Guidebook for Montreal
Food Scene
7-day-a-week, year-round farmers' market with everything you could ask for. The ambiance is friendly and the produce is fantastic. Restaurants and cafés, butchers, bakeries and cheese shops, fresh produce. 20-25 minute walk from the house.
852 locals recommend
marché atwater
7-day-a-week, year-round farmers' market with everything you could ask for. The ambiance is friendly and the produce is fantastic. Restaurants and cafés, butchers, bakeries and cheese shops, fresh produce. 20-25 minute walk from the house.
One of the best restaurants in Montreal, world-renown. Reservations a must. The atmosphere is incomparable. 25-minute walk from the house or 5-minute drive.
383 locals recommend
Joe Beef
2491 Rue Notre Dame OOne of the best restaurants in Montreal, world-renown. Reservations a must. The atmosphere is incomparable. 25-minute walk from the house or 5-minute drive.
Same owners as Joe Beef, but not as pricey. Obama and Trudeau had their bromance dinner here in June 2017.
118 locals recommend
Liverpool House
2501 Rue Notre Dame OSame owners as Joe Beef, but not as pricey. Obama and Trudeau had their bromance dinner here in June 2017.
Holder
407 Rue McGillOur favorite French bistro. Noisy, always crowded, impeccable service.
Bistro Le Balmoral
Rue BalmoralBrunch and lunch, communal tables, trendy.
Where all the celebrities go when they're in town. Breakfast and lunch. Closed Mondays.
254 locals recommend
Olive et Gourmando
351 Rue Saint-Paul OWhere all the celebrities go when they're in town. Breakfast and lunch. Closed Mondays.
This is THE hot restaurant for Grand Prix weekend. Delish Portugese cuisine.
37 locals recommend
Ferreira Café
1446 Rue PeelThis is THE hot restaurant for Grand Prix weekend. Delish Portugese cuisine.
Burgundy Lion
2496 Rue Notre Dame OFriendly British-style pub, good pub food
Boris Bistro
465 Rue McGillBest summer terrace in Montreal.
Le Bureau Bar Tapas
1642 Rue Notre Dame OGood affordable tapas
Satay Brothers
3721 Rue Notre Dame OBest Thai food ever! At Atwater market for lunch.
Toqué!
900 Pl. Jean-Paul-RiopelleIf you really want to impress
L'Express
3927 R. Saint-DenisA Montreal institution
Greenspot
3041 Rue Notre Dame OOld-time diner. Great shakes and fries.
Chic Italian restaurant with incredible terrace. Hot crowds.
55 locals recommend
Restaurant Le Richmond
377 Rue RichmondChic Italian restaurant with incredible terrace. Hot crowds.
Tuck Shop
4662 Rue Notre Dame OExcellent bistro in St-Henri.
Pizzeria Geppetto Notre-Dame
2504 Rue Notre Dame OGood family-style pizzeria.
Le Petit Dep
179 Rue Saint-Paul OJust like being in Paris.
Lobster truck in the Old Port. Quebec lobster is the sweetest on earth.
9 locals recommend
Muvbox Restos
Rue de la Commune EstLobster truck in the Old Port. Quebec lobster is the sweetest on earth.
Hip resto serving gourmet fried chicken and Champagne -- need we say more?
With a hidden speakeasy below.
26 locals recommend
Bird Bar
1800 Rue Notre Dame OHip resto serving gourmet fried chicken and Champagne -- need we say more?
With a hidden speakeasy below.
Lili & Oli
2713 Rue Notre Dame OSuperb coffee
September Cafe
2471 Rue Notre Dame OTrendy, light-filled café where they make surfboards in the back.
Hip restaurant in an renovated diner--reservations necessary.
Brunch.
Check out its popular speakeasy
94 locals recommend
Foiegwa
3001 Rue Notre Dame OHip restaurant in an renovated diner--reservations necessary.
Brunch.
Check out its popular speakeasy
La Bête à Pain
195 Rue YoungCannot beat the breads here! Nice place for a coffee or lunch too.
Le Rouge Gorge
1234 Avenue du Mont-Royal EWonderful wine bar with delicious tapas. Très French.
Perles et Paddock
403 Rue des SeigneursChic, beautiful café-terrace and bar
Kazu
1844 Rue Sainte-Catherine OSo popular, there's always a line-up. This is not sushi, it's Japanese BBQ.
World-reknown by chef Martin Picard. Order the small bites of hot fois gras.
