Fairmount Bagel

Fairmount Bagel traces its roots to 1919, when Isadore Shlafman opened one of the city’s first bagel bakeries. The family business settled on Avenue Fairmount in Mile End and still bakes in a wood-fired oven, a few blocks from its famous rival on Rue Saint-Viateur. It is a small, busy take-out counter rather than a café, although a café project across the street has been announced.

How to get there

The bakery is on Avenue Fairmount Ouest in Mile End, about a 10-minute walk from Laurier metro station (orange line). The 55 bus along Boulevard Saint-Laurent also stops nearby.

What to order

Start with the sesame or poppy seed bagel, then explore the wider range of flavours the bakery is known for. Pair a bag of fresh bagels with cream cheese or lox from the counter, or take a dozen home: Montreal bagels freeze well and reheat nicely in the oven.

Atmosphere

Inside, there is just enough room to queue at the counter and watch bakers hand-roll the dough, poach it in honey water and slide it into the wood-fired oven. The smell alone is worth the visit.

Plan your visit

The bakery is especially busy on weekend mornings. If you want to see the bagels coming straight out of the oven, ask for a fresh batch at the counter: the turnover is so quick that they are usually still warm. Cream cheese and spreads are sold on site. For a full Mile End food walk, combine Fairmount with Wilensky’s next door and St-Viateur Bagel a few blocks north, then stop in one of the neighbourhood’s many cafés.

Good to know

• Nearest metro: Laurier (orange line), about a 10-minute walk
• Neighbourhood: Mile End
• Cuisine: Bagel bakery, take-out
• Budget: $
• Best for: Breakfast, picnics, bringing a taste of Montreal home
• Tip: Combine your visit with Wilensky’s, a few doors away, for a classic Mile End food walk

Why it is on our list

Fairmount is one of the two pillars of the Montreal bagel tradition. Its long history and wood-fired method make it an essential stop. Read our complete guide to Montreal bagels.

Hours, menus and prices change often. Confirm opening hours and reservation policies directly with the restaurant before you go.