Mayssam was born and raised in Lebanon, lived in New York City before finally settling in Montreal - her home for about 25 years now. In a few previous lives, she worked as an interior designer, a graphic artist and have even dabbled in catering. However in 2010, she reconnected with her true passions: food and travel, and has been a food and travel writer and blogger since. Mayssam enjoys traveling the world in search for her next culinary discovery, and love showcasing her discoveries, especially when they happen to be in her hometown of Montreal. She dreams food, lives food and loves food, all day, every day! From Michelin-starred restaurants across the planet to the latest hole-in-the-wall down the street, she wants to taste it all! Her suitcase and passport are always ready and her wanderlust spirit never satiated.
Please note menu might vary. If there are particular dishes you are interested in trying, please include your request in the booking form.
Market visit: (2-22 guests) Discover one of the best food tours in Montreal with a 2-hour guided visit to Jean-Talon Market, Montréal’s largest farmers market and one of the biggest public markets in North America. Your host, Mayssam, is a passionate food and travel writer who lives just two blocks away and visits the market several times a week, making her the perfect local guide. On this Montreal food tour, explore the colorful stalls, aromas, and flavors of this iconic outdoor market while learning about the history of Jean-Talon Market, the Little Italy neighborhood, and Montreal’s vibrant culinary scene. Along the way, stop at Mayssam’s favorite vendors to enjoy tastings and conversations with local producers. You might visit a cheesemonger, smoked fish producer, artisanal bakery, ice cream maker, forager’s stand, or seasonal fruit and vegetable stalls. At the end of the tour, Mayssam can help you shop for local specialties or edible souvenirs to take home. For families traveling with children, Mayssam offers a fun gastronomic treasure hunt, where kids explore local ingredients through a mini food scavenger hunt, tasting and learning about fruits, vegetables, and herbs along the way. Children aged 10 and above are charged at the adult rate. Please note: Please note: October–April, since the outdoor part of the Jean-Talon Market is shut down, the tour may also venture out into Montreal's Little Italy neighborhood, with stops at a pastry shop, traditional Italian café, and more.
Notes: If you book an experience during the months of Oct-Apr, instead of visiting the outdoor market at Jean Talon, Mayssam will take you to Little Italy, which is the neighborhood the market is located in. You will walk around Little Italy and visit a pastry shop, an old school Italian café (and grab a pizza, if time permits!)
Languages spoken: English, French
We booked a private tour of the Jean Talon Market with Mayssam so that we could get a tour of the market and food tastings to serve as lunch all wrapped into one. Mayssam met us outside La Librairie Gourmand as scheduled. She gave us a full tour of the market and its history as we walked around, several delicious tastings customized to our wishes, as well as recommendations and time for shopping. We had a great time and highly recommend this tour. Thank you, Mayssam!- Alexander August 05, 2025
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