341 locals recommend
Au Pied de Cochon
536 Av. Duluth EWorld-reknown by chef Martin Picard. Order the small bites of hot fois gras.
Labo culinaire - Foodlab
1201 Boul. Saint-LaurentRooftop terrace with wonderful, original menu.
Le Bon Vivant
2705 Rue Notre Dame ODelicious French/Asian tapas fusion restaurant.
Excellent Parisian-style bistro in the Outremont neighborhood. Reduced prix fixe menu after 9:30 p.m.
132 locals recommend
Leméac
1045 Av. Laurier OExcellent Parisian-style bistro in the Outremont neighborhood. Reduced prix fixe menu after 9:30 p.m.
Restaurant Gandhi
230 Rue Saint-Paul OVery good Indian in a chic space in Old Montreal
Charming, down-to-earth breakfast, brunch and lunch spot on the Plateau
76 locals recommend
Chez José Café
173 Av. Duluth ECharming, down-to-earth breakfast, brunch and lunch spot on the Plateau
Delicious crêpes with outdoor garden terrace. Gets busy on weekends, so best to make reservations.
29 locals recommend
Spanel Crêpes & Gourmets
1960 Rue Notre Dame ODelicious crêpes with outdoor garden terrace. Gets busy on weekends, so best to make reservations.
Mignon Steak
2523 Rue Notre-Dame OuestPrix fixe steak dinners and à la carte tapas. Delish and a 20-min walk from the house.
Mollo
2069 Rue WellingtonOur neighbourhood gourment café 1.5 blocks away.
Mollo Boulangerie & Lab
2001 Rue WellingtonBaguettes, croissants, patisseries--yum! Right down the block.
Florence Cafe
2425 Rue CentreSuper café, gelato, ice cream and snacks, 5 mins away.
Clarke Café
1207 Rue CentreYummy, hip sandwiches
One of our fave restaurants. They don't take reservations, but the wait is so worth it! Same owners as world famous Joe Beef.
125 locals recommend
Le Vin Papillon
2519 Rue Notre Dame OOne of our fave restaurants. They don't take reservations, but the wait is so worth it! Same owners as world famous Joe Beef.
Fugazzi pizza
1886 Rue CentreEat in or order-out pizza in the hood. Very popular.
Knox
1871 Rue CentreNeighbourhood resto-bar with great eats.
Neigbourhood Thai food for take-out or eat in.
7 locals recommend
Le Petit Sao PSC (Pointe-Saint-Charles)
1870 Rue CentreNeigbourhood Thai food for take-out or eat in.
Sep Lai
2601 Rue CentreBYOB Laotian restaurant in the hood. Delish.
Boutique Cheers Sud-Ouest
Get your local micro-brewskis here. 1 block away
Arts & Culture
Historic home of Les Filles de Roi, from the late 1600s, now a museum. Great place to visit with kids for a bit of Quebec history. On summer Saturday mornings, their horse-drawn cart delivers fresh homemade bread around the neighborhood. Listen for the bell between 9 and 9:30 a.m. and join the neighbors on the street for a taste of the 1600s.
34 locals recommend
Maison Saint-Gabriel, Museum and Historic Site
2146 Pl. DublinHistoric home of Les Filles de Roi, from the late 1600s, now a museum. Great place to visit with kids for a bit of Quebec history. On summer Saturday mornings, their horse-drawn cart delivers fresh homemade bread around the neighborhood. Listen for the bell between 9 and 9:30 a.m. and join the neighbors on the street for a taste of the 1600s.
This place IS art and culture. Films, expositions, experiences--it's always at the forefront.
162 locals recommend
Phi Centre
407 Rue Saint-Paul OThis place IS art and culture. Films, expositions, experiences--it's always at the forefront.
If you love architecture, this is the place. Developed by Montreal's Phyllis Lambert of the Bronfman family, who was close with Mise Van der Roh and other greats.
108 locals recommend
Canadian Centre for Architecture (Centre Canadien d'Architecture)
1920 Rue BaileIf you love architecture, this is the place. Developed by Montreal's Phyllis Lambert of the Bronfman family, who was close with Mise Van der Roh and other greats.
If you love archeology, this is the place.
Wonderful views of Old Montreal from the restaurant at the top.
157 locals recommend
Musée Pointe-à-Callière
If you love archeology, this is the place.
Wonderful views of Old Montreal from the restaurant at the top.
The Montreal Museum of Fine Arts
1380 Rue Sherbrooke OExcellent exhibits. Wednesdays are free.
Parks & Nature
Biking, running, blading, picnicking, boating. A national park just blocks from the house.
