Minnibar: A Café and Pizza Bar in Downtown Montreal

Open since April 2026 on Mansfield Street, just steps from the Bonaventure metro, Minnibar is already carving out a spot among the most interesting new addresses downtown. Running from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m., it’s the kind of versatile place where you can grab a morning coffee, split a quick lunch with coworkers, or settle in for dinner in a softly lit room.

The project comes from familiar faces on the Montreal scene: Tongue Bui (Stillife, Flyjin), Steve Galeco (Grinder), who oversees all operations, and Juan Carlos Zelaya (Mano Cornuto) on the management team. Their goal was a simple one. “We wanted to create a gathering place where lunch sits at the centre, while offering an experience that moves naturally from morning to night and answers everyone’s needs,” explains Tongue.

The name Minnibar is a nod to the hotel minibar. Like a good minibar, there’s a little of everything here for every moment of the day: coffee, pastries, pizza, pasta, cocktails and a carefully chosen wine list. One address, built to meet whatever you’re craving, whenever you’re craving it.

A Light-Filled Room Designed by Ivy Studio

The space seats about 35, and the design by Ivy Studio is without a doubt one of its strengths. Large windows flood the room with natural light, while the decor pairs pale wood, brown marble and hazelnut-toned banquettes with industrial touches and Japanese influences.

At the heart of the room, a ten-seat counter recalls Japanese omakase bars, and it will soon host one of the house’s signature experiences: the pizza omakase. The format lets you taste several of the kitchen’s creations in a convivial setting.

“I’m a pizza fan, but mostly I wanted to find a concept, a bit like in Tokyo and New York, where I can taste several pizzas at once. It’s something Montreal has never seen,” says the owner. It’s a playful, generous way to work your way through the menu and the house specialties.

By evening, the atmosphere turns lively without ever losing the warmth of the room.

A Kitchen That Shifts Through the Day

In the kitchen, chef Keanan Ramasamy, whose résumé includes Palomar, offers a menu that’s simple in its approach but ambitious in its execution. The focus lands squarely on ingredient quality and on comforting dishes handled with care.

Mornings revolve around coffee and a handful of reliable classics: croissants, biscuits, breakfast sandwiches and a breakfast burger.

At lunch, the menu widens with sandwiches like the mortadella, the picante and the chicken katsu. There are also several pizzette, including margherita, four-cheese and pepperoni versions, plus pasta such as spaghetti pomodoro, carbonara and a generous osso buco lasagna.

In the evening, the offering grows more elaborate. Among the starters, you’ll find a princess scallop crudo and cheese rolls, and the Caesar salad — particularly well executed — deserves a special mention. On the mains side, the lobster pappardelle is already a hit, as are the carbonara and calabrese pizzette. The menu also includes a burger, especially juicy fried chicken strips and a range of sides.

The pizzas are cooked in a wood-fired oven and served in a smaller format, making it easy to share several plates around the table. For truffle lovers, fresh truffle can be added to nearly everything on the menu.

Prices sit on the higher end, but they reflect the quality of the ingredients and the care that goes into preparing them.

Sakura Highballs and a Tight Wine List

The drink program was developed by Joshua Hornstein, with an eye toward balanced flavours, an approachable lineup that suits the food, and cocktails on the “healthier” side. Several signatures stand out, including the Sakura Highball, built on Suntory whisky. Cocktails generally run between $21 and $23, and the team is happy to mix the great classics to your liking. Anyone steering clear of alcohol will find mocktail versions too.

Wine drinkers will appreciate a selection of around twenty carefully chosen bottles, with an emphasis on labels that pair well with the kitchen.

The Verdict

With its polished design, a menu that stretches from the morning espresso to a full dinner, its wood-fired pizzas and its pizza omakase concept, Minnibar brings something genuinely different to downtown Montreal. It’s a versatile address, equally good for a quick espresso on the way through or a whole evening with friends over plates made for sharing… and maybe a round of shooters with Steve.

Enjoy the discovery!

Written by Jean-Philippe Tastet
Photography by Alison Slattery

Updated on June 04, 2026

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