Drink
Verdun
“Le 5e is a black-owned, zero waste café that is so cozy! They have a lemonade cold brew (first photo) that you HAVE to try and the grilled cheese was bomb diggity. They are plant-based and make their own kombucha, which I’m trying next time around. You can either bring your own mason jar for your coffee or you can pay a 1$ deposit for one that you can keep reusing every time or bring back eventually. They also have such cute succulents for sale and a table to study if you want to spend time there. PSA: the owner and barista are super chill, which made it even better! 10/10 rec.”
Breakfast
Côte-St-Luc
“MTL Bagel is a hole-in-the-wall and you NEED to go! They make their own bagels every day, have a funky array of bagels and great deals. For breakfast, you can get a bagel-coffee duo whereas a lunch trio is bagel-soda-chips. They have great pricing on their half and full dozens to bring home! I got the smoked salmon on a ~spicy all-dressed~ and it was mindblowing. Definitely going back and you should check it out too! #blackowned”
Lunch
Phyllo Bar Melina’s
Plateau Mont-Royal
“Melina’s was INCREDIBLE! A phyllo bar in honor of Melina Mercouri – spanakopita, bougatsa, prassopita (vegan) or tyropita; you name it and they have it. The fresh smell when you walk in is to die for. I also got one of their frappes and a hot latte – coffee is always a must and these did not disappoint! They are only open 11-5 right now and you can’t really go in but Joanna, the owner, was extremely kind and let me snap a few pics (take the time to chat when you go, she is awesome!) A 10/10 rec and a MUST-HAVE if you’re into Greek treats; I can’t wait to head back! #blackowned”
Dinner
The Village (Gay Village)
“Support local black-owned businesses!! This place was INCREDIBLE. The mac ‘n cheese was to die for with a hint of spice; definitely my main rec. We ended up getting dinner for the entire family, so in order: mac ‘n cheese, veggies and griot (pork), jerk chicken, plantains and accras (fried cod). You just cannot go wrong, everything was phenomenal. We got takeout but I can’t wait to head back because the aesthetic and art in this place was unique and I hear their rhum cocktails are bomb. A PSA on their schedule: 5-11 Tuesday through Sunday, also 11-3 on Sundays and closed on Mondays.”
Meet Clara!
Pao Username: @Claravulpisi
Bio: I like food, new adventures, and a double dose of coffee for the road.
Fun fact: I speak four languages fluently: Romanian, Spanish, French and English! And I’m leaning Italian right now!
Her fave part of Pao: I love the opportunity to be part of a community that loves traveling and spending time outdoors as much as I do! I love that I get to share where I’ve been and that I discover spots that aren’t on the tourist’s map.
Download Pao now to discover Clara’s Montreal spots and all the other place’s she’s been to like Greece, San Francisco, New Zealand, etc!
