Emily & Joe
Montréal Recommendations
Pâtisserie Au Kouign Amann
Extremely delicious pastries, particularly their namesake kouign amann!
Bagel Etc
One of our favorite breakfast/brunch spots. Highly recommend the orange juice. Fun fact: this was one of Leonard Cohen's favorite places – he lived just around the corner!
Fairmount Bagel
We'll ensure that you don't leave Montréal without trying a bagel, but if you want to go on your own or even bring some home, Fairmount Bagel (& St. Viateur) are open 24/7!
Schwartz's Deli
Probably tied with poutine for the most famous Montréal food, a smoked meat sandwich from Schwartz's is iconic. Be sure to get fries, a pickle, and a cherry soda to go with your sandwich for the complete experience! There's often a line-up but it's worth it. There's also a to-go shop next door!
Mount Royal Park
A crown jewel of Montréal, Parc Mont-Royal sits near the McGill campus and Plateau neighborhood. It's an exquisite park (designed by one of our personal heroes, Frederick Law Olmsted) that features a gorgeous scenic outlook at the top of the mountain. This is a must-do activity!!
Café Santropol
One of my favorite lunch places in the city – very tasty sandwiches on homemade brown bread!
Patati Patata Friterie de Luxe
A perfect little hole-in-the-wall place that has Emily's favorite poutine in the city, plus tiny burgers and tofu burgers. Get it to go and eat it in Parc Jeanne-Mance!
Marché Atwater
A wonderful market where local vendors sell fresh produce! There are also many shops including a great bakery and cheese shop. One of Emily's favorite spots in the city. And, it's very close to our venue!
Jean Talon Market
This is another incredible produce market on the other side of town – lots of great restaurants and shops. It's worth the trip!
Olive et Gourmando
This restaurant is incredible! Great for breakfast and lunch. It gets very busy so we highly recommend going right when they open. Be sure to get the house-made ricotta – whew! so good. If it's too crowded to sit down, they also sell coffee and pastries to go, which is a decent backup. There's also a location in Old Port inside the William Gray Hotel. Just as good down there!
Bota Bota, spa-sur-l'eau
If you want to treat yourself to a spa experience, THIS is the place to do it. This spa is actually located on a boat anchored in the St. Lawrence River, and has several floors of saunas, plunge pools, and outdoor hot tubs. You can also book a massage and other treatments!
Café Olimpico - Mile End
A favorite coffee spot – authentic old-school Italian spot with great espresso and cannoli.
Café Névé
Another favorite coffee shop – get a cookie!
Romados
A classic Portuguese chicken place – extremely good! Get fries and also some pastéis de nata!
Brasserie Dieu du Ciel! - Brouepub Montréal
Excellent local brewpub – highly recommend!!
boutique lustre
Rue St. Laurent aka Le Main is great to walk along – lots of cute shops to look at. Emily's favorite by far is boutique lustre, where she's been shopping for over 10 years. The owner and designer Yasmine makes incredibly beautiful size-inclusive clothes for women!
Joe Beef
Probably the most famous restaurant in Montréal – hard to get a reservation but a great place to have a fancy meal, if you so choose!
La Banquise
If you want to go all-in on your poutine experience, La Banquise might be the place. It's open 24 hours for all of your urgent poutine needs.
Réservoir - Brasseur
Another excellent local brewery – this one has a small roof deck.
Fabergé Restaurant
Another great brunch place!
The Montreal Museum of Fine Arts
Montréal's fine arts museum is relatively small but delightful!
Bar Le Sparrow
If you want to explore the trendy Mile End area, Sparrow makes for a great brunch or dinner spot.
Brasserie Monarque
An excellent restaurant for a nice dinner.
L'Express
If you want a very *French* experience while in Montréal, L'Express is the right choice. Emily's favorites used to be the steak frites and the île flottante for dessert.
Lola Rosa Café
If you're looking for vegan and/or vegetarian cuisine, Lola Rosa is a great pick. They now have several locations but this was a favorite from McGill years!
La Croissanterie Figaro
The name should tell you everything you need to know – it is a cafe focused on croissants! It's also very cute and in the pretty Outremont neighborhood adjacent to Mile End.
Le Dépanneur Café
A sweet little cafe in the Mile End neighborhood with great food and often live music all day.
Librairie Drawn & Quarterly
A wonderful book store!
Bily Kun
Weird little bar. Fun atmosphere if you’re looking to have a drink out!