Marché Jean-Talon

4.5 star rating
85 reviews Rating Details

Category: Farmers Market  [Edit]

7070, Rue Henri-Julien
Montréal, QC H2R 1T1
(514) 277-1588
Hours:

Mon-Wed 7 am - 6 pm

Thu-Fri 7 am - 8 pm

Sat-Sun 7 am - 5 pm

Price Range:
$
Accepts Credit Cards:
No
Parking:
Street
Wheelchair Accessible:
Yes

Review Highlights   

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"...gift ideas from the "real" maple syrup, honey and Cidre de..." (in 7 reviews)
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"The produce is diverse, fresh, and amazing in quality." (in 33 reviews)
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"fruits were beautifully presented." (in 23 reviews)
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82 reviews in English

  • Review from Chris B.

    •  
    • 16 friends
    • 9 reviews

    Montréal, QC

    5.0 star rating
    2/11/2012 1 Check-in Here

    This is the local market to visit in Montreal.  Other markets exist but pale in comparison to the size and quality of the Jean-Talon Market.  Winter or summer the selection of available products is impressive.  

    The first thing I like to do is visit Premiere Maison and select a tasty pastry to quench my hunger, I usually grab a baguette or some other loaf of bread while I'm there. Fresh bread is irresistible and Premiere Maison is one of the best bakeries in the city. After that I take my time perusing the fruits and vegetables looking for that something special.  Along the way I buy some locally produced unpasteurized apple juice, the perfect breakfast drink.  Continuing my journey I peruse the various meat and cheese vendors that are permanent fixtures in the market.  I inevitably select a few cheeses to pair with my bread and try to get out of the market without emptying my bank account.

  • Review from Yibing Q.

    •  
    • 16 friends
    • 52 reviews

    Manhattan, NY

    USA
    4.0 star rating
    12/31/2011

    I was in Montreal on a Christmas getaway from New York with a friend - and decided to assemble foodstuff for our Christmas Eve Dinner from this highly-raved about Marché! Visiting this marché was one of the highlights of my one-week long trip in Montreal and Toronto.

    I read through all the Yelp reviews on this place to fish out all the must-visit stalls to make sure that I did not miss out on getting any delish produce from this indoor Marché. This Marché was not as large as expected. You could probably cover the whole place in under an hour if you know what and where you are looking for. So where you should visit:

    (1) Premiere Moisson - a very popular patisserie and boulangerie which is found in a separate "cabin" at the part of the marché. The baked goods and pastries which it had to offer were AMAZING and mouth-watering. I felt like I was transported to a popular PAT+BOU place in Paris instantly! Remember to get a ticket number for the patisserie section and watch out for your number (instead of ogling over the euphoria-inducing pastries which was what we did ...)

    We bought the following pastries:
    - creme brûlée, profiterole, strawberry cheesecake and praline buchette. all of them tasted really great!!!! The strawberry cheesecake was slightly dry ... and so could be more perfect.

    We bought a tub of mushroom soup from its cold section - the soup was very delicious with small little bits of mushroom scattered amidst its thick potato base! Together with the soup and pastries, we acquired a loaf of bâtard which was the best best best best french bread I had in my life.

    (2) Fromagerie Hamel - located outside of the marche, locate it by exiting via the exit next to the only crepe place in the marche! Bought some meat loaf, a slab of blue cheese and apple cider. Everything was so good! Quality stuff!

    (3) Pain Doré - also outside of the marche. If we had not gone crazy and bought an insane amount of stuff from Premiere Moisson, I would have bought some bread and tarts from this bakery. They had some jams out for sampling ... tried its caramel jam. It was so brilliant!!!!

    I felt really happy the entire time I was in the marché and its vicinity - this place brimmed with freshness and quality! Tourists and Montrealers alike should visit this place! I am so sad that I would not be back in Montreal to visit this marché again!

  • Review from Jando S.

    Queens, NY

    USA
    5.0 star rating
    12/14/2011 10 photos

    This wonderful local market is a must visit for all. Whether you're searching for local produce, people watching, or looking for a scene to validate Quebec as a truly bilingual society in Canada, there is no better place to do it. In short, it is some of the best things in Quebec all available in one roof.

