L'Avenue

L'Avenue is one of Montreal's legendary brunch institutions on Avenue du Mont-Royal in the Plateau neighborhood. The food is hearty, the portions are massive, and the atmosphere is loud, colorful, and completely unpretentious — all of which makes it work surprisingly well for families.

The menu covers brunch and diner classics: eggs benedict, pancakes, burgers, club sandwiches, and massive breakfast platters. Everything is served in portions that border on absurd — a single order of french toast can feed two adults. For families, this means you can order strategically: two or three dishes for a table of four, with plenty left over.

The interior is deliberately eccentric — bold colors, pop art, and the famous bathrooms that are basically an art installation (wallpapered floor to ceiling with magazine cutouts). Teens find the bathrooms hilarious and will spend an unreasonable amount of time in there taking photos. The overall energy is chaotic in a good way, which means families with noisy kids blend right in.

The challenge, as with most Montreal brunch spots, is the weekend wait. L'Avenue doesn't take reservations and the line forms early on Saturday and Sunday mornings. 20-40 minutes is typical. Weekday mornings are the secret — same food, no wait, calmer atmosphere.

The restaurant is on Avenue du Mont-Royal, which means you're in the heart of the Plateau with shops, parks, and coffee spots on every side. Mont-Royal metro is a 5-minute walk. Street parking is competitive but possible if you arrive early.

Strollers can be tricky inside — the space is long and narrow with tables packed close together. Fold it if you can.