bank breakfast vibes: smoked salmon bagel inside Crew Collective & Café
• More than one Quebec lane: cheeses and charcuteries, then poutine, then canelé
• Two possible mains depending on the day: braised lamb neck at Mati Taverna or Mexican-style nopales tacos at La Catrina
• A guide who connects food to streets: quick history as you walk from Place d’Armes toward Notre-Dame Basilica
• A proper finish: craft beer tasting at Bistro-Brasserie Les Soeurs Grises

Old Montreal is a walking food lesson, not just a snack run

Old Montreal works best at walking pace. You’re in a tight area with old stone streets, layered buildings, and plenty of famous sights. This tour uses that geography well: you eat at key spots, then your guide threads in the story of the neighborhood as you go.

In 3 hours, you’re not trying to do everything in Montreal. You’re doing something better: building a mental map of the area through food. I especially like that the tour doesn’t only hit food. You also get guided time—so you understand what you’re looking at, not just where you’re stopping to chew.

A practical note: the schedule moves from the starting building at 360 Rue Saint-Jacques to the Old Montreal / Old Port area and ends at Les Soeurs Grises. It’s timed for walking and tasting, so I’d plan to arrive a bit early and not show up hunting for details.

Starting at Crew Collective & Café: a smoked salmon bagel in a bank-turned café

The meeting point is inside the main entrance hall at 360 Rue Saint-Jacques. Look for the guide at the bench inside the lobby near the revolving doors. (If you’re running late, the voucher gives a number to text or call.)

Your first food stop happens in a building that used to be a historic bank and is now a stunning café and co-working space. That matters more than it sounds. When the setting feels special, your first bite sets the tone—and it’s also a quick “wow, okay, this is why this area matters” moment before you start the rest of the tastings.

What you eat here is a classic Montreal bagel with smoked salmon. The point of starting with something familiar is smart: it gets your appetite going without asking you to jump into unfamiliar flavors immediately. If you’re thinking ahead, this is also a good time to slow down and taste intentionally—then you won’t regret it later when poutine shows up.

Épicerie Le Beau Marché: cheese and charcuterie that makes Old Montreal feel local

After the first stop, the tour keeps moving through Old Montreal and Old Port. Next up is Épicerie Le Beau Marché, where you’ll get a curated tasting of Québec cheeses and charcuteries.

This is one of my favorite kinds of food-tour stops: it’s not a single heavy dish, it’s a controlled sampler. You can notice differences—salt level, texture, and how the flavors change when you mix and match. It also helps you connect Montreal’s food identity to the wider Quebec tradition: this is not only about French techniques, it’s also about regional ingredients and how people eat.

If you like variety, you’ll appreciate that the tour doesn’t chain you to one cuisine. It shifts from smoked-salmon comfort into a proper fromage-and-meats tasting. That balance keeps the tour from feeling repetitive.

Mati Taverna (Thu–Sun) or La Catrina (Mon–Wed): the day’s main event

Then comes the “where you might leave with a new craving” stop. The tour uses different places depending on the day:

• Mati Taverna (Thu–Sun): a Mediterranean stop with a Mati salad plus their show-stopping 24-hour braised lamb neck
• La Catrina (Mon–Wed): a Mexican-flavored stop with a nopales taco made from a family recipe

Either way, you’re getting a main-style tasting, not just bites. The braised lamb neck choice is the kind of dish that rewards attention: slow-cooked meat tends to be tender and deeply seasoned, and it can feel surprisingly different from lighter street foods.

The nopales taco route is a nice reminder that Montreal food isn’t trapped in one box. It’s a city where you can walk a few blocks and end up with a different flavor direction—without losing the local feel.

Practical tip: if you know your schedule, check which day you’re going. If you’re a lamb fan, aim for Thu–Sun. If you’re more of a taco person, Mon–Wed likely fits you better.

Franklin’s Subs & Suds: poutine with a twist (smoked meat or vegetarian)

Now you hit the Montreal icon: poutine. But this tour doesn’t just hand you the basic version. At Franklin’s Subs & Suds, you’ll choose between:

• smoked meat poutine, or
• a vegetarian option

This stop is a perfect example of why guided food tours can be better value than eating solo. You’d have to know which places do what, and then navigate ordering. Here, you’re just in the flow—your guide moves you along, and the tasting part is built into the experience.

Also, poutine is one of those foods where the “right” version is more about balance than calories. The smoky meat angle leans toward classic Montreal flavor. The vegetarian version still keeps the poutine logic intact: fries, sauce, and toppings that make sense together.

If you’re worried about being too full, don’t skip this step. Even with a hearty main, the way the tour spaces tastings makes it manageable for most people. (And yes, you’ll still want room later—because canelé waits.)

