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    Café Différance

    4.2 (76 reviews)
    InexpensiveCafes, Coffee & Tea
    Closed 8:00 am - 4:00 pm

    Café Différance Photos

    CAFÉ DIFFÉRANCE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Classy
    Moderate noise
    Good for working

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    Recommended Reviews - Café Différance

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    Great coffee
    Richard R.

    Café Différance was one of the best coffees we had during our recent visit to Montreal. It was bit of a walk from our hotel to Victoria Square, but well worth it. The shop is pretty small but there is a fair amount of seating. Café Différance has a small selection of baked goods also. We had the sweet brioche and it was so good we went back for seconds. I had an espresso with steamed milk and it was excellent. Café Différance is a great little place and highly recommended.

    White and Dark Chocolate Cookie with Latté!
    Charles N.

    Tucked-in between two other coffee shops in the heart of the financial district, Café Différance stands out like a little giant - mostly because of its amazing staff and impeccable brew. I've had the pleasure of stopping by many early Saturday mornings and tried the punchy Espresso, the smooth Macchiato and my favorite, a creamy and frothy Latté! Annie the friendly Barista explains to me that the secret of the thick and rich foam is to carefuly warm up cold milk to its desired temperature, layer by layer, and not to rush it. As for the perfect espresso shot, you have to get the timing right. Too fast and coffee will be too light. Too long and coffee will taste burnt. Last, acidity has to do with the type of beans... luckily you won't run out of choices as you will find different types of roasts from Phil & Sebastian, Bows & Arrows and 49th Parallel. To accompany your beverage, you have to try one of the fabulous pastries that are baked on premise... ham and cheese scones, blueberry and white chocolate scones, giant chocolate cookies, mini-cup sized brownies and so many other treats. When you have time, stop by for a quick fix with the superior quality you'd expected from an independent coffee shop. Also say hi to young and energetic owner Daniel and the four baristas who are sometimes all there during busy weekday mornings!

    Latte and macchiato
    Doris Z.

    Good atmosphere, nice decor, knowledgeable staffs, tasty coffee with lots of pastries to choose from. Must come if you are in the neighbourhood. The staff didn't ask me the size I wanted for my latte and just got me a large one, when I just wanted a small one...

    Lovely cortado and croissant at café différence
    Grant H.

    As a jaded Plateau dweller, I come to expect garbage from anything south of Rachel, so I was so surprised to find this little diamond in the rough of centre ville. The staff is nice, the drinks are made quick as, and on top of that everything is delicious. The coffee is carefully prepared 49th parallel, which albeit not my favorite roaster, still is pretty bulletproof. The pastries, oh man. We're all going to get fat. Tasty gooey brownie muffins, fluffy crunchy croissants, and plenty of other tasty butter filled options await. Yes I am normally a sucker for places that feel like an old Victorian mansion-cum-coffeehouse replete with comfy couches and books filled with books, but the sleek design ensures that all the corporate drones working next door won't be scared away by anything too different while also being hyper effective at serving happy coffee guzzlers.

    View from the mirror which gives the baristas a front-row look at your facebooking
    Katie R.

    If not for the indie coffee passport I would have never made it down to Differance, but I'm glad I did! Friendly staff, nice atmosphere, and tasty coffee, what more to ask for? They're brewing 49th parallel and Phil & Sebastian, all good there. The only downsides - while the place was mostly quiet, rocking out to good music, huge crowds would just pop up from time to time. Also, not much seating, and you essentially sit in front of a big mirror. Best not have anything sensitive or incriminating on your laptop...

    Almond milk latte
    Carolyn T.

    Expertly made coffee at a cafe that is (easily) walkable from downtown and Old Port. A rare bird in Montreal indeed. The cafe itself has this minimalistic-industrial vibe going on befitting its location in the financial/commercial district. I'd say it's more of a place to get your coffee and go rather than a place to settle in and lounge - but that's OK because not all cafes have to look like the house and home section at Anthropologie. One final note: try the chocolate chip cookie =)

    the coffee bar
    Jessica M.

    Though this cafe closes earlier compared to many other cafes in the city, this is a place to visit if you love coffee. It's also a lot smaller than expected, but this makes the cafe much quieter than other places, so if you don't like loud places, this would be a good fit for you. Coffee wise, I'm not the biggest fan of 49th parallel coffee, so I can't say much. If you like it, then you'd be happy to hear that Cafe difference serves coffee from 49th parallel. :D

    Made it: Jumping for joy- cold brew in hand (promise it's in hand, I was just focused on not falling face first, #priorities)
    Diana C.

