Aux Merveilleux de Fred

Aux Merveilleux de Fred is pure magic. From the moment you step inside, you're greeted by the aroma of freshly baked pastries and the sight of pastry chefs crafting delicate creations behind the counter. Their signature dessert—the Merveilleux—is a cloud-like blend of meringue, whipped cream, and chocolate that melts in your mouth. It’s unlike anything I’ve tasted before. They disappeared within seconds.

Aux Merveilleux de Fred in Montreal is a wonderful spot for anyone who enjoys delicious coffee and pastries. Their treats are rich in flavor, and the coffee pairs perfectly with the delicate sweetness of their baked goods. The café has a cozy and sophisticated vibe, even though the seating area is small. One of the standout features is the stunning chandelier that greets you as you walk in, adding a touch of elegance to the atmosphere. The air is filled with the enticing aroma of freshly baked pastries, making the experience even more delightful. It’s a charming place to enjoy a relaxing coffee break.

Aux Merveilleux de Fred, situated at the corner of Rue Rachel and Saint Denis, is a delightful bakery that transports you straight to Europe with its elegant atmosphere and exceptional desserts. Specializing in the Merveilleux—a delicate creation of airy meringues layered with whipped cream and coated with chocolate or other toppings—this bakery offers a truly unique and delightful experience. We came here initially knowing nothing about the Merveilleux, drawn in by the bakery’s charming exterior and intriguing name. From the very first bite, we were captivated. The combination of textures—the crisp yet delicate meringue, the light, creamy filling, and the flavorful outer coating—was unlike anything we’d tried before. Delighted by our discovery, we’ve since returned several times, each visit as enjoyable as the first. The interior of the bakery is as much a treat as its desserts. The space is beautifully adorned with a touch of old-world elegance, featuring a grand chandelier and an open kitchen where you can watch the pastry chefs work their magic. At the back, a few small tables create a cozy spot to sit and savor the experience at a leisurely pace. The staff are warm, friendly, and eager to help, patiently answering questions and making thoughtful recommendations for newcomers like us. Aux Merveilleux de Fred doesn’t just serve desserts—it offers a moment of indulgence that feels luxurious and special. If you’re in Montreal and looking to try something both unique and unforgettable, this bakery is not to be missed.

I was attracted to that place with a fabulous chandelier. So we went in and boy was that a great decision. The coffee and pastries were perfect. Absolutely recommend it!

The bakery looks wonderful as you walk in. You can see the pastry chefs working their art, rolling the croissants dough. We had the chocolate merveilleux and the one with nuts. There is meringue at the bottom with a cream enrobed in the chocolate and nuts. They were pretty good. Also had the chocolate croissant which looked better than it tasted, perhaps because it was not warm.

So good. Great service and super fun to watch them make all the foods. If there were more stars to rate it I would have.

Highly recommended !!!! Became one of my favourite bakeries in montreal. Yes they have limited variety but I can tell you it feels like they love what they do. I have never seen a better looking croissant anywhere in Montreal . Oh and the price is very reasonable. If you love posting photos come here now !!

Super friendly staff. Taking time to explain and provide context of the deserts and pastries. Bought their classic but discovered these crepes filled with sweet vanilla cream. Had them with my espresso this morning. Amazing combo. When in Montreal must visit and try, you won't regret it.

Yes this patisserie is fabulous. We were vacationing in Montreal and watched straight into their window from our 2nd floor room as they rolled out and shaped the dough fresh every morning. They are famous for their meringues but as beautiful as they are were a little too sweet for me. The croissants and coffee, however, are to die for! I've eaten my way through Paris over the last 25 years and this place rivals some of the best croissants and pastries I've ever had. The funny part is that you don't have to travel to Paris or even to Montreal because they have locations in NYC. Check out the story on their website as the originator hailed from pastry excellence in Paris. Solid 5 stars here.

Great coffee. Amazing desserts and excellent service. We stumbled on this place in an early rainy morning. I think they have the best croissant and cappuccino in Canada. This is a wonderful bakery.

I was wandering in the area (St-Denis and Rachel) and noticed the beautiful chandelier, so I had to have a closer look. Marvelous by Fred or Aux Merveilleux de Fred is a traditional French speciality pastry brand, that also has a location in Toronto and numerous other cities in world. The Montreal location is cute and quite similar as other locations with the distinguishable huge chandelier, however, it is very small. For a better experience, it'll probably be better to order take out your order. I had their specialty, a magnifique and a cherry merveilleux both made with meringue, whipped cream coated with shaving of either crushed caraméliser almonds or crystallized meringue. I also had a sandwich and coffee. Everything was good, I can understand why people could coming back. The service was quick and cordial, unfortunately for me there was only one seat left near the washroom in a tiny space so let's say that I was in hurry to finish. I'll surely order merveilleux again, but won't be eating at the café because it's way too tiny.

What's a "merveilleux", you might ask? Well its a French pastry we don't usually encounter in pastry shops here, something that "Aux Merveilleux de Fred" decided to present in all its glory. The confections are light, airy, creamy globes coated with sweet crunchy meringue and shavings. The meringue can get a bit sweet, which is where a nice cup of coffee or tea comes in handy. There are several flavours available to discover. I tried the chocolate, cherry, praliné and coffee. My favorite is probably the chocolate one, as it was smooth and not too sweet. The cherry one was not as enticing, as it seemed a bit artificial. They offer discovery boxes with mini merveilleux for those that want to try everything, as well as larger sized merveilleux for those who have found their favorites. This shop also offer other types of baked goods (brioches, etc), which all looked and smelled very good. Note: This is a well established chain store with international presence! The names are also fun (Sans-Culotte!).

Overall: Very cute spot to try a unique "merveilleux" pastry! It's essentially a meringue + whipped cream + topping. Note also that there is a small seating area with outlets. Value: 8/10. My friend and I split a small chocolate one for about $1.5 CAD each. Taste: 7/10. This is a very unique pastry that I'm sure requires a degree of technical skill to create. That being said its ingredients are almost entirely sugar, so it is sweet and I am glad we split a small one. Would be curious to see how more 'savory' toppings might influence the flavor. The chocolate croissant my other friends shared was pretty average; not very flaky. Presentation: 8.5/10. Pretty standard pastry packaging. The merveilleux comes in a cute box so could be a good gift! Ambiance: 10/10. Majestic chandelier welcoming everyone at the entrance and an open kitchen layout so you can sit and watch the pastry chefs make everything! Dined: December 12, 2022

Best pastries I've ever had! The first time I tried these little bombs was 6 years ago in Paris and I've been dreaming about them ever since. Beautiful little balls of delicious light cream, meringue and chocolate. In order from best to less best flavors: Speculoos, pralines, coffee, white chocolate, strawberry, chocolate.

This is a must stop in Montreal. Decadent and delicious deserts!!! It is always a treat eating here!

This is one of the best bakeries I've ever been to. These are definite professionals working here. The chocolate bread was great as was the rest of the baked goods we tried. Amazing atmosphere watching everyone written in an awesome environment