Warm weather means the opening of the outdoor food court at Jean-Talon Market, with five new companies in the space this spring and summer. Located on the north side of the market and open for the entire season, the new restaurateurs and artisans will contribute their flavours and expertise to the market’s existing ready-to-eat and prepared food options.

Two new ready-to-eat options

Montrealers shopping at the market will find two new menus to try:

• Bouffe-moi, a vegetarian and vegan restaurant serving original reinvented comfort food dishes
• La Cabane à Chichis, a Latin American bakery specializing in churros with a variety of delicious fillings and coatings

Cooking to support the community

Robin des bois, a restaurant and charity based on Saint-Laurent Blvd., is also opening in the market to offer dishes prepared by chef Amélie Acloque. Seasonal dishes from gravlax to risotto, including vegetarian options, will be sold ready to be heated and served at home. Visitors will find all the picnic essentials and can even borrow a cart to carry everything. In keeping with the restaurant’s mission, profits from the prepared meals will go to community organizations.

Discover the wonders of lacto-fermentation

A young company founded in November 2020, Ferment is a shop and workshop specializing in lacto-fermented foods. This ancient food preservation technique using water and salt is used for making delicious kimchi, sauerkraut, pickles and soups, all to take away and enjoy at home.

Urban farmers together in a single stall

On May 21, AU/LAB, a lab focused on urban agriculture research, innovation and action, will open at Jean-Talon Market. The stall will showcase the innovative companies that the organization works with. Customers will find vegetables from vertical and rooftop greenhouses, urban honey, cultivated mushrooms and more. They’ll also learn about cooking with insect-based ingredients. All products are from Montreal.

Returning food-service stars

Two of last season’s restaurateurs are back this summer: the Winneburger food truck and Mazorca MTL, which will double the size of its stall with a Latin-inspired cantina focused on local products.

Market visitors have many great meal and snack options:

• Crêperie du Marché, serving gluten-free savoury crepes
• Sandwiches from Première Moisson, Brûlerie aux Quatre Vents and the Dans la Côte butcher shop inside Marché des saveurs du Québec
• empanadas, samosas and market cuisine at chef Jonathan Garnier’s Gourmand d’ici
• poké bowls and sushi from Sushi Shop
• Eastern European sandwiches from Balkani
• Calamari and lobster rolls from Aquamare
• A large selection of oysters from La Boite aux huîtres