Every year in January, I write down the top 5 cities I’m dying to get to that year. For the last 3 years, Montréal has been at the top of that list. When I moved to New York City, I thought, “Surely I’ll head to Montréal often, it’s so close to the city!” But I never had the chance to visit pre-pandemic!
I excitedly jumped at the chance to go to Montréal when the US-Canada borders opened back up because Montréal was just as magical as I hoped it would be! It’s an easy hour flight from New York but feels worlds away. The city is equal parts old world and new. Montréal seduces travelers with a harmonious pairing of the historic and the new. Captivated by the charm of Old Port of Montréal and the bustling of downtown, the city is a striking union of European charm and North American attitude!
The French and British influence on the city’s culture and architecture make Montréal a truly multicultural and international city. The “joie de vivre” is evident in Montréal and it’s easy for visitors and locals alike to hop from one experience to the next! Day and night, Montréal pulses with activity. You can take in all the city has to offer as a global hub for world-class dining, fashion, technology, art, and architecture. Chefs in the “City of Saints” continue to elevate its reputation as a gourmet destination, as it’s become a traveling foodie’s dream. You will surely be wining and dining your way through Montréal! There are some culinary experiences you just can’t miss while in Montréal: Dine at Joe Beef, have some late-night poutine, compare the famous Montréal bagels! Montréal has hosted multiple international conferences and events, the most notable being the 1967 World Fair and the 1976 Summer Olympics – the only Canadian city to have held the summer games!
I was there in early October, right as the leaves were turning and a light jacket is a perfect thing to wear. While I’d highly recommend fall as an ideal time to visit the city, I can’t wait to get back to Montréal during the summer or winter to experience the city in another season!
If it’s your first time in Montréal, I recommend you grab breakfast/brunch at Dandy! Get some coffee from Crew Collective Café, Tommy, Cafe Olympico or Cafe Éclair! Lunch at Olive et Gourmando or Restaurant Mélisse! Explore the neighborhoods of charming Old Montréal and hip Mile End! And for dinner go to Tiers Paysage, Joe Beef and Foxy! I put quite a few more recommendations below, but noted my favorite spots or the must-dos with an asterisk (*)!
To Eat:
- *Dandy -One of my favorite brunch spots in the city, right in Old Montréal. It’s perfect for anything from a quick coffee to a long, boozy brunch.
- *Restaurant Mélisse – A great lunch spot with a simple, fresh, and modern menu. The natural wine selection is also a highlight.
- *Olive et Gourmando – A must for breakfast or lunch with incredible pastries and sandwiches. The apple turnover and Cajun chicken sandwich are standouts.
- Moleskine – A stylish spot blending modern design with a more eclectic feel. The menu is broad, making it a good option for a flexible dinner.
- Chifa – A unique take on Chinese-Peruvian cuisine inspired by the chef’s childhood. The flavors are bold and a great change of pace from more traditional spots.
- Hélicoptère – A neighborhood favorite focused on seasonal Québec ingredients. It’s intimate, thoughtful, and great for a more curated dinner.
- Time Out Market – A fun, high-energy food hall bringing together some of the city’s best chefs and concepts. Always a good option when you want variety.
- *Arthur’s Nosh Bar – A bright, stylish take on a classic Jewish deli. Great for breakfast sandwiches and a more elevated brunch.
- *Foxy – A cozy, upscale bistro where everything from the cocktails to the food, was so delicious. The charcoal-grill is central for the kitchen with everything from seafood & wood-fired steaks being cooked over it! Everything we got was absolutely delicious – a must-go! Tell Sabrina at the bar that I sent you!Tell Sabrina at the bar that I sent you!
- *Joe Beef – People travel from all over the world to dine at this culinary destination! It’s a surf and turf paradise as they offer quality cuts of meat as well as delicious seafood (like the lobster spaghetti!). If you can manage to get a reservation here – you gotta go!
- Nora Gray – A sleek, buzzy spot serving Southern Italian dishes with a strong wine and cocktail program. Great for a lively dinner.
- *Schwartz’s Deli – An iconic Montréal institution known for its smoked meat sandwiches. It’s classic, crowded, and absolutely worth it.
- *L’Espress – A classic French bistro that’s always buzzing and open late. Perfect for steak frites, wine, and a timeless atmosphere. They’ve got great espresso martinis!
- *St. Viateur Bagel – One of the most famous bagel spots in the city, known for wood-fired bagels. A must-stop, especially for a fresh sesame.
- *Fairmont Bagel – Another legendary bagel shop and a local favorite. Expect a line, but it moves quickly.Also, the first bagel in space!
