Montreal Chinatown: Food Walking Tour & Local Stories

Summary

Walk the backstreets taste bahn mi and dimsum listen to old shop tales

You’ll walk Montreal’s Chinatown with a local guide, tasting bahn mi sandwiches, dimsum, pastries, and more at seven stops. Hear stories from chefs and shopkeepers as you explore hidden corners between bites. Expect laughter over fortune cookies and quiet moments sipping fresh tea — you’ll leave both full and quietly changed.

What’s the experience like?

I’ll be honest, I thought I knew Montreal pretty well — but Chinatown? Not really. That changed after this food walking tour. We met our guide right by Place d’Armes (he waved and smiled like he actually meant it), and from there, somehow the city felt different. The air was thick with that mix of bakery sweetness and something frying somewhere — I still can’t place what it was. I remember a little kid chasing pigeons near the water garden outside the Holiday Inn, her mom laughing in French and Mandarin at once. It just set the mood.

We ducked into this huge Chinese grocery store — not fancy, but packed with stuff I couldn’t pronounce (Li laughed when I tried to say “doubanjiang” — probably butchered it). There was time to wander and poke around, which was nice because sometimes tours rush you. Then came the bahn mi lesson; honestly, I’d eaten dozens before but never thought about how they’re made here in Montreal’s Chinatown. Crunchy bread, sharp pickled veg, warm pork — simple but perfect. Our guide told us about waves of immigrants who brought their own twists to these foods, which made each bite feel layered somehow.

After that it got busy: crispy pork here, BBQ duck there, a quick stop for dimsum where we all fumbled with chopsticks (no shame). The oldest fortune cookie bakery is tucked away — you’d miss it if you weren’t looking. The smell inside was sweet and almost toasty; they let us try making one but mine looked like a folded envelope. No one judged though. We finished up with dragon’s beard candy (it melts so fast on your tongue) and then sat for tea from a Montreal company with roots in southern China. By then my jacket smelled faintly of pastries and soy sauce.

I left full (maybe too full), but more than that — it felt like getting let in on a secret side of the city. Even now when I walk past those red gates or hear someone talking Cantonese on the metro, I think about that day.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore Montreal Chinatown and food tastings

• Meet at Place d'armes in Old Montreal
• Guide gives Montreal history overview
• Walk to Chinatown
• Stop at water garden if children present
• Visit largest Chinese grocery store
• Learn grocery store history and shop
• Eat Bahn Mi sandwich and learn recipe
• Taste Szechuan, Dongbei, and Hunan food
• Try crispy pork, BBQ pork, and duck
• Visit classic Hong Kong style dimsum
• Eat fortune cookie and learn its history
• Taste Chinese pastries at Cantonese bakery
• Try dragon's beard candy
• Sample high quality tea from Montreal company

Top questions

How long does the Montreal Chinatown food walking tour last?

The tour lasts approximately 4 hours.

How many food stops are included on this Montreal food tour?

The itinerary includes seven food tasting stops in Chinatown.

Is lunch included during the Chinatown walking tour?

Yes, lunch is included as part of the 12-course tasting experience.

Where does the tour start?

The group meets at Place d’Armes in Old Montreal before heading to Chinatown.

Are drinks provided during the tour?

You’ll get a bottle of water and juice in summer; tea is served at the end.

Is this Montreal Chinatown food tour suitable for children?

Yes, children are welcome; there’s even a stop at the water garden if kids are present.

Will we have free time to shop during the tour?

You’ll have time to look around and shop at the largest Chinese grocery store stop.

What kind of weather should I expect on this walking tour?

The tour runs year-round; ponchos are provided for rain but dress for cold winters if needed.

What’s included

Your day includes all tastings across seven stops — from bahn mi sandwiches to dimsum, pastries, dragon’s beard candy, and specialty tea — plus a professional local guide throughout. Lunch is covered (12 courses!), along with snacks and light refreshments like bottled water or juice depending on season. There’s some walking outside too; ponchos are available if it rains.