    Marche Jean-Talon is nothing short of amazing. It's bustling, buzzing with activity on all fronts, and is about as local of a scene as one can get. There are meat butchers, cupcakes and other desserts, herbs and spices galore, endless aisles of regional produce, aromatic breads, cheese and flower shops, seafood etc. Whatever it is, expect high quality stuff. This market just gets better for me each time I'm here.

    I love the fruit samples, I've had some of the sweetest baby tomatoes, grapes, and oranges I've ever eaten. I also love some of their cupcakes from the local bakeries (http://www.yelp.ca/biz...), many of which really punctuate the fruity hints that I can only presume are from some of the very fruits at this market.

    Sometimes it's just nice to sit back with a coffee / beer and sit in a chair to watch the endless traffic of tourists and locals come together, eating a fresh crepe, while listening to spoken Québécois French echo throughout the hall. Montreal is already a wonderful city, but having an incredible market like Jean-Talon only makes it among Canada's finest.

  • Review from Sarah L.

    New Britain, CT

    USA
    4.0 star rating
    1/25/2012

    Amazing selection! So many fresh fruits and vegetables to select from. It made me wish for a few minutes that I lived in Montreal. Then I thought about the fact that I hate the cold and living in Connecticut is too much for me. Then I snapped out of my daydream and back to reality. I decided it was better to visit Montreal in the dead of summer than to live there. We went there twice- once on the weekend. Parking and traffic was crazy on the weekend, so I'd recommend taking the metro if you are able.

  • Review from Marie M.

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    • 0 friends
    • 1 review

    Saint-Leonard, QC

    5.0 star rating
    1/23/2012

    Love this place

  • Review from Maheen M.

    Mississauga, ON

    5.0 star rating
    12/1/2011

    Jean Talon Market was one of the must-visit places on my weekend gateway last weekend.  I am so glad that we were able to check out the market before they closed.  The market is huge!  There are butchers, fresh produce stores, bakeries and fish mongers surrounding the actual market.

    Walking in the market, you are overwhelmed with the different types of produce, cheeses and meats.  Prices were reasonable considering you are getting fresh items from farmers/local producers.  We were able to get some end of day sales when we came an hour before closing.

    They have the famous Maison Premiere bakery, I could not resist and had to get some sweet treats for the car ride home.

    There is ample parking in the area and the Jean-Talon metro station is walking distance.

    Check Jean Talon Market if you are every in the Montreal area!

  • Review from Risa D.

    Montréal, QC

    5.0 star rating
    10/14/2011 6 Check-ins Here

    I will eventually review all my favorite bits of Jean Talon Market (which is one of my favorite places so far ever) but for today, here's one way to do the market:

    Come from Jean Talon Metro. Walk on Jean Talon to Henri Julien then make a left (we always see people standing lost on these corners, because you think you're going to see the market before you do. If the first block you hit is St Denis than you're going the right way! If you hit the covered arches of St Hubert, turn back! Or enjoy =)

    http://www.yelp.ca/biz...

    But back to the market - from Jean Talon, make a left on Henri Julien (but check out Italmelody before you do if you're a music lover, corner Jean Talon and Henri Julien). Walk down Henri Julien and make the right right away at Place du Marché Nord, which looks like an alley at first but opens up. Get a feel for the size - this big city block is just one side of the market square - and check out the shops: cheap Mexican place, cheese, good beer, and at the end Tah-Dah!

    http://www.yelp.ca/biz...

    Go through the big Première Moisson at the end (or as the man calls it, Bread Emporium) and get some of all that stuff. Back outside on the other side of the Emporium try some dried meats at Capitol, head up the other side of the square, weave up and down through the insides of the market  through the aisles of glorious vegetation, herbs, peppers, and free fruit samples.

    In the warm heart of the market get fresh roasted coffee, baklava, smoked fish worth writing home about, books about food (small English section, friendly staff) and the best donuts and ice cream a girl could possibly hope for.

    http://www.yelp.ca/biz...

    http://www.yelp.ca/biz...

  • Review from Antoniette C.

