I wanted to add some thoughts about the difference in markets between Essex Market and Jean Talon.
I wrote a few things about the market and posted pictures from my last trip here.
I agree with @Phoenikia that Essex is basically a fancy food court. There are very few vendors that sell anything that you would buy if you were doing basic food shopping. And what is sold is expensive. Not for every day shopping. Not remotely. It’s for tourists and the special occasion shopping and snacking.
If I lived close by the Jean Talon market I would be there several times a week. If I lived in Montréal and didn’t live close by I would likely be there once a week to stock up.
Markets like Jean Talon are for people who cook. Essex and its ilk are for foodies who don’t cook.
