MONTREAL, QUEBEC
I was raised here and I recently moved back after a decade in Toronto… so felt right to have a city guide.
STAY
Hotel Monville
Actually love this hotel and stayed here during our wedding.
Four Seasons
Gorgeous + the spa is amazing.
Hotel Nelligan
Only downside is the Old Port is SO loud at night — I’ve stayed here, but not slept lol. However, their rooftop is awesome.
EAT
Brace yourselves — this list is long.
État Major
Great BYOB (lots of these in MTL)
Brasero
My family’s favourite Portuguese spot — the sardines are authentic.
Vin et Papillon
One of my favourite restaurants — the wines are fun and the menu is ever-changing.
Fenêtre sur Kaboul
Eduardo
Quite possibly the cheapest BYOB lol — in college, this was the spot to get a $9 meal before going to the bar/clurrb.
P’tit Plateau
BYOB
Olive + Gourmando
Best brunch/lunch in the Old Port.
Wilfred sur Laurier
Venice MTL
Foiegwa
Love this place — try the pasta with the egg on top.
Toqué
Expensive, but a nice splurge.
Omnivore
Bouillon Bilk
Expensive
Terrasse William Gray
Le Pégase
Underrated!!!!! One of my fave French restaurants in MTL
Napoléon
Great French in the Old Port — classic white tablecloth type restaurant.
Vaso da Gama
Good for quick bite or lunch to go.
La Banquise
I know at an international scale, it seems like Quebec is synonymous with poutine… but I almost never eat it lol. If you do want to try a poutine, this is the only place I’d suggest.
Bremner
Auberge Willow Inn
Maison Publique
Damas
Best (expensive/upscale) Middle Eastern restaurant.
Au Pied de Cochon
Leméac
Ugh love — it’s a bit expensive, but in college, we’d go late for the late night menu lol.
Fabrique
Place Carmin
FUN WINES!
Drink
I go out WAY less now, but here’s a few options I (still) like post-college lol.
Clandestino
Atwater Cocktail Club
Pub Burgundy Lion
Dominion Square Tavern
Baldwin Barmacie
Fitzroy
Big in Japan (it’s hard to find, just find the red door lol)
Santos
Bar George
DO
Just For Laughs
Get an ab workout (happens every July for two weeks, it’s the best comedy festival in the world.)
In the summer of 2022, JFL celebrated its 40th anniversary and the lineup was unreal. I saw Jo Koy, Bill Burr and Trixie Mattel!
Jazz Festival
It happens in late June or early July (depends on the year’s schedule) and it’s a free outdoor event.
Montreal Fireworks Festival
It’s the largest and most prestigious fireworks competition in the world (and has been going on since 1985). Competing countries design a firework show that goes alongside music. It’s beautiful and if you don’t want to buy tickets, you can always park around the Jacques Cartier bridge and watch from there.
Alpaca Farm
Walk around Marché Jean-Talon
Walk around Atwater Market
Walk around Old Port
WINTER ACTIVITIES
Winter is real here in Montreal… I’m talking many feet of snow and likely below 20C on a daily.
Ski
My favourite mountains are Mont Blanc (Laurentians) as it’s way less busy and touristy than Tremblant and Mont Orford in the Eastern Townships.
Skating
The Enchanted Forest is a forest trail that you can skate in the winter — it’s something out of Frozen the movie.
Cabane à Sucre
Definitely an authentic Quebec experience — usually after a day out in the snow/cold, you can eat