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    • 11 friends
    • 48 reviews

    San Diego, CA

    USA
    5.0 star rating
    9/29/2011

    FANTASTIC!  5|                                    +   +   +  +  +  +  +  +  +
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         NASTY!    0|_+ _______________________________
                                    Overall experience at Marché Jean-Talon

    Absolutely wonderful farmers market. I would go here everyday if I could.   If you love food, this place will amaze you--it is just teeming with so many fresh fruits, veggies, meats, prepared foods, flowers, etc. Prices are reasonable too!

    Bring ca$h!

  • Review from Sara R.

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    • 50 friends
    • 175 reviews

    Los Angeles, CA

    USA
    4.0 star rating
    9/29/2011

    Pay a visit to the Jean Talon market if you're in Montreal.  It's a beautiful sight of fresh produce, as well as fresh and high quality seafood and other meats.  Not to mention the array of pastries, breads, and a great maple kiosk where you can get the giant cans of pure Quebecois maple syrup,  and jars of maple butter, or trays of maple candy/bon bons.

    I went into one of the walk-in stores within the market (gosh, forgot the name), but you'll know it once you're there.  They have incredible fresh bread displayed, and shelves of cookies, jams, chocolate and caramel toppings, and other local goodies - great souvenir stop!  I bought a small package of maple diamante/cookies and they are so pure and delicious!  The ingredients list is basically the simple homemade ingredients of butter, sugar, maple syrup, flour, etc.  Nothing chemical-ridden.  They also have fresh pastries and sandwiches, I believe.  

    The Jean Talon market itself is well worth the short trip.  If your hotel is in the downtown area, it's a tad of a maneuver to get here (I had to take the bus), but there is a metro stop right near it.  Granted, I did take the bus first to St. Viateur bagels, and perhaps that is why I was unable to take the metro on the way in. :)  

    The price of the produce is quite hefty, but you do see the quality.  I'm not sure I'd be able to shop here often if I lived in Montreal, but I sure would be here enough to provide a feast for my eyes.

  • Review from Amber D.

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    • 3 friends
    • 23 reviews

    Wellesley, MA

    USA
    5.0 star rating
    9/11/2011

    This reminds me of a larger version of the Soulard market in St. Louis that I grew up with. It brings back childhood memories of wandering through what seems an endless maze of smells, sights and sounds, and my senses are all a-tingle and my sense of nostalgia returns when I go to either of these places! The confusion I had at a young age with negotiating prices is also recreated in my lack of fluency in French, but half of the enjoyment I have is just taking in my surroundings.

    It's also fun to cross the border with stowed veggies in my trunk while pretending to be an international produce smuggler, but.... that could just be me!

  • Review from Avi L.

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    • 7 friends
    • 25 reviews

    Toronto, ON

    4.0 star rating
    8/29/2011

    I could not image a more perfect urban market. Never having been here before I was blown away. This place alone would make me want to move to incredible Montreal. I came at perhaps the perfect time; at the end of the summer. And there was a bounty of fresh fruit, fish, meat, seafood and everything else you could imagine at a bustling market.

    Competing with other Canadian markets - there is no parallel to Jean Talon, if it's between St.Lawrence Market and Granville Island. The feel and flavour of the place is much different because Jean-Talon Marché is outside. More than that, streets run through the market and people live there, which is quite different. It gives the place a European feel.

    I hope to return with my family at some point. I was just here for several hours on a day where Hurricane Irene was dumping sheets of rain. And like the Terminator says, I'll be back.

  • Review from Yvonne T.

    Toronto, ON

    5.0 star rating
    4/6/2011 2 photos 2 Check-ins Here

    I am so glad that I finally made it to the Marché Jean-Talon.  I was pretty disappointed with the Atwater Market (more of a tourist trap than it is a true farmer's market).  

    All the produce were so fresh and almost all the fruit stands had samples of each and every fruit they were selling.  Bonus!  You can tell that this is THE place to get the goods because almost all the customers were local Montréal-ers.  

    Some of the places worth mentioning:
    Pain Doré
    Boulangerie Première Moisson
    Fromagerie Hamel

  • Review from Matthew T.

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    • 33 friends
    • 154 reviews

    Bradenton, FL

    USA
    4.0 star rating
    8/7/2011

    I fell in love with this market in about 3 seconds.  Just so you know, this place is way better than atwater market.  Get on the metro and go!

