The Paper Hill Story
Paper Hill was born from a simple idea: create a place where people would want to stay.
Long before smartphones
Long before it welcomed brunch and coffee, this neighborhood was known as Paper Hill. Today, we're proud to serve inside those same historic walls, blending the past with each cup and plate. Our book wall is for everyone to enjoy; feel free to borrow a book.
A thoughtful spirit
Today, we've reimagined that spirit for a new generation.
From early morning espresso to evening apéro, Paper Hill is designed to evolve with the rhythm of the day. Whether you're meeting a friend over brunch, enjoying a quiet lunch, or unwinding with a glass of wine after work, every visit is meant to feel welcoming, unhurried, and memorable.
Books line our shelves as an invitation to disconnect from the digital world and reconnect with conversation, curiosity, and the simple pleasure of turning a page. We believe cafés should be more than places to grab coffee—they should be places where ideas are exchanged, relationships are built, and time slows down.
Everything we serve reflects the same philosophy: thoughtfully sourced coffee, seasonal food prepared with care, and genuine hospitality.
Paper Hill isn't just inspired by the history of the neighborhood—it aims to continue it by creating a space where new stories begin every day.
Stay for a while.
Read a book, write your next idea, or simply sip your coffee and chat with your neighbour.
We've designed Paper Hill to be a place that sparks connection, welcomes conversation, and offers quiet corners to focus, reflect, or unwind
— Selma Gueddich, Founder
A leap of faith
Before it poured coffee, this space poured drinks. Before that, it was only walls and light, waiting for a purpose.
When I took it over, I didn't just want to open a business — I wanted to open a door. A place that didn't punch a clock, that didn't close when the world got busy elsewhere. I wanted it to be une escale — a waypoint. Not a destination you rush toward, but a pause you allow yourself. A place between places.
Because spaces, I believe, are not meant to sit empty between opening and closing hours. They're meant to be inhabited — by conversation, by quiet mornings, by pages half-written and coffees gone cold because the talk was too good to interrupt. A third space, neither home nor work, where you're welcome to stay exactly as long as you need to.
Today, we pay homage to that spirit by holding a wall of books. Read one, borrow one, or simply come for inspiration — the words are there for you, the same way this place is.
So sit. Write. Linger. Bring a friend, or come alone and leave with one. This has always been, and will always be, a place for people first — everything else is just the excuse to walk through the door.
Paper Hill is for everyone
For friends catching up over coffee. For neighbours who stop by as part of their daily routine. For visitors discovering Montréal. For newcomers building a new life. For families sharing brunch. For children colouring while their parents enjoy one more cup.
When we took over this space, it operated as a bar, and guests under 18 weren't permitted. One of the first decisions we made was to change the licence so families and children could be part of Paper Hill.
From a business perspective, it wasn't the most profitable choice. But it was the right one for us.
As an immigrant myself, I know that finding your place in a new city isn't always easy. I strongly believe that it takes a village—a place where people feel seen, welcomed, and connected. A simple smile, a familiar face, or a conversation over coffee can make all the difference.
That's the community we hope to build every day.
Whether you're here for your morning espresso, a business meeting, brunch with your family, an afternoon of reading, or a glass of wine with friends after work, we want you to feel like you belong.
We're open later than most coffee shops because we believe a café should be there whenever people need it. Some come to start their day. Others come to end it. Many come simply to be together.
Whatever brings you through our doors, welcome to the Paper Hill family.