Where to pause for a quick treat in downtown Montréal?

Downtown Montréal is full of moments made for indulgence. Whether it’s a quick pause between meetings, a spontaneous stop after shopping, or a fully intentional dessert break, there’s always a reason to slow down and enjoy something good.

From comforting cafés to show-stopping desserts and matcha-focused spots, these addresses offer plenty of ways to treat yourself, whatever you’re in the mood for.

For coffee and tea lovers

With four locations downtown, Columbus Café & Co fits effortlessly into a busy day. It’s the kind of place you stop by for a solid coffee or a comforting drink and end up staying longer than planned. The menu is wide-ranging, the seating is comfortable, and the welcoming atmosphere makes it just as suitable for a quick break as for settling in with a laptop for a few hours.

Aunja is an Iranian café and tea house where warmth is felt the moment you walk in. The menu features teas, coffees, sandwiches, and homemade pastries inspired by comforting flavours. One standout is the Persian Fog, a signature drink blending Aunja’s saffron syrup, black tea, milk, and pistachio. It’s a softly spiced, fragrant pause that invites you to slow down right in the heart of downtown.

For those with a sweet tooth

Fuwa Fuwa has become a go-to for its Japanese soufflé pancakes, known for their airy texture and melt-in-your-mouth softness. Topped with fresh fruit, silky creams, or indulgent sauces, they arrive at the table as a moment worth savouring. The menu also features Burnt Top Cheesecakes, with a lightly caramelized surface and a rich, creamy centre. A perfect stop for a dessert that feels fully deserved.

AtPistachio, pistachio takes centre stage—both in flavour and in presentation. Desserts here are rich, elegant, and often spectacular. The pistachio trompe-l’œil is particularly striking, faithfully recreating the look of the fruit while revealing a perfectly balanced pistachio core inside. It’s a dessert that impresses visually and delivers just as much on taste.

Café Ri Yuè charms with its refined, Asian-inspired desserts, each crafted with care and precision. Individual pastries are ideal for a calm, sit-down treat, and the option to pre-order whole cakes makes it a favourite for special occasions. A thoughtful choice when you’re looking for something beautiful, delicate, and a little out of the ordinary.

Sour Bites, c’est le côté complètement ludique de la pause sucrée. Fruits confits ultra colorés, croquants et saveurs éclatantes créent de véritables explosions en bouche. Les boîtes de bonbons sont aussi populaires que les party boxes, parfaites pour les fêtes et les événements. Et pour les plus gourmands, les fruits nappés de chocolat fondant ajoutent une touche encore plus décadente. Impossible de repartir indifférent.

Sour Bites is all about playful indulgence. Brightly coloured candied fruits, crunchy textures, and bold flavours create real bursts of excitement with every bite. Their candy and party boxes are popular picks for celebrations, while fruit drizzled in warm, melted chocolate adds an extra layer of indulgence. Fun, unapologetic, and impossible to ignore.

For matcha lovers

Entirely dedicated to Japanese green tea, Matcha Zan Mai is a must for true matcha fans. From perfectly balanced matcha lattes to delicate desserts, everything is designed to highlight the depth of this flavour. Matcha mochi and matcha soft-serve ice cream are among the favourites, offering a smooth, bittersweet finish. The calm, minimalist setting makes it an ideal place to slow down and savour each bite.

Accio Cup takes a playful, creative approach to matcha. The menu features a wide range of matcha drinks, including strawberry matcha, banana matcha, matcha cloud, and more – each one tempting enough to try more than once. Paired with inventive desserts and a bright, welcoming space, it’s an easy choice for a modern, spontaneous gourmet break.