Getting Cheap Groceries in Montreal 💰💵🤑

21 Dec 2022

"There are two kinds of people in the world ... Those who decide what they want to cook first and shop for ingredients based on the recipes, and those who hoard whatever fruit/veggie/meat that's on sale and cook based on whatever that is still edible in their fridge."

(I’m the latter since I’m poor&broke therefore frugal, and also I’m actually not a person who is picky about the taste - I can eat the same stuffs for weeks/months and still be perfectly fine) 😝

I’d like to share some useful apps and good places (local grocery stores / big supermarkets I often go to) for grocery shopping.

⚠️Some of the information might be outdated at the moment you read this post (I hope not), I’ll try to update from time to time though there’s no guarantee🥲

1. Applications

a) Flipp

I use this app to check all the weekly flyers of my nearby supermarkets before deciding which supermarket I’m gonna head to for this week’s grocery shopping.

b) Reebee

Reebee and Flipp are similar - both are good for checking flyers

c) FoodHero

This app is recommended by a professor of the Francisation course (Merci beaucoup à Mme Filion !) Inside the app it looks like this (available products are updated daily):

We can purchase discounted meat, ready-to-eat or other grocery products (probably close to their best-before date, so they are frozen and sold at a discounted price on this app).

If you feel like trying this app, you could also consider using my invitation code hehe🤣 My invitation code is: elisez4

d) Applications Linked with Specific Supermarkets / Retail Companies

The following apps are affiliated with specific companies, and I’m gonna put them in a list:

Store	Application	Functionality
Provigo	PC Optimum	Check Flyers; Accumulate Points; Coupons; (Every Monday, shop here with your student ID card and PC Optimum card to accumulate student points equivalent to 10% of your purchase amount)
Maxi	PC Optimum	Check Flyers; Accumulate Points; Coupons;
Pharmaprix	PC Optimum	Check Flyers; Accumulate Points; Coupons;
Metro	Moi	Check Flyers; Accumulate Points; Coupons (Every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, shop with your student ID card to get 10% off)
Super C	Moi	Check Flyers; Coupons; (Only at certain participating stores: Every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, shop with your student ID card to get 10% off when you spend more than 40CAD)
IGA	Scene+	Accumulate Points; Coupons;
Marché Tradition	Scene+	Accumulate Points; Coupons;
Jean Coutu	Moi	Accumulate Points; Coupons;

2. Grocery Stores / Supermarkets 🏪

a) Groceries Stores - Hidden Gems💎💎💎!!

Segal’s Market

A must-go in plateau! A local grocery store with nearly 100-year history located on Boulevard Saint-Laurent. They sometimes have really cheap close-to-date dairy products (yogurts/cheese), juices, sausages. The fruits, vegetables and spices are really of a grand variety and of good price!

Marché Lobo

Really convenient to go to, a small and lovely store located near rue Milton and avenue du Parc. Good collection of fruits and veggies!

Boucherie Épicerie Soares & Fils

This isn’t close to where I live, but I do visit there in summer (when there’s no snow and it’s easier to walk around). Good collection of fruits/veggies, cheese and meat! Avenue Duluth (where the store is located) also has a lively ambiance and it’s nice to walk around.

Épicerie Du Bazaar

Strong recommendations from friends in my previous Francisation course :)

b) Supermarkets 🛒

I will list below some of the big supermarkets / food retails that I have visited in Montreal.

Just google whichever is the closest to you, and don’t forget to check their weekly flyers to help you make better decisions!

The Local Classics

• Provigo
• Metro
• IGA
• Super C
• Maxi
• Marché Tradition
• Rachelle-Béry

Supermarkets (with perhaps exotic origins but already well localized)

⚠️Disclaimer: I’m Chinese so the below might be biased with an uneven proportion of Chinese supermarkets as compared to those of other origins. But I 100% believe that there are still a lot more great places for me to discover. I love all good food and would definitely love to explore and expand the list!

• Supermarché PA
• Supermarché Akhavan
• Marché Adonis
• Marché Newon
• Marché Kim Phat
• Marché FuTai / Marché LianTai / Marché ShengTai (I think these three are of the same company?)

Huuuuuuge Supercenters

Locations are not close to the downtown central area. Personally I feel that these are only suitable for those who have a car and have a family of at least 2 or 3 people, otherwise it wouldn’t really worth it going all the way there for hoarding gorcery supplies… Also you would have to purchase an annual membership if you want to shop at Costco…

• Walmart
• Costco