I do love Montreal, and miss it dearly (I lived there for 10 years). Some of these might not be still as good as they once were, as I left 3 years ago
I made this list for one of my students when he went for the Grand Prix in the spring, and am happy to share it - its a rather awkward as it came from an excel sheet. The order is ‘name, neighbourhood, description’
Montreal
Food
Le Cartet, Old Montreal, Brunch (my favourite brunch)
La Banquise, Plateau, Poutine (deluxe) - 24 hrs
Patati Patata, Plateau, Poutine (basic)
Rapido, Plateau, Breakfast (cheap)
Cinquieme Peche, Plateau, Fancy
Garde Manger, Old Montreal, Fancy
Pied du Couchon, Plateau,Fancy
Frite Alors, Plateau,Burgers & Fries
Juliette et Chocolate, Berri-Uqam Plateau & Mile End, Hot Chocolate & Crepes
La Belle Provence , Multiple Locales, Gross hotdogs
Gibby’s, Old Montreal, Steak $$$$ -so delicious
Joe Beef, Atwater/St Henri, Fancy Food
Rotisserie Ramados, Plateau, Portugese Chicken & Fries
Sala Rosa, Plateau, Spanish , also a live music place
Schwartz’s Deli, Plateau, Smoked meat - essential MTL
Drinking
Alexsander Platz, Mile End, very interesting crowd generally (not open year round)
Saint Sulpice, Berri Uqam, Beer garden type place, very MTL
Rue St. Laurent, Plateau, During Grand-prix, the patios are on the street
Seeing
Crescent Street, Downtown, it’s the hangout for all the ferarris
The Mountain, Nice walk up the hill, go to the chalet for nice views and in interesting building
Marche Jean Talon, Market - mostly fruits and veg, but a lovely place
The Old Port, Old Montreal, Walk around, see all the things, not much good food in this hood, go up to another hood for eating except for Le Cartet & Holder
Coffee
Café Olimpico, Outremont
Café Fixe, Rosemont/Petit Patrie
Café Medina, Mile End
Picnicing
Mount Royal (aka the mountain), Can’t miss it not much food to purchase, but a a favourite haunt by all, lots of green space and views
Parc Lafontaine, The Plateau, Beautiful walks (and very close to La Banquise), also check out Theatre Verdure for free events in the evenings
Westmount Park, Westmount, Lovely locale in the posh neighbourhood, check out the library on the far west side, they have a small botanic garden attached
Shopping
St. Lawrence near Laurier Plateau, Nice independent shops
Nota Bene, Plateau/Downtown, Best Stationary shop
St. Denis South of Mt Royal, Plateau, Lovely housewear shops
Mt. Royal Between St. Lawrence an Cristoph Columb, Plateau, Clothing and generally interesting things
-Stephanie