These are my top recommended places and strategies for enjoying Montreal:
Coffee, brunch, and/or pastries
General recommendations
My main recommendation: get a subway (aka “metro / STM”) pass. You can buy them in any of the metro stations. With a metro pass and/or a bixi (city bikes) pass, you can get to all of the places I’m recommending pretty easily.
Google reviews are pretty accurate, especially outside of the Old Port (Vieux Montreal), which is more touristy.
Learn at least a few phrases in French. (Tip: complete the first few lessons of Duolingo.)
Always have a scarf and umbrella on you, just in case. Bring a long winter coat for November-March.
Places to see
–Mount Royal (about 2km walk up to the top of the mountain where there’s Beaver Lake and a chalet)
–Parc La Fontaine. It has an on-site restaurant, too. (Nearest subway is Mont Royal, which is also near a lot of fun restaurants. It’s about 1.5km away from the park, though.)
–The Old Port / Vieux Port (oldest part of the city, some of the oldest European settlements in North America)
-Shopping districts: Rue St Catherine, Rue Crescent, St Denis, Rue St Laurent, Ave Mont Royal, Duluth St. St. Denis, Rue Crescent, and Duluth have boutiques unique to Montreal. Saint Catherine has more of the big stores, Ogilvie’s, etc.
-The Botanical Gardens (Jardins Botaniques) and/or Insectarium and/or Biodome. Plan to spend the day exploring all of the different gardens. Nearest subway stop is Pie IX. From September-October experience the evening delight of “Jardins de lumière” / “Gardens of light“, when the gardens are lit up by hundreds of silk lanterns telling different stories.
–Bota Bota (an outdoor spa on a docked ship in Old Port).
-The Museum of Fine Arts/Musée des Beaux-Arts (right downtown. Their cafeteria food is really good, too.)
–“The Plateau” – a trendy, artsy area just East of McGill University. Saint Laurent/St Denis/Ave Mont Royal area.
–Westmount Library and Park. Near some cute boutiques on Rue Sherbrooke in Westmount (“Victoria Village”).
–Atwater Market and the antique shops and boutiques nearby
–St. Joseph’s Oratory (a big church with really beautiful gardens overlooking the city) – and it’s near Duc de Lorraine Cafe (recommended below)
-Many other museums
-For parks in Montreal, as long as you have something that looks like a meal (ex. baguette/cheese), you can usually have alcoholic drinks with you, as well. This rule might only apply for summer barbecues, though. Double check local by-laws.
Coffee, brunch, and/or pastries
–Café Aunja – artsy Iranian café on Rue Sherbrooke. Closest subway stop is Guy-Concordia.
–Crew Café in Old Port (a café in a gorgeous old bank. Closest subway stop is Place D’Armes)
-Any of the Premiere Moisson cafes for pastries
–Tommy’s Café (Old Port – Place D’Armes subway stop)
–Cafe Bazin in Westmount
–Le Cartet in Old Port for an amazing brunch (Square Victoria subway stop)
–L’Avenue brunch (there are a few locations)
–Duc de Lorraine Café (really good (if pricey) pastries, near St. Joseph’s Oratory)
Lunch & dinner
-Any of the Frites Alors chain (amazing fries and good burgers)
–Café Santropol (really pretty and artsy café restaurant in the Plateau
–L’Auberge Saint Gabriel (one of the first inns in North America to get a liquor license – circa. 1700s. It’s in Old Port.)
–Café Parvis (good pizzas and flat breads in a really pretty environment downtown)
–Pasta Cassareccia on Rue Sherbrooke in West NDG. You might need to bike or taxi there, but their amazing home-made pasta is worth it.
–Toucheh Restaurant in Westmount. Fantastic home-made Italian and Iranian dishes in a cozy setting. Bring your own wine. Nearest subway stop is Vendôme.
–Nouilles de Lan Zhou. Delicious noodle soups in the old Chinatown area. You can see the noodles being made through the front window.
–Le Nil Bleu. Ethiopian restaurant on St. Denis, East of McGill University (Rue Sherbrooke metro stop).
–Next Door Pub in NDG (western area of Montreal with cute boutiques and parks). 40 cent chicken wings on Sundays.
–Café Darling – bar/cafe full of plants and vintage art in the Plateau/Little Portugal area.
–Boustan’s – delicious, affordable, fast Lebanese food on Rue Crescent (Guy Concordia metro stop, downtown).
-Any of the food halls: Le Central, Time Out Market, or Le Cathcart. For more info on these: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/montreal-time-out-food-markets-1.5358517.
Dessert
–La Dipperie (dipped ice cream chain)
–Marche Artisans in the Fairmont
–Wawel’s donuts
-Any of the pastry shops (“pâtisseries”) that have more than 4.2 stars on Google
Evenings Out
-Go to Rue St Laurent (Place des Arts or St. Laurent subway stops), Rue Crescent, and/or Rue Saint Catherine near the Guy/Concordia Metro
–Old Port / Vieux Port is busy and fun for people watching, even at night
–L’Auberge Saint Gabriel (one of the first inns in North America to get a liquor license – circa. 1700s. It’s in Old Port. Closest subway stop is probably Place D’Armes)
–Upstairs Jazz Bar & Grill on Rue Mackay for live music and food
-Verses in the Old Port has live jazz music, Thursdays through Saturdays, 6:30-9:30pm
–Comedy Central
–L’Observatoire at Place Ville-Marie downtown (Bonaventure subway stop). Pay a $10-20 fee to visit the observatoire at the very top, or stop at the 44th floor restaurant for food and an amazing view.
–Pullman’s Wine Bar (near Place des Arts subway stop, downtown)
–Bar George at Le Mount Stephen Hotel – amazing architecture and decor, and good drinks (Rue Drummond, near Peel subway stop)