Monopole: independent café and wine bar in Old Montreal

Monopole is a small establishment that, upon opening, offered coffee and wine bar service to the people of Old Montreal, right near Griffintown. Today, Monopole has established itself as a lively neighborhood wine bar, where you can stop by just as easily for a morning coffee as for lunch, a fine bottle, or simply a good time with friends.

Monopole opened its doors in May 2017. Its young, passionate, and professional owners are Gabriel Gallant (formerly of Kitchen Gallery, Accords, Toqué!), Ngoc-An Trinh (formerly of Toqué!), and Vincent Benoit-Bonin, who first joined as an employee before becoming a partner in the business.

Monopole is a quiet, relaxed, and friendly spot in a neighborhood that was calling for such a place. “People in the area work a lot, and there are plenty of restaurant chains around, but no independent cafés or places to enjoy a glass of wine. We wanted to bring a little buvette to the neighborhood.”

The name Monopole has a geeky backstory: in one of their favorite books, the characters always meet at a wine bar called Monopole. Later, the name also made sense as a nod to wine terminology, appellations, and the SAQ’s “monopoles.”

Over the years, Gabriel has refined the wine list so that it reflects both the diversity and the curiosity of their clientele. “We’ve expanded our wine selection: it now includes between 300 and 350 references (more than 400 if you count ciders, beers, and spirits). Prices range from $50 to over $1,000. Our wine list stands out thanks to its strong representation of independent winemakers, highlighting both classic appellations and more artisanal cuvées.”

In the morning, pastries are homemade, while viennoiseries and breads come from Hof Kelsten. Monopole also works with Pista, who created an exclusive coffee blend for them (70% Brazil, 30% Ethiopia).

The charming space, with just over thirty seats, was designed by Informel Architecture. The interior is simple and welcoming: the dining room opens onto the kitchen and order counter. There are wooden tables, colorful chairs, floral banquettes, and small potted plants.

The lunch and dinner menus are curated by Caroline Roy (Olive et Gourmando, Pullman) and evolve with seasonal ingredients and market arrivals. At lunch, you’ll find sandwiches, salad, soup, and a few daily dishes. In the evening, small plates and more elaborate offerings appear—think beef tartare, confit tuna, tagliatelle Bolognese, duck confit risotto, and plenty of snacks to enjoy with a glass of wine. From 5 p.m. to 11 p.m., the kitchen serves more refined fare. For dishes of such quality, the prices remain very reasonable, which is why Monopole appears on our lists of Montreal’s best-value dining, bars where you can actually hear yourself talk, the best food bars, and festive restaurants.

“I’m proud of the excellent quality we offer when it comes to both food and wine, at fair prices. I love that people can come several times a week. We get a kick out of delighting people, making them happy, and introducing them to small producers and fun products.”

Written by Élise Tastet
Photography by Alison Slattery

Last update: September 29, 2025

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