If 1976 could talk it would walk through the doors at The Café Santropol and say, “Honey, I’m home!”

Not a lot has changed at The Santropol since Garth Gilker and his partners Jennifer Luczynski and James Solkin first created this Montreal monument to hippiedom.

No one’s in a rush except the servers who work the length and breath of the many nooks and crannies of this cozy yet sprawling restaurant café. Despite the size, the place folds you in with its antique embossed tin ceiling tiles, exposed brick walls, old cushiony booths and worn wooden floor.

If the weather's good, grab a table in the magical back garden. The tinkling fountain, rustling trees and chirping birds make you forget that bustling St. Urbain Street is just metres away.

Their sandwiches are the show stoppers. Where else can you get the St-Urbain Corner - a monster sandwich slathered with cream cheese, olive and spices spread, honey and nuts? Or a Hungarian Cheese with creamy paprika and caraway seed spread topped with marinated onions? Another weekday crowd pleaser is the hearty, homemade soup and half-sandwich combo - an order that's been sticking to the ribs of Montrealers for over three and a half decades.

Before you head out the door and back into 2012, shop the Santropol boutique for a selection of their Fair Trade and organic coffees, herbal teas, coffee cups and saucers, and restaurant memorabilia.

Oh Happy Days.