St-Viateur bagels would give any NYC bagels a run for their money. This has to be the best gem in Montreal -- no make that all of Canada! It really doesn't get any better.
We had stopped in at Fairmont bagel first, but luckily decided to walk the extra blocks to get to St-Viateur ouest.
Their staff (owners?) on hand when we visited were very friendly and helpful. While they gave "first time visitors" each a free hot bagel, they also recommended a great coffee shop just up the street as well as guiding us how to reach the nearest Metro. (We never would have known that you need to climb the stairs past the gas station to reach the elevated street section)