Sunday brunch is a Montreal tradition, as I’m sure it is in many cities. We like to sleep in late, roll out of bed somewhere around the crack of noon, and then pack in a nice greasy American-style breakfast. If you love breakfast meats, eggs, and home fries, there are plenty of places to get a delicious and affordable breakfast any day of the week. Here are Montrealers’ top spots for Sunday—or anyday!—brunches.
Dusty’s
4510 Park Avenue
Breakfast at Dusty’s is served from crazy early in the morning (and it’s doubtful that any Montrealers have seen it open) until 7 PM, so you can get your brunch on here no matter how late you get started. If you’re hung-over from a night of partying, Dusty’s can cure what ails you. Plus, you’ll never be hustled out the door by servers trying to turn over tables. Come here to relax and enjoy life, read through the Sunday paper or a good book, and take advantage of the daily specials. Fast and friendly service, old school diner atmosphere, and you can even get your blintz fix here. If there’s more to life than brunch at Dusty’s, I don’t want to know about it.
"takeyourorder" at Dusty's (photo by Flickr user Sadax Golum)
Beauty’s
93 Mont-Royal West
Beauty’s is a Montreal landmark. Some may say the food is overpriced, given the fact that it’s another diner and just a walk away from the über-cheap Dusty’s, but others will argue that it’s well worth it for the Beauty’s Special: lox, onions, tomatoes and cream cheese piled high on a legendary Montreal bagel. Just don’t listen to the owner when he promises you that the wait is “only 5 minutes.” It’s totally not, but you’ll wait in the line anyway, grumbling along with the locals, knowing it’s worth it. Sometimes you’ve gotta suffer for your Beauty’s, kid!
Cosmos Snack Bar
5843 Sherbrooke West
Venturing off the Plateau and west into NDG, you’ll find Cosmos Snack Bar, a tiny little dive of a joint where the owner is infamous for never cleaning his grill. Though the Man of Grease himself is rarely at the helm, his daughters have taken charge and continue to serve the same deliciously greasy breakfasts we Montrealers know and love. And I’ve got one word for you: Mishmash! Order it when you’re hungry, cus they’ll make you eat it all, no matter what. The mishmash is a gigantic omelette monstrosity, consisting of eggs, bacon, sausage, ham, salami, tomato, onion and cheese, served with toast on the side.
B&M Restaurant
6200 Somerled
Also in NDG, B&M Restaurant is a brunch tradition at my house. They’re a bit on the pricey end of the spectrum, and you may have to wait for a spot on their terrasse during the summer months, but it’s well worth it for the delicious food. B&M serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, so you can satisfy other cravings, but their breakfasts are really divine. Try the unusual omelettes, like the avocado, sun-dried tomato and goat cheese marvel, or the tasty London steak and eggs. All of their breakfasts come with mashed potatoes piled high, and you can even class it up with a Mimosa on the side. Love!
For more tasty breakfast and brunch spots, be sure to check out local reviews at Montreal Breakfast Review, Eat Well Montreal, and Shoestring Montreal!