- Franklin Subs – A go-to for Philly-style subs and casual sandwiches. Easy, satisfying, and great for a quick bite.
- *Byblos le Petit Café – A cozy Persian café serving Mediterranean-style brunch dishes and incredible dips. A great, slightly different brunch option.
- RYU – A minimalist sushi spot focused on high-end, carefully executed dishes. Great for a more elevated Japanese dinner.
- Bonapart – A classic French dining experience with a more formal feel. Great for a longer, more traditional meal.
- Barroco – A lively, dimly lit restaurant with stone walls and a European feel. Great for a cozy dinner.
- Satay Brothers – A local favorite for Singaporean street food. Casual, flavorful, and always a good time.
- La Banquise – The go-to late-night spot for poutine with a huge menu of variations. Open 24/7 and always busy.
- *Chez Claudette – Another must for poutine with a slightly more local feel. Open late and great for comfort food.
- Ma Poule Mouilée – A casual Portuguese spot known for its peri-peri chicken and sandwiches. Always packed for a reason.
- O Noir – A completely unique dining experience in total darkness, served by visually impaired staff. It’s more about the experience than the food.
- Elena – A modern Italian restaurant with great pizza, pasta, and a strong wine list. A go-to for a relaxed but well-done dinner.
- *Liverpool House -The sister restaurant to Joe Beef with a similar vibe but slightly more relaxed. Great for seafood and market-driven dishes.
- Monarque – A beautiful French restaurant with two distinct dining experiences. You can choose between a more casual brasserie or a refined dining room.
- *Drogheria Fine – A tiny counter spot serving only one thing: gnocchi. It’s simple, iconic, and served in a Chinese-style takeout container—because it’s that good.
- Mon Lapin – One of the best restaurants in Canada right now, with a constantly changing menu and a huge natural wine list. It’s lively, a little chaotic, and every dish feels thoughtful without being overdone.
- Leméac – A polished French brasserie that feels timeless and very Montréal. Great for anything from brunch to a late dinner, with consistently strong food.
- Candide – A more intimate, tasting-menu-style restaurant set in a converted presbytery. It’s refined but still warm, with a strong focus on Québec ingredients.
- Bouillon Bilk – A minimalist, modern restaurant known for clean, beautifully plated dishes. It’s one of the best options for a more elevated, contemporary dinner.
To Drink:
- *Atwater Cocktail Club – A buzzy, speakeasy-style bar tucked behind an unmarked entrance. The cocktails are some of the best in the city, and it’s always lively late into the night. Gets fun & dance-y!
- Messorem – A massive, warehouse-style brewpub with a strong focus on craft beer. The outdoor beer garden is a big draw, especially in warmer months.
- Marcus (at the Four Seasons) – This is one of the more polished spots in the city. Great for cocktails in a sleek, upscale setting with a social atmosphere.
- *The Coldroom – A hidden speakeasy-style bar in Old Montréal with a more intimate feel. The cocktails are thoughtful and well executed, making it worth seeking out.
- *The Cloakroom Bar – A small, dimly lit bar that focuses entirely on custom cocktails. There’s no menu—you just tell them what you like and they take it from there.
- *Philémon Bar – A stylish, slightly more elevated bar with a mix of cocktails and upscale bites. It’s a good balance between a dinner spot and a place to grab drinks.
- La Distillerie No. 1 – A longtime favorite known for generous cocktails and a relaxed vibe. It’s easy, fun, and a good go-to for a casual night out.
- Le Darling – A cozy, vintage-style spot that transitions from café to bar as the day goes on. The round bar and late-night energy make it a favorite hangout.
- *Datcha – A hip, low-lit bar with a mix of great cocktails and a dance floor. It’s the kind of place that starts with drinks and turns into a full night out.
Coffee:
- *Crew Collective Café – One of the most unique cafés in the city, set inside a former bank with soaring, cathedral-like ceilings. It’s part café, part coworking space, and worth stopping in for the setting alone.
- Le Petit Dep – A small, beautifully designed café that feels a bit like a hidden gem. Great for coffee, light bites, and browsing their selection of local goods.
- Ssense – Not a coffee shop, but worth noting since you included it. It’s a sleek, design-forward retail space with a strong selection of high-end designers—more of a shopping stop than a café.
- Hotel Ambrose – A charming B&B-style stay with a small café setup in the lobby. It’s more of a quiet, low-key coffee stop if you’re nearby.
- *Tommy – A staple in Old Montréal with a beautiful interior and a lively atmosphere. Great coffee, great pastries, and a perfect stop while exploring the neighborhood.
