Things to do
If you’re travelling from out of town, you’re in for a treat. Montréal is a wonderful and inviting city full of interesting things and warm people. Below you’ll find our guides to places to stay, things to do and delicious things to eat and drink. Start brushing up on your français!
Activities
Walk up “the Mountain”
The iconic namesake of the city has lovely and very easy trails and paths up to its peak. By BC standards this is really more of a big hill, but its a hill that Montréalers are very proud of. The city has a bylaw meaning that no building can be taller than the cross at the peak, guaranteeing great panoramas of the entire city. Check it off the list!
Hang out in the Plateau/Mile End
As mentioned in our neighbourhood guide, this is really the place to be in the city. Vibrant and fun streets, with great food, coffee, drinks, shopping and other activities to cater to pretty much everyone. This is the Montréal experience.
Notre Dame cathedral and the Old Port
Ok, Europeans, hear us out: We are used to very old buildings, and we are used to very old churches, but Montréal boasts a very enjoyable version of each. Notre Dame cathedral’s interior has genuine wow factor, and I am amazed by its beauty every time I go inside. Worth it.
Cirque du Soleil
Montréal is the home of the world famous Cirque du Soleil! They have a permanent big top tent down on the waterfront in the Old Port. We don’t need to give any more introduction to these guys: take the opportunity to see them in their both spiritual and physical home.
Canal Lachine bike path
The scenic and smooth bike path runs all the way along the canal from the Old Port to Lachine itself on the western tip of the island of Montréal, looping back through Verdun. It’s a great way to spend a sunny afternoon. “Bixi” is the bike hire app in Montréal and works well (although the bikes are quite heavy). You can also hire bikes from https://mabicyclette.ca/ which is located directly on the canal, opposite Atwater Market.
Marché Jean-Talon
If you find yourself in the Little Italy area, wander over to the open air farmers market for people watching and snacks from one of the many food stalls. A real look into Montréal life.
Adventure to the Eastern Townships
Approximately an hour drive east of Montréal are the eastern townships, a constellation of very cute, very small towns most of which are packed with charm, trailheads, breweries and family run restaurants. We highly recommend Dunham for their brilliant Dunham brewery, and Sutton for fun hikes.
Live music
Montréal is famous for its arts and culture and the city boasts a bubbling music scene and tons of great local bands. Check the listings at Theatre Beanfield (everyone still call its Corona, its old name), Theatre Fairmount (our favourite venue in the city), Bar Le Ritz (where all the hippest acts play), Foufounes Electrique (aka “Foufs” for sticky floors and loud guitars), Casa del Popolo (for the cutting edge of experimental sounds) and of course our venue, Turbo Haüs (for good times, great rock n roll and even better cocktails!)
Try your luck crossing the border into the USA
Canada is taking a break from it’s toxic boyfriend America right now. But that’s not to say we don’t still hold a lot of fondness for our southern co-dependant. Upstate New York and western Massachusets are really wonderful places we love to road trip to. The rolling hills of the Catskills, the antique charm of Hudson and the peaceful atmosphere of North Adams and Northampton are well worth it if you’re up for an adventure (and a 4-5 hour drive). It’s also worth pointing out that New York City is also not that far away too…
Food
Pichai
Delicious, flavourful (and famously spicy!) thai dishes that go far beyond the usual pad thai’s that we are used to. One of our favourite restaurants. Their sister restaurant Pumpui is also amazing for a more casual, just dropping-in-for-lunch experience.
Le Violon
Awarded best new restaurant in Canada and has been included in the Michelin guide. Owned and operated by our friends chef Danny Smiles and artist Dan Climan. Need we say more?
Fleurs et Cadeux
From the outside, it looks like a rundown, kinda of sketchy old gift shop in chinatown. On the inside it’s a beautiful, cosy and very fun japanese restaurant. Get the grilled duck, and the sea urchin mousse if its on the menu.
Stem Bar
Delish sharing plates and quality natural wines, located in little burgundy. An absolute mainstay for us.