20 locals recommend
Lachine Canal Nautical Centre / Centre Nautique du Canal
2985 B Rue Saint-PatrickBiking, running, blading, picnicking, boating. A national park just blocks from the house.
Best view of the city. Designed by Frederick Law Olmstead, the same planner who designed Central Park in NYC.
995 locals recommend
Mount Royal Park
1260 Chem. RemembranceBest view of the city. Designed by Frederick Law Olmstead, the same planner who designed Central Park in NYC.
Where Expo 67 took place and where the big music festivals like Osheaga happen. Lots to do: hikes, biking, museums, restaurants, pools, amusement park.
A 25-min bike ride from our house or take the metro (45 mins).
You can even take the little boat from the Old Port if you want a nice outing.
115 locals recommend
Saint Helen's Island
Where Expo 67 took place and where the big music festivals like Osheaga happen. Lots to do: hikes, biking, museums, restaurants, pools, amusement park.
A 25-min bike ride from our house or take the metro (45 mins).
You can even take the little boat from the Old Port if you want a nice outing.
An extension of Ile St-Hélène. Gardens, the famous F1 race track, casino, boating
17 locals recommend
Île Notre-Dame
An extension of Ile St-Hélène. Gardens, the famous F1 race track, casino, boating
Entertainment & Activities
Ma Bicyclette
2985 Rue Saint-PatrickBike rentals right on the Lachine Canal bike path. Repairs.
Fantastic climbing gym for those who like a challenge. Kid friendly.
40 locals recommend
Allez Up centre d'escalade
1555 Rue Saint-PatrickFantastic climbing gym for those who like a challenge. Kid friendly.
You can drive or take the bus to the outdoor nordic spa right around the corner. Beautiful design in a natural setting. You won't believe you're only 10 minutes from downtown.
61 locals recommend
Strøm Spa Nordique
1001 Bd de la ForêtYou can drive or take the bus to the outdoor nordic spa right around the corner. Beautiful design in a natural setting. You won't believe you're only 10 minutes from downtown.
If you love nordic spas, this is the one to check out. Totally cool design on a renovated boat in the Old Port with hot/cold dips, pool, sauna, restaurant, drinks, massages and spa treatments. We're members.
309 locals recommend
Bota Bota, spa-sur-l'eau
Rue de la Commune OuestIf you love nordic spas, this is the one to check out. Totally cool design on a renovated boat in the Old Port with hot/cold dips, pool, sauna, restaurant, drinks, massages and spa treatments. We're members.
Bike, run, blade, kayak, or just walk along the canal. It's where we ride to get around town.
391 locals recommend
Lachine Canal
Bike, run, blade, kayak, or just walk along the canal. It's where we ride to get around town.
Sports Center in Little Burgundy
1825 Rue Notre Dame OBeautiful indoor pool for training and for children
So much fun! And easy to ride your bike to (or take the metro). Owned by Six Flags.
345 locals recommend
La Ronde station
So much fun! And easy to ride your bike to (or take the metro). Owned by Six Flags.
Believe it or not, superb whitewater rafting is only a 20-minute drive from our house. So much fun! The super large rafts make it perfectly safe for ages 7 and over. You get to swim too, so perfect for a hot summer day.
25 locals recommend
Rafting Montréal
8912 Bd LaSalleBelieve it or not, superb whitewater rafting is only a 20-minute drive from our house. So much fun! The super large rafts make it perfectly safe for ages 7 and over. You get to swim too, so perfect for a hot summer day.
The top comedy fest in North America--all the big names come to perform. Lots of freebie shows outside. Runs over 10 days in July.
www.hahaha.com
57 locals recommend
Just For Laughs
2101 Boul. Saint-LaurentThe top comedy fest in North America--all the big names come to perform. Lots of freebie shows outside. Runs over 10 days in July.
www.hahaha.com
Wonderful headquarters for Cirque du Soleil. Lots of shows all year round by different circuses from around the world. The National Circus School is also based here.
50 locals recommend
Circus Arts City TOHU
2345 Rue Jarry EWonderful headquarters for Cirque du Soleil. Lots of shows all year round by different circuses from around the world. The National Circus School is also based here.
