MONTREAL
Specializing in Tea
Camellia Sinensis
Where: 351 Emery corner St-Denis, Metro Berri-UQAM
Hours: 12 pm - 10 pm (11 pm on Friday & Saturday)
Atmosphere: Generally romantic and chill atmosphere, with dim lights, dark colored walls and chic decor. They can seat about 30 people. Be warned, this place is popular and there are typically lines to get in. Your best bet is to go during the week or make sure you get there when they open.
Tea selection: Their tea catalogue is quite extensive, serving more than 150 types of tea from China, Taiwan, Japan and India. In addition, they have a selection of tisanes, 2 types of yerba mate and moroccan mint tea. They also have themed nights - for example, Wednesday nights are Russian Samovar nights (or at least they were last year).
Extras: They have a few desserts located at the end of their menu - such as their legendary Sencha Green Tea glazed cheesecake (at least in my mind, it is legendary).
Price range: 6-9$ for tea + tax (tea pots + enormous amounts of hot water). Desserts range from 3-7$.
David's Tea (total of 4 locations in and around Montreal)
Where: 1207 Mont-Royal East corner of La Roche, Metro Mont Royal
Hours: 10-7 pm (9 pm Thursday & Friday, 6 pm Sunday)
Atmosphere: It feels like Ikea - you know that modern and simple look. It's bright and as such, you probably won't fall asleep and will easily see the object of your affection or distaste. They can seat about 15 people (maximum).
Tea selection: Absolutely grand - these dudes specialize in flavored teas. They do have a few traditional flavors such as your standard Earl Grey and Puerh. But, you definitely have to 1) sniff all their teas and 2) at least attempt to try most of them (for you will certainly be going back). Some of our favorites are Tiramisu, Nuit de Reves, Lemon Oolong and The d'amour just to name a few.
Extras: They have quite a selection of tea accessories (pots, cups, stirrers, books) and also a few cookies.
Price range: 2-3$ per cup of tea. We never tried their cookies, so we can only assume it's about 2-3$ also.
Cha Guan
Where: 5756 Monkland corner Wilson, Metro Villa-Maria
Hours: 11 am to 8 pm
Atmosphere: Super chill (zen you could say?). There are very few people there (Njosnavelin and Fil Ef have been there a few times and only once where there other life forms apart from the owner). Chinese style decor (you can sit on the floor!) and there's a waterfall wall. It can be considered as premium conspiracy headquarters as it's somewhat out of the way, but accessible enough for those who know where it is.
Tea selection: Excellent selection of Chinese teas. What's interesting about the catalogue is that the teas are not only classified according to type (i.e. green, red, etc), but also based on what health benefits they are known for. So, if you have no idea what you want to drink, you can always choose based on what you'd like to fix. This strategy has not failed us yet. Fil Ef is quite fond of the Ginseng oolong and the Red lychee is a general favorite of all (great as hot or iced tea).
Extras: They have cookies and cake, which we haven't tried yet. They also sell chinese tea accessories such as pots and trays.
Price range: About 8$ for the whole setup (chung, multiple kettles of hot water, tea leaves, cup and strainer).
Where: 5756 Monkland corner Wilson, Metro Villa-Maria
Hours: 11 am to 8 pm
Atmosphere: Super chill (zen you could say?). There are very few people there (Njosnavelin and Fil Ef have been there a few times and only once where there other life forms apart from the owner). Chinese style decor (you can sit on the floor!) and there's a waterfall wall. It can be considered as premium conspiracy headquarters as it's somewhat out of the way, but accessible enough for those who know where it is.
Tea selection: Excellent selection of Chinese teas. What's interesting about the catalogue is that the teas are not only classified according to type (i.e. green, red, etc), but also based on what health benefits they are known for. So, if you have no idea what you want to drink, you can always choose based on what you'd like to fix. This strategy has not failed us yet. Fil Ef is quite fond of the Ginseng oolong and the Red lychee is a general favorite of all (great as hot or iced tea).
Extras: They have cookies and cake, which we haven't tried yet. They also sell chinese tea accessories such as pots and trays.
Price range: About 8$ for the whole setup (chung, multiple kettles of hot water, tea leaves, cup and strainer).
Cafe Dervish (under renovation with no signs of life - last checked: March 1, 2010)
Where: 2019 St Denis between Sherbrooke and Ontario, Metro Berri UQAM
Hours: N/A
Atmosphere: It feels like you walked into someone's kitchen - very homey. It can seat about 20 people and has seats inside, as well as a few on their slightly slanted balcony which is equally as chill-homey. There was a different cashier/cook each time, but they were always very nice and easy going.