    Wandering up and down the isles was just a feast for the eyes as well as the nose.  Everything looked so good.  Took a little time just wandering around and then collected a few edibles for a picnic lunch.  Some berries from one stall, some lovely bread from another, some great local cheese and some amazing smoked fish.  The best thing was asking the woman working in the fish stall what was her favorite and getting some amazing things.  I cry every day now wishing i could get some more of the fish from this stall.  Do you think they will ship 1500 miles away?  

    The prices here are much better than the ones at atwater.  so great for putting something together.  Would love to spend a week just trying all the prepared food and cheese stalls around the edge, but alas I was just a tourist.  If I actually lived in Montreal, I would be here every weekend during the summer.

  • Review from Arlene S.

    New York, NY

    USA
    5.0 star rating
    9/28/2011 3 photos

    Well worth the trip to see this market.  Took the metro from the hotel and after wandering around for a bit finally found it.  We loved this place.  Wish there was one like it at home. Samples of fruit, cheese at the stands. Fish, meat, condiments,bread, everything you need for a complete meal and not expensive.  I only wish that we were able to cook while in Montreal, it would have been wonderful.

  • Review from Ellen C.

    Chicago, IL

    USA
    5.0 star rating
    6/21/2011

    One of our favorite destinations when we visited Montreal. I've never been to a farmer's market with items that were as fresh and yet affordable as Marche Jean-Talon.

    As others have mentioned, if you're not a local it can be a little difficult to find right out of the metro. When you're on the right block though, there is a sign that will point you in the right direction but of course you have to get to that point first. Just make use of the many maps that are posted around you on the streets of Montreal! And of course it's useful to know that the marche is on Henri-Julien and Jean-Talon.

    Vendors have samples and everything is surprisingly sugary. Fresh, beautiful produce - fruit and vegetables alike - are all very affordable especially compared to prices I'm seeing here in NY. I admittedly didn't have enough brain power to even wrap my mind around the meats, honeys, flowers, and snacks that the market offers, but from what I could see everything was perfect. Most everyone I saw there, from what I could tell, were locals which is always a plus when you visit any city!

    Love this place and if we were staying in lodging with a kitchen I would definitely have purchased a few bags worth of groceries. But we had to make do with the samples! Mmm can't wait to go back - my stomach is already cursing at me for leaving.

  • Review from Peter S.

    Vancouver, BC

    5.0 star rating
    1/18/2011 2 Check-ins Here

    Why do places seem so much bigger in your memory?

    It has been nine long years since I last explored the marche. And I recall a massive market teeming with coffee, produce, maple syrup and apples galore. Today, it is all of the above, just not so massive.

    Great prices. Like really great. We are horribly ripped off in Vancouver. I seriously considered lugging back four litres of fresh apple juice on the plane home tomorrow. I still might!

  • Review from Kristin G.

    Nashville, TN

    USA
    4.0 star rating
    3/2/2011

    I'm really glad we made the trip out to the farmer's market on our last day.  Since we didn't get a chance to pick-up some poutine we grabbed a bucket at Frites Alores.  It was as delicious as I remembered it.  

    The market is a good size and very clean, friendly and open.  We couldn't bring too much back with us to NH so we grabbed a baguette.  The line was long but they moved everyone through quickly.  They even humored my attempt at ordering in French. If I lived in Montreal I'd probably shop here regularly.  It gets busy but it was worth it!

  • Review from Ajay R.

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    • 10 friends
    • 134 reviews

    Brooklyn, NY

    USA
    5.0 star rating
    9/11/2011 2 Check-ins Here

    Wow... I wish they had a place like this in NYC.  I'd set up a tent outside and never leave.  This is an incredible market.  The variety and quality of the food available is amazing... and the prices seem quite reasonable considering.  I was there for hours and felt like I didn't have enough time to explore.  I sampled a lot of produce and ate at a few of the restaurants around the market.  Well done Montreal!!

  • Review from Gene Y.

    •  
    • 2 friends
    • 41 reviews

    Hasbrouck Heights, NJ

    USA
    5.0 star rating
    7/21/2011

    All I can say is "wow"!

    As an American, I am ashamed for all the ignorant non-educated Americans who put French culture down.  In a way, it's okay because there will be less of them enjoying their wonderful pastries, baguettes, crossants and creme brulee.  Coffee is made to order with the espresso machines, just like in France and the way it should be made!  

