Little Italy and Jean-Talon
A covered market, Italian cafés and a fresco church
Little Italy sits around Marché Jean-Talon, which has been trading since May 1933. The streets around it hold Italian cafés, a pastry shop and a church painted in fresco. Most visits take a morning.
The market is the anchor. It's open every day, 8:00 to 18:00 Monday to Saturday and 8:00 to 17:00 on Sunday. From June to October the aisles close to cars Thursday to Sunday between 11:00 and 17:00, which makes it easier to walk.
Rue Dante runs through the middle of the neighbourhood, and Boulevard Saint-Laurent is the eastern edge. The church of Notre-Dame-de-la-Défense stands on Avenue Henri-Julien, a few minutes from the market.
Getting there
Take the Orange or Blue line to Jean-Talon station, or the Blue line to De Castelnau, which the market names as its two nearest stations. Buses 51, 55, 92 and 93 also serve the market. Parc Jarry is further west in Villeray, along Rue Gary-Carter.
What to see
Start at Marché Jean-Talon and walk the outdoor stalls first, then the indoor shops. The Marché des Saveurs du Québec is next door on Place du Marché-du-Nord.
Walk west along Rue Dante to the church of Notre-Dame-de-la-Défense, a National Historic Site built in 1918 and 1919. Guido Nincheri designed the building and painted the interior. Then end at Parc Jarry if you want green space.
Where to eat and drink
Caffè Italia and Caffe San Simeon are the two coffee stops. Alati-Caserta covers pastry, and Impasto is the sit-down dinner on Rue Dante, with a menu that changes about every three months. Say "Bonjour, hi" when you walk in, since most staff switch language to match you.
Good to know
Mondays and winter weekdays are quieter at the stalls. Terrasse season runs roughly from May to October, so patios are mostly closed by November. Tipping 15 percent is normal in sit-down places.
Nearby neighbourhoods
The best of Little Italy and Jean-Talon
Things to do in Little Italy and Jean-Talon
What's on in Little Italy and Jean-Talon
Local events in the next 30 days, read from the ward, park and organiser pages each one links to.
Jean-Talon Market Market
Every day. Next: Fri 13 Nov · Marché Jean-Talon
A public food market in Little Italy, open all year. Its walls go up in October for the winter and the outdoor aisles reopen around the end of April.
Free entry · Mon to Sat 08:00 to 18:00, Sun 08:00 to 17:00 · Map · Source: Marchés publics de Montréal · Marché Jean-Talon
Intimate Electronic Music Session Concert
Thu 19 Nov · Librairie Résonance Bookstore
A listening session of electronic music for 25 people at Librairie Résonance.
from 20:00 · Map · Source: Librairie Résonance · Séance - Musiques Électroniques Intimes
Les Aventuriers Voyageurs Film
On now, until 12 May 2027 · Cinéma Beaubien
A travel film series at Cinéma Beaubien presenting destinations on the big screen.
Map · Source: Cinéma Beaubien
Our Neighbourhood, Our Cinema: 25 Years of Cinéma Beaubien Film
On now, until 16 Dec · Cinéma Beaubien
A film series at Cinéma Beaubien screening 12 Québec film successes on the big screen for the cinema's 25th anniversary.
Map · Source: Cinéma Beaubien · Notre quartier, notre cinéma : 25 ans du Cinéma Beaubien
On now, until 9 May 2027 · Cinéma Beaubien
Québec films screened at Cinéma Beaubien and Cinéma du Parc on the second Sunday of each month at a ticket price of $3.
$3 · Map · Source: Cinéma Beaubien · LES DIMANCHES AIME TON CINÉMA
Aidan Cronin: The Birds Tell Me All There Is To Know Film
Sat 21 Nov · La Lumière Collective
A screening with artist Aidan Cronin present, hosted by La Lumière Collective.
19:30 · Map · Source: la lumière collective · Aidan Cronin : The Birds Tell Me All There Is To Know
Hanukkah Market Market
Sun 29 Nov · Ausgang Plaza
A holiday market at Ausgang Plaza with stalls from jewellery to homewares, run by the Montreal Jewish Museum.
Free · 11:00 to 17:00 · Map · Source: Museum of Jewish Montreal
Rubber Stamp Ensemble: Launch Theatre and shows
Sun 29 Nov · La Lumière Collective
A launch event for Rubber Stamp Ensemble with Aaron Dolman, Emma Cosgrove and Andes A. Beaulé.
from 19:00 · Map · Source: la lumière collective · Rubber Stamp Ensemble : Launch
Listening Session: The Cure's Disintegration Activities
Sat 5 Dec · Librairie Résonance Bookstore
A silent vinyl listening session of The Cure's Disintegration at Librairie Résonance Bookstore.
