Megan’s guidebook
Food scene
Tri Express
1650 Avenue Laurier ESome of the best sushi in the city!
This is a new hotspot featuring Japanese / Peruvian cuisine that I've yet to try out, but am hearing great things about.
Nikkei MTL
1577 Avenue Laurier EstThis is a new hotspot featuring Japanese / Peruvian cuisine that I've yet to try out, but am hearing great things about.
This is one of Montréal's most acclaimed local markets. The vibe is great, and there's a lovely coffee shop on the perimeter called Café Saint Henri for those needing a good java fix.
1744 locals recommend
Jean-Talon Market
7070 Av. Henri-JulienThis is one of Montréal's most acclaimed local markets. The vibe is great, and there's a lovely coffee shop on the perimeter called Café Saint Henri for those needing a good java fix.
If you've never had an arepera, this is the place to do it. My fav is the black bean + feta + plantain. Prince Arthur, as a street, is also very quaint. There's a microbrasserie called Dispensaire Microbrasserie just a few meters away with a great little street terrace where you can grab a beer to go with your arepera.
62 locals recommend
Arepera
73 Rue Prince-Arthur EIf you've never had an arepera, this is the place to do it. My fav is the black bean + feta + plantain. Prince Arthur, as a street, is also very quaint. There's a microbrasserie called Dispensaire Microbrasserie just a few meters away with a great little street terrace where you can grab a beer to go with your arepera.
This is probably MTL's most well-known and popular poutine joints. Open late!
1037 locals recommend
La Banquise
994 Rue Rachel EstThis is probably MTL's most well-known and popular poutine joints. Open late!
I've never actually dined here, but it's a famous joint that has joined the ranks of top-rated restaurants in Canada (https://canadas100best.com/no-3-joe-beef-2017-2/). If you check it out, let me know what you think!
383 locals recommend
Joe Beef
2491 Rue Notre Dame OI've never actually dined here, but it's a famous joint that has joined the ranks of top-rated restaurants in Canada (https://canadas100best.com/no-3-joe-beef-2017-2/). If you check it out, let me know what you think!
QDC Burger Saint-Viateur
210 Rue Saint- Viateur OIf you're looking for MTL's best burger, look no further!
Things to do
This place is a Montréal institution, and your local burlesque club. If you're looking for a night of fun and something very *Montréal*, get this on your list and buy your tickets ASAP.
15 locals recommend
The Wiggle Room
3874 Boul. Saint-LaurentThis place is a Montréal institution, and your local burlesque club. If you're looking for a night of fun and something very *Montréal*, get this on your list and buy your tickets ASAP.
For those looking for a little R 'n' R, this is a MUST DO. The water circuits alone are great (allot a minimum of 3hrs). You can top it off with a facial, massage, etc., if you wanna go all in.
309 locals recommend
Bota Bota, spa-sur-l'eau
Rue de la Commune OuestFor those looking for a little R 'n' R, this is a MUST DO. The water circuits alone are great (allot a minimum of 3hrs). You can top it off with a facial, massage, etc., if you wanna go all in.
Bakeries
This is a great stop for fresh bread (they have a seed load that's fantastic) and their gâteau basque is to DIE for (especially if you loved almond / marzipan-type goodies).
16 locals recommend
Boulangerie Le Toledo
351 Avenue du Mont-Royal EThis is a great stop for fresh bread (they have a seed load that's fantastic) and their gâteau basque is to DIE for (especially if you loved almond / marzipan-type goodies).
For those with an appreciation for all things buttery and delicious, going here to eat Kouign Amann (a specialty from the Brittany region in France), this is a MUST!
Note that they are closed Sundays and Mondays, and often sell-out by early afternoon.
126 locals recommend
Pâtisserie Au Kouign Amann
316 Avenue du Mont-Royal EFor those with an appreciation for all things buttery and delicious, going here to eat Kouign Amann (a specialty from the Brittany region in France), this is a MUST!
Note that they are closed Sundays and Mondays, and often sell-out by early afternoon.
This place just celebrated its first anniversary, and they're doing a bang-up job. It's French-owed and has the best croissant in the city, in my opinion.
6 locals recommend
Ô Petit Paris
1592 Avenue du Mont-Royal EThis place just celebrated its first anniversary, and they're doing a bang-up job. It's French-owed and has the best croissant in the city, in my opinion.
Brunch
The best brunch spot in town, and a mere two blocks from your stay. If you want to eat later than 10am, I suggest wandering over earlier (it's only a 3 minute walk away) and getting your name on the list. It's a hot spot!
57 locals recommend
L'ENTRE-POTS Déjeuner dîner
1995 Rue MassonThe best brunch spot in town, and a mere two blocks from your stay. If you want to eat later than 10am, I suggest wandering over earlier (it's only a 3 minute walk away) and getting your name on the list. It's a hot spot!
Bloomfield
1199 Av. Van HorneA *delightful* little Mediterranean brunch spot.
This place ALWAYS has a line-up, so go early if you don't want to wait in line. The ambiance is great, and the food super tasty.