    So this place was literally a block and a half from the venue of one of my BFFs wedding. Once I found out how close this was I was eager to stop in, and considering the proximity figured I'd have plenty of time to do so. Wrong! I tried like 3 different times but was foiled each time by their hours. However, perseverance has always been high in my vocabulary so I finally made it in! A window of opportunity finally opened up while we were in between hair/makeup and waiting for the limo to take us to the bridal party photo sesh. I seized the oppty and ran with it! (Or literally ran to it). The rest of the bridal party looked at me like I was insane considering we were sitting in the lobby coffee shop, they just didn't get it. But it's ok, it was worth it. By this point we were already 6 hours into our day and I was overdue for my next caffeine bolus. We ran the 2 blocks over in our heels, up do's and long dresses and returned with cold brew in hand plus a little more spring in my step. I was ready to grab our 2 hr photo sesh by the horns! The shop is a minimalist coffee bar offering the basics- espresso based drinks, great quality coffee and cold brew. It was a hot summer day so I opted for the cold brew... It was worth the persistence. The baristas were very friendly and efficient. I only saw I lonely cookie sitting on a tray but I was a bit pressed for time and for their Sunday hours, it was relatively later in the day so that might not be representative of their norm. Worth a visit, will be back!

    Jaime L.

    Great place. They take coffee seriously. This includes excellent coffee, books about coffee, and knowledgeable staff. I had a cappuccino that was as good as any I've had in Montreal. I sat and read The World Atlas of Coffee. When I asked about the varieties of espresso beans they had on display, they said they were dosing one at 16 grams and the other at 18 g.

    a bari serving a cup of coffee
    Rein C.

    Great coffee place making some fantastic espressos. Very busy in the morning! I got a cappuccino and it was made well. Espresso was nutty and strong and the milk was nicely steamed. Close to many downtown attractions

    Raspberry & Peach scone, chocolate chunk cookie, latte
    Tim E.

    What a pleasantly well done Peach & Raspberry scone, crispy outside and just slightly chewy textured inside. Both peach and raspberry hints are represented well. Goes perfectly with this creamy and rich yet simple Latte. If you want to get away from your run-of-the-mill Starbucks, this is several ticks superior at the same cost. Ambience is simplistic, soft background jams, seating at the front window for street view. Nothing less, nothing more.

    Cindy Feng Xin L.

    It is a nice little café close to old port and Chinatown, it can get really busy around noon time despite the fact that they don't serve lunch. The rest of time the café is quiet and ideal for students to go studying. The interior decor is a mix of rustic and organic style, adorned by green plants that are particularly nice. The café is bright, so I like it a lot. Their coffee is quite nice, and the price is fair. I would recommend it to everyone.

    Debbie G.

    Hands down one the best coffee shops in Old Port. If you like lattes, do not hesitate to go there. Froth is perfect and coffee tastes great. You won't regret it!

    Saint Donut!

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    My coffee was delicious, but my friend did not like hers. The place has a simple modern look. It's overall a good coffee place.

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    Page 1 of 2

    Café Différance Reviews in Other Languages

    Review Highlights - Café Différance

    49th parallel coffee(Vancouver BC), Phil Sebastian roasters(Calgary Alberta) and Bows & Arrows (Victoria BC) espresso.

    Mentioned in 3 reviews

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    La Graine Brûlée

    La Graine Brûlée

    4.3
    (72 reviews)
    1.6 km
    $

    Independent - and very different - coffehouses in the Montreal area - 1 of 2…read more A hectic transition to Montreal - first arriving at YUL and then on to Centre-Ville - called for a rest - a nap - which then brought on the need for a snack and coffee/tea late at about 11:00 p.m. Looking at the phone didn't provide much in the way of choices, and, at that, a place where one could sit. I looked at the listing for La Graine Brulee more than once and had to think about it. I finally went in. This place is indeed weird. However, it all turned out to be better than I thought. There are all these seating areas, with some on either side of the front door and then several on a circular bench radiating from the center and making for quite a few tables. That's where I sat. Take note that there is also a big wooden cube with a lot of graffiti on it. The service was pleasant. I ordered some hot tea and they made a vegetarian burrito for me at late hours. (There's no way in hell you'll find something with meat or poultry in here.) I'm glad I was able to eat something before turning in. The prices were acceptable for what I got and its location, between 2 and 3 blocks east of the city's main Metro station at Berri-UQAM. In looking around, there was a good cross-section of people. It's more about nearby UQAM (translation: students) than it is "Le Village," which is now mid-rise and high-rise condos ... and the cranes that go into making them. Tables with books and laptops were the norm which, in my mind, is a good thing. Either way, there wasn't anyone over 40 here as far as I could see. That said, I don't know how willing I'd be to go back, unless in the same situation, and I have to joke that I don't know if personae who are middle of the road, and right of that, would like it here. However, if you are cut from the same cloth as the ownership and the other patrons, meaning bohemian and "new age-y," then I would strongly recommend it. I'm talking tribe! I will rate it within that context since they are not looking to serve the "mom, apple pie, and Chevrolet" crowd. Also, being on Saint-Catherine Est might foretell its personality, since Est and Ouest along this major thoroughfare can be two different worlds. However, La Graine Brulee delivered on a (vegetarian) burrito and some hot tea that I needed before turning in and did it well.

