STAY. 

  • Hôtel Le St. James - Traditional Montreal. Occupying the old Merchant bank, the style and decor is nothing but classic. A quiet sophisticated ambiance with great service on Rue Sant-Jaques.

  • Hotel St. Paul - A little bit of new in the heart of Old Montreal. Modern style,

  • Hotel William Gray - Also located in Old Montreal, this boutique hotel offers a much more contemporary feel and experience. Great rooftop views and guestrooms complete with Le Labo amenities.

SEE+DO.

  • Mont Royal - The city’s namesake is a small mountain that offers panoramic views in the heart of Montreal. Several lookouts provide city-wide vistas and the park even offers cross country skiing and skating in winter and is the perfect place for an awe-inspiring stroll or cycle during the warmer months.

  • Old Montreal Port - The charming neighborhood along the St. Lawrence River. Lots of shops, restaurants, boutiques and old landmarks line the cobblestone streets. Although very cute, I found this area a bit touristy.

  • Le Plateau / Mile End Neighborhood - Artistic, young, up and coming, I would label this neighborhood the Brooklyn of Montreal. The charming old streets of St-Viateur, Fairmount, Laurier, Mont-Royal & St-Denis offer a variety of coffee shops, local boutiques, iconic restaurants and new cocktail spots. Mile End is much more local than other neighborhoods, which I then learned it to be a sought after place for locals to live.

  • Montreal Museum of Fine Arts - Visit the museum’s permanent collection of classic and modern art, and its ever changing temporary exhibitions.

  • Musée d'Art Contemporain - MAC is an internationally acclaimed museum that presents innovative contemporary exhibitions in the Place des Arts complex from the world’s leading local and international artists.

  • Parisian Laundry - Contemporary art in a multi-story industrial space showing national and international works.

  • Place Des Arts - The largest multi-purpose arts complex in Canada hosts theatre, dance and art all year round.

  • The Darling Foundry - Minutes away from the hotel in the city’s Multimedia Centre, the Foundry showcases contemporary art and performances and supports emerging artists with its residency program.

  • DHC/ARTS - Housed in two historic buildings in Old Montreal, the foundation presents contemporary art to critical acclaim. Past & prominent exhibitions include: Jenny Holzer, Richard Mosse and Sophie Calle, to name just a few.

  • The Biosphere - On Saint Helen’s island, the Biosphere is a spherical museum dedicated to the environment and built as part of the Montreal World Expo of 1967. The Parc Jean-Deapeau boasts a casino, an aquatics centre, the city’s largest concert venue and the La Ronde amusement park.

  • Atwater Market - Iconic public markets featuring local vendors, farmers, bakers, butchers, etc.

  • Tam Tams - The local festival every Sunday in the summer, spring and fall. You'll find local artists, drumming and playing music near George-Étienne Cartier Monument in Mount Royal Park.

  • Piknic Electronik - Weekly electronic music festival for those visiting in the summertime.

  • Bota Bota Spa - A floating spa. Located on the St. Lawrence River in an old historic ferry boat, Bota Bota is a unique relaxing experience offering all different types of spa treatments and facilities.

SIP.

  • ColdRoom - Classic speakeasy. You enter through an unmarked door in the heart of Old Montreal. Ring doorbell and wait for someone to escort you downstairs.

  • Big in Japan - Another classic speakeasy with an unmarked door.

  • Atwater Social Club - This is your neighborhood cocktail lounge hidden in a back alley. A Dimly lit space with great vibes and good cocktails.

  • Le Majestique - Although they serve a menu of small plates, Majestique is really a wine and cocktail bar first.

  • Scarlet - A fun cocktail bar serving small plates. Good spot to eat a quick dinner and stay for the night.

  • Soubois - An underground bistro with really more of a club atmosphere.

  • Burgundy Lion - Located in St. Henri across from Liverpool House and Joe Beef, this is your typical British pub.

  • Mayfair - Cocktail and spiked tea room with a Victorian vibe. This is a trendy spot good for going out with friends on the weekend.

  • Riverside - Canal-front establishment with an outdoor bar and terrace, food truck stations, indoor wine and cocktail bar and yoga studio.

  • Stereo - This is your staple Montreal nightclub. Open on the weekends from 2am with DJ's spinning house and techno music.

  • Apartment 200 - Inspired by a loft apartment space, this cocktail bar offers great drinks, arcade games, and more in Downtown Montreal.

  • La Distillerie - Casual pub like bar where cocktails are served in mason jars.

  • Les Impertinente - Cute coffee shop meets ballet studio meets gift shop in the Mild End area.

SNACK.

  • Arthurs Nosh Bar – Amazing brunch with a old school vibe.

  • Beauty’s Luncheonette - Classic brunch spot thats been around for decades in the Jewish district.

  • Fairmont – A small, hole-in the wall bagel shop serving only the freshest bagels.

  • St. Viateur – Same deal as Fairmont, hand rolled bagels with lots of tradition.

  • Schwartz Delicatessen – The Katz’ of Montreal. A hebrew deli known for their smoked meat sandwich and Jewish specialties.

  • Nora Gray – Best dinner spot in the city. The vibe almost feels like someone’s living room in the 70’s, serving unreal Italian/European cuisine. Cocktails and service also amazing.

  • Liverpool House – Sister restaurant to the famed Joe Beef. If you have a choice, I recommend Liverpool for a chiller vibe. The lobster spaghetti is amazing (also huge).

  • Foiegwa - Modern french diner Henri Street. You can expect frog legs, steak frites, moules mariniere, and croque Monsieur on the menu.

  • Foxy Café – Fun dinner spot with a great outdoor terrace.

  • Au Pied de Cochon – Loved by Anthony Bourdain, known for their foie gras selection.

  • Bremner – Chuck Hughes restaurant specializing in seafood. Set in a sunken basement space, the restaurant holds only 30 seats.

  • Garde Manger - Another seafood-focused Chuck Hughes restaurant with a bar like feel.

  • L’Express – Classic French cuisine in a classic French setting. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Known for tuna tartare.

  • Pâtisserie Au Kouign Amann - Best French bakery in Mild End. Must try their Kouign Amann (call ahead as they typically sell out quickly).

  • Boulangerie Hof Kelston - French bread and pastries.

SHOP.

  • SSense - The brick and mortar shop of this well-known online store that proudly hosts all the big name designers.

  • TNT The New Trend - A high end designer local to Montreal and Toronto.

  • James Boutique

  • Les Étoffes - A minimalist Montreal boutique specializing in niche womenswear and menswear with a focus on simplicity.

  • Cahier D'Exercise - Montreal’s best selection of high-end fashion labels and local designers with an urban edge and an iconic accessory rack.

  • Espace Maison Pepin - Lysanne Pepin presents her locally made jewellery, clothing, paintings and home furnishings mixed in with selected fashion labels.

  • Michael Brisson - A selection of menswear from formal to streetwear with an extensive selection of shoes, hats, wallets and leather goods.

  • WANT Apothecary - A Montreal concept store inspired by 19th Century apothecary aesthetics presenting high-end designers and accessories for men and womenswear, with a focus of leather goods.

  • M0851 - Accessories and quality weatherproof outerwear have made M0851 a brand to watch for quality Canadian clothing for men and women.

  • Table Tout Le Monde - Specialising in high-end ceramics, including Japanese-style teacups and tableware made from natural materials, this refined selection of products represents the best of hand-made artistry.