Marché Atwater — Attraction in Montreal

First time visiting Atwater Market, and for sure won't be the last, next time I visit Montreal. During our trip to the market in late April, they were assembling stalls around the building which I assume are for horticulture vendors during the summertime. The main action is in the building with the typical market items. Three vendors stood out for me. Les Douceurs du Marché had such a unique variety of global grocery items you could easily spend an hour in there. Mustards, hot sauces, pastas, jams, spices and herbs, chocolates and candy, grains, baking, etc... La Fromagerie Atwater had a wonderful cheese selection, especially going down to their "cellar" for custom cheese selection. I was looking for a specific brand of cheese and fortunately they had a round in storage which they gladly cut me a wedge. The third shop is actually outdoors at the south end, and I believe is Centre Jardin Atwater. They sold an amazing assortment of beautifully arranged succulents (see the photos). Upstairs is a large bakery, lots of meat vendors, pasta, and cheese vendors too. We found parking on local streets, which wasn't an issue on the Sunday when we visited. There is a Super C grocery store nearby, but if you use their parking lot, do so at your own risk at being ticketed...

Ah, the Atwater Market! Nestled charmingly by the Lachine Canal, it's truly a marvel of modern commerce, especially if your idea of a good time involves being financially fleeced. One can only assume the "artisanal" designation they're aiming for is "artisanally inflated prices," because the cost of food here is nothing short of breathtaking.

And let's not even start on the produce. You'd think for such princely sums, you'd get something that hasn't already begun its journey to the compost bin. Instead, prepare for an exciting game of "spot the non-bruised apple" or "find a bell pepper that doesn't look like it's seen better decades." As for the Italian cheese stores, they're a true testament to mediocrity, managing to make even the most passionate fromage connoisseur sigh in quiet resignation. But the real showstopper? The fresh meat. It's so absurdly priced, you'd swear each cut comes with a personal serenade from a Michelin-starred chef before it hits your basket. Clearly, the Atwater Market believes in a holistic approach to grocery shopping: emptier wallets, lower expectations, and a profound appreciation for the grocery store...

Pretty, varied, aromatic... BUT SO EXPENSIVE! Prepare to salivate but leave frustrated. It would seems that reviewers have all been to the same place alright... but also on the same budget! Yes, you can find almost anything, from staples to curiosities/ imports, rare meats, poultry and seafood/fish (prepared in delicious ethnically diverse ways): there is A LOT, and quality, at hand. Which is all good and well is you need to buy a GIFT, but if it's groceries you're going for, beware! Apart from local farmers offering fresher produce than the supermarket at decent prices, if you are mid to lower income, you're in for a surprise! An advice is, leave that credit card at home and bring a cash amount you're comfortable with. And if something tickles your fancy but goes over budget, you can always go back: we always need fresh items, right? Allows for time to think if you really need/can afford that extra item. Because they say "our eyes can be bigger than our stomach", but in this case, "bigger than your wallet" fits even better. If you wonder why this place almost gets all 5 stars... it's really in the eye of the "purse...