    My family ordered a bunch of sandwiches and croque monsieur jambon.  It was the most amazing combination of French Canadian food ever!  The croque was done with a lot of love and the ingredients were incredibly fresh!  Despite the high price tag, it was definitely worth it because the ingredients were so plentiful.  Normally, we're considered cheap bastards, but we splurged and had a wonderful time!

    All of the reviews about this place is dead on.  I think I'm not contributing much by writing this review.  So, I'm punching out.

  • Review from Molly G.

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    • 5 friends
    • 17 reviews

    Ontario, CA

    USA
    5.0 star rating
    8/15/2010

    If you love farmer's markets, this is the place for you.  It's absolutely packed with fresh produce, cheese-vendors and people cooking for you right in front of you with fresh ingredients.  Also, the produce is incredibly cheap here.  We saw a 20 lb. box of tomatoes for $10.

    There is a bakery as soon as you get off the elevator from the below-ground parking lot which sells some of the most delicious cookies ever.  I think they use milk chocolate but this was seriously one of the best cookies I have had.  Definitely get one!

    Parking - Parking on the street is tricky, especially when the signs are in French and your French is pitifully deficient.  Instead, park in the below-ground parking structure.  It's $.50 for every 30 minutes and really quite affordable for Montreal.

  • Review from Sara S.

    Montréal, QC

    5.0 star rating
    6/9/2011

    The best. Period.

  • Review from Lisa S.

    Thornton, PA

    USA
    5.0 star rating
    7/26/2010 5 photos

    One of my friends really wanted to check out the Jean-Talon Market on Sunday before we left Montreal. We had some trouble finding it, and at one point, I wanted to give up and just head home. Luckily, we found it and went- and I'm so glad we did! The market was one of my favorite things from my weekend in Montreal.

    There are tons of stalls lined up, as well as surrounding buildings that open into the area, like charcuteries and restaurants. The market gave me a chance to practice my French, but most of the people in the stalls had no problem switching to English if I needed them to. When we had questions, they took the time to explain things to me and my friends. When we saw a fruit we didn't recognize, we asked the woman at the stall what it was- they were ground cherries. She took the time to tell us about the history of them and how you eat them, and then let us try some for free. They were really good, and we ended up buying some to eat later.

    There were tons of samples of fresh fruit and food to eat as we walked around, all of which were delicious. We picked up lots of sliced fruit for the car ride home. I also bought a bottle of honey wine, which I tasted for free first (sweet but delicious), some maple syrup and some maple syrup butter. We also bought yummy, beautiful desserts from one of the stores. If we had more Canadian money left, we would have bought a lot more. Next time I'm in Montreal, I'm definitely coming back!

  • Review from May N.

    Houston, TX

    USA
    4.0 star rating
    10/20/2010

    A little out of the way in Little Italy, but I thought it was worth it. I love open air markets so this was a must-see for me. Or rather, must -eat. The northern part of the market was meat shops, a wine stall, and a juice bar. There were a couple of cafes, but about half the shops, including a creperie, were closed on a Tuesday morning. The southern part of the market is fruit, vegetable, herbs stands with a smattering of maple syrup, jellies, canned fruits, and caramel candies mixed in. Lots of fresh fruits/veggies to choose from and samples to taste, too.

    My partner and I were hunting for breakfast, reminiscing about our breakfasts at the market in Barcelona. This place is not as lively. We found croissants at one of the cafes across the street from the market - perfectly buttery and flaky - and picked up some fruit from the veggie stands. There are a bunch of Viet pho and sandwich shops nearby, too, so this would be a great place to eat.

  • Review from M J.

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    • 2 friends
    • 231 reviews

    Boston, MA

    USA
    5.0 star rating
    11/15/2011

    wow! why don't we have this type of market in boston yet!?

  • Review from Dorise G.

    Boston, MA

    USA
    5.0 star rating
    7/17/2010

    What a wonderful farmer's market!  You name it, they've got it.

