This local chain of bakeries (with two other locations in Laval and Mascouche) offers both sweet treats and breakfast and lunch staples, like filled croissants and hearty sandwiches and paninis served on their (mostly Italian) breads. If you do go the savoury route, be sure to save room for a zeppole or cannoli (or both).

No respectable food market is complete without a decent seafood counter, and oyster vendor La Boite Aux Huîtres more than satisfies that requirement, offering a wide variety of oysters from both coasts of Canada, as well as Europe and the United States. Pull up a seat and have your oysters shucked in front of you or boxed up to bring home.

What’s a visit to a Montreal market without a bit of maple? Les Sucreries De L’Érable (an outpost of a Dunham-based enterprise) sells a range of delicious quiches, pies and tarts with a wholesome, homemade quality. The showpiece of the traditional Quebecois shop is, naturally, the maple sugar pie. For those without a sweet tooth, the quiches are equally appetizing.

One of several butcheries to call Jean Talon home, Balkani has been giving market visitors something to snack on for over 15 years. Beyond their selection of cold cuts and take-home sausages, the European-style butcher shop also offers grilled sausage sandwiche to go.

Most of the items on Bouffe-Moi’s small, playful vegetarian menu are served on a stick — including the mozzarella sticks (served with homemade marinara sauce) and the deep-fried poutine — which makes them perfect for satisfying your cravings without interrupting your market wandering. The brainchild of two sisters (both newcomers to the Montreal food scene), Bouffe-Moi uses ingredients sourced from the surrounding market, making for a hyper-local snacking experience.

A great place to scream for ice cream, especially when the season for the dessert is as limited as it is. Ice cream flavours include pistachio and dulce de leche, and sorbets like nectarine and masala chai make it hard to stop at only one scoop.

An outpost of the Mile End comfort food spot (and non-profit organization) of the same name, Robin des Bois’ new Jean Talon stand offers an array of picnic-friendly salads and snacks (in addition to a selection of heat-at-home proteins).

If the purpose of your market visit is to stock up on picnic supplies before heading to nearby Jarry Park, look no further than the new stall by Montreal’s Filles Fattoush, a catering company staffed entirely by Syrian women who entered Canada as refugees. Look for mezze favourites like hummus, baba ghanouj, mtabal, and mouhamara; cumin and aleppo pepper-covered pita chips and a range of beverages, plus Syrian spices and other pantry staples.

For early morning market-goers, coffee is a no-brainer, if not a necessity. Saint-Henri makes a mean latte, and their Montreal-roasted bean blends are sold there, too. Their Godshot Espresso is a good choice for those who prefer their coffee on the more chocolatey side of life.

Just a few months after opening on marketing-facing Place du Marché-du-Nord, traditional Italian restaurant La Casa di Toto has already made a name for itself with fans of pizzas, paninis, and desserts, like crunchy cannolis and zeppole piped with ricotta cream.

This local fave, which faces the market, does spot-on breads and viennoiseries that make for great additions to any picnic (though you’ll definitely want to stock up for home while you’re there). The perfectly crispy-yet-chewy bread instantly improves any sandwich.