Tea selection: This place is known for its various blends of homemade chais (such as Irish creme and Ethiopian). You have the option of having it with moo-milk or soy milk which is great for vegans, lactose intolerants and those with general milk allergies/sensitivities. Their ginger chai was great - definite bite included.
Extras: The place is actually a vegetarian restaurant and serves some really premium food. So far Njosnavelin's favorite is their Jamaican sandwich, which is two pieces of naan bread with vege-turkey slices, plantain paste, jerk spices and lettuce. They also have burgers, lasagne and various other dishes and desserts. They may have coffee, too.
Price range: Their chai is 6$/cup (a pretty large cup though) and their food is about 7-10$.
Where: 2019 St Denis between Sherbrooke and Ontario, Metro Berri UQAM
Hours: N/A
Atmosphere: It feels like you walked into someone's kitchen - very homey. It can seat about 20 people and has seats inside, as well as a few on their slightly slanted balcony which is equally as chill-homey. There was a different cashier/cook each time, but they were always very nice and easy going.
Tea selection: This place is known for its various blends of homemade chais (such as Irish creme and Ethiopian). You have the option of having it with moo-milk or soy milk which is great for vegans, lactose intolerants and those with general milk allergies/sensitivities. Their ginger chai was great - definite bite included.
Extras: The place is actually a vegetarian restaurant and serves some really premium food. So far Njosnavelin's favorite is their Jamaican sandwich, which is two pieces of naan bread with vege-turkey slices, plantain paste, jerk spices and lettuce. They also have burgers, lasagne and various other dishes and desserts. They may have coffee, too.
Price range: Their chai is 6$/cup (a pretty large cup though) and their food is about 7-10$.
Ming Tao Xuan
Where: 451 St-Sulpice near Notre-Dame Ouest, Metro Place d'Armes
Hours: 11 am - 7 pm
Atmosphere: Traditional Chinese decor; quiet, bright lights, friendly staff.
Tea selection: Wide selection of Chinese teas, with elaborate descriptions (origins, ingredients, taste, etc); served in traditional fashion, depending on the tea. Copious amounts of hot water available for reinfusions.
Extras: Vegetarian food and desserts offered, but never tried.
Price range: approximately 8$ for the whole setup, food prices unknown.
Not specializing in Tea
Cafe Shaika
Where: 5526 Sherbrooke Ouest corner Old Orchard, Metro Vendome
Hours: 7:30 am - 11 pm (12 am Thursday & Friday, 9 am - 12 am Saturday, 9 am - 11 pm Sunday)
Atmosphere: Hipster-artsy-chill. Generally a relaxed atmosphere, dim lights, comfy seats and friendly people. Good for studying, too! They also often have live performances at night.
Tea selection: While they don't have their own special teas, they offer Mighty Leaf tea! FYI, Mighty Leaf is probably the gold standard of bagged teas with many exciting flavors - like Rainforest Mate and Tropical Green Tea.
Extras: These people have lots of food and coffee. Most importantly, their soups are always good and they grill their sandwiches.
Price range: Mighty Leaf tea is $3 with free refills and coffee is about the same. Food will set you back about 8$ if it's soup + sandwich.
L'Escalier
Hours: 7:30 am - 11 pm (12 am Thursday & Friday, 9 am - 12 am Saturday, 9 am - 11 pm Sunday)
Atmosphere: Hipster-artsy-chill. Generally a relaxed atmosphere, dim lights, comfy seats and friendly people. Good for studying, too! They also often have live performances at night.
Tea selection: While they don't have their own special teas, they offer Mighty Leaf tea! FYI, Mighty Leaf is probably the gold standard of bagged teas with many exciting flavors - like Rainforest Mate and Tropical Green Tea.
Extras: These people have lots of food and coffee. Most importantly, their soups are always good and they grill their sandwiches.
Price range: Mighty Leaf tea is $3 with free refills and coffee is about the same. Food will set you back about 8$ if it's soup + sandwich.
L'Escalier
Where: 552 Sainte-Catherine East
Hours: 10 am - 3 am (food till 11 pm)
Atmosphere: Artsy-hippie-bohemian-granola, omnitransience. It's kind of a place where time disappears. The coolest thing about this place that you don't go there for a 30 minute coffee; this undertaking requires a few hours. About half of the seats are comfy pillows on the floor, with the main drawback that it is quite hard to unglue yourself from it; the whole place is the collection of random rooms, all open, so there is usually a way of finding a quiet corner to relax or have a private conversation. Conversely there is plenty of room for socializing, and the crowd is generally very friendly; after a few visits you'll be able to spot the usuals.