Old Port stroll + guided history: Place d’Armes toward Notre-Dame Basilica

In between tastings, you get guided walking time. The tour takes you through key parts of Old Montreal and the Old Port area while covering the landmarks that anchor the district.

Two sights the tour highlights are Place d’Armes and Notre-Dame Basilica (but entrance to the basilica isn’t included). Your guide explains what you’re seeing as you move—so you’re not just staring at buildings.

This is also where the tour helps newcomers most. Old Montreal can feel like a postcard at first glance, but the details—architecture, street layout, and why certain corners matter—take time to understand. With a guide pacing the story, you pick up that context quickly.

If you want to keep the walking comfortable, this is the point to wear shoes you don’t mind getting a little cold in. The tour runs rain or shine or snow, and weather can change how long cobblestones feel like a workout.

Chez Potier Pâtisserie: canelé for the sweet-brained finish

After savory comes sweet at Chez Potier Pâtisserie. This is one of the stops you might miss if you’re wandering without a plan, because it’s the kind of place that doesn’t scream from a distance.

Here, you taste a canelé, a small French pastry with a soft custard center and a crisp, caramelized exterior. The tour’s framing helps you appreciate it: this isn’t a random cookie. It’s a specialty, and the texture contrast is the whole point.

This is where I’d slow down again. If you rush desserts, you miss the difference between the crust and the inside. Plus, canelé pairs well with the end-of-tour beer tasting later, so it keeps the sequence feeling intentional.

Bistro-Brasserie Les Soeurs Grises: craft beer tasting and a proper toast

To close, you head to Bistro-Brasserie Les Soeurs Grises for a craft beer tasting. This is a strong finale because it turns the last bite into a celebration, not just a meal recap.

Beer tasting also makes sense in a food tour because you can pace yourself. You’re not stuck with one heavy drink; you get a sampling structure that fits the end of a walking day.

If you still have questions about Montreal flavor directions, this is a good moment to ask your guide about what to do next. With your stomach and your attention both still in “tour mode,” you’ll get more value from those last conversations.

Does the $104 price make sense?

At $104 per person for a 3-hour guided walk with 6+ food stops plus a craft beer tasting, the value comes down to two things:

First, the tour bundles multiple tastings that would otherwise cost you time and planning. Instead of picking one or two places, you get a set route that’s built to keep you eating in a variety of Montreal styles.

Second, you’re paying for interpretation—how the guide connects food to the neighborhood. Sightseeing here isn’t generic. You’re walking through Old Montreal with a story, then eating while the story is fresh.

If you’re the type who likes to learn while eating, this price is easier to justify. If you only want one big meal and don’t care about guidance or multiple small tastings, then it may feel like more structure than you need.

Who this tour suits best (and who should think twice)

This tour fits well if you want a confident first look at Old Montreal through food. It’s especially good for first-time Montreal visits, couples, friends, and solo eaters who like guided pacing.

It’s not suitable for wheelchair users or people with mobility impairments, and it does involve walking on streets that may be uneven.

One more real-world consideration: some stops can feel tight depending on group size and weather. If you get claustrophobic in crowded indoor spaces, keep that in mind.

Should you book this Old Montreal food and drink tour?

I’d book it if you want a focused, time-efficient way to eat well in Old Montreal and also learn what you’re looking at—especially if you’d like a guide like Laurie, Cécile, Ronnie, or David to steer your choices. The route includes major Montreal comfort foods like bagels and poutine, plus Quebec-leaning cheese and charcuterie, and a dessert you’ll likely remember.

I wouldn’t book it if you can’t do walking, need wheelchair access, or you prefer a free-form day where you pick one restaurant and linger for hours. This tour works because it keeps moving.

FAQ

How long is the Montreal Old Montreal Food and Drink Guided Walking Tour?

The tour lasts 3 hours.

What does the tour cost?

It costs $104 per person.

What food is included on the tour?

You’ll have 6+ food stops, including a smoked salmon bagel, cheese and charcuteries, a braised lamb neck or a nopales taco (depending on the day), poutine (smoked meat or vegetarian option), and a canelé.

Is craft beer included?

Yes. The tour includes a craft beer tasting at the end.

Where does the tour start?

The tour starts at Crew Collective & Café at 360 Rue Saint-Jacques, Montréal, QC H2Y 1P5, Canada.

Where does the tour end?

The tour ends at Bistro-Brasserie Les Soeurs Grises.

Is Notre-Dame Basilica entrance included?

No. The tour does not include entry to Notre-Dame Basilica.

Does the tour run in bad weather?

Yes. The tour runs rain or shine or snow.

Is alcohol allowed elsewhere on the tour?

Alcohol and drugs aren’t allowed, but the craft beer tasting is included as part of the experience.

Is this tour wheelchair accessible?

No. It is not suitable for people with mobility impairments or wheelchair users.

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