- Updated in July 2026.
Long before setting up our workshop in Mile End, Catherine and I were already regular visitors. We’d bike up from Verdun on weekends and spend the day exploring the bustling streets and stores. The neighborhood has changed a lot since the shop opened in autumn 2011, but it still retains that authentic charm that makes it well worth a visit.
The Mile End is brimming with history, known for its bagels, music and artists. It’s an old manufacturing district, but the industrial buildings along the railway track have mostly now been taken over by film, technology and communications companies at this point. There are still vestiges of its textile past, like the enormous rusted billboard under the overpass, and places like our shop. Our workshop-boutique was a clothing manufacturer in the 1940s and then home to a hat manufacturer, from 1953 right up until we moved atelier b in, in 2011. The neighborhood is changing, but it’s still a place where trends begin and cultures come together.
Over the last few years, our favourite spots have also expanded to include Mile-Ex and Little Italy, just on the other side of the tracks. So we’ve taken the liberty of including them in this itinerary. We hope you enjoy this list, which allows us to play at being tourists in our own city!
You can also stop by our shop for a paper version of this list, so you can take it along on your long walks.
Brunch
For those lazy mornings that stretch on and on, and to treat yourself over the weekend, here are some places with sophisticated menus that you simply can’t replicate at home. The Butterblume, just down the road from the studio, serves colourful, fresh dishes. For something more comforting and classic, Le Vieux Vélo is just across the railway tracks. We’ve also included Byblos, on the Plateau, which has been serving authentic Iranian cuisine for nearly forty years and is well worth a visit!
From left to rigth:
Au Vieux-Vélo, 59 Beaubien East.
Butterblume, 5836 Saint-Laurent.
Byblos le Petit Café, 1499 Laurier East.
Coffee shops
From classic Italian cafés to one with a pink interior, via the inclusive and cosy co-op, here are our favourites around the studio. We pop into Le Social to linger, enjoy the terrace with a book or simply watch the neighbourhood go by. When it’s hot, you must try the Bob-au-lait, an unsweetened iced coffee. Pastel Rita is pink, pastel-coloured and cosy. The welcome is warm and cheerful, and we love settling in there to write in the peace and quiet, bathed in natural light. We love their ham and gherkin sandwich made with bread from Chez Guillaume bakery and their strawberry and rhubarb lemonade. Special mentions also go to In Gamba, just a few blocks from the studio, and to our friends at Pista, in Little Italy.
Clockwise:
In Gamba, 71 Saint-Viateur E.
Club Social, 180 Saint-Viateur W. Photo: Voici Mile End.
Pista, 500 Beaubien E.
Pastel Rita, 5761 Saint-Laurent.
Restaurants
When it comes to hospitality, quality and ingredients, these restaurants are our top picks in the neighbourhood, whether you’re after a comforting soup, a sandwich to take away or a warm and welcoming experience you’ll want to savour for as long as possible. We’ve tried these places several times and they’re renowned for their consistency and the freshness of their ingredients. Nigiriz is on a quiet, peaceful crossroads, a little way from the Plateau, but not as far as Japan!
Clockwise:
Bánh Mi Bánh Yiu, 255 Saint-Viateur W.
Tsukuyomi, 5207 Saint-Laurent.
Pizzeria Magpie, 16 Maguire.
Le Nigiriz, 32 St-Cuthbert.
Beers and drinks
The more things change, the more they stay the same – we love taking the time to sit at the bar for a drink. Whether it’s for a pint, an Old Fashioned or a glass of wine, the neighbourhood offers a wealth of options. We love feeling warmly welcomed there and feeling a bit like we’re coming home. Two of these spots are in the Mile Ex – they’re well worth a visit; head down to Van Horne and then go under the flyover on Parc. Though they’re not very visible from the outside, you’ll find that Cicchetti and Taverne Atlantic are lovely surprises.
From left to right:
Cicchetti, 6703 Parc Av.
Sparrow, 5322 Saint-Laurent.
Taverne Atlantic, 6512 Parc Av (photo: Tastet).
