Le Riverside Café: a breath of youthfulness in Vieux-Saint-Lambert

Just a few steps from the street of the same name, Riverside Café brings a breath of fresh air and youthfulness to Vieux-Saint-Lambert. A good reason to visit or revisit the neighbourhood!

Riverside Café is the latest project of the McKenzie family–Héléna, Mégane, and their father, Guy–who also own the popular Webster Café, just a few steps away.

The sisters wanted to create a café that reflects their style, more hip and modern. “Webster is our father’s project. Riverside is really ours. We wanted it to be cute and trendy,” confides Héléna.

The café, located at the end of Victoria Street near Riverside Street, has a modern décor, all in white and blue. The sisters designed it themselves with the help of designer Richard Gingras, who created the furniture. Their mother, a graphic designer, also contributed to the branding. A real family affair!

The small space has six seats at the back, a few high tables next to the counter in front, and a lovely sidewalk terrace with about a dozen seats.

A Winning Combination

At Riverside Café, you’ll find the same excellent medium-roast house blend they use at Webster, roasted by Guy’s cousin. “He created the dream blend for my father with beans from seven countries,” Héléna tells us. We agree, the coffee’s great! You can purchase it by the bag at the counter, along with the usual selection of hot and cold caffeinated beverages.

In addition to coffee, the coffee shop offers a full range of bread and pastries from bakery Le pain dans les voiles, delivered every morning directly from Saint-Hilaire. “Laurent Duvernay-Tardif [NFL star and now owner the bakery founded by his parents] wanted to join Webster [which sells products from Guillaume bakery] for a long time. When we had the opportunity to take this location, my father contacted him immediately,” continues the co-owner.

At the back of the café, you’ll find a fridge stocked with ready-to-eat Mandy’s salads, fresh-pressed juices, and other refreshments.

A Warm Welcome from the Community

Since its opening in April 2024, Riverside Café has enjoyed great success. Residents from the neighbourhood and even beyond are flooding in.

“Saint-Lambert is a small community. Everyone talks to each other,” Héléna tells us. “We have so many small families, parents with strollers!”

Another great spot to discover in Saint-Lambert. Cheers!

Written by Mikael Lebleu
Photography by Alison Slattery

Last update: May 29, 2024

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