Hours: 10 am - 3 am (food till 11 pm)
Atmosphere: Artsy-hippie-bohemian-granola, omnitransience. It's kind of a place where time disappears. The coolest thing about this place that you don't go there for a 30 minute coffee; this undertaking requires a few hours. About half of the seats are comfy pillows on the floor, with the main drawback that it is quite hard to unglue yourself from it; the whole place is the collection of random rooms, all open, so there is usually a way of finding a quiet corner to relax or have a private conversation. Conversely there is plenty of room for socializing, and the crowd is generally very friendly; after a few visits you'll be able to spot the usuals.
Tea selection: Not extensive, but tasty organic/fair trade loose leaf teas. The all time favorite being Sencha Kyoto Cherry Rose Festival (green tea, as the name suggests) and Rooibos Province, a wonderfully fruity variation of this un-tea.
Extras: Ginger-lemon juice. We dare you to try it! Extra bite included. Good nad affordable food, such as sandwiches and nachos, beer also available.
Price range: Everything is rather affordable, tea, coffee and fresh juice being around 3$. Food generally below 10$
Casa del Popolo
Where: 4873 Saint-Laurent
Hours: 12 pm - 3 am
Atmosphere: Very relaxed. It always seems familiar, but at everybody are up to their own thing, which makes it an excellent place to feel "alone in the crowd," in a good way. At night there are often shows, so it tends to get noisy and crowdy, but during the day there is usually plenty of room. In summer a terrace in the back is also a bonus.
Tea selection: Celestial Seasonings tea bags (Bengal Spice is an interesting flavor). They also have the hot infusion of fresh ginger and lemon; don't even think to skip adding the honey, you will miss out on all the flavor and afterbite!
Extras: Excellent food; we mainly tried their sandwiches, especially grilled tofu and spicy tofu ones. They come accompanied by a salad and nachos, making for a solid meal. Actually that is our main attraction to this place, apart from the relaxing atmosphere. Alcohol is present as well.
Price range: Very reasonable, 2-3$ for tea and coffee, ~7$ for sandwich plates, ~5$ for pints.
Le Cagibi
Where: 5490 Saint-Laurent (corner Saint-Viateur)
Hours: Monday: 6 pm - 12 am; Tuesday to Thursday: 9 am - 1 am; Sat: 10 30 am - 1 am, Sun: 10 30 am - 12 am.
Atmosphere: Spacy, good for studying or just hanging out. The place consists of two rooms, the back one being really out-of-time space. All the furniture and dishes are different, really random decor, a clandestine bookshelf in the front room. The place is pretty hipstery and granola at the same time.
Tea selection: Yogi tea, in bags, with free refills; it's kind of like fortune cookies, got little notes on the paper.
Extras: Food, tasty and in good quantities. This side is less explored. Alcohol present as well.
Price range: ~3$ for tea and coffee, below 10$ for food. Reasonable.
Extras: Ginger-lemon juice. We dare you to try it! Extra bite included. Good nad affordable food, such as sandwiches and nachos, beer also available.
Price range: Everything is rather affordable, tea, coffee and fresh juice being around 3$. Food generally below 10$
Casa del Popolo
Where: 4873 Saint-Laurent
Hours: 12 pm - 3 am
Atmosphere: Very relaxed. It always seems familiar, but at everybody are up to their own thing, which makes it an excellent place to feel "alone in the crowd," in a good way. At night there are often shows, so it tends to get noisy and crowdy, but during the day there is usually plenty of room. In summer a terrace in the back is also a bonus.
Tea selection: Celestial Seasonings tea bags (Bengal Spice is an interesting flavor). They also have the hot infusion of fresh ginger and lemon; don't even think to skip adding the honey, you will miss out on all the flavor and afterbite!
Extras: Excellent food; we mainly tried their sandwiches, especially grilled tofu and spicy tofu ones. They come accompanied by a salad and nachos, making for a solid meal. Actually that is our main attraction to this place, apart from the relaxing atmosphere. Alcohol is present as well.
Price range: Very reasonable, 2-3$ for tea and coffee, ~7$ for sandwich plates, ~5$ for pints.
Le Cagibi
Where: 5490 Saint-Laurent (corner Saint-Viateur)
Hours: Monday: 6 pm - 12 am; Tuesday to Thursday: 9 am - 1 am; Sat: 10 30 am - 1 am, Sun: 10 30 am - 12 am.
Atmosphere: Spacy, good for studying or just hanging out. The place consists of two rooms, the back one being really out-of-time space. All the furniture and dishes are different, really random decor, a clandestine bookshelf in the front room. The place is pretty hipstery and granola at the same time.
Tea selection: Yogi tea, in bags, with free refills; it's kind of like fortune cookies, got little notes on the paper.
Extras: Food, tasty and in good quantities. This side is less explored. Alcohol present as well.
Price range: ~3$ for tea and coffee, below 10$ for food. Reasonable.
There are plenty more to try and we shall write more as we discover them.
