Nylander's Montreal Bucket List: Coffee, Brunch & Japanese Dining
Toronto Maple Leafs star reveals his favorite local spots for F1 weekend—from Old Port cafés to Mile-End roasters to a Crescent Street Japanese hotspot.
William Nylander is gearing up for Grand Prix weekend in Montreal, and he's got recommendations. The Toronto Maple Leafs winger has picked three spots he makes time for whenever he's in town—places that work for a busy professional hockey player who needs to eat well and fast.
Olive et Gourmando tops his brunch list. The café has two locations—351 rue Saint-Paul Ouest in Old Montreal and a newer spot at Royalmount—and Nylander calls it the go-to for lively brunch vibes. The menu balances indulgences (think rich pastries, inventive grain bowls) with lighter, healthier options. Sit down in the Old Port location and you feel like a local immediately; the crowd is young, the energy is real, and the coffee doesn't disappoint.
For dinner, Nylander points to Restaurant Yama on rue de la Montagne. Modern Japanese dining paired with live DJs creates the kind of weekend atmosphere that makes a night memorable—not overly formal, but refined. The food leans contemporary, the vibe is chill, and it's the kind of place that fills up fast on race weekend.
And for coffee between meetings? Café Saint-Henri. The micro-roaster has been the standard-bearer for third-wave coffee in Montreal since 2011, with flagship locations on rue du Mile-End and at Jean-Talon Market. Nylander says it's known for some of the best coffee in the city—quick stop, excellent brew, no pretense.
These spots aren't hidden gems anymore, but Nylander's picks reflect what actually works in Montreal right now: neighborhoods that feel lived-in, food that tastes like someone cared, and coffee that doesn't waste your time.