Guidebook for Montréal
Food Scene
The best Szechuan in Montreal is right next door. If you love spicy chinese food you have to try this. The decor isn't the best, but the food more than makes up for it.
Cuisine Szechuan
2350 Rue GuyThe best Szechuan in Montreal is right next door. If you love spicy chinese food you have to try this. The decor isn't the best, but the food more than makes up for it.
Quick, tasty and cheap. This is the best Indian food in the area. The restaurant is very small though and it is usually packed, just get it to go, it'll still be hot when you get back.
41 locals recommend
Thali Cuisine Indienne
1409 Rue Saint-MarcQuick, tasty and cheap. This is the best Indian food in the area. The restaurant is very small though and it is usually packed, just get it to go, it'll still be hot when you get back.
Tucked away in the food court of a semi-deserted-mall-turned-classroom-building, this is the best Thai food in Montreal. Enter the door with the Dollarama sign on Ste-Catherine and go up the escalator
7 locals recommend
Restaurant Cuisine Bangkok
Tucked away in the food court of a semi-deserted-mall-turned-classroom-building, this is the best Thai food in Montreal. Enter the door with the Dollarama sign on Ste-Catherine and go up the escalator
Probably the best coffee in Montreal. They say: "we are not a third-wave coffee shop, we are happy to serve you." Which I find hilarious and on point.
90 locals recommend
Café Myriade
1432 Rue MackayProbably the best coffee in Montreal. They say: "we are not a third-wave coffee shop, we are happy to serve you." Which I find hilarious and on point.
Great little greasy spoon, I love getting breakfast here even if it's a bit run down. It's closing soon so try it while you can.
Casse-Croute Du Coin
1455 Rue Lambert ClosseGreat little greasy spoon, I love getting breakfast here even if it's a bit run down. It's closing soon so try it while you can.
This place is an institution in Saint-Henri, breakfast on weekends is crazy; they probably cook 5000 eggs, Try the bar and watch how well oiled this operation is.
73 locals recommend
Greenspot
3041 Rue Notre Dame OThis place is an institution in Saint-Henri, breakfast on weekends is crazy; they probably cook 5000 eggs, Try the bar and watch how well oiled this operation is.
One of the best restaurants in the city. Make sure you have a reservation, and if you can, sit at the bar; Ryan one of the owners is usually there and is a lot of fun.
37 locals recommend
Nora Gray
1391 Rue Saint-JacquesOne of the best restaurants in the city. Make sure you have a reservation, and if you can, sit at the bar; Ryan one of the owners is usually there and is a lot of fun.
The best bistro in Montreal, the food is better than most bistros in Paris and the service is courteous yet rigid. Here too, try to sit at the bar, the man behind the bar is a legend. Reserve before.
220 locals recommend
L'Express
3927 R. Saint-DenisThe best bistro in Montreal, the food is better than most bistros in Paris and the service is courteous yet rigid. Here too, try to sit at the bar, the man behind the bar is a legend. Reserve before.
The second best bistro in the city, located in Outremont, it's a bit more swanky and new than l'Express. They have a 25$ meal special after 10pm and it makes for great mix of clienteles.
132 locals recommend
Leméac
1045 Av. Laurier OThe second best bistro in the city, located in Outremont, it's a bit more swanky and new than l'Express. They have a 25$ meal special after 10pm and it makes for great mix of clienteles.
The best bread in Montreal and one of the best brunch spots also. The owner is one of Montreal's best cuisine exports who decided to come back and make bread, the whole city is thankful.
74 locals recommend
Hof Kelsten
4524 Boul. Saint-LaurentThe best bread in Montreal and one of the best brunch spots also. The owner is one of Montreal's best cuisine exports who decided to come back and make bread, the whole city is thankful.
This one is probably in any guide or top 10 things to do list, but I'm including it to let you know you don't have to line up with the tourists if you want to get it to go, just go next door and order
836 locals recommend
Schwartz's Deli - Sandwiches - Steaks
3895 Boul. Saint-LaurentThis one is probably in any guide or top 10 things to do list, but I'm including it to let you know you don't have to line up with the tourists if you want to get it to go, just go next door and order
A great Chinese restaurant, get the soft shell crab and the black bean sauce eggplant! They just renovated and it kind of looks like a bathroom, but I'm probably just nostalgic.
