La Fromagerie Hamel

I actually cried when I walked in here for the first time. There might be a better selection of cheese somewhere in the world. But I doubt it.

No prices anywhere. So don't be shy and ask the staff for things they see as good values. Otherwise, dropping $100 here is easier than at Whole Foods in Palo Alto.

Hint: Époisses de Bourgogne paired with a decent Bordeaux (or...gasp...California cabernet) and a baguette from Guillaume is a more potent aphrodisiac than oysters.

Rating Scale:
1 Star: Avoid the town in which this place is located just to be safe.
2 Star: With so many great places to choose from, why risk this one?
3 Star: I'll try it again or consume here in a pinch.
4 Star: I go here regularly if financially and/or calorically feasible.
5 Star: I look forward to taking my wife or friends here.

Fromagerie Hamel probably has one of - if not the largest - selection of cheeses in Montreal. Its staff is very knowledgeable and offers great service (after braving the potential wait); they're great at suggesting new varieties to try and specific cheeses to go with particular meals, wines, beers, or any other liquor for that matter, and that, whatever your price range. I also really enjoy the variety of other products in store, such as jams, tapenades, pâtés, canned items, etc. They have saved me many times when in a crunch before a dinner party!

Note that if you go on the weekend, you may have to wait a while before being served. So just grab a number and peruse the other products available ;)

Best place to stop at Jean-Talon? Maybe. Great place to load up on goodies for a Montreal weekend.

I have entered cheesy heaven. This fromagerie was bustling with people when I went in at 3pm. We were buying cheese for a picnic but we had no idea what was good or what when with what. Thankfully, the girl at the cheese counter was super nice and helpful. We told her what we were having for the picnic and she recommended cheeses accordingly. We sampled 4 different kinds of cheeses and ended up getting 2 amazing ones.

Albeit expensive, the place was far from bougie. But coming here has definitely made me more of a cheese snob.

Our American tourist family shopped here three times in three days for delicious meats and cheeses for dinner and snacks. With each visit, attentive employees helped us with recommendations and samples and were ever so patient with our sad American English and utter lack of cheese expertise. In addition to cheese, they have all kinds of meats, breads, and dairy goods, plus it's right next to Jean-Talon where you can find everything else you might want. I'd go weekly or more if I lived in Montreal.

I went there for a quick lunch. Disappointed to see only 2 kinds of sandwich, but I'm guessing that's not their main priority. Not only that, but the sandwich was rock hard even though it's made the same day. The cheese and the turkey was pretty good though, even though for a 5$ sandwich there weren't that much ingredients.

Next time I'll go for the good cheese, but for now, it's a 3-star.

EDIT: well I went back for the cheese and salami. Very professional help and cater to my needs. They even let you sample b4 buying!

I felt like I was cheating on America's Dairyland.
No Wisconsin cheese but hundreds,
HUNDREDS you guys from around the world!
And even though I'm lactose free I could appreciate the spectacular array of options and add-ons, quick things to grab for a lovely picnic or some charcute.

Hello cheese heaven. I love you. In addition to all the cheese, which I can't speak of because I might weep, there are local saucisson sec and fresh breads and pastries and inexpensive olives. And oh god. The cheese!

the best cheese selection hands down in montreal. they have cheeses you just can't find anywhere else in the area...like their nuage de bourgogne... a beautiful light and creamy soft cheese with a relatively mild rind...like a fluffy cloud of slightly tangy silky goodness. first place i tried bellavitano at the recommendation of one of the conseillers and it's almost like cheese candy. they have a great merlot and expresso one too. be sure to ask about their homemade canberge et bleuet cheese spread just a little denser and tangier than cream cheese. delicious!! sometimes i'll just tell him what i'm in the mood for and get some suggestions. I've never been dissapointed.

also not to miss is their sellection of terrines made with unexpected combinations of fruit and unusual meats/poultry/game/etc

there is usually at least a few specials of the week. lets you try out a new cheese or meat product. love it!!!

Maybe a little pricey, but damn, do they have a lot of cheese. On the weekends it seems like they do some great sampling of cheeses that are on sale. This was great for us because we found two that we'd never had and they were delicious! Very friendly staff as well.