Guidebook for Montréal
Food Scene
A mix of eat in and take out.
Belgian fries! The best fries in town. Order take-out and bring them back to the apartment as a side or main! Your host Achille is a co-owner of the restaurant with brother Arthur.
23 recommandé par les habitants
Frites Alors - Rachel
433 Rue Rachel EBelgian fries! The best fries in town. Order take-out and bring them back to the apartment as a side or main! Your host Achille is a co-owner of the restaurant with brother Arthur.
No time to cook but don't want to eat out? Order a whole roast chicken here (take out) and fries from Frites Alors! You'll thank us later.
Great couscous. One of those secret neighborhood eateries that only the locals know about. Good value.
12 recommandé par les habitants
Restaurant Au Tarot
500 Rue Marie-AnneNo time to cook but don't want to eat out? Order a whole roast chicken here (take out) and fries from Frites Alors! You'll thank us later.
Great couscous. One of those secret neighborhood eateries that only the locals know about. Good value.
Excellent value - very affordable - takeout eats. Mostly Italian but generally something for everyone's tastes including vegetarian. Combined with speciality groceries and good deserts.
42 recommandé par les habitants
La Maison des Pâtes Fraîches
865 Rue Rachel EExcellent value - very affordable - takeout eats. Mostly Italian but generally something for everyone's tastes including vegetarian. Combined with speciality groceries and good deserts.
Vegan and vegetarian friendly heath food store. Kinda our local "Whole foods" I guess. Newly located at the corner of Saint-Denis and Rachel streets. Pick-up wrap sandwiches, fruits and veggies for your picnic basket / packed lunch!
59 recommandé par les habitants
Rachelle-Béry boutiques santé
4201 R. Saint-DenisVegan and vegetarian friendly heath food store. Kinda our local "Whole foods" I guess. Newly located at the corner of Saint-Denis and Rachel streets. Pick-up wrap sandwiches, fruits and veggies for your picnic basket / packed lunch!
Montreal may not be Paris, but close your eyes while tasting these croissants and you might get that feeling. Warning: made with real butter.
There rest of the pastries and bread are just as delicious.
Open from 7am; but for Sundays at 8am.
400 recommandé par les habitants
Boulangerie Les Co'Pains d'Abord
1965 Avenue du Mont-Royal EMontreal may not be Paris, but close your eyes while tasting these croissants and you might get that feeling. Warning: made with real butter.
There rest of the pastries and bread are just as delicious.
Open from 7am; but for Sundays at 8am.
Open 24 hrs. A local reference for Quebec'c speciality "Poutine".
There can be lineups between 2 am and 3 am when the bars close: it is THAT popular. In fact there is almost always a line-up.
1037 recommandé par les habitants
La Banquise
994 Rue Rachel EstOpen 24 hrs. A local reference for Quebec'c speciality "Poutine".
There can be lineups between 2 am and 3 am when the bars close: it is THAT popular. In fact there is almost always a line-up.
Find out why Montreal Bagels are better than New York bagels. Always warm and they sell cream cheese as well. Or have just one to eat while you walk, they are delicious when fresh & warm.
195 recommandé par les habitants
St-Viateur Bagel & Café Mont-Royal
1127 Avenue du Mont-Royal EFind out why Montreal Bagels are better than New York bagels. Always warm and they sell cream cheese as well. Or have just one to eat while you walk, they are delicious when fresh & warm.
Very popular (too popular?) recently opened by chef Antonio Alves serving authentic Portuguese roast chicken. Great flavor and great success. Take-out for a picnic in the park a stone's throw away is very common for the locals. We found the portions to be very generous for the price.
Expert tip: call ahead at 514-522-5175 and place your order. When you arrive you then skip the line-up direct to the telephone order counter. Check the menu on their website.
223 recommandé par les habitants
Ma Poule Mouillée
969 Rachel St EVery popular (too popular?) recently opened by chef Antonio Alves serving authentic Portuguese roast chicken. Great flavor and great success. Take-out for a picnic in the park a stone's throw away is very common for the locals. We found the portions to be very generous for the price.
Expert tip: call ahead at 514-522-5175 and place your order. When you arrive you then skip the line-up direct to the telephone order counter. Check the menu on their website.
Kouign Amann is a pastry from Brittany in France and this coffee / pastry shop is the latest darling of Montrealers in the know and visitors from the world over.
Open daily from 7am. Arrive before 9:30-10:00am if you hope to get your hands on the house speciality.
126 recommandé par les habitants
Pâtisserie Au Kouign Amann
316 Avenue du Mont-Royal EKouign Amann is a pastry from Brittany in France and this coffee / pastry shop is the latest darling of Montrealers in the know and visitors from the world over.
Open daily from 7am. Arrive before 9:30-10:00am if you hope to get your hands on the house speciality.
Fancy pants breakfast. Still going strong and VERY popular since opening over 25 years ago. We were back there again recently and admittedly, they deserve the ongoing popularity.
371 recommandé par les habitants
L'Avenue
922 Avenue du Mont-Royal EFancy pants breakfast. Still going strong and VERY popular since opening over 25 years ago. We were back there again recently and admittedly, they deserve the ongoing popularity.