8 USD · from 19:00 · Map · Source: Librairie Résonance · Listening Session - The Cure's Disintegration
Show all 21 events
Read Quebec Book Fair Market
5 to 6 Dec · Casa d'Italia
A two-day book fair at Casa d'Italia on Jean-Talon Street East, organised by AELAQ.
11:00 to 17:00 · Map · Source: Read Quebec · 2026 Read Quebec Book Fair
Ah-Ma's Home with Gillian Sze Talks and readings
Sun 6 Dec · Casa d'Italia
A reading of the children's book Ah Ma's Home by poet Gillian Sze in the Babar Kids' Book Nook at Casa d'Italia.
12:00 to 13:00 · Map · Source: Quebec Writers' Federation (QWF) calendar · Ah-Ma’s Home with Gillian Sze
InfiniPRESS Showcase Talks and readings
Sun 6 Dec · Casa d'Italia
A showcase of InfiniPRESS authors and translators in the Rotunda at Casa d'Italia.
15:00 to 16:00 · Map · Source: Quebec Writers' Federation (QWF) calendar
Poetry Lightning Round Talks and readings
Sun 6 Dec · Casa d'Italia
A series of short poetry readings by a line-up of Montréal poets at Casa d'Italia.
12:30 to 13:30 · Map · Source: Quebec Writers' Federation (QWF) calendar
Rising Stars: Young Women Artists Concert
Sun 6 Dec · Pianos Bolduc
A concert by promising young women artists at Pianos Bolduc as part of the Stella Musica festival.
$25 · 15:00 · Map · Source: Festival Stella Musica · ÉTOILES MONTANTES - Jeunes artistes prometteuses
Seeing Things: Lee Lai and Arizona O'Neill in Conversation Talks and readings
Sun 6 Dec · Casa d'Italia
A conversation between two graphic novelists about the books Cannon and Opioids & Organs on the Main Stage at Casa d'Italia.
15:00 to 16:00 · Map · Source: Quebec Writers' Federation (QWF) calendar · Seeing Things: Lee Lai and Arizona O’Neill in Conversation
Space Cases: Alexandre Fontaine Rousseau and Francis Desharnais in Conversation Talks and readings
Sun 6 Dec · Casa d'Italia
A conversation moderated by François Vigneault with a writer and an artist about their graphic novel on the Space Race, in the Rotunda of Casa d'Italia.
11:15 to 12:15 · Map · Source: Quebec Writers' Federation (QWF) calendar
Véhicule Showcase: Who Gets Remembered? Talks and readings
Sun 6 Dec · Casa d'Italia
A showcase of three Véhicule Press books, a novel set in Bombay, essays on women jazz musicians and a Montréal ghost novel, in the Rotunda at Casa d'Italia.
13:45 to 14:45 · Map · Source: Quebec Writers' Federation (QWF) calendar
VISIONS: Iva Radivojevic (Programme 1) Film
Wed 9 Dec · La Lumière Collective, 7080 rue Alexandra #506
A screening of digital media works with filmmaker Iva Radivojevic present, at an address on rue Alexandra.
19:30 · Map · Source: la lumière collective · VISIONS : IVA RADIVOJEVIC
VISIONS: Iva Radivojevic, Carte Blanche (Programme 2) Film
Thu 10 Dec · La Lumière Collective, 7080 rue Alexandra #506
A screening of digital media works with filmmaker Iva Radivojevic present, at an address on rue Alexandra.
19:30 · Map · Source: la lumière collective · VISIONS : IVA RADIVOJEVIC - Carte Blanche
Discussion: Why Music is Genetic Talks and readings
Fri 11 Dec · Librairie Résonance Bookstore
A discussion with authors Jörn Bullerdiek and Christine Süßmuth about their book Why Music is Genetic at Librairie Résonance.
19:00 · Map · Source: Librairie Résonance · Discussion - Why Music is Genetic
Show 17 events nearby, outside Little Italy and Jean-Talon
Arab-Persian ties: what the Arab world owes Iran (panel) Talks and readings
Fri 13 Nov · Koujina Café
A panel led by Prashant Keshavmurthy on the Persian scholars who shaped Islamic civilization and the shared golden age behind current rivalries. Part of the Festival du Monde Arabe de Montréal.
Free · 18:00 to 20:00 · Map · Source: Festival du Monde Arabe de Montréal · Liaisons arabo-persanes, ce que le monde arabe doit à l'Iran
Lis avec Poilu Theatre and shows
Fri 13 Nov · Bibliothèque de Parc-Extension
Small-group reading aloud session with Tintin the dog, supervised by a zootherapist, in a relaxed setting.
