Trendy Italian Café Opens in Saint Henri, Montreal

We think it can unanimously be said that Italian cafés offer a certain je-ne-sais-quoi with their juicy cutlet paninis, creamy Italian cannolis, and chocolate powder covered cappuccinos. The only downside being that there aren’t enough in Montreal! We are happy to spread the news about a new (Italian) kid on the block, Caffè Farina in trendy St-Henri, walking distance from Lionel Groulx.

The popularity of Caffè Farina has exploded in the first two weeks since they’ve been open, and we certainly know why. The interior décor mixes together an upscale Italian sports bar, with the al fresco interior of the Sistine Chapel. As you walk in you immediately encounter a white Carrera marble wall to the left and a beautiful “faux fini” wall to the right with an iconic “Ciao Bella” neon sign. Toward the back, the mirrors facing the bar widen the space while creating a cozy environment to sit back and watch the game. A comfortable setting with plenty of seating, this is sure to be the venue of your next coffee date.

Now let’s get to the good stuff and chat about food! Farina serves up traditional Italian paninis in iconic plastic baskets as well as large-portion salads. We definitely recommend their chicken panini; don’t forget to order it with all the fixin’s, especially the hot marinated vegetables! In Italian, they are called sotto-oglio (literally translates to ‘under oil’) – you can drop that bomb of knowledge on your next Tinder date.

The coffee is not to be missed if you are a fan of a full-bodied Italian roast, perfectly balanced with sweet whole milk, and topped with cocoa powder: an Italian classic. They also have their liquor licence so don’t feel like you need to stay vanilla with a coffee; spice it up at any time of the day, they don’t pass judgement. On that note, the staff is extremely welcoming and kind, worth going by just to say hi!

For something sweet, don’t miss out on their Nutella panettone, oozing in chocolatey goodness and blowing up Instagram for its #foodporn worthiness.

After chatting with the owners, we found out that they want to create a warm but authentic Italian vibe in a trendy Montreal neighbourhood. The perfect place to grab lunch during the day and unwind with a drink at night. They have late hours (open until 11pm!) so they are ready to meet you any time of the day.

Check out their Instagram account and pass by and say “ciao” soon.

3422 Notre-Dame St W, Montreal, QC H4C 1N9
(514) 660-5967

Featured image by @lesquartiersducanal. Photos by Caffè Farina, @dapper_cards, and @mtlwhatsinyourcup.