Typical breakfast - 2 eggs, bacon, homefries, toast & jam - for minuscule price. Great deal - local institution. Uncomplicated service. Downside, the coffee is "meh".
109 recommandé par les habitants
Restaurant Chez Claudette
351 Avenue Laurier ETypical breakfast - 2 eggs, bacon, homefries, toast & jam - for minuscule price. Great deal - local institution. Uncomplicated service. Downside, the coffee is "meh".
They make paculiar sandwiches heres, very original, stuffed in a thin flatbread almost loke a pizza crust. I absolutely adore the "Poulet Panko". A sandwich with chunks of fried spicy chicken - just slightly spicy, not too much, EXTREMELY savoury. Great coffee also. Eat in ou take out.
28 recommandé par les habitants
Kahwa Café
331 Avenue du Mont-Royal EThey make paculiar sandwiches heres, very original, stuffed in a thin flatbread almost loke a pizza crust. I absolutely adore the "Poulet Panko". A sandwich with chunks of fried spicy chicken - just slightly spicy, not too much, EXTREMELY savoury. Great coffee also. Eat in ou take out.
This is authentic at an odd location. Don't belittle the might RAMEN.
You will be amazed by the flavours - try the pork ramen!
Take out and eat in. Licenced as well.
79 recommandé par les habitants
Yokato Yokabai Ramen
4185 Rue DroletThis is authentic at an odd location. Don't belittle the might RAMEN.
You will be amazed by the flavours - try the pork ramen!
Take out and eat in. Licenced as well.
Discover a world of beer. Experts on hand to guide you. Every obscure Quebec microbrewery is available here.
20 recommandé par les habitants
La Maison des Bières / The House of Beers
4485 Rue de LanaudièreDiscover a world of beer. Experts on hand to guide you. Every obscure Quebec microbrewery is available here.
Great breakfasts in a local eatery. Excellent coffee. Funky decor. Brunch.
19 recommandé par les habitants
Au Pain Perdu
4489 Rue de la RocheGreat breakfasts in a local eatery. Excellent coffee. Funky decor. Brunch.
French bistro with great ivy covered sidewalk terrace. Great place for morning latte and croissant and feel like you’re in Paris, without the bad service.
68 recommandé par les habitants
Café Cherrier
3635 R. Saint-DenisFrench bistro with great ivy covered sidewalk terrace. Great place for morning latte and croissant and feel like you’re in Paris, without the bad service.
Book a few days in advance for supper - they offer tasting menus that change monthly. This a hotel & restaurant school so the price to quality ratio is unbeatable. They also serve brunch & lunches à la carte. ALWAYS check the website beforehand since the opening day/hours vary according to the class schedule.
17 recommandé par les habitants
Institut de tourisme et d'hôtellerie du Québec (ITHQ)
3535 R. Saint-DenisBook a few days in advance for supper - they offer tasting menus that change monthly. This a hotel & restaurant school so the price to quality ratio is unbeatable. They also serve brunch & lunches à la carte. ALWAYS check the website beforehand since the opening day/hours vary according to the class schedule.
Parks & Nature
Your starting point for ice cream cone in the tree shade followed by a leisurely walk along Prince-Arthur towards Saint-Laurent boulevard. Then visit the eclectic commerce along this iconic Montreal street leading north to Mount-Royal boulevard and you walk back towards home while dropping in on a few vintage clothing stores along the way.
82 recommandé par les habitants
Square Saint-Louis
312 R. du Square-Saint-LouisYour starting point for ice cream cone in the tree shade followed by a leisurely walk along Prince-Arthur towards Saint-Laurent boulevard. Then visit the eclectic commerce along this iconic Montreal street leading north to Mount-Royal boulevard and you walk back towards home while dropping in on a few vintage clothing stores along the way.
The wonderful century old trees and classic architecture of surrounding streets!
'nuff said.
1637 recommandé par les habitants
La Fontaine Park
3819 Av. Calixa-LavalléeThe wonderful century old trees and classic architecture of surrounding streets!
'nuff said.
Hike up to the Kondiaronk belvedere for obligatory views of Montreal and the mighty St.Lawrence river, on a clear day the adirondak mountains of New York. Trails from the Sir George-Etienne Cartier monument at the base of the mountain's eastern slope at the end of Rachel street.
1477 recommandé par les habitants
Mount Royal
Hike up to the Kondiaronk belvedere for obligatory views of Montreal and the mighty St.Lawrence river, on a clear day the adirondak mountains of New York. Trails from the Sir George-Etienne Cartier monument at the base of the mountain's eastern slope at the end of Rachel street.
Have young kids and there's a heat wave? Do like local residents do and take them to this shady park with waterworks sprays to cool off. The city keeps this park open and the water flowing into the late evenings during heat waves. We've already been here with our toddlers at 11 pm and a lot of other families were here too!
