Beauty’s
A Montreal Institution
The 411
Although located in an unassuming building on the corner of Mont-Royal and St-Urbain, Beauty’s has been a Montreal landmark serving brunch dishes since 1942. Often referred to as the grand daddy of Montreal Brunch eateries, it is simply a spot that you must go to. Even if you are not a fan you need to go just to experience a piece of history and help put into context all other breakfast places.
At 1st glance
From the outside you wonder what is so special about this place as it is very run of the mill and in fact looks a bit run down. But once you spot the line-up trying to squeeze its way into the very tight doorway you quickly figure out not all is as it seems. Once inside (expect a good 25-35 minute wait on weekends) you will be taken back to what can only be described as a living time capsule. The decor is similar to an old style dinner, yet still well kept, the small 2 person banquet seating is quite snug and if you are of ample frame don’t even try it since it will be tight. The short order counter is really cool, but the main thing to notice is what’s posted on the walls. You will find posters for some of their famous smoothies and banana pancakes posters (my fav) and deep in the back under this giant clock with green neon light is a how to build the perfect bagel and cream cheese schematic style poster.
Food
Now that you’re seated here comes the fun part. The Brunch menu is about a page long and offers some classic choices, nothing too fancy but good old school breakfast food. The famous smoothies ($6.00) come in 6 choices like the Classic, Blueberry, Cookies and Cream, and Apple Pie to name a few. The size of the smoothie is enormous and actually big enough for two to share. There is a choice of 12 omelettes ($10.50) and for an extra $1.50 they can be made with egg whites for those health conscious individuals. The Nova entree platter weighs in at $18.00 and is a build it yourself platter that is comprised of 2 bagels, tomatoes, onions, butter, cream cheese and some strips of salmon. This plate is tasty but it’s quite pricey and the amount of salmon should be greater considering the price being paid, especially since other places offer the same thing for less and with larger quantities. The fruit plate ($10.00) comes with a choice of cottage cheese or yogurt; the cottage cheese is quite tasty although a side of toast would’ve been nice. The French toast ($9.50) is quite a treat especially since it’s made with challah bread. This is to my knowledge the only place in the city where you can find challah bread French toast. The plate comes with 2 thick slices of either bacon, sausage or ham, fruit or home fries. One item that we did not have time to try on account of being too full is the homemade banana cake, although all who have had it have highly recommended it.
Service
The service is excellent, the staff is funny and nice, coffee refills are frequent and you don’t need to chase down the staff for your bill.
Vegetarian
There are some vegetarian options such as the omelettes and fruit plates and if you’re a pesco-vegetarian the bagel, cream cheese and salmon will work. If you are vegan you may be out of luck since even for the fruit plate you will need to ask to drop the dairy that comes along with it.
Wrap up
Line-ups can be long and the inside is not large but the decor should not be missed. Food is tasty but some plates (like the Nova platter) are $2-$3 pricier than it should be since other places will often some similar dishes for less and with an extras.
| 93, avenue du Mont-Royal Ouest Montréal, QC H2T 2S5 (514) 849-8883 Mon-Fri 7 a.m. – 4 p.m. |
| MAP |
| Bottomless Cup Of Coffee | YES |
| Credit Cards | YES |
| Web Site | YES |
| Debit Card | NO |
| Vegetarian Friendly | YES |
| Price | $$$ | <$15 |
| Overall |   |
4/5 |
| Wheelchair Access | NO | 0/3 |
Lineup Outside
Outside
Nova Entree Part I ($18.00)
Nova Entree Part II ($18.00)<
Fruit Plate ($10.00)
French Toast Challah Bread ($9.50)
13 Comments »
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I went there with my girl friend one saturday morning, there was a clueless old man sitting at the door, and his son, the owner. I ordered a 9$ piece of french toast, with sirup that had more water than maple in it, terrible, I ordered the eggs, disgusting, I ordered pancakes, and they crumbled in my fork, I asked for my money back for the pancakes…the waitress, who couldn’t have more than a 40 IQ walked to the owner…the owner and the extemely old man, looked at us together, with disgust, and shook their heads…waitress comes back, and says, “the pancakes are good, you can’t get your money back” disgusting attitude, disgusting service, and the worst breakfast I’ve had in over a decade. These guys won’t get away with this much longer. I left there disgusted, paying 50$ for the worst breakfast I’ve EVER eaten,
Everyone that goes there, hasn’t got a clue, they’re all over 60 and they’ve never tasted a good breakfast in their lives.
