Whether you prefer your coffee iced or hot, with whole, oat, or almond milk, flavoured with syrup or plain, there are as many ways to drink coffee as there are students at McGill. While it is best to keep one’s consumption of caffeine reasonable, a nice cup of coffee to accompany your study session, a reading break, or to share with friends is always pleasant. Here are off-campus coffee shop suggestions by The Tribune.
If you are looking for affordable cafes with an enjoyable ambiance near campus, here are our top picks for you.
OSMO X Marusan
51 Rue Sherbrooke St W
OSMO X Marusan is a Japanese café that’s both student-friendly and exceptionally cozy. It provides ample workspace with accessible charging ports and a selection of snacks and coffee to keep you energized. If you need a break from screens, there’s a designated no-laptop table perfect for reading. The café’s spacious layout makes it ideal for both solo study sessions and group hangouts, while maintaining a relaxed atmosphere.
Price: $
Milton B
3498 Park Avenue
Milton B is a coffee shop located just a five-minute walk from campus, and is open 24/7. They offer a variety of drinks, sandwiches, and pastries, so you will definitely have plenty of options. The café is a popular hangout among McGill students, so it’s not uncommon to find many of your peers there, deep into a paper or cramming for deadlines. Whether you’re looking for a quiet corner to focus on, a place to meet up with friends, or simply a change of scenery, Milton B Café is your pick.
Price: $
If you’re looking for a café that’s both aesthetic and Instagram-worthy, The Tribune recommends the following two spots:
Améa Café
1188 Rue Sherbrooke St W
Améa Café is a gourmet restaurant, coffee shop, and pizzeria all rolled into one. It has a clean, classy atmosphere with a lovely outdoor courtyard, making it an ideal place for studying or meeting up with friends. The spacious seating area is gorgeous, and the café’s close proximity to McGill campus makes it a convenient spot for a change of scenery or a quick decompression session. The customer service is great, although it can be hard to find a spot during rush hours. The Tribune recommends trying their New York rolls along with a cup of flavoured coffee.
Price: $$
Crew Collective & Café
360 Rue Saint-Jacques
Crew Collective & Café is a great alternative to Améa Café if you are looking to get a coffee further away from the McGill bubble. This chic coffee spot is housed in the former Old Royal Bank, featuring high ceilings, stunning chandeliers, and grand staircases, while maintaining a modern touch. The ambiance gives off major Pinterest vibes, like it’s been taken from your dream board! You can even book meeting rooms and order food online for delivery to your table. However, given its popularity, it can get quite busy and difficult to find seats with plugs, so it’s best to arrive early.
Price : $$
If you like Old Montréal’s scenery, the following spot is for you:
49th Parallel Café
488 Rue McGill
Located near the Square Victoria metro station, 49th Parallel Café is the perfect spot to study. With a wide array of coffee options and delicious pastries, it’s a haven for caffeine lovers. The inside is spacious, offering a great ambiance that encourages productivity. It can get crowded, but regardless, this place needs to be on your list for your next locking-in session. Although it’s a 25-minute walk from campus, taking the bus is a convenient alternative and their to-die-for doughnuts make the ride worth it.
Price: $