Pizza Toni
A great slice on the go, or a very satisfying (giant) full pie. Montreal strangely lacks good pizza options, but Toni is one of the best. Two locations: In St Henri, and also in the Mile End.
Pizza Bouquet
Very popular hip pizza by the slice spot in little italy. Worth going a little out of the way for.
Dalmata
Basically a hole in the wall (but a very classy hole in the wall) slinging absolutely perfect soft serve ice cream. Highly recommended for a little sweet treat or pick-me-up.
Sparrow
Perfect brunch spot. Diverse menu and a cosy living room/pub like atmosphere. Located right in the Mile End, so a lovely way to start a day of hanging out in Montreal’s hippest quarter.
Le Banquise
The poutine of choice in the city. Open 24/7. Go as hungry as possible. Many over the top options to choose from. A great introduction to the power and glory of poutine. Expect lineups (especially during the exact kind of times when people want to eat a poutine…)
Orange Julep
In our opinion this is the very best, no-frills, straight ahead poutine you can get. And it’s served out of a giant orange on the side of the highway. They serve their signature milky orange drink thing that comes out of mysterious tubes that come deep from within the giant orange. It’s perfect. Highly recommend going here by car. You can get their by metro, but it is not a particularly nice place to hang out and there is little else to do in the area.
Greenspot
Iconic St Henri diner that’s been open since 1947. It really feels like you’re stepping back in time. Poutines, smoked meat sandwiches and other hearty diner staples are the order of choice. A very legit experience.
Elena
Pizza, pasta and natural wines in one of St Henri’s best restaurants. Really nice interior that makes me feel like I am a gallerist who works in New York City. A very reliable choice.
BarBara
The new kid on the block in St Henri that’s made a big impression. Great pasta dishes and freshly made focaccia. Can get a little rowdy during prime times, but is lovely when it’s quiet. We recommend going there for breakfast also.
Heni
Pan-middle eastern restaurant serving you interesting flavours and unusual dishes that are quite unfamiliar in the general Montréal food landscape. Check out their secret speakeasy in the basement, serving amazing and unusual cocktails (beer and mustard inspired by a day out at the ballpark, anyone?)
Liverpool House, Joe Beef, Vin Papillon
Maybe the most iconic restaurants in Montréal, serving heart seasonal quebec and east coast canada dishes. We include these as one as they are operated by the same people and are literally next door to each other. Liverpool House is our pick, as it balances the quality of the food with a bit more of a laid back atmosphere. Highly recommended.
Reservoir
One of our favourite spots in Le Plateau and in our opinion hugely underrated. A small brewery with outstanding food. We often go here for brunch, when its quite quiet. The fried chicken sandwich is out of this world. Get the boston lettuce salad on the side.
St Viateur / Fairmount Bagels
The two most famous and iconic Montréal bagel places in the city. It’s a hot debate which is better, so you’ll have to try both. So good when fresh and hot out the oven you can just eat them like a donut.
Satay Brothers
Fun vibes and great pan asian food, you will leave full and happy. Bit of a party atmosphere and can get very busy on friday and saturday nights.
Mon Lapin
One of the best restaurants in Canada let alone Montréal. Exquisite food, amazing service and beautiful wine. Outstanding.
Le Majestique
A very fun and funky little spot right in Le Plateau. We like to go early in the evening for oysters and cocktails. Quirky east coast canada meets retro parisian interior. Love it.
Café Bloom
One of our regular spots for a satisfying but uncomplicated breakfast or lunch. Right down the street from our apartment.
Mano Cornuto
Beautiful italian food in a casual setting. Get a taste of the montreal-italian culture. We like to sit at the bar and watch the cooks prepare the food right in front of us while sipping negronis. They have a to-go spot next door (Mano Figa) for good italian coffee and sandwiches.
Bar Otto
Elevated japanese izakaya, with specials and fun omakase options. A good option for something filling but fresh, in the St Henri/Little Burgundy area.