204 locals recommend
Régine Café
1840 Rue Beaubien EThis place ALWAYS has a line-up, so go early if you don't want to wait in line. The ambiance is great, and the food super tasty.
There are two locations of this popular MTL brunch spot. This one, and another one on Notre-Dame (https://goo.gl/maps/dqwYvzAcA5zf8i3WA). Always hoppin'!
371 locals recommend
L'Avenue
922 Avenue du Mont-Royal EThere are two locations of this popular MTL brunch spot. This one, and another one on Notre-Dame (https://goo.gl/maps/dqwYvzAcA5zf8i3WA). Always hoppin'!
Drinks, etc.
Taverne Atlantic
6512 Av du ParcGREAT rooftop terrace and an overall happening scene.
Bar Cicchetti
6703 Av du ParcGreat drinks and vibe.
This microbrasserie has a great little street terrace where you can grab a beer to go with an arepera from a restaurant called Arepera just a few meters away.
The Beer Dispensary // Le Dispensaire de Bière
102 Rue Prince-Arthur EThis microbrasserie has a great little street terrace where you can grab a beer to go with an arepera from a restaurant called Arepera just a few meters away.
This place has a LOVELY terrace and is owed by a couple French guys. I've yet to try the food, but their cocktail list is great.
Antipode
1602 Avenue Laurier EstThis place has a LOVELY terrace and is owed by a couple French guys. I've yet to try the food, but their cocktail list is great.
This microbrasserie is along the canal and serves up my favourite MTL IPA: the Saint-Ambroise Pamplamousse (grapefruit IPA).
112 locals recommend
Terrasse St-Ambroise
5080 Rue Saint-AmbroiseThis microbrasserie is along the canal and serves up my favourite MTL IPA: the Saint-Ambroise Pamplamousse (grapefruit IPA).
Neighbourhoods
Verdun is a happening neighbourhood in MTL, with a quaint strip of cafés, restaurants, etc. (Wellington Street) and a little beach that is always bumpin' in the summertime.
29 locals recommend
Verdun
Verdun is a happening neighbourhood in MTL, with a quaint strip of cafés, restaurants, etc. (Wellington Street) and a little beach that is always bumpin' in the summertime.
This is one of MTL's most well-known neighbourhoods, which offers an abundance of restaurants, pubs, shops, etc. You could easily spend a day wondering around and exploring. Streets not to miss are Saint-Laurent, Mont-Royal and Laurier. There are also several smaller, quaint streets in the heart of the Plateau that offer a unique experience: Deluth and Prince Arthur.
52 locals recommend
Plateau Mont-Royal
This is one of MTL's most well-known neighbourhoods, which offers an abundance of restaurants, pubs, shops, etc. You could easily spend a day wondering around and exploring. Streets not to miss are Saint-Laurent, Mont-Royal and Laurier. There are also several smaller, quaint streets in the heart of the Plateau that offer a unique experience: Deluth and Prince Arthur.
The Mile End is known for a few things, in particular: fresh MTL bagels (St. Viateur and Fairmont Bagels), cafés and lounges, and shopping. A great neighbourhood to explore.
258 locals recommend
Mile-End
The Mile End is known for a few things, in particular: fresh MTL bagels (St. Viateur and Fairmont Bagels), cafés and lounges, and shopping. A great neighbourhood to explore.
For an Italian espresso or good Italian meal, this is your hood. This is also the home to MTL's famous Jean-Talon Market.
229 locals recommend
Little Italy
For an Italian espresso or good Italian meal, this is your hood. This is also the home to MTL's famous Jean-Talon Market.
Parks
Parks are a HUGE part of MTL culture. Given that most people don't have backyards, parks are where locals congregate for birthdays, BBQs, weekend hangs, etc. Grab the blanket or hammock from the back room closet, and go enjoy!
One of my top 3 parks in MTL. Guaranteed to be abuzz with picnics and BBQs during the spring, summer and fall months.
596 locals recommend
Jarry Park
205 Rue Gary-CarterOne of my top 3 parks in MTL. Guaranteed to be abuzz with picnics and BBQs during the spring, summer and fall months.
The closest park to your stay and one of my favourites. Complete with a free public swimming pool, ping-pong tables, hammock stands, and a playground.
*NOTE* There are several picnic blankets, bocce ball set, and hammock in the back room closet for you to enjoy at the park!
622 locals recommend
Parc Sir-Wilfrid-Laurier
5200 Rue de BrébeufThe closest park to your stay and one of my favourites. Complete with a free public swimming pool, ping-pong tables, hammock stands, and a playground.
*NOTE* There are several picnic blankets, bocce ball set, and hammock in the back room closet for you to enjoy at the park!
This is one of MTL's most well-known parks. There's lots of action here in the warm-weather months, and a great (and large!) ice skating lake in the winter months.
1637 locals recommend
La Fontaine Park
3819 Av. Calixa-LavalléeThis is one of MTL's most well-known parks. There's lots of action here in the warm-weather months, and a great (and large!) ice skating lake in the winter months.