March is that time of year when downtown starts to shift gears again. With daylight saving time and the first hints of spring in the air, it feels good to linger a little longer in the city, stop for something delicious, or stumble upon a new spot on a whim.
As always, new businesses continue to bring fresh energy to the neighbourhood. This month, 5 new addresses join the downtown scene, from build-your-own Asian bowls and decadent desserts to high-tech workouts and Italian cuisine just steps from the city’s theatres. Here are the new spots to discover this March.
La Soupière Malatang et Thé introduces downtown to the malatang concept, a popular street food experience across Asia. The idea is simple: grab a bowl and choose exactly what you feel like eating. In front of you, a large counter filled with fresh ingredients—vegetables, noodles, tofu, meats and seafood. Pick your favourites, your bowl is weighed, then cooked in the broth of your choice. Mild, spicy or extra spicy… it’s up to you. Once it’s ready, stop by the self-serve sauce bar to fine-tune the flavours. And yes, a scoop of ice cream is offered at the end. A fully customized soup, ready in just minutes.
If you love desserts that smell like cinnamon and butter, Rolly’s Montréal might be your next sweet obsession. This new spot is all about cinnamon rolls – those soft, spiraled buns served warm and loaded with flavour. The rolls are thick, ultra fluffy and topped with generous layers of creamy icing that melt right into every swirl. Several flavours are on the menu, including Biscoff, pear and pistachio. Good luck choosing just one. The counter also offers cookies and hot drinks, including a rich hot chocolate made with real melted chocolate. A perfect excuse to turn a quick stop into a sweet little break.
Soma Fit Club brings EMS training to downtown Montréal, a workout technology that stimulates your muscles with gentle electrical impulses while you exercise. Participants wear a specialized suit fitted with electrodes as they move through the session. The result: muscles work much more intensely in a shorter amount of time. Each workout lasts about 20 minutes and is guided by a trainer who leads every movement. Short on time during the day? This format is perfect for squeezing in an efficient workout between meetings or during a lunch break.
Il Teatro – a new Italian restaurant near the Quartier des spectacles
Already well known in Québec City, Il Teatro now opens a new location in downtown Montréal. The menu celebrates Italian cuisine with quality ingredients and recipes inspired by tradition. Expect fresh pastas, generous plates and classic Italian desserts. Heading to a show in the Quartier des spectacles? It’s a great place to sit down for dinner before the performance or to keep the evening going with a good meal.
Maison Bao serves a variety of Chinese specialties, including dim sum, dumplings and house-made noodles. One dish that quickly catches attention is the Finger San Jian: crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside. The menu draws on more than thirty years of experience in Chinese pastry and cuisine. Looking for a quick bite? Or tempted to order a few plates and try a bit of everything? This is the kind of place that works well for both.
