Montreal Mile End Food Tour: Bagels, Smoked Meat & Local Treats

Summary

Mile End food tour Montreal: bagels, smoked meat, cheese & more

You’ll wander Montreal’s Mile End with a local guide who feels more like a friend than a leader. Taste smoked meat at Lester’s Deli, debate fresh bagels at St-Viateur, sample Quebec cheeses and end with Kem Coba ice cream—all while soaking up street art and neighborhood stories that stick with you long after.

What’s the experience like?

I never thought I’d start a day in Montreal’s Mile End by standing on the sidewalk with mustard on my fingers, but that’s exactly what happened outside Lester’s Deli. Our guide—Marc, who grew up just a few blocks away—handed me half a smoked meat sandwich and grinned like he was letting me in on a family secret. The bread was warm, the meat peppery and soft, and honestly? I could’ve stopped right there. But Marc nudged us along—“Wait till you try the bagels,” he said. He wasn’t kidding.

We wandered past murals and people sipping coffee outside tiny bakeries. At Nita tout garni, I tried gravlax for the first time (with homemade lemonade because it felt too early for wine). The dill hit my nose before anything else—reminded me of summers at my grandma’s house, weirdly enough. Someone asked about the neighborhood’s artists and Marc pointed out a wall where a new mural was going up—paint still wet in spots. It felt like we were part of something living instead of just passing through.

St-Viateur Bagel was chaos in the best way—flour dust everywhere and bagels hot from the oven. We stood around debating which was better: sesame or poppy seed (I’m still team sesame). At Kouzina Niata, Li from our group tried to order in Greek; the owner just laughed and handed us plates of feta and olives without missing a beat. I think that moment stuck with me more than any fancy restaurant meal ever has.

Brebis Cheese Shop smelled like cool stone and fresh milk—a little earthy. We sampled three Quebec cheeses while Marc told us about local dairy farms (he got sidetracked talking about his uncle’s goats). By the time we reached Kem Coba for ice cream—the line snaking down the block—I’d lost track of how many things I’d tasted or stories I’d heard. Montreal Mile End food tour isn’t really about ticking off dishes; it’s more like being invited into someone else’s daily life for a few hours. I still think about that gravlax sometimes when I walk past a bakery at home.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore Mile-End food and culture

• Discover Mile-End neighborhood
• Visit Lester’s Deli for smoked meat and poutine
• Try gravlax sandwich or veggie patty at Nita tout garni
• Pair food with natural white wine or homemade lemonade
• Taste Greek dishes at Kouzina Niata
• Debate best bagels at St. Viateur
• Enjoy local cheeses at Brebis Cheese Shop
• Finish with ice cream at Kem Coba
• Learn about artists and murals in Mile-End

Top questions

How long does the Montreal Mile End food tour last?

The exact duration isn’t specified but most similar tours last around 3 hours.

What foods are included on the Montreal Mile End food tour?

You’ll try smoked meat sandwiches, gravlax or veggie patties, bagels from St-Viateur, Greek specialties, Quebec cheeses, juice or lemonade, cookies, and ice cream in summer.

Is there vegetarian food on this Montreal food tour?

Yes—vegetarian options like veggie patties are available; mention dietary restrictions when booking.

Does the tour include pickup?

No hotel pickup is mentioned; public transportation options are available nearby.

Are drinks included on this food tour?

Yes—homemade lemonade or natural white wine is included at Nita tout garni; fresh juices are also provided.

Is this tour suitable for kids?

The tour is suitable for all fitness levels but infants must sit on an adult's lap; check if your child will enjoy walking/tasting stops.

What happens if it rains during the Mile End food tour?

The tour runs rain or shine; dress accordingly as you’ll be walking outdoors between stops.

What’s included

Your day includes tastings at Lester’s Deli for smoked meat sandwiches, Nita tout garni for gravlax or veggie patties with white wine or lemonade, St-Viateur Bagel for fresh bagels, Kouzina Niata for Greek specialties (or Phyllo Bar Melina's on Tuesdays), Brebis Cheese Shop for Quebec cheeses, Balbastik juices to go, Brookies MTL cookies, and Kem Coba ice cream in summer months—all guided by a local who knows every shortcut and story along the way.