Mon Nan
43 Rue de la Gauchetière EA great Chinese restaurant, get the soft shell crab and the black bean sauce eggplant! They just renovated and it kind of looks like a bathroom, but I'm probably just nostalgic.
My favorite Pho in the city happens to be a block from my place. Now that's being #blessed
Pho Nguyen
1452A Rue St MathieuMy favorite Pho in the city happens to be a block from my place. Now that's being #blessed
Late night Poutine spot. The best time is between 2 and 4am when the bars close. There are about 30 different types of poutine you can get, I like La Galvaude, a poutine topped with peas and chicken
1037 locals recommend
La Banquise
994 Rue Rachel EstLate night Poutine spot. The best time is between 2 and 4am when the bars close. There are about 30 different types of poutine you can get, I like La Galvaude, a poutine topped with peas and chicken
Portugese chicken spot. The guy who started this used to work at the legendary Romados, which quite honestly has gone down in quality since it burnt down, but more likely because this guy left.
223 locals recommend
Ma Poule Mouillée
969 Rachel St EPortugese chicken spot. The guy who started this used to work at the legendary Romados, which quite honestly has gone down in quality since it burnt down, but more likely because this guy left.
One of the best restaurants in the city. Get your credit card ready, you might indulge more than you think!
53 locals recommend
Le Club Chasse et Pêche
423 Rue Saint-ClaudeOne of the best restaurants in the city. Get your credit card ready, you might indulge more than you think!
Super star chef Chuck Hughes' restaurant in Old Montreal is great, it's mostly comfort with a fancy twist.
159 locals recommend
Garde Manger
408 R. Saint-François-XavierSuper star chef Chuck Hughes' restaurant in Old Montreal is great, it's mostly comfort with a fancy twist.
Great spot downtown, the mussels are amazing and get a Gin + House tonic.
58 locals recommend
Dominion Square Tavern
1243 Rue MetcalfeGreat spot downtown, the mussels are amazing and get a Gin + House tonic.
Joe Beef
2491 Rue Notre Dame OA new Montreal classic, one of the top restaurants in the world.
Liverpool House
2501 Rue Notre Dame OJoe Beef's little sister is great too
Gema Pizzeria
6827 Rue Saint-DominiqueProbably the best pizza in Montreal!
Essentials
PA is great for fresh, local vegetables, meat, cheese and bread. This is my number one destination for groceries.
163 locals recommend
Supermarché PA du Fort
1420 Rue du FortPA is great for fresh, local vegetables, meat, cheese and bread. This is my number one destination for groceries.
Adonis is a Lebanese grocery chain that was bought out by one of the big players, namely Metro. They have a great selection of marinated meats, nuts and cheeses. Vegetables are rarely local though.
189 locals recommend
Adonis Downtown
2173 Rue Sainte-Catherine OAdonis is a Lebanese grocery chain that was bought out by one of the big players, namely Metro. They have a great selection of marinated meats, nuts and cheeses. Vegetables are rarely local though.
Your standard grocery store; Provigo is a big chain. I usually come here for the essentials since they have more specials. There is no butcher on-site though, if you want meat go to PA or Adonis.
43 locals recommend
Provigo
1953 Rue Sainte-CatherineYour standard grocery store; Provigo is a big chain. I usually come here for the essentials since they have more specials. There is no butcher on-site though, if you want meat go to PA or Adonis.
Épicerie Latina - Catering - Meat Seafood Cheese Shop - Coffee - Deli - Wine Craft Beer - Olive Oils
Tiny high-end grocery, everything is overpriced, but it's the closest if you're feeling lazy.
7 locals recommend
Épicerie Latina - Catering - Meat Seafood Cheese Shop - Coffee - Deli - Wine Craft Beer - Olive Oils
1434 Rue Sherbrooke OTiny high-end grocery, everything is overpriced, but it's the closest if you're feeling lazy.
Sightseeing
Get a great view of the city and the south shore from here. The best way to get there is to walk up Olmsted Path, which is accessible from Pine avenue, only a couple blocks away from my place.
159 locals recommend
Chalet Du Mont Royal
1196 Voie Camillien-HoudeGet a great view of the city and the south shore from here. The best way to get there is to walk up Olmsted Path, which is accessible from Pine avenue, only a couple blocks away from my place.
