7 places to try a Croque Monsieur or Croque Madame in Vancouver
Created and made famous as a satisfying snack, the Croque Monsieur (and its eggy ladyfriend the Croque Madame) is one of France’s most famous sandwich exports.
Essentially a pumped up hot ham and cheese sammy, the Croque Monsieur is often served smothered with a creamy Béchamel sauce, and is a ubiquitous cafe staple. Take this amped up eat to a new level with the addition of a fried egg on top and voila, you have a Croque Madame.
In Vancouver, you’ll find the Croque Monsieur and Madame on breakfast, lunch, or brunch menus, particularly in spots known for their French fare. Here are seven places in Vancouver where you can try a Croque Monsieur or Croque Madame.
Twisted Fork Bistro
At this breakfast and brunch favourite, they serve a Croque Monsieur with brioche, gruyere, cheddar and ham, paired with fresh greens and their house tomato sauce for the Twisted Fork twist.
Address: 1147 Granville Street, Vancouver
Phone: 604-568-0749
Twitter: @TwstdForkBistro
The Stable House
Perhaps one of Vancouver’s best kept secrets, the Stable House is a great place to try a Croque Monsieur. You’ll find their Classic Croque Monsieur on their brunch menu, with the option to add an egg to make it a Madame.
Address: 1520 West 13th Avenue, Vancouver
Phone: 604-736-1520
Twitter: @TheStableHouse
Tableau Bar Bistro
One of Vancouver’s loveliest spots for French bistro fare, Tableau in the Loden Hotel has a tempting plate of Croque Monsieur with frites available on their brunch menu, with the always tantalizing option to add on a free range egg.
Address: 1181 Melville Street, Vancouver
Phone: 604-639-8692
Twitter: @TableauBistro
Au Comptoir
For a taste of Paris without the (stereotypical) pretention, Kitsilano’s Au Comptoir is a great place to slip into a world of authentic French food. Available on both their breakfast and lunch menus, Au Comptoir has a Croque Monsieur made with gruyère and ham on country bread, served with a side salad. And, oui, you can put a fried egg on it for their Croque Madame.
Address: 2278 West 4th Avenue, Vancouver
Phone: 604-569-2278
Twitter: @Au_Comptoir
La Cigale
This popular French bistro in Kits offers their take on the Croque Monsieur on their lunch and brunch menus. La Cigale’s rendition includes honey ham and Swiss cheese with tomato, spinach, and a gruyere Mornay sauce.
Address: 1961 West 4th Avenue, Vancouver
Phone: 604-732-0004
Twitter: @LaCigaleBist
Jules Bistro
Jules Bistro is a charming little Gastown haunt that dishes up rich, satisfying French classics. Their lunch and brunch menus include traditional Croque Monsieur and Croque Madame, served with your choice of salad and/or fries.
Address: 216 Abbott Street, Vancouver
Phone: 604-669-0033
Twitter: @julesbistro
Red Wagon
East Vancouver’s venerable diner may have your belly growling for their epic, fluffy pancakes, but if you want to start your morning off with this rich French sandwich, Red Wagon makes both a Croque Monsieur and Madame. Get your grilled ham and Swiss sammy topped with béchamel (and an egg, if you’re going for a Madame), with fries or salad on the side.
Address: 2296 East Hastings Street, Vancouver
Phone: 604-568-4565
Twitter: @redwagoncafe