Sumac
Delicious lebanese food in St Henri. A great easy and fast option to eat in or take out if that suits better. Generous portions and great pita.
Tacos Frida
The best and most legit taco spot, if you ask us. A fun family-run vibe and all the classic’s you’d expect. Right in the heart of St Henri.
Krood
Really great poke and tartare dishes, perfect for a healthy lunch. Right along the canal lachine, so makes for a good to-go picnic also.
Knox
Lovely and cozy local taverne serving the beautiful people of Pointe St Charles, right down the street from our apartment.
Mckiernan
Really amazing and hearty food with generous portions. Known for their rotisserie and their donuts. Very large open space in an ex-industrial building. We love the atmosphere as well as the food. A little out of the way, we recommend getting there and back by car/uber. Owned and operated by the Joe Beef/Liverpool House crew, but a more casual vibe.
Drink
Else’s
Great, cozy pub in the heart of Le Plateau. One of our favourite spots for an early evening pint or an afternoon snack. Love it.
Bar de Courcelle
A perfect dive bar. Sticky floors? Check. Hipster servers? Check. Surprisingly good cocktails? Check. Right in the heart on St Henri. An absolute mainstay.
Sans Soleil
Small Japanese cocktail bar with vinyl-only DJs. Very chic, very fun. In the basement of Fleurs et Cadeux (they also serve the full menu too)
Messorem
Fantastic brewery on the canal in the St Henri/Point St Charles area. Off the beaten track but accessible by foot or bike still. Great beers, great food and a really great big patio. Can get packed on the patio during nice weather but theres usually space inside. Very popular with lycra clad cyclists as it is off the lachine bike path. At any given time there is probably 20 grand’s worth of bike gear parked up.
Barfly
A true dive bar. No frills, good times. Sometimes live bands. Right in the middle of Le Pleateu. Perfect for when you need one last gin and tonic.
Casa del Popolo
A Mile End institution and icon in the alternative music world. Cute bar in the front where there are often DJs playing interesting and eclectic tunes, a courtyard patio out back and a small music venue hosting small and local bands. Guaranteed cool.
Turbo Haüs
Our amazing venue! When not hosting extremely amazing weddings, Turbo Haüs is a rock bar for rockers who have grown up a little, maybe slowed down a little, and like to drink natural wine and classy cocktails. Be sure to say hello and thank you to Sergio, the owner and our friend.
Snowbird tiki bar
Not all bars are tiki bars but all tiki bars are the best bars. Get shipwrecked on the painkiller and the jungle bird, our two favorites.
Big in Japan
Next to a poutine spot on st laurent, a graffiti covered black door has some tiny gold letters that say “bar”. Open the door and you’ll find an amazing dimly-lit Japanese whisky speakeasy with a beautiful lit up bar that snakes around the room. A special place.
Cloakroom
Downtown doesn’t offer too much in the way of stylish nightspots, with one serious exception. The entrance is next to a men’s clothing store (I won’t say more, see if you can figure it out). The space is very small so getting a spot can be difficult. No menu, trust your bartender.
Double’s
The hippest dive bar in Montréal. Stepping in feels like time travel to the 80s, you almost expect to see Wayne Gretzky’s Oilers on the big screen TVs. To go along with your nostalgia, get the martini with the burger. It’s unbelievable.
Cafés
Dispatch
Reliable, bright modern coffee in the heart of the Plateau
Redwood
In our opinion, the best coffee in Montréal. A stones throw from our place, just off the canal. Great sandwiches too.
September
The sister to the amazing Stem Bar. Great coffee and great food, but be warned, it gets absolutely slammed. Go very early, or very late (they close at 3pm) You can also buy surf boards there, so perfect.
Pastel Rita
Funky pink interior at this chic little spot in the mile end. Very close to Dalmata on Bernard street if you want a DIY affogato.
Cafe Olympico
Iconic italian cafe on St-Viateur, a place to be seen to prove your Montréal cool clout, or to sit for many hours if you are an old Italian man.