Designated a National Historic Site of Canada, this Masonic temple is massive and right next door.
Masonic Foundation of Quebec
2295 Rue Saint-MarcDesignated a National Historic Site of Canada, this Masonic temple is massive and right next door.
A great place to walk around inside and outside, in the summer most festivals happen here and they just finished building a new plaza complete with a massive fountain and designer streetlights.
654 locals recommend
Place des Arts
A great place to walk around inside and outside, in the summer most festivals happen here and they just finished building a new plaza complete with a massive fountain and designer streetlights.
Great park in the Plateau. It's very lively on weekends; people play pétanque, soccer, baseball, volley-ball. There's sometimes music also!
59 locals recommend
Parc Lafontaine
3819 Av. Calixa-LavalléeGreat park in the Plateau. It's very lively on weekends; people play pétanque, soccer, baseball, volley-ball. There's sometimes music also!
Probably the most touristy spot in the city. This plaza has all kinds of street performers and restaurants, the latter are not that great. If you're hungry there are a couple great spots in the area!
16 locals recommend
Place Jacques-Cartier station
Probably the most touristy spot in the city. This plaza has all kinds of street performers and restaurants, the latter are not that great. If you're hungry there are a couple great spots in the area!
Nice square in the middle of downtown, it was recently restored. It looks great at night!
34 locals recommend
Dorchester Square
Rue du Square DorchesterNice square in the middle of downtown, it was recently restored. It looks great at night!
You either love or hate the design of this building. One thing is for sure: it cost us A LOT of money. It was built in 1976 and it isn't even paid yet, enjoy!
823 locals recommend
Olympic Stadium
4545 Av. Pierre-De CoubertinYou either love or hate the design of this building. One thing is for sure: it cost us A LOT of money. It was built in 1976 and it isn't even paid yet, enjoy!
Arts & Culture
Whether for the permanent collection, or whatever expo might be on at the moment, the museum is huge and spans three buildings on 3 corners of Sherbrooke street, including an old church.
1504 locals recommend
The Montreal Museum of Fine Arts
1380 Rue Sherbrooke OWhether for the permanent collection, or whatever expo might be on at the moment, the museum is huge and spans three buildings on 3 corners of Sherbrooke street, including an old church.
This movie theater is great because it's not as popular as the others and shows more independent movies. Located in the historic Montreal Forum, the Canadiens' old home. There's even an IMAX screen.
123 locals recommend
Cinéma Cineplex Forum et VIP
2313 Saint-Catherine St WThis movie theater is great because it's not as popular as the others and shows more independent movies. Located in the historic Montreal Forum, the Canadiens' old home. There's even an IMAX screen.
Shopping
High-end department store. If you like designer clothes and accessories this where you want to go.
72 locals recommend
Holt Renfrew
1300 Rue Sherbrooke OHigh-end department store. If you like designer clothes and accessories this where you want to go.
Holt Renfrew Ogilvy
1307 Rue Sainte-Catherine OAnother high-end department store.
Drinks & Nightlife
The best wine bar in the city set in a design award winning space.
294 locals recommend
Buvette Chez Simone
4869 Av du ParcThe best wine bar in the city set in a design award winning space.
Rock bar, it pretty much always has a dance floor going. I put Rockette but there are 3 bars right next to each other. The others, l'Esco and Quai des Brumes have live shows.
52 locals recommend
Rockette Bar
4479 R. Saint-DenisRock bar, it pretty much always has a dance floor going. I put Rockette but there are 3 bars right next to each other. The others, l'Esco and Quai des Brumes have live shows.
Your standard Irish pub, there are a couple in the area but this one is the closest, the food isn't the extraordinary, but at least it's consistent unlike the others.
71 locals recommend
Mckibbin's
1426 Rue BishopYour standard Irish pub, there are a couple in the area but this one is the closest, the food isn't the extraordinary, but at least it's consistent unlike the others.
Everything Else
If you've never tried a Montreal bagel you absolutely need to grab some here. If you have, then you already know you can't skip this.
630 locals recommend
St-Viateur Bagel Shop
263 Rue Saint- Viateur OIf you've never tried a Montreal bagel you absolutely need to grab some here. If you have, then you already know you can't skip this.