Parc Gilles-Lefebvre
4535 Av. Henri-JulienHave young kids and there's a heat wave? Do like local residents do and take them to this shady park with waterworks sprays to cool off. The city keeps this park open and the water flowing into the late evenings during heat waves. We've already been here with our toddlers at 11 pm and a lot of other families were here too!
Be like a local after supper. Small shady neighbourhood park with a ping pong table - we have the paddles and balls in the game closet for your enjoyment or friendly competition.
Parc De Bullion
Avenue de l'Hôtel-de-VilleBe like a local after supper. Small shady neighbourhood park with a ping pong table - we have the paddles and balls in the game closet for your enjoyment or friendly competition.
Soccer pitch, baseball diamond, public pool, ping-pong tables, petanque, mature trees and picnic tables.
622 recommandé par les habitants
Parc Sir-Wilfrid-Laurier
5200 Rue de BrébeufSoccer pitch, baseball diamond, public pool, ping-pong tables, petanque, mature trees and picnic tables.
Essentials
PJC Jean Coutu
1224 Rue Notre Dame OLocal pharmacy. They have it here.
The local grocery, not too big, not too small, sometimes crowded. Open 'til midnight!
Another location further east at 1670 Mont-Royal is open 24hrs!
163 recommandé par les habitants
Intermarché Boyer
1000 Avenue du Mont-Royal EThe local grocery, not too big, not too small, sometimes crowded. Open 'til midnight!
Another location further east at 1670 Mont-Royal is open 24hrs!
Wine, spirits & imported beers. Extensive selection; 5 minute walk. Open 11am - 10pm - 7 days / week.
779 recommandé par les habitants
SAQ
1325 Avenue Laurier EWine, spirits & imported beers. Extensive selection; 5 minute walk. Open 11am - 10pm - 7 days / week.
Wine, spirits & imported beers. 12 minute walk. Open 7 days a week - 11am to 10pm.
380 recommandé par les habitants
SAQ Express
940 Avenue du Mont-Royal EWine, spirits & imported beers. 12 minute walk. Open 7 days a week - 11am to 10pm.
Getting Around
Your local subway station. Note that the local weed dealers are harmless.
323 recommandé par les habitants
Mont-Royal station
470 Avenue du Mont-Royal EYour local subway station. Note that the local weed dealers are harmless.
Bike rentals and guided tours. We tried a 75$ walking tour exploring the flavours of Mile End up to Little Italy. Entertaining and tasty. The tour ends at Jean-Talon market where you may want to buy a few local specialities: bring a shopping bag. Bike rentals include helmet an by lock - 40$-50$ / 24 hrs. High quality rentals for longer & more comfortable ride than Bixi could offer.
16 recommandé par les habitants
Fitz & Follwell Co.
1251 Rue Rachel EBike rentals and guided tours. We tried a 75$ walking tour exploring the flavours of Mile End up to Little Italy. Entertaining and tasty. The tour ends at Jean-Talon market where you may want to buy a few local specialities: bring a shopping bag. Bike rentals include helmet an by lock - 40$-50$ / 24 hrs. High quality rentals for longer & more comfortable ride than Bixi could offer.
This local hardware store rents bicycles! Cheaper alternative to the shared bikes if you want for a longer trip up the Lachine canal or to the parks along the back river (Rivière des Prairies).
RONA Quincaillerie Jean Hebert Inc.
1115 Avenue du Mont-Royal EThis local hardware store rents bicycles! Cheaper alternative to the shared bikes if you want for a longer trip up the Lachine canal or to the parks along the back river (Rivière des Prairies).
Sightseeing
A must in the early evening, check out the "Techno-Historic" circuit with multimedia projections on historic buildings. Download the app at montrealenhistoires.com or book a guided tour. Well worth it.
804 recommandé par les habitants
Old Montreal
A must in the early evening, check out the "Techno-Historic" circuit with multimedia projections on historic buildings. Download the app at montrealenhistoires.com or book a guided tour. Well worth it.
DYAD offers 3 different guided tours on electric scooters. Checkout their website at dyadcycles.com / Sightseeing Tours.
17 recommandé par les habitants
Dyad
80 Rue Prince-Arthur EDYAD offers 3 different guided tours on electric scooters. Checkout their website at dyadcycles.com / Sightseeing Tours.
Entertainment & Activities
Highly rated local pool. Need to keep up your daily routine and get a couple of laps in? Check the schedule daily: 514 872-2823
21 recommandé par les habitants
Piscine Lévesque
955 Rue Marie-AnneHighly rated local pool. Need to keep up your daily routine and get a couple of laps in? Check the schedule daily: 514 872-2823
Shopping
More organic and fair trade vegetarian and vegan friendly grocery.
17 recommandé par les habitants
Les Marchés Tau
4238 R. Saint-DenisMore organic and fair trade vegetarian and vegan friendly grocery.
Into craft beers? This is your lucky day! The ultimate craft beer store is located at a leisurely 10 minute walk from the apartment.
20 recommandé par les habitants
La Maison des Bières / The House of Beers
4485 Rue de LanaudièreInto craft beers? This is your lucky day! The ultimate craft beer store is located at a leisurely 10 minute walk from the apartment.