Jean Talon Market, 8 Tastings

Jean Talon Market & Little Italy Food Tour with 8 Local Tastings

★ 4.8 169 reviews

from $86.86 per person

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Duration: 2 to 3 hours
Meeting point: 387 Rue Saint-Zotique Est
Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before
On board: Tastings included
Run by: Secret Food Tours

Overview

This walking tour pairs Jean-Talon Market with the Little Italy streets around it. Over two to three hours, a guide from Secret Food Tours leads a group of no more than 12 people through the market and then into the neighbourhood, with eight tastings built into the route. The list of food includes a gourmet focaccia sandwich made with seasonal local produce, maple syrup ice cream, crispy arancini, a fresh cannoli paired with an Italian beverage, pizza al taglio, cold-pressed apple juice, and one item the operator keeps secret until the day.

The walk begins at Roxy Focaccia on Rue Saint-Zotique Est and ends at the Park of Little Italy on Rue Clark, with roughly the first half spent in the market and the second half in Little Italy. Along the way the route passes spots such as Caserne 31, Fruiterie Milano and Soeur-Madeleine-Gagnon Park without stopping. Admission to both areas is free, and no transport is provided between stops, since everything is on foot.

Guide And Group In Brief

Guide	Included
Group size	Up to 12 travellers

Because portions are generous, several travellers recommend arriving hungry. The tour suits most visitors: it is wheelchair and pushchair accessible, and the operator notes that most travellers can participate. Dietary needs must be flagged in advance so the operator can plan around them.

What's Included

Included

Gourmet Focaccia Sandwich | Seasonal Local Produce
Maple Syrup Ice Cream | Crispy Golden Arancini
Fresh Cannoli with Italian Beverage | Authentic Pizza al Taglio
Cold-Pressed Apple Juice
Signature Secret Dish!

Not Included

Transporation
Gratuities

Itinerary

Meet at Roxy FocacciaThe tour starts at 387 Rue Saint-Zotique Est, at Roxy Focaccia St-Zotique, the meeting point for the day.
Marche Jean-TalonRoughly 1.5 hours inside Jean-Talon Market. The route also passes Caserne 31 without stopping.
Walk into Little ItalyThe group continues on foot into the Little Italy neighbourhood for the second half of the tour.
Little Italy tastingsAbout 1.5 hours through Little Italy, passing Fruiterie Milano, Soeur-Madeleine-Gagnon Park and Park of Little Italy along the way, with the remaining tastings.
End at Park of Little ItalyThe tour finishes near Parc de la Petite-Italie at 6634 Rue Clark, Montreal.

Where this tour sits among 5 priced tours in Food Tours listed here (from-price per person, USD)

Jean Talon Market, 8 Tastings (this tour)$86.86
Spade Non-Touristy Food Tour$93.37
Mile End Food Tour$98.80
Mile End Bagel Poutine, 7 Tastings$98.80
Old Food Tour, 6 Tastings$115.09

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points help this tour go smoothly, based on the tour details and on what past travellers have written.

Come hungry. Several reviewers said the portions are large. Treat the tastings as a full meal rather than a snack.
Walking shoes. The whole tour is on foot between the market and Little Italy. Comfortable shoes make the walking easier.
Route and pace. The route covers the market and the surrounding neighbourhood entirely on foot. Budget the full two to three hours, since the time depends on the group.
Seasonal menu. The menu can change because Jean-Talon Market is seasonal. Specific items may be swapped, so treat the tasting list as a sample.
Dietary needs. Contact the operator before the tour about any dietary requirement. The team can then plan around them in advance.
Getting there. The meeting point is near public transportation.

Ready To BookCheck availability →

Common issues. The menu shifts with the seasons, so the tasting list may vary from day to day. One reviewer reported poor communication around a cancellation, with the tour cancelled and then reconfirmed in a confusing string of emails, and another reported a guide arriving a few minutes late and weak on local knowledge. Guides vary, and reviews of them range widely. Transportation to the meeting point and gratuities are not included, and the full refund window closes 24 hours before the start time.

Common Questions

What Food Is Included On The Tour?

Eight tastings are built into the price: a gourmet focaccia sandwich with seasonal local produce, maple syrup ice cream, crispy arancini, a fresh cannoli with an Italian beverage, pizza al taglio, cold-pressed apple juice, and a signature secret dish. The menu can change with the seasons at Jean-Talon Market.

Do I Need To Pay Extra For Food Or Entry?

No, all the tastings are included, and admission to both Jean-Talon Market and Little Italy is free. Transportation to and from the meeting point, and gratuities for the guide, are not included.

Where Does The Tour Meet And End?

Meet at Roxy Focaccia St-Zotique at 387 Rue Saint-Zotique Est in Montreal. The tour ends near Parc de la Petite-Italie at 6634 Rue Clark, a short walk into Little Italy.

How Long Is The Tour And How Big Are The Groups?

It runs two to three hours, split roughly evenly between Jean-Talon Market and Little Italy. Groups are capped at 12 travellers.

Is The Tour Suitable For Kids Or Wheelchair Users?

The tour is wheelchair and pushchair accessible, and surfaces and transport are wheelchair accessible, and infants must sit on laps. Reviewers with children described a guide who made the experience work for the youngest member of the group.

What Is The Cancellation Policy?

Cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start are not refunded or accepted, and cut-off times follow the local time in Montreal. Confirmation is sent within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability.