The Best Cheesecakes in Montreal

Today we’re shining a spotlight on one of our favourite desserts: the cheesecake. If, like us, you have a sweet tooth, you will succumb to the gourmet addresses that appear in our list of the best cheesecakes in Montreal.

The cheesecake originated from the Vatroushka, a soft cake of Slavic origin, made with white cheese and has a sour taste. Like the bagel, the recipe for Vatroushka followed the Jewish emigrants from Europe to America. The cheesecake therefore does not originate from New York as it is believed to be, but from Europe. It is prepared according to two very distinct recipes. For us, the choice is difficult, as we love both preparations! The first one is Italian, made with ricotta cheese, the second one is usually prepared with industrial cheese such as Philadelphia Cream Cheese on a shortcrust pastry. It is the latter that makes the reputation of the famous New York cheesecake that can be found in all the good delicatessens of the Big Apple, often served with a red fruit coulis.

Mastering the art of baking in general and making this cake in particular is much more complicated than one might imagine. To execute the cheesecake recipe to perfection requires a great deal of skill and precision, and few of us know the magic recipe. Few gourmet souls will be able to resist this sweet, dense, creamy and melting pleasure. So we’ve found the best cheesecakes in town for an express trip to New York, the cheesecake capital of the world.

Sugar lovers, please also take note of our lists of the best cookies and the best donuts in Montreal.

SPECIAL MENTION to Uncle Tetsu for his Japanese cheesecake, and to Cheskie’s for their kosher version.

Happy reading!

Pâtisserie Rhubarbe

Pâtisserie Rhubarbe is one of our favourite spots in town for a divine sweet treat! We always cave for a little sweetness at the end of a meal or for a special occasion. This gourmet address takes the cheesecake to the next level by offering a fresh or cooked cheesecake, as desired. The cake is worked with seasonal fruits, in individual portions and on a buttered shortbread crust with pine nuts. The cake is perfectly balanced between the density of the cheese and the freshness of the fruit.

1479 Avenue Laurier Est
Montréal

Mlles Gâteaux

Mlles Gâteaux packs a lot of love into a small space. The place is welcoming and delicate, and you are charmed from the moment you walk in. However, they really win us over as soon as we taste their delicious pastries (that change with the seasons). Among the specialties of the house, we succumb to their revisited, no-bake cheesecake. Mlles Gâteaux has developed a cheesecake made with light cream and yoghurt—that takes on the texture of a mousse—on a base of graham crackers, and drizzled with a lime, lemon and strawberry coulis.

363 Rue Villeray
Montréal

La Croissanterie Figaro

Located at the corner of Hutchison and Fairmount in Outremont, La Croissanterie Figaro has been known for decades for its enchanting décor, friendly service and delicious menu. You’ll find French classics, a great list of sandwiches and pastries to die for, but most of all you’ll be tempted by their delicious cheesecake!  

5200 Rue Hutchison
Montreal

Pâtisserie Zébulon

Located on Saint-Denis Street, Pâtisserie Zébulon has quickly become a popular destination. Zébulon Vézina and his sister Alice are the proud owners of this pastry shop, where they offer a selection of vegan pastries that are as beautiful as they are good. Among their specialties is an exotic gluten-free cheesecake with puffed rice crisp, coconut sponge, passion fruit confit, coconut mousse and mango glaze, topped with real coconut slices. Delicious!  

4522 Rue Saint-Denis
Montréal

Fous Desserts

Fous Desserts makes European pastries with Japanese influences. The concept is to use high quality raw materials to make light and tasty artisanal pastries. The unique and well-executed desserts of the house make it one of the best pastry shops in Montreal. We invite you to try their cheesecake. Homemade graham cracker and smooth cheese cream topped with raspberry coulis or matcha green tea (your choice). We love it!  

809 Avenue Laurier Est
Montréal
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