Atwater Market
Jean Talon Market
Maisonneuve Market
Lachine Market
Marche de l’Ouest
Marche Public 440

Atwater market (view map)
Surrounded by outdoor flower and fresh produce stalls, Atwater market is one of the city’s best. Inside, there’s a Première Moisson bakery, various butchers, cheese shops, a fresh pasta store, fish shop, candy store and an SAQ. For kids age 2/3 and up, you can make an eco-friendly weekend morning excursion out of buying fresh, local produce. Located on the bike path, it’s a great destination for families with bikes/bike trailers. Grab a coffee and pastry at the bakery, then stroll the outdoor stalls, letting kids pick fresh fruit and veggies. Some of the cheese shops offer samples, which both kids and grownups will appreciate (as long as the cheese isn’t too stinky!). In the summer, kids can also help choose plants for the house or garden, perhaps contemplating their choices over an ice cream at Havre aux Glaces. Since the market is on the Lachine canal, kids can see the water, cross a mini walking bridge nearby and perhaps see a boat in the water. Before Halloween, Atwater Market is a must for a seasonal photo-op. It’s piled with mini to mega pumpkins, bins of freaky-looking gourds and bales of hay. In the winter, some of the outdoor stalls are covered, so you can still enjoy the market. Many people buy Christmas trees there, although they’re expensive (from $45 to $65).
Stroller access: To get into the indoor part of the market, you have to either carry/drag your stroller up the stairs, or take a service elevator in the back of the building. From outside, go to the back of the building (behind Première Moisson) and look for a door to the elevator, which takes you to the main floor of the market.
Changing table: The women’s washroom has a changing table.
Hours: Open every day except Dec. 25, 26, Jan. 1 and 2. Mon to Wed: 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., Turs., Fri. 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., Sat. 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sun. 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Address: 138 Atwater Ave., below Notre Dame Ave.
Parking: There are two parking lots behind the market, metered parking on the street and a free lot at the shopping centre across the street.
Telephone for Montreal public markets: 514-937-7754
Website: http://www.marche-atwater.com/

Jean Talon Market (view map)
Located in little Italy, Jean Talon Market is bigger and has even more of a foodie feeling than Atwater. A good destination for a fun, casual lunch, there are more ready-made dishes here to choose from: calamari, paella, European baked goodies, a stand with barbecued meat and sausage skewers. Try to leave without hitting the ice cream place! There’s a covered area with rows of picnic tables for eating, and many of the fruit and vegetable stands have plates piled high with samples. It’s all on one level, so stroller access is good. Underground parking is available, which makes things a bit easier in the winter.

Hours: Open every day except Dec. 25, 26, Jan. 1 and 2. Mon to Wed: 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., Turs., Fri. 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., Sat. 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sun. 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Address: 7070 Henri Julien St., south of Jean Talon. (view map)
Parking: Metered parking on the street, pay parking in underground lot.
Telephone for Montreal public markets: 514-937-7754
Website: http://www.marche-jean-talon.com/

Maisonneuve Market (view map)
This is the family-friendliest of the major public markets in Montreal, because it has a large playground area and basketball court right next to it. It’s a smaller market than Atwater or Jean Talon, with less of a gourmet feel to it, but it’s got all the basics. The Premiere Moisson has tons of seating inside (with highchairs) and a large, shaded outdoor patio. For families with young children, this market is well worth a spring/summer/Autumn weekend visit for lunch and playtime in the park.
Hours: Open every day except Dec. 25, 26, Jan. 1 and 2. Mon to Wed: 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., Turs., Fri. 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., Sat. 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sun. 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Address: 4445 Ontario St. E, between Pie-IX and Viau. (view map)
Parking: Free parking lot and meter parking on surrounding streets.
Changing Table: There is a changing table in the women’s bathroom
Telephone for Montreal public markets: 514-937-7754
Website: http://www.marchemaisonneuve.com/

Lachine Market (view map)
Definitely a smaller-scale market than Atwater or Jean Talon, but still a good place for fresh or gourmet ingredients and plants. There’s a cute, on-site coffee shop/restaurant that has a small outdoor patio. On our visit, it had a few toys, paper and crayons. Lachine Market is within walking distance of the waterfront area.
Hours: Open every day except Dec. 25, 26, Jan. 1 and 2. Mon to Wed: 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., Turs., Fri. 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., Sat. 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sun. closed
Address: 1865 Notre Dame Ave., corner 18th Ave. (view map)
Parking: Some free parking on surrounding streets.
Telephone for Montreal public markets: 514-937-7754
Website: http://www.marchedelachine.com/

Marché de l’Ouest (view map)
Just off Sources Blvd., Marché de l’Ouest offers a bit of market atmosphere in the midst of several suburban strip malls. Outside there’s fresh produce, flowers and plants, inside there’s an unbelievable array of great food shops with all kinds of ready-made goodies: Première Moisson, fresh fish, various butchers, ethnic and specialty food products. If one of your kids has a birthday coming up, it’s good to know that all kinds of supplies (cake moulds and decorations, piñatas, etc.) can be found at Bulk Barn. You can easily tie a visit to the market in with other errands nearby. There are some seasonal activities for kids, like visits from Santa, face-painting and cookie-making.

Changing table: Women’s washroom has a changing table.
Hours: Saturday to Wednesday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Thursday and Friday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Address: 11600 de Salaberry St., Dollard des Ormeaux (view map)
Parking: Free on-site parking lot
Telephone: 514-685-0183

Marché Public 440 (view map)

This Laval market is a modern, upscale, all-indoor food extravaganza. Parents will start salivating as soon as they set foot in the door: there are several restaurants, a fresh produce store, sausage shop, bakeries, massive fish market, etc. A good destination if you want to have breakfast or lunch, then make an event out of getting groceries. With all the gourmet ingredients here, you may be inspired to try making something new for dinner … or leave it to the experts and pick up something gourmet.

Hours: Mon. to Wed. 9 a.m .to 6 p.m., Thurs, Fri. 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Sat. and Sun. 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Address: 3535 Laval Highway W. (view map)
Parking: Free parking lot
Telephone: 450-682-1440
Website: http://www.marche-public440.com/