Olive & Gourmando – Awesome Cafe in Montreal (Canada) with Delicious Sandwiches and Pastries

When we were in Montreal, we were very excited to check out Olive & Gourmando, a famous cafe in Old Montreal. This was because we had read many great online reviews about its delicious sandwiches and pastries. And we were not disappointed! Also read: Four Best Places to Eat in Montreal, Canada!

Olive & Gourmando

Olive & Gourmando is a cafe known for its delicious paninis, sandwiches and croissants. It also serves a variety of sumptuous salads and brunch items. It is located along Saint Paul Street, a charming thoroughfare in Old Montreal with many eateries and boutiques nestled in historic European architecture.

When we visited the cafe on a Tuesday morning, there was already a long queue. Therefore, we had to wait for about 10 minutes to put our name on a waitlist. After that, we had to wait for another 20 minutes in the crowded waiting area before finally getting a table.

Bustling Atmosphere and Decent Service

Olive & Gourmando is a chic industrial-themed space flanked by loud red walls lined with whimsical decorations. We didn’t have much space to move around because the cafe was packed with customers, and the tables were very close to each other.

Service was decent considering the large number of customers in the small cafe. The staff were quite friendly and attentive. Our orders came pretty quickly as well.

Le Gustavo – Delicious Hot Panini!

We had a hot panini, the Le Gustavo ($11.95). This seasonal panini is made with grilled chicken breast, portobello mushrooms, and sautéed red onions covered with balsamic vinegar and melted cheese. I was pleasantly surprised but how good it tasted. It felt really good to bite into the two thin pieces of crispy doughs sandwiching the tender savoury chicken and delicious mushrooms. Together with the luscious melted cheese, this was a harmony of delicious flavours. I could definitely see why this cafe is so popular with the locals.

Soupe du jour

As we visited Olive & Gourmando during winter, we decided to get a hot Soupe du jour (Soup of the Day) for $6. The soup that day was tomato soup, made from tomatoes, chick peas and egg plant. It tasted average, but it felt really good to drink a hot bowl of soup in the cold winter weather.

Conclusion

On the whole, we enjoyed our meal at Olive & Gourmando, even though we had to wait for 30 minutes before getting a table. When visiting, do take note that the menu items differ between weekdays and weekends. Also, some of the items are seasonal. For example, I believe the Le Gustavo panini we ordered is only available during winter period. And it would be good to visit the cafe early because the popular items will usually sell out on busier days. Make sure you check out this great cafe along Saint Paul Street when you are in Montreal.

Olive & Gourmando
Address: 351 Saint-Paul St W, Montreal, QC H2Y 2A7, Canada
Opening Hours: Daily 8am to 6pm (brunch items available on weekends only)
Website: http://oliveetgourmando.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/olivegourmando

This article is part of our completely free and fantastic Ultimate Montreal Travel Guide for First Timers. Why spend days researching when all your holiday information is simply a click away?