Which Montreal bagel is better, St-Viateur or Fairmount?
Fairmount (open since 1919) is slightly denser, sweeter, with a thicker crust. St-Viateur (1957) is softer, chewier, slightly larger. Both are honey-water boiled then wood-fired. Open 24/7. A dozen sesame is $13-$15. Locals: Fairmount = breakfast and lox. St-Viateur = late-night, plain with cream cheese. Verdict: try both, half-block apart on Saint-Viateur and Fairmount streets in Mile End.
Last updated: May 13, 2026 · Source: St-Viateur Bagel and Fairmount Bagel historical records, Montreal food critics
🥯 St-Viateur vs Fairmount
5 questions to find your Montreal bagel match. Mile End’s century-old bakery war, decided by your tastebuds.
Both bakeries are open 24/7 on Saint-Viateur Street and Fairmount Avenue respectively, walking distance apart in Mile End.
How the Montreal bagel war actually works
Quick answer: Montreal has two world-famous 24/7 bagel bakeries on adjacent Mile End streets — Fairmount Bagel (74 Fairmount Ouest, opened 1919) and St-Viateur Bagel (263 Saint-Viateur Ouest, opened 1957). Both hand-roll, boil in honey-sweetened water, and bake in wood-fired ovens. The differences are small but locals are passionate. Fairmount is older and slightly chewier; St-Viateur is more famous (Anthony Bourdain, every guidebook) and slightly crispier. A half-dozen is about $9–$11 in 2026.
What makes a Montreal bagel different from New York
| Feature | Montreal | New York |
|---|---|---|
| Water bath | Honey-sweetened | Plain or malted |
| Oven | Wood-fired | Gas or steam |
| Size | Smaller, lighter | Larger, denser, puffier |
| Hole | Bigger, wider | Smaller, sometimes closed |
| Sweetness | Lightly sweet | Neutral / salty |
The Mile End bagel pilgrimage — how to do both
- Start at St-Viateur (263 Saint-Viateur Ouest). Buy a half-dozen sesame, hot from the oven.
- Eat one immediately. Save the rest in the paper bag.
- Walk south on Park Avenue 7 minutes to Fairmount Bagel (74 Fairmount Ouest).
- Buy a half-dozen poppy, also hot.
- Compare side-by-side on a bench in Parc Jeanne-Mance.
- Pick up cream cheese, lox, or both at Hof Kelsten or Wilensky’s on the same walk.
Other notable Montreal bagel bakeries
Beyond the Mile End giants: Bagels on Greene (Westmount, smaller-batch, less famous), Real Bagel (NDG and Côte-Saint-Luc, kosher), Adelman’s Authentic Smoked Meat & Deli (Côte-Saint-Luc, kosher-style). None match the Mile End wood-fired character but they cover other neighborhoods.
Montreal bagel FAQ
Which is better, St-Viateur or Fairmount?
It depends on your taste. St-Viateur is slightly crispier, more famous (Bourdain pick), and the sesame is the house specialty. Fairmount is older (1919), slightly chewier, and locals trend toward the poppy. Side-by-side blind tests rarely produce a clear winner. Try both — they are walking distance apart.
How is a Montreal bagel different from a New York bagel?
Montreal bagels are boiled in honey water (instead of plain or malted), baked in wood-fired ovens, and are smaller, lighter, and have a bigger hole. They are slightly sweet and have a slight char from the wood smoke. New York bagels are puffier, denser, and more neutral in flavor.
Are St-Viateur and Fairmount Bagel kosher?
Both are kosher-pareve certified (no dairy or meat in the bagels themselves). Neither has full kosher kitchen certification for sandwiches — for that, look at Real Bagel or Adelman’s. Both Mile End spots are open Saturday because they are not Shabbat-observant.
How much does a Montreal bagel cost in 2026?
A half-dozen at St-Viateur or Fairmount is $9–$11. A dozen is $16–$19. Individual bagels run about $1.75 each. Specialty bagels (chocolate-chip at Fairmount, “Everything” elsewhere) cost slightly more. Tax-included at most counters.
Are St-Viateur and Fairmount really open 24 hours?
Yes — both bakeries operate 24/7, 365 days a year. The 3am crowd is part of Montreal lore — a post-bars bagel run is a Mile End rite of passage. The bagel rollers and bakers rotate through the night shift.
Can I ship Montreal bagels?
Yes. Both St-Viateur and Fairmount ship within North America via FedEx and Canada Post. Expect $40–$80 in shipping for a 2-dozen order. They freeze well — toast straight from the freezer.
What do I put on a Montreal bagel?
Cream cheese (Liberté or Tartinade brands locally) and lox is the classic — known as a “bagel-lox-cream-cheese” at any Montreal deli. The bagels themselves are flavorful enough that locals often eat them plain or with butter. Pizza-bagels with tomato and mozza are a Mile End sandwich-shop favorite.
Related Montreal tools
Prices and hours change. Verify with bakeries. Sources: St-Viateur Bagel, Fairmount Bagel, Tourisme Montréal, Mile End history archives.
Reviewed by: Montreal Tips editorial team · Last updated: May 13, 2026
Sources: St-Viateur Bagel and Fairmount Bagel historical records, Montreal food critics. Estimates are educational only — verify against official sources before acting.