Free, registration required · 16:30 to 17:15 · Map · Source: Ville de Montréal
Robots match de soccer Activities
Sun 15 Nov · Bibliothèque de Parc-Extension
Playful introduction to robotics and programming for ages 6 to 12, where kids program a robot for a soccer match.
Free, registration required · 14:00 to 15:00 · Map · Source: Ville de Montréal
Ciné-pédago: Super Mario Galaxy, le film Film
Fri 20 Nov · Bibliothèque de Parc-Extension
Family film screening of the latest Super Mario Galaxy movie, on a day off.
Free · 13:00 to 15:00 · Map · Source: Ville de Montréal
Coudre un sac à dos à la machine à coudre Activities
Sat 21 Nov · Bibliothèque Le Prévost
Sewing machine workshop for parent and child duos from age 7, making a backpack while learning straight stitching and threading a cord.
Free, registration required · 14:00 to 16:00 · Map · Source: Ville de Montréal
Des mots et des bricos Activities
Sat 21 Nov · Bibliothèque de Parc-Extension
Story hour followed by a mini craft for children aged 2 to 5.
Free, registration required · 10:30 to 11:30 · Map · Source: Ville de Montréal
Art thérapie Activities
Sun 22 Nov · Bibliothèque de Parc-Extension
Art therapy workshops led by a qualified art therapist, offering a safe setting to express emotions through art.
Free, registration required · 14:00 to 16:00 · Map · Source: Ville de Montréal
Les mains à la pâte Activities
Mon 23 Nov · Bibliothèque de Parc-Extension
Cooking workshop where participants prepare dishes while learning the basics of healthy eating.
Free, registration required · 16:00 to 17:00 · Map · Source: Ville de Montréal
L’heure des vidéovores Activities
Wed 25 Nov · Bibliothèque de Parc-Extension
After-school video game meetup for ages 8 and up to try varied games and swap tips with friends.
Free · 15:30 to 17:00 · Map · Source: Ville de Montréal
La science des jouets Activities
Sun 29 Nov · Bibliothèque de Parc-Extension
Science workshop for ages 5 to 12 testing how different toys work, such as spinning toys and colour-changing ones.
Free, registration required · 14:00 to 15:00 · Map · Source: Ville de Montréal
Ciné-pédago: Histoire de jouets 5 Film
Wed 2 Dec · Bibliothèque de Parc-Extension
Family film screening of the latest Toy Story adventures of Woody and Buzz, on a day off.
Free · 15:00 to 17:00 · Map · Source: Ville de Montréal
Workshop: parfum Activities
Sat 5 Dec · Bibliothèque de Parc-Extension
Workshop on the basics of perfumery and aromatherapy, with a chance to explore many essential oils.
Free, registration required · 13:30 to 14:45 · Map · Source: Ville de Montréal · Atelier de parfum
Ornements festifs Activities
Sun 6 Dec · Bibliothèque de Parc-Extension
Workshop for ages 7 to 12 on modelling and painting decorations in self-hardening clay, to keep or give as gifts.
Free, registration required · 14:00 to 15:00 · Map · Source: Ville de Montréal
Colle et bricole Activities
Tue 8 Dec · Bibliothèque de Parc-Extension
Monthly art activity for ages 6 to 12 where an experienced artist guides a different project each time.
Free, registration required · 15:45 to 17:15 · Map · Source: Ville de Montréal
Talk : Pourquoi l'intelligence artificielle ne remplacera jamais l'humain Talks and readings
Tue 8 Dec · Bibliothèque Le Prévost
Talk by neurosurgeon and neuro-oncologist Dr David Fortin on why artificial intelligence and the brain are two completely different things.
Free, registration required · 19:00 to 20:00 · Map · Source: Ville de Montréal · Conférence : Pourquoi l'intelligence artificielle ne remplacera jamais l'humain
Causeries Chaï & Tchat Activities
Fri 11 Dec · Bibliothèque de Parc-Extension
Monthly social gatherings with snacks and tea for neighbours to chat, with language support in Punjabi.
Free · 10:00 to 11:30 · Map · Source: Ville de Montréal
Workshop: d’écriture d’une lettre au Père Noël et décoration de biscuits. Activities
Sat 12 Dec · Bibliothèque Le Prévost
Hands-on workshop at Bibliothèque Le Prévost, titled "Atelier d’écriture d’une lettre au Père Noël et décoration de biscuits.".
Free, registration required · 14:00 to 15:00 · Map · Source: Ville de Montréal · Atelier d’écriture d’une lettre au Père Noël et décoration de biscuits.
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