The best farmers’ markets in Montreal to explore and savor right now

Open since 1933, North America’s largest open-air market is home to more than 150 vendors ranging from butchers and bakers to even lavender candlestick makers. Stalls overflow with bounty from Quebec farms, peaking late summer with sweet corn, blueberries, tomatoes and more. Come winter, specialty shops like Les Sucreries De L’Érable and Cochons Tout Ronds hold down the fort with maple treats, cured meats, and more—and don’t miss the flood of fresh cider from orchards in the fall beforehand. Plan to peruse with some of the city’s best coffee, and suck back a few freshly shucked oysters before leaving. 

A vestige of Art Deco’s influence in the 1930s, Atwater Market’s clock tower-topped hall is a Saint-Henri landmark overlooking the Lachine Canal. Stationed inside year round, stalwarts such as Boucherie & Charcuterie de Tours and Poissonnerie du Marché Atwater offer up everything you can think of, from offal to wild yellowfin tuna. Le Coin Gourmand and Les Douceurs du Marché are emporiums for souvenirs of the jarred and jammed variety, while no less than three fromageries make Atwater a paradise for cheese. Chefs hold court of the market’s north end in the summer until early fall, cooking up Singaporean street food at Satay Brothers, some of the best damn barbecue in town at Aylwin BBQ, fresh flatbreads with seasonal produce toppings at Chez Layla, and more.

Next door to its former home in a Beaux-Arts building that first opened its doors in 1912, this local farmers’ market continues to be of monumental import for the Hochelaga-Maisonneuve borough. Start by nabbing a custom market tote touting the ingredients needed for an apple pie: Pick up vanilla and cinnamon at Aliments Merci, apples at Les Jardins Dauphinais and stop by Fromagerie Maisonneuve and Aux Champêtreries for some cheeses and maple goodies. Before leaving, make a wish at the fountain topped with a bronze statue of a basket-carrying market farmer sculpted by Alfred Laliberté.

Just off the Lachine Canal bike path on the corner of Notre-Dame and 18th Avenue is the oldest public market in Montreal, starting in 1845 and open year-round since 2004. While the market blooms at its fullest in the summer with flowers hanging from the rafters of the low-roofed space that covers a warren of Quebec-grown fruit and veggie stalls, a maple-drizzled waffle from Station W Café Angus goes down easy any season. Late bloomers will appreciate that Christmas trees are sold right up until December 23, with proceeds going to Maison des Jeunes de Lachine that works with youth aged 12-17.

Come summer, it’s one of the best things to do in Old Montreal. While not strictly a farmers' market, it's hard not to pay a visit to this spot: With the iconic Silo No.5 in view, Marché des Éclusiers’ riverside location in the Old Port sits at the crossroads between surf and turf in more ways than one. Open Thursdays and Saturdays, a tiny tented market offers staples like microgreens, croissants, garlic and raw honey. A brunch-through-dinner menu by chef Martin Juneau serves haddock fish and chips and smoked maple poutine, as well as a Caribbean BBQ grilled by chef Jae-Anthony at the adjoining restaurant and terrasse seven days a week.

Located in Place du Marché near Métro Frontenac, this long-running community market now has a second location at the Jardins Gamelin near Berri-UQÀM. Organized by Carrefour Alimentaire Centre-Sud, this collective aims to cultivate social engagement with an emphasis on local and affordable products alongside free volunteer-run workshops that cover gardening, pizza-making and other food-centric essentials.

Stationed outside of Métro Laurier and on Prince-Arthur, these petit Plateau markets bring the best of Montreal’s surrounding farms to locavores in the city. From May to early November on every Thursday and Sunday, highly specialized artisans show off their wares, fhandmade sourdough to gourmet cured ham to produce so fresh it’s still got dirt on it.

At the corner of Jean-Brillant and Côte-des-Neiges, the green-and-white-striped canopy and tents of Les Trottier Fruits & Légumes spill onto the sidewalk over stands of fresh flowers, veggies, and fruits—with apples direct from their orchard. Since 1980, the 24/7 kiosque has been a reliable spot for garden greens, pumpkins, Christmas trees, maple taffy on the snow and homemade Quebec honey.

Every Wednesday from 12 pm to 6 pm during their fall and winter semesters (September to April), students can get their fill of brain food at the on-campus Concordia Farmers’ Market, set up at both the Loyola and downtown campuses. Monthly pop-ups keep things fresh in the summer, purveying organic greens, vegan desserts, honey and potted plants. Keep eyes peeled for special stands and workshops throughout the year hawking everything from vegan sushi to lessons in entomophagy—that’s academic speak for eating bugs.

With Jean Talon Market within biking distance, it seemed unlikely that Mile End would land its own public market space, but Marché des Possibles proved it was possible when it cropped up on the corner of Bernard and St. Dominique in 2014. Don’t expect your garden variety selection of greens at this June-through-July affair. Think artisanal kombucha, gourmet tacos and crispy fried chicken, all served from chef-led pop-ups. Hunker down in a neon Muskoka chair, or park yourself in a biergarten picnic table to catch an open-air concert or film soirée.

Stationed in two public market sites as well as at the Sauvé Metro in the north-end Montréal neighbourhoods of Ahuntsic and Cartierville, this market also has a mobile van version you can track on Facebook that seeks to bring the best of fresh local foods to communities that don’t have easy access. You’ll find all the market classics, from roasted nuts to fresh-plucked fruit to still-warm donuts and crispy-baked baguettes.

Head to the corners of Sainte-Anne and Lalande on the edge of Lalande Park. It’s a great excuse to explore this West Island neighbourhood, and a market that was established over two decades ago to support the region’s appetite for high quality, locally certified organic produce. There are about 40 vendors to discover, but beware: Saturdays draw an average of 1,500 shoppers, so maybe go early! That way you’ll get first dibs at the homemade pasta, cider, preserves and baked goodies.