The best places for a sweet tasty tour in Shoni

Shaughnessy Village, affectionately known as Shoni, is a pleasant little neighborhood west of downtown. From Guy Street to Atwater, you can stroll through the pretty murals, visit the small shops and enjoy the ambience. Above all, Shoni is renowned for its succulent Asian restaurants – particularly Japanese and Korean. You’ve probably been there, perhaps without even knowing it, to enjoy a good izakaya or Korean barbecue. But Shaughnessy Village is also teeming with wonderful pastry shops and sweet spots that will delight and surprise foodies! They may be well hidden, but it’s the perfect opportunity to rediscover the neighborhood, which has been given a summer makeover. Follow the guide for a deliciously sweet tour of Shoni!

Zoé Dessert & Presotea

Zoé Dessert is definitely one of the most exotic patisseries you’ll find! In this adorable little tearoom, where you can sit down to eat, you can sample recipes from Asia, and more particularly Hong Kong. The desserts are fresh, original and particularly decadent. Egg waffles are particularly popular – and you only have to look at them to understand why! You’ll also find plenty of traditional desserts: jelly and fresh fruit, sago (Japanese pearls) and black sticky rice. Surprising but always excellent, and perfect for summer! Above all, the place is famous for its incredible Mille Crêpes cake which, as the name suggests, is made up of a crazy stack of crêpes.

Note that the boutique is now coupled with a counter from Presotea, the delicious tea franchise from Taiwan. So you can accompany your dessert with an excellent beverage… cold or hot, depending on the weather!

2160 Rue Saint-Mathieu

Café Desserts ETC.

Welcome to the kingdom of cake! Cupcakes, macaroons, choux pastries: if you’re looking for a creamy, colorful dessert, you’re sure to find it here. The creations are mouth-watering, and the pastries are a feast for the eyes as well as the taste buds. The place is famous for its red velvet, but there’s so much to choose from, you’ll have trouble deciding what to try first! The store also offers viennoiseries (croissants, chocolatines…) and American classics (cookies, brownies…) for the hungry – just one more excuse to pay them a visit!

Good to know: the team can also make cakes to order – an excellent way to avoid certain allergens. What’s more, you can have a cake created for your special event – the perfect opportunity to enjoy the sweet treats you love so much… in large format!

1853 Rue Sainte-Catherine Ouest

Juliette & Chocolat

The most decadent of chocolate shops is right downtown, and no, you’ve got no excuse to resist! From lunch to dinner, Juliette welcomes you to Sainte-Catherine Street to comfort you, make you dream and, above all, give you access to your weekly (or daily!) dose of chocolate. You’ll find milkshakes and cold drinks for summer, but also all the great classics that make the house so successful: crepes and waffles, pastries, ice creams and, of course, the inimitable chocolate fondue. Everything is soft, tender, sweet – in short, wonderfully satisfying. A way to start the day with a big pastry hug, or end it with a sweet caress.

1626 Rue Sainte-Catherine Ouest

Chicha

Like its logo (a little dancing elephant on a pink background), Chicha is one of the cutest tea shops around. The sweet beverage is enjoyed here in the form of milk tea or bubble-tea, in the most delicious of Taiwanese traditions. To accompany this, the store offers desserts bursting with love (and sugar!); the recipes, original to say the least, marry the best of Asian and French pastries. These include the famous crêpe cake, which comes in a dozen different flavors! The craziest of all is undoubtedly the matcha French toast: an original and completely decadent version of this brunch classic, which should impress even the most experienced gourmet. An experience as gourmet as it is original!

2162 Rue Sainte-Catherine Ouest

Hazukido

Hazukido is the perfect marriage between Japan and France; the encounter between the croissant and the savoir-faire of Japanese pastry chefs, who take it and turn it into an elegant, fragrant… and somewhat decadent dessert! You’ll rediscover the famous Viennese pastry through perfectly balanced recipes, executed with care and delicacy. Every day, fresh croissants come out of the kitchens in sweet, savory and even waffle versions. And for summer, the store also offers a special menu, fresh and colorful, that will make your choice even more difficult! You’ll be able to discover the incredible range of croissants filled with ice cream; after all, why choose between two sweet treats when you can combine them? In hazelnut, Oreo, rainbow or salted caramel versions: the recipes are as crazy visually as they are in taste! All of this is accompanied by a delicious smoothie; homemade from quality ingredients, like the rest of the menu, it will complete your sweet journey.

1629 Rue Sainte-Catherine Ouest

Uncle Tetsu

Warning: Uncle Tetsu’s cheesecake can be wonderfully addictive! Few desserts are so incredibly light, airy and fluffy. You’ll feel like you’re biting into a big, beautiful cloud! Unlike New York cheesecake, this cake is baked in the oven, giving it a different, softer, lower-calorie texture. But it is, like its American big brother, particularly comforting, and terribly tasty! On-site, you can also buy the wonderful little madeleines, another house specialty. A limited menu, a discreet counter on a little street away from the crowds: Uncle Tetsu is a sweet secret worth sharing.

The store regularly offers special editions, limited in time, with particular flavours: a good excuse to return regularly!

1408 Rue Pierce

Cocobun

You’ve probably already stopped in front of a Cocobun patisserie, in Chinatown or in a shopping mall, attracted by the warm, sweet smell – absolutely irresistible – that wafts from the store. Good news: there’s a branch in Shoni! In this Hong Kong-style bakery, you’ll find a vast selection of Asian-inspired pastries. Hokkaido buns, Cantonese buns, pineapple desserts, steamed cakes… recipes that are not too sweet, deliciously exotic, a change from European pastries and definitely worth the detour. The concept of the place is also original, since it’s up to you to help yourself, using the tongs provided. Be warned: the temptation is all the greater. Here, everything is soft, and you’ll be hard pressed to leave empty-handed!

1550 boulevard de Maisonneuve Ouest (in metro station Guy-Concordia)

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