    Fresh cheese, fruits, veggies, plants, cheese, meat, pastries, bread, and did i say cheese???

    me + 13 of my pals headed to the farmer's market, and with $20 Canadian apiece and an hour ran around the farmer's market to put together the best picnic feast we possibly could.  Some of us went a little past the $20 mark (I spent over $20 on 2 giant blocks of pressed cheese curds alone - see review for La fromagerie Hamel), but we came out with one hell of a feast!  Polish donuts, cheese curds, fois gras, pates and baguettes, tomatoes, cherries, ground cherries, apricots, peaches, plums, mangos, fortune cookies... if you can think of something that sounds fresh and amazing, we probably purchased and consumed it (we spent the next 3 days grazing on these delicacies).

    the real enticing thing about this market is the samples - EVERYWHERE.  that things smell fresh, that you can taste the slightly salted cukes and tomatoes, and you can nibble on slices of the perfectly ripe fruits.  When I was trying the pressed cheese curds (which I've never had before - only in straight curd-form), the woman slicing it probably gave me another $3 worth of cheese just in enormous samples.

    Watch out, Jean Talon - the next time I come to Montreal, you may just find that I've moved in.

  • Review from Jennifer R L.

    •  
    • 2 friends
    • 84 reviews

    London, ON

    5.0 star rating
    3/7/2011

    One of the coolest market you'll ever go to!  All the product is local and fresh!  There is a giant indoor and outdoor area where vendors set up their tables!

    The location is really easy to access too!  It sit right onto of the Jean-Talon metro station!  Great place for fresh food as well as great touristic area!

  • Review from Heather T.

    Sacramento, CA

    USA
    5.0 star rating
    6/5/2010 1 photo

    What a wonderful place!!!

    My only gripe is that there was no sign coming out of the Jean Talon metro station to point you the right way to the market. Easy for locals but a little confusing for visitors like me.  Thankfully nice folks pointed me the right direction. It was about a 10 minute walk to the market and I didn't expect it to be so huge!  Love the fruits and vegetables selection, everything looked beautiful and even laid out perfectly!  The flowers were gorgeous too.  There were all these little cafes for a leisurely lunch.

    I was really impressed with the "rent a bicycle" station next to the market.  There's no such thing in California, at least not a do-it-yourself type of thing.

    Montreal keeps impressing me over and over again!

  • Review from Janel Y.

    New York, NY

    USA
    4.0 star rating
    6/11/2010 4 photos

    I heart Farmer's Markets and when I read there was one in Montreal, I decided to add it to my list of things to see. We took the Metro to the Jean-Talon stop and when you exit, you want to make sure you head towards St. Denis Street or if you see the Tim Horton's, you're in the right direction. There are no signs pointing you in the right direction so after walking in the wrong direction for about 5 minutes, we started asking people for directions.

    Once we finally got there, our senses were stimulated! There were booths and booths of places to eat at as well as try samples of cheese or meat or organic products. In the center of the market is a sit down area filled with picnic tables. The tables split the area between the food and the flowers and produce.

    We walked everywhere; in between the aisles of flowers and in front of fruit and vegetable selling booths. If you're not interested in any of the food inside the market, make sure to walk the perimeter and you'll find other places to eat at.

    I can definitely see why the locals come here for their shopping! I would too if I lived close by!

  • Review from Derrick V.

    San Francisco, CA

    USA
    5.0 star rating
    7/10/2010

    What an awesome farmer's market. The market is huge with an excellent variety of produce and at bargain prices to boot.

    In addition to the great produce, you can find maple syrup in multiple grades and tasty cheese in the nearby fromagerie. Must visit.

  • Review from Anthony K.

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    • 16 friends
    • 56 reviews

    Montréal, QC

    5.0 star rating
    4/26/2011

    a phenomenal open-air market that's one of the very largest north of Mexico, but also one of the city's most significant crossroads and a terrific place for people-watching

    it's been known to bring those visiting from out of town to tears (pleasure/envy)

  • Review from katie j.

    New York, NY

    USA
    4.0 star rating
    10/6/2010

    If you're in Montreal and love farmer's markets, Jean Talon should definitely be on your list of places to visit. Spent a Saturday morning here getting lost in the fragrant, colorful stands. The market is a photographer's dream. Full of vibrant fruits and vegetables, there's so much to see... and eat! Generous fresh samples abound.

