Fairmount Bagel — Restaurant in Montreal

After hearing countless glowing recommendations—hundreds, perhaps thousands—I finally made my way to one of Montreal’s most beloved bagel institutions, tucked away in a modest, no-frills corner of the city. From the moment you approach, the warm, sweet scent of freshly baked dough draws you in like a beacon. This isn’t your average bakery—it’s a tiny, bustling hub of bagel-making magic, with trays of golden rings stacked high and ovens firing in full rhythm.

We picked up a variety of bagels: everything, garlic, onion, and the intriguingly named “Bozo”—each one a unique expression of this iconic Montreal staple. There’s no indoor seating, so we took our warm paper bag, along with tubs of cream cheese and jam, and enjoyed it from the comfort of our car parked just outside. Honestly? It only added to the charm.

Now, let’s talk about those bagels. They were soft, chewy, and still warm to the touch—the texture right where you want it: dense without being heavy, with just the right bite. The garlic bagel quickly emerged as my personal favorite, unapologetically bold and aromatic. Yes, it left me with a garlic-forward breath, but let me be clear—it was absolutely worth it. The everything bagel offered a perfectly balanced medley of seeds and seasoning, while the onion had a subtle sweetness and deep flavor that grew with each bite. The Bozo was a bit of a wildcard—mysterious and slightly sweet, possibly cinnamon-spiced—surprisingly delightful.

There’s something wonderfully nostalgic about standing in line with locals and tourists alike, all eagerly waiting for that fresh dozen, watching the bakers work in full view. It’s not polished or fancy, but that’s exactly the point. This place doesn’t need bells and whistles. It’s pure, authentic, bagel perfection.

Final word: If you’re in Montreal—whether it’s your first visit or your fiftieth—do not leave without making a stop here. Yes, there’s a line. No, there’s no seating. But take it from me: one bite, and you’ll understand why people keep coming back for more. It’s the kind of experience that reminds you how simple food, made with care and tradition, can be absolutely...

Fairmount Bagel truly lives up to its legendary status. The combination of perfectly made bagels, locally sourced cream cheese, and smoked salmon from Quebec made my delicious food creations shine. If you haven’t tried them yet, it is a must-visit for anyone in Montreal – whether you’re enjoying them traditionally or experimenting with new recipes!

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In depth review:

As a food blogger, I couldn’t resist celebrating National Bagels and Lox Day with some of Montreal’s best from Fairmount Bagel. Their bagels are iconic, chewy, and baked to perfection in a wood-fired oven, making them the perfect base for creative recipes. I made two unique bagel creations using their fresh, local ingredients:

Cranberry Delight Bagel

I started with their cranberry bagel for a subtle sweetness, paired with a creamy goat cheese spread, topped with smoked salmon, caramelized onions, and arugula. A drizzle of balsamic reduction added a perfect balance of sweet and savory. The fresh Quebec smoked salmon was the highlight, bringing everything together beautifully.

Lox Caprese Bagel

For something lighter and more colorful and fun, I used one of there limited edition Canada bagels, spread with Canadian cream cheese, and topped with smoked salmon, fresh mozzarella, tomatoes, and a drizzle of olive oil. I finished it with salt, pepper, and fresh basil (or basil pesto for an extra kick). The result was a fresh, Mediterranean-inspired bite that was light and flavorful.

Fairmount Bagel delivers on all fronts. The bagels are simply some of the best you’ll find in Montreal, and the ability to customize with local products like cream cheese and smoked salmon makes for a top-tier meal. Whether you’re a local or a tourist, it’s a must-visit for anyone wanting to try authentic Montreal bagels. The service is friendly, and the nostalgic atmosphere adds to the charm of the place.

#FairmountBagel #MontrealEats #NationalBagelsAndLoxDay...

If the line-ups don't assure you that this is a great place and a Montréal staple, then please read the following. I am not a bagel person (Type 1 diabetic) but these bagels are so delicious! When visiting family/friends, I ALWAYS get the special request to bring them Fairmount Bagels! Service is always efficient, and recently, I had Michael help me out. He surpassed my expectations! Thank you Michael!!!!

Yes, counter service is basic BUT it is bilingual! As well, they multi-task to be sure to serve more than 1 client at once. Line-ups are crazy on weekends but Tuesday afternoon at 2pm and Wednesday morning at 10am was quick (dated July 16-17, 2024)

• FYI: they are open 24/7. * Parking (street meters) can be a challenge but so far I've been lucky :-) Space is small and cramped, but this is part of the experience. I never leave without having a nice chat with someone, whether it be a local Quebécois or out-of-town tourists. As for anyone giving a 1-2 star bcuz of method of payment, your reviews are in bad taste and NOT genuine to the food/experience. Reviews are meant to be impartial/unbiased. Please be sure to have currency in the country your are visiting and stop giving bad reviews bcuz you're incompetent travelers (credit card payment means extra fees for merchants which, in turn, increase prices for everyone). This is a small shop offering quality bagels. It's not their job to be converting USD funds into CAD to benefit you. No doubt line-ups are long bcuz of tourists like C. VanderHart. Note: I reported your review bcuz it's not accurate.

While waiting in line, I spoke to a local who told me he buys the prepackaged dozen bagels and freezes them, Every morning he microwaves them for 25 seconds and swears it tastes just as good as the fresh ones. Plus, they are less expensive. Thank you to that local man...