Olive et Gourmando

"An Old Montreal foodie destination for many years, Olive et Gourmando is famous for sandwiches made on artisanal bread, delicious salads, daily soups, and a pastry counter featuring many types of brioches, croissants and muffin bars. Although it’s likely you’ll find yourself waiting for a table, the warm decor and fresh food make it a welcome pause on a cold day, and definitely worth the wait." - Shopify

"After all these years, the lines are still long and Olive & Gourmando’s Cubano continues to earn praise from locals and tourists. It’s hard to beat the undeniably flavourful combination of ham, braised pork, Gruyère, chipotle mayo, and pickles pressed between fresh bread. Tip: if you’re taking it to go, grab plenty of napkins before hitting the streets." - Erinn Blicher, Eater Staff

"It’s not uncommon to see a queue snaking out the door at this adored Old Montreal restaurant, which really is worth the wait. In the morning, patrons go for chia pudding, a panini filled with egg salad, speck, and cheese, or a sweet ricotta plate served with brioche bread. Part bakery, Olive et Gourmando’s pastries — croissants, muffins, scones, and more — are equally delicious and perfect for breakfast on the go." - Valerie Silva, Holly Tousignant

"Dyan Solomon and Éric Girard’s essential Montreal restaurant draws line-ups out the door on St-Paul West almost without fail. Diners either pop in for a flaky pastry and coffee, nestle down for a sweet ricotta breakfast plate, or come lunch, pick from an array of delicious, seasonal soups, salads, or sandwiches." - Eater Staff

"This perennially popular bakery and sandwich spot can feel somewhat out of place. With its cozy atmosphere in a plant-filled space, and its menu of warm panini, delicious sandwiches on artisanal breads, generous salads, and perfectly executed pastries, it is the sort of restaurant you'd expect to find in one of Montréal's cooler neighborhoods. Instead, it's in the heart of Old Montréal. That is a definite plus for travelers visiting the city's historic sights. It also means, however, that there is a lunch-hour rush when nearby office workers vie for tables. If you can plan on an early or late lunch—you're on vacation, after all—you can avoid the worst of the crowd. Olive et Gourmando is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., so if you are looking for a place for dinner, the same owners are behind the new Foxy (in the Griffintown neighborhood), which is quickly proving as popular as their first restaurant."