    The market is definitely crowded on the weekends. Had sit in a good 10 minutes of traffic just to squeeze into the covered parking structure. Definitely worth it though! There's also a BIXI station right outside in case you feel like biking here.

    Also enjoyed people watching over a cup of coffee and a croissant from one of the sidewalk cafes. There's a large Premiere Moisson boulangerie on edge of the market as well, another good spot for coffee, breads and pastries. Don't waste too much stomach space here though, there's so much more amazing food in the market itself!

  • Review from Karin V.

    San Francisco, CA

    USA
    5.0 star rating
    8/5/2010 1 photo

    I was awestruck by the bounty of fresh and vibrant produce at Marché Jean-Talon. The produce was beautifully displayed in several stalls under a massive tent. All of the fruits that I sampled were bursting with flavor - if only I could shop here every weekend (it's even better than San Francisco's Ferry Plaza)! The perimeter of the market is also surrounded by specialty shops selling cheese, pastries, meats, and anything else your heart could desire.

    Needless to say, I was giddy as I walked around sampling all the wonderful food at Marché Jean-Talon. I loooove this place! I also went to Marché Atwater during my visity, but it's much smaller and more crowded with tourists than Marché Jean-Talon.

    [Tip: Marché Jean-Talon is further from Montreal's downtown center, but an easy trip on the subway with its own stop.]

  • Review from constance k.

    •  
    • 1 friend
    • 10 reviews

    Chicago, IL

    USA
    5.0 star rating
    8/2/2011

    We were lucky to have such a wonderful experience in Montreal, our friend suggested we go here and it was beautiful.  Best Strawberries I have ever had!

  • Review from Rannie B.

    •  
    • 10 friends
    • 49 reviews

    Montréal, QC

    5.0 star rating
    1/15/2010

    I just love this place...specially in late August early September. Then it gets magical with all the stalls bursting with produce, the colours, the smells, the sounds.

    I've been going to the JT market for over a decade. My personal favorites are the following:
    Fromagerie Hamel - Best selection of Quebec cheeses with knowledgeable staff
    Boucherie Prince Noire - A bit pricey but you'll find whatever meat of good to excellent quality you can think of there.
    Les potagers Mont-Rouge (seasonal) - Great selection of high quality local produce - large variety of squash and tomatoes.
    Olives & Épices  - pricey but you'll find any good quality spice you want
    Tortilla store - Freshly made tortillas and other Mexican products
    Motta - Italian grocery store at the edge of the market (Mozart street) - Excellent tomato pizzas, great Italian ready-made dishes, very good cannolis.

    As noted by other reviewers one needs to be vigilant when buying at the market and know how to spot quality merchandise. Cheap imports are often mixed with local produce of various quality.

    One doesn't go to this market for lower prices (unless you are buying wholesale quantities) but for the experience and the better quality merchandise some producers offer.

    Jean-Talon metro, which is close by,  the indoor parking or the Bixi stand make the market easily accessible. The agora area lets you grab a tasty bite, sit and enjoy some of the best people watching in town .

    If you're visiting, Le marché des Saveurs is the perfect place to find a tasty souvenir. It's like doing an agro-tour of Quebec. You'll find a wide assortment of regional foods - jams, vinegars, mustards, maple syrups (yes, there are many varieties), beers, wines, etc.

  • Review from Mathieu B.

    Roxboro, QC

    5.0 star rating
    2/22/2009

    This is one of the greatest Market. You're a tourist looking for some Quebec product you won't found anywhere else? Alright now here's a list of my personnal favorite and I think, a must!!
    Agneau de Kamouraska (Kamouraska sheep.) The best sheep you'll ever eat and you can find it at: Prince Noir open all year long.

    Marché Des Saveurs: This is THE place for local product. The local micro-brewery beer ask Mathieu for some help he's a pro with beer.

    Cheese from Quebec (try the Valbert, the Migneron, The Cantonier, The Baluchon, The 2 years Perron Cheddar, the St-Guillaume Fresh Cheddar , The Grand Manitou (3 milk well balanced cheese),  at Hamel.

    Chez Louis for some extraordinary quality fruits vegetable . In the real tradition of quality, the owners haves some of the best place with some phenomenal importations. Not to mention the possibility to get some Truffle Noires from them at a modest price of 4500$ /kilo (2.2lbs).