- *Cafe Éclair – A chic, minimalist café with a strong focus on quality coffee. It’s simple, well done, and a great quick stop.
- *Cafe Olympico – A longtime local favorite with a more old-school Italian café feel. It’s always busy, a little loud, and perfect for a quick espresso—yes, even in the winter.
- Boulangerie Guillaume – More of a bakery than a café, but absolutely worth it. The pastries are standout—especially the “white mushroom.”
- Café Névé – A laid-back neighborhood café with a strong local following. Great for coffee, pastries, and a slower start to the day.
- Juliette & Chocolat – A chocolate-focused café that leans more indulgent than your typical coffee stop. Perfect if you’re in the mood for dessert with your coffee.
- Le Cartet – A hybrid café, market, and restaurant with a cozy, neighborhood feel. Great for breakfast or lunch, especially if you want something a bit more substantial.
To Do:
- Explore Old Montréal
- Take a ride in the La Grand Roue – Montréal’s Observation Wheel! Take a seat in La Grande Roue de Montréal for an unforgettable experience. A panoramic view 60 meters high, with a breathtaking view of the river, Old Montréal, downtown, and the mountains!
- Notre-Dame Basilica
- Spa day at Bota-Bota – Docked at the Old Port, this contemporary spa, magnificently fashioned in an old ferryboat, takes on the allure of a chic liner with minimalist décor.
- Grab brunch at Dandy
- Experience speakeasy-style cocktails at The Cold Room
- Wine + Dine your heart out at Tiers Paysage
- Dance at Bar Philémon
- Montréal Museum of Fine Arts – The Museum’s original temporary exhibitions combine various artistic disciplines—fine arts, music, film, fashion, and design—and are exported around the world, while its rich encyclopedic collection, spread across five pavilions, comprises international art, world cultures, contemporary works, decorative arts, and design, and Quebec and Canadian art.
- Shop some local treats at the Jean-Talon Market – One of North America’s largest open-air public markets, its lively atmosphere, authentic character, and wide selection of fresh, local produce and specialties from here and abroad always make for a pleasant – and appetizing – outing.
- Go Shopping:
- Experience the OASIS Immersion – the largest immersive destination in Canada! OASIS immersion is walkable, no contact experience featuring three immersive galleries, two dazzling light installations, and a lounge area with a café and a boutique.
- Grab a bite to Eat at Time Out Market
- Experience the Montréal Botanical Gardens – see Garden of Light (September – October)
- Tour around and eat your way through the Mile End and Little Italy neighborhoods
- Grab the iconic “white mushroom” pastry at Boulangerie Guillaume
- Coffee from Café Éclair
- Take a step back in time with an iconic breakfast sandwich + cherry soda from Wilensky’s Light Lunch
- Have a Montréal bagel taste-off between Fairmount Bagels & St. Viateur Bagel
- Gnocchi from Drogheria Fine
- Donuts from Bernie Beigne
- NYC-style pizza from Pizza Bouquet
- Cannolis from Alati-Caserta
- Microbrews from Mellön
- Hike up Mount Royal and take in the views of Montréal at Kondiaronk Belvédère
- Galerie Blanc – Blanc is an open-air art gallery in which an outdoor exhibition can be viewed by anyone at any time of the day, rain or shine. Blanc’s mission is to bring the general public and art closer together.
- Explore the Golden Square Mile – Home to glitz and glamour since the 19th century. This storied Montréal neighborhood at the foot of Mount Royal and McGill University remains a downtown destination.
To Stay:
- W Montréal – Set right between Old Montréal and downtown, this hotel strikes a great balance between historic surroundings and a more modern, social vibe. The location is super convenient, especially with a major metro stop just steps away.
- Humaniti Montréal – A design-forward hotel built within a striking H-shaped complex in the heart of the city. It feels fresh and modern, with a strong focus on architecture, sustainability, and thoughtful spaces.
- Four Seasons Montréal – One of the most polished luxury stays in Montréal, located right in the center of downtown. Between the spa, restaurants, and sleek design, it’s an easy choice if you’re looking for a more elevated experience.
I was so captivated by the city’s charm and the people’s hospitality everywhere we went! I hope this city guide helps you out! I had an amazing walking tour guide in Montréal that I’d highly recommend: Françoise! She was so engaging and knowledgeable about the city, we loved her! Here is her website – and be sure to tell her that I sent you!! Have you been to Montréal? Let me know if you have any questions or have anywhere that I need to check out next time I’m in town!
Stay Risky,
– John
