Best Bagels in Montreal: Top Shops Ranked by Locals

Mile End mornings mean one thing: the bagel line. Montreal has only two shops that locals actually argue about — and the debate has been simmering since long before Instagram made it photogenic. This guide cuts through the noise with TripAdvisor rankings, user reviews, and the details that matter when you’re standing on Rue Saint-Viateur trying to decide which side you’re on.

Iconic Shops: St-Viateur, Fairmount · Established Since: 1919 (Fairmount) · Top Ranked: St-Viateur #1 on TripAdvisor · Competitors: 2 main rivals · Flavors Ranked: Sesame, poppy, all-dressed

The comparison table below shows the key metrics that separate these two Montreal institutions from the rest.

What is the famous Montreal bagel?

The Montreal bagel isn’t just smaller than its New York cousin — it’s denser, sweeter, and always baked in a wood-fired oven. Hand-rolled rather than machine-made, these bagels develop a caramelized crust that cracks satisfyingly when you bite in, while the interior stays chewy without being heavy. The dough uses honey in the water bath, which gives each bagel a subtle sweetness that New York-style versions simply don’t have.

History and characteristics

Fairmount Bagel holds the title of Montreal’s first bagel bakery, established in 1919 (YouTube Taste Test Video). The tradition of boiling before baking became standard, passed down through generations. Today, both Fairmount and St-Viateur maintain wood-fired ovens that give their bagels that distinctive char.

Why it’s unique

The combination of honey water, hand-rolling, and wood-firing creates a texture profile you won’t find anywhere else in North America. According to TripAdvisor reviewers, Fairmount bagels offer “chewy on the inside with perfect crisp, freshly baked, with right amount of sweetness and small hint of crunch” (TripAdvisor Fairmount Page). St-Viateur counters with bagels that are “always warm and fresh as they are baked continuously” (TripAdvisor St-Viateur Page).

What are the two bagel places in Montreal?

Two shops define Montreal’s bagel identity: St-Viateur Bagel Shop and Fairmount Bagel. These aren’t just competitors — they’re the reason the Montreal bagel exists as a distinct category. According to TripAdvisor forum discussions, locals describe choosing between them as belonging to one of two “religions” (TripAdvisor Forum).

St-Viateur Bagel

St-Viateur Bagel Shop opened in 1957 and has grown to four locations across the city. The original shop at 263 Rue Saint-Viateur O (in the Outremont neighborhood) is famous for its wall of photos and operates 24/7 (YouTube Taste Test Video). The shop ranks #55 out of 3,835 restaurants in Montreal on TripAdvisor (TripAdvisor St-Viateur Shop Page), and a recent August 2024 review still calls them “the best bagels, bar none” (TripAdvisor St-Viateur Cafe Page).

Fairmount Bagel

Fairmount Bagel at 74 Av. Fairmount O (Le Plateau Mont-Royal) opened in 1919, making it the first bagel bakery in Montreal. It also runs 24/7 and ranks #2 of 126 bakeries in the city (TripAdvisor Fairmount Page). The shop is cash only and sometimes requires patience during peak lineups (TripAdvisor).

What is the difference between Fairmount and St. Viateur bagels?

The taste test debate between these two shops has been called the “bagel wars” (YouTube Taste Test Video), and YouTube comparisons regularly pit them against each other (YouTube Taste Test Video 2). The differences come down to specifics that dedicated fans notice immediately.

Taste and texture

St-Viateur uses sweeter honey water in their dough, resulting in a more pronounced sweetness throughout the bagel. Fairmount bagels tend toward a denser, maltier character with a slightly more pronounced chew. One forum user on TripAdvisor captured the divide: “There are only TWO authentic Montreal style bagel shops and you need to choose which of the two religions you belong to” (TripAdvisor Forum).

Baking process

Both shops maintain wood-fired ovens, but the exact techniques remain closely held family secrets passed down for generations. Fairmount has had more time to refine their process — they were established in 1919 (YouTube), while St-Viateur started in 1957.

Popularity rankings

St-Viateur edges out Fairmount on TripAdvisor: 4.5/5 with 1,472 reviews versus 4.4/5 with 1,083 reviews (TripAdvisor Rankings). The St-Viateur Bagel & Cafe location ranks #3 on the platform with a 4.3 rating (TripAdvisor).

Where can I get the best bagels in Montreal?

TripAdvisor rankings as of April 2026 put St-Viateur Bagel Shop at #1 for bagels in Montreal, followed by Fairmount at #2 (TripAdvisor Rankings). But the best bagel for you depends on where you’re staying and what experience you’re after.

Top 5 ranked shops

The top performers on TripAdvisor are concentrated in the Mile End and Le Plateau Mont-Royal neighborhoods:

• St-Viateur Bagel Shop (4.5/5, 1,472 reviews) — 263 Rue Saint-Viateur O, Outremont
• Fairmount Bagel (4.4/5, 1,083 reviews) — 74 Av. Fairmount O, Le Plateau Mont-Royal
• St-Viateur Bagel & Cafe (4.3/5) — Le Plateau Mont-Royal
• Bagel St-Lo — downtown option gaining traction
• Le Trou — Griffintown with sandwich options

Locations by neighborhood

If you’re in downtown Montreal, your options are more limited. The authentic wood-fired shops are all outside the core downtown area. Bagel St-Lo attempts to fill the downtown gap with a more accessible location. A TripAdvisor forum confirms that “bagel shops like St-Viateur and Fairmount are in areas like Mile End, Le Plateau Mont-Royal” (TripAdvisor).

Why are St. Viateur bagels so good?

St-Viateur’s reputation rests on a combination of consistent freshness and an atmosphere that visitors consistently describe as iconic. The shop’s wall of photos, constant baking operation, and 24/7 availability create a different kind of experience than a typical bakery.

Recipe secrets

While St-Viateur keeps exact recipe details private, the key differences from other bagels are well-documented: honey water in the boiling bath, hand-rolling, and wood-fired baking. The continuous baking means bagels are almost always fresh — a TripAdvisor reviewer from August 2024 specifically praised that “St-Viateur Bagel Shop offers some of the best bagels you’ll ever taste, always warm and fresh” (TripAdvisor).

Customer reviews

One TripAdvisor reviewer declared, “A must-visit in Montreal! Fairmount Bagel truly lives up to its legendary reputation” (TripAdvisor Fairmount Page), while another stated plainly: “They are the best bagels, bar none!” (TripAdvisor St-Viateur Cafe Page). St-Viateur Bagel & Cafe also offers “variety of cream cheeses and bagel sandwiches” (TripAdvisor Cafe Page) for those who want a fuller meal.

Five key metrics separate these two Montreal institutions from the rest.

Both shops maintain their distinct identities while serving the same core tradition that defines Montreal bagel culture.

“There are only TWO authentic Montreal style bagel shops and you need to choose which of the two religions you belong to.”

— TripAdvisor Forum User

“They are the best bagels, bar none!”

— TripAdvisor Reviewer

The choice between St-Viateur and Fairmount ultimately comes down to what you value: volume and sweetness (St-Viateur) or heritage and density (Fairmount). For visitors with limited time, visiting both shops within the same trip is entirely feasible — they’re in adjacent neighborhoods and both run 24/7. The real mistake would be leaving Montreal without experiencing the wood-fired, honey-sweetened tradition that put this city on the bagel map.

Related reading: Montreal Canadiens Standings

Locals fiercely debate St-Viateur versus Fairmount supremacy, but the St-Viateur vs Fairmount guide unpacks flavors, queues, and history for clarity.

Frequently asked questions