    Sometimes when I travel, it's hard for me to branch out into the unknown, especially when it's in…read moreFrench. Luckily, this place was down the same street as my hostel so I made the trip and was greeted in French but they quickly made me comfortable when they realized my native tongue was English. How freakin' cute is this place ?! SO CUTE. So much to look at and do. Great place to dine alone or with friends. They have Nintendo that you can play with many games, fun booths you literally have to climb into and just so many apparatuses you can check out. Oh yeah! And my chai latte and breakfast burrito (suggested by the lovely barista) tied it all together to make a perfect experience here. Unfortunately, I lost most my photos from this trip but just trust me on this. Reasonably priced food for how dang delicious everything was! Can't wait to return back to Montreal one day, if I do, I'll have to bring in some of my friends to experience such an awesome, sweet place!

    Photos
    You order up the front.  Service was polite.  Radiating small tables in pinwheel form.  (Interesting hat on that urban(e) customer.)
    You order up the front. Service was polite. Radiating small tables in pinwheel form. (Interesting hat on that urban(e) customer.)
    Grilled cheese apple and onion
    Grilled cheese apple and onion
    Here's the graffiti box, with bench seating to its left, telling you that if you're not hippie-dippy or young, you're not tribe.

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    Here's the graffiti box, with bench seating to its left, telling you that if you're not hippie-dippy or young, you're not tribe.
    La Finca

    La Finca

    4.5
    (207 reviews)
    0.2 km
    $$

    What a little oasis in the city, loved my experience here!…read more I stumbled across this cafe while visiting and I could tell it looked like a popular local spot. There was a small line but the wait was short. I ordered a cappuccino and a BLT bagel sandwich. Both were really great. The cappuccino was one of the best ones I've had on my trip. The beans they picked were good, and the milk was steamed perfectly. The BLT bagel sandwich really caught me by surprise. I honestly wasn't expecting too much. They did such a good job balancing all the flavors and it didn't feel like a heavy sandwich like some BLT sandwiches can be. The general feel of the cafe is very cozy and comfortable. The window in the front let in amazing light, making the cafe such an inspirational spot (would be amazing to spend a day in there working). There were also plants everywhere and the greenery is such a nice touch. They even had fresh flowers on every table (so rare to find these days). The staff were super friendly. You ordered at the counter, get your number for the table, and the staff members would bring you your food. I was there in the morning and everyone had a smile on their face. The space seemed to uplift everyone's mood in there. I had such a great first time impression of this place and I will definitely be back the next time I'm in the area.

    I was looking for some eggs for protien for breakfast but not in a traditional diner style and this…read morecoffee shop popped up with a frittata option! It was delicious, with a unique super smooth texture topped with lightly dressed crunch vegetables and optional hearty seedy bread and butter on the side. Just what I needed to fill me up to explore Montreal. Logistics: - indoor seating and a bench out the front door - entrance is to the right of window into the cafe, the door to the left is to a private residence - limited street parking nearby

    Photos
    La Finca
    Bundt cake and soup
    Bundt cake and soup
    La Finca

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    Marché Vieux Montréal

    Marché Vieux Montréal

    3.5
    (19 reviews)
    0.7 km

    Best way to describe this place is 'lovely'. Amazing attention to details and full of design…read moretouches in every corner, including the ceiling. It's almost being in a museum. The food was excellent, great healthy selection focused in breakfast and salads (they also have a selection of sandwiches). Breakfast plates come with fruits. Polite and helpful staff.

    After walking around old Montreal for two hours, my husband and I agreed we could not walk another…read moreblock without some coffee and refreshment. We had a list of cafés that were highly rated on Yelp, but none of them were right in front of us, and this one was. So we walked in without having checked any reviews first. Sometimes we get lucky that way! This time, we did not. First, we really just wanted a cup of drip coffee. That was not offered here. The only options were various espresso drinks, starting at $4.50. We each got a café Americano. They were ok. None of the food in the display cases looked that appealing, so we picked a large chocolate cookie with a fudgy center to share. Can't go wrong with a chocolate cookie, right? Wrong. It was dry and lackluster in flavor. There was only one person working there, and he was surly. We thought perhaps he was just annoyed with us for asking for wifi (not offered) and regular non-espresso coffee, but we listened to him interact with customers who came after us, and he was short and abrupt with them too. The back part of the store sold souvenirs, but nothing unique or exciting, just mugs and magnets and stuff you could get anywhere. The decor was eclectic mix of antique furniture, which seemed kind of funky and fun, until I sat down. The seat part of my old wood stool wobbled and tilted and I slid right off because some screws were missing. I had to catch myself along the counter and regain balance. I was fine, but this would not have been a safe situation for someone less steady on their feet! I liked the pressed tin ceiling and the chandelier. There were different books on the counter available for public browsing while we drank our coffee, which was nice. The windows were large and the potted plants seemed to be doing well in their sunny spot. I liked looking out at the sidewalk passersby. I would not come here again.

    Photos
    Ceiling
    Ceiling
    Egg avocado toast
    Egg avocado toast
    At entry point

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    At entry point

    Café Différance - cafes - Updated July 2026

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