Over 300 free shows, wonderful ambiance, plus all the great jazz artists. If you're in town late June/early July, it's a must-see.
www.montrealjazzfest.com
60 locals recommend
Festival International de Jazz de Montréal
400 Boulevard de Maisonneuve OOver 300 free shows, wonderful ambiance, plus all the great jazz artists. If you're in town late June/early July, it's a must-see.
www.montrealjazzfest.com
Montreal is a circus town, so of course we have a circus festival. Free outdoor shows take place on in the Latin Quarter (ignore the map to the right).
https://montrealcompletementcirque.com
MONTRÉAL COMPLÈTEMENT CiRQUE
2345 Rue Jarry EMontreal is a circus town, so of course we have a circus festival. Free outdoor shows take place on in the Latin Quarter (ignore the map to the right).
https://montrealcompletementcirque.com
Akasha Yoga Montreal
3413 Rue Notre Dame OYoga studio for zenning out.
Essentials
IGA - Supermarché Étop
2600 Rue MullinsSupermarket 15-minute walk from house
Maxi
2535 Rue MassonSupermarket 15-minute walk from house.
Wine and liquor store. You can get beer and cheap wine at the local corner store, but this is where the province requires you to buy other alcoholic beverages.
778 locals recommend
SAQ
1325 Avenue Laurier EWine and liquor store. You can get beer and cheap wine at the local corner store, but this is where the province requires you to buy other alcoholic beverages.
Pharmacie Heon Claude
Neighborhood pharmacy
Super C
147 Av. Atwater Supermarket at Atwater Market
Excellent supermarket specializing in mideastern foods, but with everything else. Great prices. We get a lot of marinated meat and fish here.
76 locals recommend
Adonis
2425 Bd du Curé-LabelleExcellent supermarket specializing in mideastern foods, but with everything else. Great prices. We get a lot of marinated meat and fish here.
Small co-op grocery with local products. Everything from local veggies to fresh baguettes to delicious Quebec strawberries in the summer. Volunteers work here, so the prices are very affordable.
Epicerie Le Detour
1900 Rue le BerSmall co-op grocery with local products. Everything from local veggies to fresh baguettes to delicious Quebec strawberries in the summer. Volunteers work here, so the prices are very affordable.
Drinks & Nightlife
Brasserie 701
701 Côte de la Place d'ArmesLounge downstairs, rooftop terrace bar in the summer.
Drinkerie Ste.Cunégonde
2661 Rue Notre Dame OFun bar for just drinks
Nice bar in Old Montreal with live music a couple times a week.
38 locals recommend
Bar Le Confessionnal
431 Rue McGillNice bar in Old Montreal with live music a couple times a week.
Philemon Bar
111 Rue Saint-Paul OFriendly bar in Old Montreal
The totally cool sake and Japanese whiskey bar at 4175 St-Laurent (not the restaurant at 3723). Don't be dissuaded by the almost hidden entrance. Romantic too.
109 locals recommend
Big in Japan
3723 Boulevard Saint-LaurentThe totally cool sake and Japanese whiskey bar at 4175 St-Laurent (not the restaurant at 3723). Don't be dissuaded by the almost hidden entrance. Romantic too.
Good food, good wine and beer and a very hip crowd. In an old fur factory.
125 locals recommend
Bar Furco
425 Rue MayorGood food, good wine and beer and a very hip crowd. In an old fur factory.
Hip bar for all ages. Great selection of beers and wines. Outdoor patio out back.
94 locals recommend
Bar Plan-B
327 Avenue du Mont-Royal EHip bar for all ages. Great selection of beers and wines. Outdoor patio out back.
Great bar for hanging out with the guys. Lots of beer choices, as well as other drinks. Across from Bar Plan B.
198 locals recommend
Bily Kun
354 Avenue du Mont-Royal EGreat bar for hanging out with the guys. Lots of beer choices, as well as other drinks. Across from Bar Plan B.
Bistro-Brasserie Les Soeurs Grises
32 Rue McGillCool hangout in Old Montreal.
One of Montreal's best-known breweries. Large outdoor terrace right on the canal bike path. Excellent beers!
112 locals recommend
Terrasse St-Ambroise
5080 Rue Saint-AmbroiseOne of Montreal's best-known breweries. Large outdoor terrace right on the canal bike path. Excellent beers!
Getting Around
Charlevoix Metro Station
2600 Rue CentreOur metro stop, about a 20-min walk.
Bixi is the city's bike share program. Very affordable. We have 2 stations near the house: Bourgeoys/Favard and Dublin/Wellington. Go to bixi.com to see all stations and download the free app for easy use.
25 locals recommend
BIXI Station
Bixi is the city's bike share program. Very affordable. We have 2 stations near the house: Bourgeoys/Favard and Dublin/Wellington. Go to bixi.com to see all stations and download the free app for easy use.