"This unassuming Saint-Denis cafe is the closest you’ll get to an Apulian meal without leaving Montreal. Follow the steps into the basement, where the atmosphere is chatty and Southern Italian specialties are done right. Consider the focaccia topped with burrata, mortadella, and chopped pistachios; a panzerotto (fried turnover) oozing with melted cheese; the panino Polignano (fried octopus sandwich); or a plate of orecchiette, the concave-shaped pasta typical of the region. While La Panzeria is a leader in Italian lunches, coffees, and snacks, it also does aperitivo on Thursday and Friday evenings, and recently welcomed sibling dinner spot Birbante. Know before you go: It’s a small space with a big following, so expect to wait at peak times." - Valerie Silva