Pikolo Espresso Bar

Pikolo Espresso Bar is the vision of Marie-Eve Laroche, who fell for the coffee culture of Australia and brought its easy, welcoming spirit to Montreal. The name is the Italian word for small, the shop began on Avenue du Parc in 2011, and the bar now sits on a downtown corner of Rue Clark near the Quartier des Spectacles, home to the signature Pikolo latte.

The menu is built around Canadian roasters including Myriade Roasting Co., Traffic Coffee, and Colorfull Coffee, brewed to let each coffee's own character come through. Inside, white subway tile, a blond wood slat bar, and a row of industrial pendant lamps set the scene, while croissants and pastries from Hof Kelsten and Abierto arrive before sunrise. Baristas are trained to keep the line moving, so a morning latte stays quick and friendly.