Books
On Rue Bernard, after having been further down the same street for several years, the publishing house Drawn and Quarterly has moved into these lovely premises, where it initially stocked a selection of children’s books. It has now brought its entire range to this location: novels, poetry, comics and independently published magazines from all over the world. Do pop in for a browse after brunch.
New to the boulevard, Joie de livres is a bookshop-café-bar specialising in fantasy, horror and science fiction. The venue also hosts events in the evenings, such as book launches, book clubs and even dance nights!
In Little Italy, Atelier 10 showcases its own publications, including the magazine *Nouveau Projet* and its series of essays, *Documents*. They also offer a curated selection of beautiful books from here and abroad in their light-filled space – perfect for gifts.
From left to right:
Drawn and Quaterly, 211 Bernard W.
Joie de livres, 5163 Saint-Laurent.
Atelier 10, 156 Beaubien E.
Stationary
Notebooks, stationery, pencils or small designer items – here are four places to visit for lovers of stationary, paper, writing and drawing. It’s worth noting that our neighbours at Atelier Retailles are our partners on our circular textile projects. As well as handcrafting and selling beautiful paper, they run workshops and host artists in residence. Keep an eye out for the ‘crafterhours’ evenings, where you can get creative at low cost with an inclusive community. Suitable for beginners and professional artists alike!
Clockwise:
Atelier Retailles, 5752 Saint-Laurent (the door to the left of ours!).
Boucle et Papier, 5183 Saint-Laurent.
Bref, 255, 257 et 261 Bernard W.
Papier Japonais, 24 Fairmount W.
Second-hand shops
It’s great fun discovering vintage pieces in these carefully curated second-hand shops. You can buy everything from classics like leather jackets and jeans to more festive items featuring sequins, embroidery or neon colours. At Citizen Vintage, you’ll also find pieces made right here in the neighbourhood, which makes their range truly exclusive. Would you like to have your favourite items creatively repaired? Our colleague Maxim runs the Après Après studio with three friends, where, as well as selling genuine vintage items, he offers a ‘visible mending’ service. His decorative embroidery breathes new life into damaged pieces! Also worth a mention is Mala, a plus-size second-hand shop where you can sometimes find items from atelier b. Meanwhile, Shop Oui Allô opened in spring 2026; welcome to the neighbourhood!
Clockwise:
Citizen Vintage, 5330 Saint-Laurent. Vitrine by artist Gloria-Sherryl François.
Mala, 4665 Saint-Laurent.
Studio Après Après, 4529 Clark, studio 304. Keep an eye on their Instagram for opening times and the entry code!
Shop Oui Allô, 5587 Parc Av.
Records
It’s all happening on Bernard Street! Whether you’re looking for new items or vintage rarities, you’re sure to find some gems. Don’t hesitate to ask questions whilst you’re there – they’re more than happy to share their knowledge.
From left to right:
La Rama, 77 Bernard W.
Phonopolis, 207 Bernard W.
Sonorama, 260 Bernard W.
Art galleries
Most of the art galleries are concentrated on de Gaspé Street in an industrial building, but when the weather’s fine, do make a detour to visit the others – they’re well worth it! Whether they’re artist-run centres or small, carefully curated venues, you’re sure to find something to your taste if you appreciate contemporary art.
Clockwise:
La Centrale Galerie Powerhouse, 4296 Saint-Laurent.
Centre Clark, 5455 de Gaspé #114.
Diagonale, 5455 de Gaspé #110.
C.O.A, 6405 Saint-Laurent.
Daphne, 5425 de Gaspé, #103.
Produit Rien, 6909 Marconi.
A quiet spot, ice cream and flowers
Our top three picks for taking a little time for ourselves. A walk through the fields where the lines of desire run, with a bouquet picked along the paths. Alternatively, we’d recommend Tamey, the florist at Dragon Flowers, who’s now set up shop right in front of our workshop. To finish off, we’ll treat ourselves to an ice cream that’s well worth the queue at Kem Coba.
From left to right:
Le Champ des Possibles, south of the railroad tracks, between De Gaspé and Henri-Julien.
Kem Coba, 60 Fairmount West.
Dragon Flower, 159 Bernard West.
Thank you to Al Gofa for the cover illustration (2013), coloured by Annik St-Arnaud.