SAVE YOUR MONEY.
These guys are crooks, hoping they’re old reputation sticks…
Save your time and money, these guys pray to rip off tourists and clueless regulars.
THIS PLACE IS NOT WHAT IT USED TO BE!!!
TO: RIPPED OFF
THIS IS THE MOST BULLSHIT REVIEW I HAVE EVER READ. BEAUTY’s breakfast is really the best in Montreal and their clientele are actually all aged group.
The breakfast is of premium quality and the service is actually excellent.
We have been going there for breakfast weekly for the past 3 years, and it is still SATISFACTION GUARANTEED!!!
LAST, THE OLD MAN AT THE DOOR WHICH IS THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THE PLACE FOR OVER 60 YEARS, IS THE SWEETEST AND MOST SINCERE PERSON YOU COULD MEET.
KEEP YOUR BULLSHIT REVIEW TO YOUR SELF AND DO NOT SPREAD INACCURATE SLANDER AND BADMOUTHING OF THE MOST REPUTABLE BREAKFAST JOINT IN MONTREAL.
YOU AND YOUR GIRLFRIEND SHOULD GO EAT BREAKFAST AT McDONALDS!!!
YOU IDIOT!!!
chill out shlomo, he’s not messing with your cash he’s just giving his opinion.
Ummm, This is the most bullshit reply I’ve ever read, I don’t think you get the point of what a review is. I’ve been to the restaurant once and it’s nothing special. Overpriced food, so so potatoes, and the feeling of being rushed. Yet, you praise the place as the best of Montreal while all commenters agree that it’s overpriced and the service is mediocre. Take a look in the mirror and the idiot will be staring you in the face.
Well I went to Beauty’s 2 weeks ago after my yoga class. What can I say? It’s not what it used to be. Food is ok – not amazing, service was ok, again not amazing. Is it only me or are the portions smaller then before? Anyway, I don’t think ill go back there any time soon.
ONE STAR. DO YOURSELF A FAVOR AND GO TO ANOTHER PLACE. Would probably not recommend this place. The service is ok once you get past the lines (we only waited 20 minutes) but for what you get its pretty expensive. I got a small granola plate with a coffee for about $12. I think our bill for a table of 4 was about $78 for breakfast.
The only think that really pissed me off was that they try and rush you out once you got a seat. And actually keep on looking at you to finish up…oh well.
This place is for people who have money to blow. The prices are outrageous, the staff seems terrorized, you get rushed out the door as soon as you put your last morsel of food in your mouth…regular customers get insultingly preferential treatment…
Don’t go here unless you want to blow a hole in your pocket. The clienttele is also really annoying and obnoxious. So, I didn’t care for it!
Beauty’s is aces! The blintzes are soooo good! The prices aren’t unreasonable. You can always find cheaper food, but it won’t be as good. That’s how it works. I can hardly wait until we get into town next time, so we can go there again!
Pure Junk
Had the sausage & eggs potatoes and a coffee.
The eggs were Ok. The sausages was reheated and cold. The potatoes were burnt, reheated and cold. The breakfast with the coffee (coffee extra) cost just under $12.00 tax in. Don’t mind paying more if the food is good. Like I said earlier, this is pure junk. Never again.
Went for breakfast, stayed for the atmosphere! Everything was great and I ‘m happy to have been taken there on my visit to the city.
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Great food and great service!! I highly recommended.
Beauty’s is indeed a bit over-rated but it’s still one of the best breakfast places in the area. Home-made rice pudding is an oft-neglected neat treat, too.