GUIDE: MONTREAL, CANADA

When the temperatures start to drop, I tend to limit myself to dreaming about destinations closer to the equator. If you can relate, then keep reading this Montreal travel guide to be convinced otherwise. Montreal is always a good idea – I especially don’t mind how a wintery dusting of snow looks on this enchanting city.

Montreal is only an hour and a half flight away from New York City, SO much closer than the tropical destinations that I dream about on a cold winter day. Upon arrival, you will be surrounded by charming cobblestone streets in Old Montreal, the smell of warm inviting foods like poutine, bagels, and pancakes doused in maple syrup in Plateau Mont-Royal, and the je ne sais quoi of Paris that derives from its French history and culture. It’s absolutely magical – enough to make you forget what the temperature is. With that being said, this is a lovely destination year-round.

In this travel guide, I will share my tips for where to stay, what to eat and drink, and things to see and do in one of the most European cities outside of Europe!

STAY

The Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth offers all-around luxury and convenience – from the central downtown location positioned directly above a metro station to the endless in-room (Le Labo Rose 31 toiletries and a Nespresso coffee maker) and on-site amenities (Kréma coffee, Marché Artisans food market, and Nacarat cocktail bar). This hotel has history, too – John Lennon and Yoko Ono stayed here for their famous bed-in. When I come back to Montreal, I am definitely staying at the Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth again.

Tip: Join Accor Live Limitless in advance to receive free Wi-Fi during your stay; otherwise, you’ll be paying $13.95 per day!

If you need an alternative, look to these areas: Downtown/Golden Square Mile and Old Montreal.

EAT

Back to the “smell of warm inviting foods” that I mentioned earlier… Montreal has more restaurants per capita than almost anywhere else in North America, so you will literally smell something delicious on every corner. The city is famed for its bagels (different from a New York bagel), poutine (gravy covered cheese fries), and maple syrup (Quebec is the world’s largest producer of this sweet sauce) in addition to its authentic French cuisine.

I highly recommend making some dinner reservations in advance of your travels – I always check out Resy first.

BREAKFAST & BRUNCH

Bagels: St. Viateur, Fairmount Bagel

Pancakes: L’Avenue, Arthur’s Nosh Bar, Foiegwa

I’m typically more of an eggs benedict kind of brunch-goer, but you absolutely must order pancakes and take advantage of the full and freshly opened can of maple syrup that comes with them.

LUNCH & DINNER

French: Joe Beef, Liverpool House, Le Vin Papillon

These spots are all owned by the same restaurant group on the same stretch of Little Burgundy. Joe Beef was my favorite meal in Montreal – the chalkboard menu is regularly updated, the wine is flowing, and the service is the cherry-on-top. Definitely order the smoked meat croquettes, lobster spaghetti, and a side of “Joe Beef Frites” if you can find them on the chalkboard.

Pizza: Elena

I loved the vibe here – colorful, cozy, and romantic. The wood-fired pizzas and a bottle of wine are a perfect way to warm up after a long day of exploring the city.

Poutine: La Banquise

You will have to wait in a line, but that will give you plenty of time to study the extensive list of poutines they offer. I recommend this spot for an afternoon snack after hiking Mont Royal.

DRINK

The truth is that most of the below actually double as a café and a bar, so you can plan a visit for any time of day.

COFFEE

Café Saint Henri, Pikolo, Pastel Rita, Tommy Café

COCKTAILS

Cordova, Brasserie Harricana, Bar Pamplemousse, Atwater Cocktail Club

SEE AND DO

To really understand the je ne sais quoi of Paris that I mentioned you would find in this Montreal travel guide, you must explore the many areas of the city. Start in Old Montreal for the classic and end in Le Plateau-Mont Royal for the cool. Stop for a meal in Little Burgundy and Saint Henri. For a shopping break, head to the Golden Square Mile.

OLD MONTREAL

This is where my Montreal travel guide really starts – I always recommend checking off some history and architecture on day one of a trip. Stroll down Rue Saint-Paul to Place d’Armes, Notre-Dame Basilica, Place Jacques-Cartier, Bonsecours Markets, and St. Joseph’s Oratory.

LE PLATEAU-MONT ROYAL

This is where you will find the bagels and poutine that I recommended. This is also where you will find the hipsters and foodies of Montreal. Check out Mile End for local shops. Chalet du Mont Royal will transport you to a ski village. Rue Drolet, Rue Duluth, and Avenue Laval are among the many streets to get lost on with unique architecture.

UNDERGROUND CITY

The Underground City of Montreal is not a neighborhood, it is a very unique system of tunnels connecting shopping centers, transit stations, hotels, and more. The best part: it will keep you warm as you get from A to B.

Montreal, je t’aime.