Before the first orders and the rush of the restaurant, there is preparation. Camilo Lapointe-Nascimento has spent the last 14 years in the kitchen, building his craft through repetition, discipline, and long hours behind the pass. A rhythm shaped over time, one that extends far beyond the kitchen and into the mountains. 

Camilo first got on a mountain bike at 12 years old. From there, he moved into BMX, which eventually evolved into road cycling. A progression informed by the same consistency and effort found in the kitchen.

“It’s rooted in the same mindset as cycling: waking up early, seizing the day, heading out for long efforts in the mountains.”

That approach carries through everything he does, expressed through both the craft of cooking and the rhythm of the ride.

As he prepares to open his own space, Cam’s Déjeuner is created with the same care it takes to craft a great sandwich: thoughtful, deliberate, and grounded in the essentials. Just steps from Mont-Royal, the space is designed simply: a small breakfast counter, a handful of seats, and the option to stay or take it to go. It’s meant to feel open and approachable, where the atmosphere matters just as much as what’s being served.

That idea is at the basis of his project. Camilo isn’t trying to build something exclusive or overly refined, but rather a space that welcomes people in. From the bread baked on site to the way the space is shaped, everything follows the same intention, with a focus on simple, good moments. Built around mornings and routine, a breakfast spot feels like the natural move. 

“There’s a strong connection between the project and the way I live outside of work.”

For Camilo, the day begins early. It’s in those first hours, getting things done, finding a rhythm, making the most of the time ahead, that everything takes shape. That instinct to seize the day informed the project from the start. It carries through the space, not only in what’s served, but in the people it brings together.

For Camilo, that sense of connection and community grew with Le Club. 

“Le Club creates a space where it’s easy to break the ice and connect with incredible people.”

Through morning rides and community events, he became part of Montreal’s cycling scene, a space that pushed him to show up. The people, the shared rides, the familiar faces, all of which defined how he approaches the moments leading up to what comes next.

Opening soon, Cam’s Déjeuner is rooted in Montreal, open to its community, and guided by the simple idea of making the most of the day.

Photos by Le Club