The city of Montreal is named one of the best in the world for cycling. For doing everything by bike. It’s also a city where bike paths and cyclists (who crisscross Montreal on some 900 km of trails) are all the rage in the media and in dinner conversations where people disagree.
But despite the (strong and firm) opinions on cycling in Montreal, it remains a city of cyclists, and it’s easy to explore by bike when the weather is nice. And to stop for a coffee and a chat about the sheer joy of slipping your feet into the pedals of an ultra-light bike, we have three cafes to recommend.
Club Café
Le Club Café is the most technical of Montreal’s bike cafés. The Le Club shop sells shiny helmets, breathable fabric outfits, and jackets with eight pockets for gels, water, and a camera—perfect for setting off on a bike road trip.
Vélo Espresso
Vélo Espresso is the coolest of the cafes where you can get your bike repaired or have a bell, a rubber band, etc., installed (we’re not experts). It’s a bit like the bike version of Café Mano Figa, with tiny cafes and lots of charm.
The café has been around since 1997 and also features exhibits of beautiful (and probably very fast) bicycles.
Picnic Vélo Café
It’s an old-school café with espresso and cookies, a lovely terrace, and plenty of regulars in Lycra shorts taking a break, their bikes parked nearby.
It’s located at the corner of the lovely Lafontaine Park, where you can cycle among the trees in one of Montreal’s largest parks.