Private Tour
Jean-Talon Market Food Tour in Montreal with Local Guide Mayssam
Overview
Available languages
2 hours
Mobile ticket
Enjoy a private and authentic market tour with host Mayssam.
Mayssam was born and raised in Lebanon, lived in New York City before finally settling in Montreal – her home for about 25 years now. In a few previous lives, she worked as an interior designer, a graphic artist and have even dabbled in catering. However in 2010, she reconnected with her true passions: food and travel, and has been a food and travel writer and blogger since.
- Private Jean Talon market tour tour with a local food writer
- Enjoy a 2-hour guided tour of Jean-Talon market, Montréal's largest farmers market
- Discover local produce while you eat your way through the Jean Talon market
- Get insight on the market's, the neighborhood's history and Montreal's food scene
- Enjoy 6-7 tastings, that may include pastries, seasonal produce, local cheese, ice cider (alcoholic), smoked fish, dessert, etc.
Additional Info
Public transportation options are available nearby
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Vegetarian option is available, please advise at time of booking if required. If any travelers in your party have any allergies, dietary restrictions or preferences please advise at time of booking
Menu may vary depending on the season
Private, personalized experience
Please NOTE that during Oct-Apr, instead of visiting the outdoor market at Jean Talon, Mayssam will take you to Little Italy, which is the neighborhood the market is located in. You will walk around Little Italy and visit a pastry shop, an old school Italian café, and may grab a pizza, if time permits
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Discover one of the best Montreal food tours on this 2-hour guided visit to Jean-Talon Market, the city’s largest farmers market and one of the biggest public markets in North America. Your host, Mayssam, a local food and travel writer, will guide you through vibrant stalls filled with seasonal produce and local specialties. Learn about the history of Jean-Talon Market, Little Italy, and Montreal’s diverse culinary scene while stopping at her favorite vendors for tastings. You may visit a cheesemonger, artisanal bakery, smoked fish producer, ice cream shop, or fresh produce stands. At the end of the tour, Mayssam can help you shop for edible souvenirs. Families with children can enjoy a fun food scavenger hunt. Please note: From October to April, the tour may also include stops in the Little Italy neighborhood as parts of the outdoor market are closed.
Sample Menu
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Freshly baked pastries to start the day
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Peak seasonal produce (strawberries, corn, apples)
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A board of artisanal local cheeses paired with ice cider, a Quebec specialty
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Syrian specialty spreads served with homemade pita crackers
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Locally caught and house-smoked fish (seasonal)
dessert
A seasonal sweet bite (maple syrup tart, ice cream, macarons)
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And a few surprise tastings along the way
What‘s Included
Guided tour of Jean-Talon market with host Mayssam
6-7 tastings
Hotel pickup and drop-off
Options
Market tour (afternoon)
Duration: 2 hours
Market tour (morning)
Duration: 2 hours
Reviews
3 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Highly Recommend
Alexander K,Aug 5, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00We booked a private tour of the Jean Talon Market with Mayssam so that we could get a tour of the market and food tastings to serve as lunch all wrapped into one. Mayssam met us outside La Librairie Gourmand as scheduled. She gave us a full tour of the market and its history as we walked around, several delicious tastings customized to our wishes, as well as recommendations and time for shopping. We had a great time and highly recommend this tour. Thank you, Mayssam!
We were so lucky to have Mayssam as our guide. She is fabulous. I’d give her 6 stars if that was an option.
Coastal00018460597,May 25, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Turns out it was only our group if 5 so essentially a private tour. Anyone who goes on a tour with Mayssam as a guide will be lucky. She knows the vendors at the market and it is clear they like her. I can’t say enough good things about the tour. We have done many food tours and this one with Mayssam was the very best of many good tours.
A perfect authentic experience with the most welcoming family and delicious lebaneese food!
Alex L,Jul 31, 2023
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had the most wonderful afternoon with Nohad and her family at their beautiful house. We were welcomed into their living room with some delicious appetizers and drinks. Then we went out to their beautiful garden together to pick some fresh produce for our meal. We then began our cooking session, working with Nohad and her son in the kitchen making Lebaneese Kibbeh, Felafel, Tabule Salad and many more. When we were done we sat down together for the most fun and delicious meal we had during our trip to Lebanon! Thank you Nohad, Mario and George for opening your heart and home and hosting us in such a warm way!
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