Great places to eat in Homa before visiting the Olympic Park

Whether you’re heading to Space for Life to see the Botanical Garden with friends, checking out one of the big events held at the Olympic Stadium, or taking your kids to the Biodôme to say hello to the animals, chances are you’re going to want to grab a bite before or after your visit.

Space for Life is in a mostly residential area and finding grub can be tricky, so it helps if you know your way around. The good news is that Hochelaga-Maisonneuve has numerous places to eat. And most of them are located near Pie-IX Metro station—within five minutes by car or bus, or 10 minutes on foot. What better way to work up an appetite than a little exercise and fresh air?

Café InVivo  – 4545 Pierre-de-Coubertin Avenue

If you don’t want to stray too far from the Olympic Park and Space for Life, pop into Café InVivo for a delicious sandwich, loaded bagel, soup or salad. Top off your meal with a decadent brownie and coffee. The establishment promotes local businesses and fair trade, so you’ll also find some local products here like Bec Cola.

First Fridays – Esplanade Financière Sun Life, 4pm to 11pm

This large gathering of food trucks (the biggest in Canada!) promises a feast for the taste buds on the first Friday of the month from May to October. Street food vendors dish out a wide variety of foods—some bold, all delicious. There are several spots where you can sit down to eat, grassy areas, and a handful of bars and refreshment stands. Bring cash and an appetite!

Botanical Garden Restaurant

When the weather’s nice, head to the patio to enjoy a meal in the ever-changing setting. The menu features hot and cold dishes and numerous healthy options. This is the perfect place to sip sangria al fresco, surrounded by plants and flowers. If you’re pressed for time, grab a packed lunch and dine in designated picnic areas or at the Frédéric Back Tree Pavilion.

Bistro de quartier Les Affamés – 41 Sainte-Catherine Street East

This bistro and catering service makes a mean brunch (try the empanadas benedict with mozzarella!) and fresh gourmet cuisine that blends local flavours in a gastropub setting. The chalkboard menu is always changing. And if you’re hankering for more, their team will take orders for Érablière Shefford during maple sugar season.

Chez Bouffe – 4316 Sainte-Catherine Street East

Whether you’re enjoying a meal with friends, a romantic dinner, or a glass of wine in the small lounge before catching an Impact match at Saputo Stadium or a play at Théâtre Denise-Pelletier, Chez Bouffe is a welcoming restaurant that has something for everyone. The retro decor helps create a friendly atmosphere. Don’t miss the 5-a-7 (happy hour) with $1 oysters and a huge selection of Québec beer.

Lapin Blanc – 4456 Ste-Catherine East

This bistro bar serves up original cuisine with a fresh take on classic dishes. Try the Thai duck wings or the beef tartare. You can also head to Lapin Blanc to watch hockey and sip a delicious cocktail or a beer for $3.

Une publication partagée par À la croûte (@alacrouteblog) le 18 Mars 2017 à 6h03 PDT

Antidote – 3459 Ontario Street East

This vegan joint has dine-in and take-out options as well as a small grocery store in the back. All the food on the menu is organic, homemade, 100% vegan and non-GMO. If you’re at your hotel and feeling lazy, Antidote also has a bike delivery service.

Le Valois – 25 Place Simon-Valois (corner of 3809 Ontario)

A neighbourhood mainstay, Le Valois serves bistro cuisine in a large room with a welcoming feel. During terrasse season, you can dine just steps from the bustling Place Simon-Valois. In addition to what’s on the menu, the kitchen also offers two daily “chef’s discovery” dishes.

Les Canailles – 3854 Ontario Street East

This French-inspired restaurant lets you to bring your own wine (BYOW), making it ideal for groups or family dinners. Try the cloth-wrapped foie gras or the veal flank steak with scallions. A mini-burger or fried half-salmon are perfect for sating smaller appetites. And if you’re a vegetarian, opt for the mushroom ravioli or the quinoa salad with marinated tempeh.

Burrito Revolución – 3905 Ontario Street East

If you’re craving Tex-Mex, the tacos, burritos and quesadillas at Burrito Revolución will not disappoint. Everything is fresh, and reasonably priced considering the portions. Be sure to ask for extra guacamole! When the weather’s nice, you can kick back on the sunny patio.

Le Trèfle – 3971 Ontario Street East

This Irish tavern has a menu as varied as it is appetizing. Try the Irish stew, the classic fish chips, or the burger made with Québec Highland beef. Beer and whisky lovers will salivate over the selection. Le Trèfle is also a great spot for a comforting and hearty brunch.

Une publication partagée par Tastet.ca (@tastet.ca) le 8 Mars 2016 à 11h17 PST

L’État-Major – 4005 Ontario Street East

This BYOW restaurant is a great spot for steak and fries or salmon tartare. But leave room for dessert, because they have cheesecake in a jar, donuts and chocolate ganache. People go for the good food, but they come back for the excellent service and friendly atmosphere.

Casa de la pizza – 4223 Ontario Street East

This unpretentious restaurant serves up affordable Canadian cuisine and all-day breakfast. It’s the place to go when you’re hit with a sudden craving for a club sandwich, a hamburger steak or chicken kebabs. And… surprise! They host music shows and dinner dances on Saturday nights.

La Tannerie – 4255 Ontario Street East

Leek and duck jerky arancini, homemade gnocchi with wild mushrooms, beef short ribs over squash grits—need we say more? La Tannerie’s inspired dishes please all the senses. For lunch, head to the sandwich counter, located on the same corner, and pick up the grilled cheese sandwich of the day or choose from the $15 menu.

L’Olive Noire – 4271 Ontario Street East

The flavours of North Africa come together in traditional and comforting dishes. Share a couscous royal, a shrimp tagine with candied lemon and olives, or a seafood pastilla. You can also order some couscous to enjoy at home. L’Olive Noire is the perfect end to a long day of exploration at the Biodôme!

Hoche Café – 4299 Ontario Street East

Most people go to Hoche Café for their favorite form of caffeinated goodness, but you can also sit down for a delicious grilled cheese sandwich made with Île-aux-Grues cheddar, healthy cold-pressed juice, or steaming-hot stew. For mornings on the go, grab an all-butter croissant or a frothy latte.

Bagatelle bistro – 4323 Ontario Street East

Mediterranean cuisine that revolves around what’s fresh from the market. Lunch is an especially appealing option, since the table d’hôte menu includes soup and a smoked salmon or green salad appetizer, as well as dessert and coffee for another $5.

Une publication partagée par Maneki Comptoir Asiat (@maneki_comptoir_asiat) le 7 Févr. 2017 à 12h11 PST

Poutine centrale – 3971 Hochelaga Street

The best place to try poutine in all its incarnations! Indulge in the Smoked Meat (with pickles), the Sauté (onions, mushrooms, corn, peppers, herbes de Provence), the Hochelaga (bacon, onions, mushrooms) or the Petite Italie (Bolognese sauce). The house pogo is also delicious and comes with your choice of sauce (curry ketchup or golden sauce) in addition to the traditional ketchup and mustard combo.

Maneki comptoir asiat’ – 3121 Hochelaga

The new kid on the block, this restaurant serves up excellent Asian cuisine in decor everyone wants to snap pictures of. Sure, it may be a little farther out of the way than the other restaurants on this list, but since it’s right across from Préfontaine Metro station, it’s still very accessible. Be sure to try salt and pepper tofu, the pad Homa with shrimp, the dumplings with peanut sauce and the soo guy chicken.

Up next : Visit different worlds at Montréal Space for Life museums