    William Sausages. Some delicate and real quality sausages. Try the Swish cheese sausage.The Mango and Goat cheese sausage ; weird but good. Need some breakfast sausage? Apple and Bacon is a must.

    Atkins brothers Mapple Salmon litlte bouchée is a must! I thought it was a tourist trap the Mapple-ization of everything is typical of a Canadian Tourist Trap but this absolutely good!

    Enjoy!

  • Review from John B.

    Newark, DE

    USA
    4.0 star rating
    7/13/2009

    People apparently feel very strongly about this market.  And about their reviews of this market.  

    The major problem with Jean Talon is that it's sometimes easy to confuse quantity with quality.  A lot of the stuff is totally unmemorable.  Call me unenlightened, but I'm unimpressed by the mere existence of 27 fruit stands that all offer dirty, low quality cherries from Washington State.  And I'm really underwhelmed by terrible coffee, even if it's grown in the shade by generously compensated farmers from third world country X.  

    On the other hand, a lot of stuff is really, really good.  I'm not sure I've ever seen such a wide array of high quality meat in my life.  The local leafy produce is terrific in season.  

    If the middlemen were eliminated from Jean Talon, the market would probably only be about 1/2 its current size.  The other result would be a separation of chaff from wheat.  I'd give the remaining star then.

    Oh, yeah.  Boston sucks.

  • Review from Stéphane S.

    Montréal, QC

    4.0 star rating
    8/11/2010

    The biggest farmer's market in Montreal area. Lots of choice, fresh produces, little shops, good snacks. There is fairly cheap parking, but it is paid parking.

    Could be VERY crowded on weekends.

  • Review from Keewi H.

    •  
    • 14 friends
    • 37 reviews

    Montréal, QC

    5.0 star rating
    2/7/2010 4 photos

    One of many great things in Montreal, Outdoor, indoor markets! You can choose which one to go - there are 4 of them so choose whatever near from your place
    http://www.marchespubl.../

    Specially during Spring, Summer and Fall, it gets bigger than during the Winter - of course, who wants to shop when it's -20C(0F) outside?- But still during winter, it's super nice place to go.  European ambiance, french veggies, fishes, meat, special meat, cheese, Quebecois foods and wines, apple wine and juices and etc.

    I love Atwater and Jean-Talon both but Jean -Talon is bigger and there are more free tasting goods- you can fill your stomach with every fruits, veggies, cheese...

    It's nice place to buy groceries but also if you are tourist and wants to feel European atmosphere, you should go to this market also!

  • Review from tom k.

    •  
    • 32 friends
    • 50 reviews

    Boston, MA

    USA
    5.0 star rating
    9/17/2009

    Love this Market!  On every trip to Montreal, I make it a point to come most days.

    Fresh, fresh produce.  Unlike other "farmers markets", this is not end of life produce, it is really brand spankin' new and luscious.

    Many of the stalls here are real farmers!  They grow this stuff, it's their life, they just aren't hawking goods.  It's fun to talk to them, and they are happy to explain things and give tastes.  Many have samples out, which you could make a meal out of, but I never leave empty handed.

    I have seen many fruits and vegetable here that I had never seen or tried before ... like the "cherise de terre" (aka cape gooseberry), which are wonderful by the way.

    Wonderful cheeses, handmade charcuterie, spices, food stands, good coffee ... ahhh Jean-Talon, tu me manques ...

    On my most recent visit, they seafood stall had "friture d'eperlans", which are tiny little fried fish (like french fry sized) ... my favorite!  Also, the Montrealers find happiness in little pleasures served at the market; like peak of the season corn, served just-boiled, piping hot, and rolled in butter (like 60% of the people there were walking around eating these).

    I will return Jean-Talon, don't you worry ;)

  • Review from Mike V.

    San Francisco, CA

    USA
    4.0 star rating
    7/7/2010

    My last stop now during my last three trips to Montreal.  

    A great place for all those last minute gift ideas from the "real" maple syrup, honey and Cidre de Glace to amazing snacks for the plane.

    Beats the duty free shop any day (and with the way the customs works coming into the US from Canada and YUL, let's just say you can take some liberties if you check luggage.....)

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