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WHERE TO STAY
While there's no one perfect hotel in Montreal, there are a number of charming stays, from boutique hotels with character to five-star luxury options. On the high-end side, we love the Ritz-Carlton Montreal. It's the all-around most pampering hotel in the city, but it’s also the most expensive. Nearby, but more reasonably priced, is the new Metcalfe Montréal, the latest hotel from the Gray Collection (behind some of Montréal’s top boutique stays). It has a more polished, contemporary feel than some of the city’s character-heavy boutique hotels, with comfortable rooms (great bathrooms and Le Labo products) and a particularly convenient location near Mont Royal—a great base for exploring the city’s natural beauty. Also from the Gray Collection is Hôtel William Gray, a sleek, modern option in the heart of Old Montreal. The area is popular with those looking to sightsee, so it can be crowded, but the hotel itself offers many draws, from the rooftop bar to the sprawling spa and gym. Last but not least is Hotel Gault, a boutique stay that’s modern in design and intimate in atmosphere. It’s a very charming place to book, with just 30 rooms, all of which are individually appointed.
DAY 1
St-Viateur Bagel · Montréal
Fairmount Bagel & St-Viateur Bagel
Your morning breakfast is also a challenge: decide which of Montreal’s two lauded bagel spots is better. Set just a few blocks from each other, Fairmount and St. Viateur both have loyal fans, so decide which team you’re on by sampling a bagel from each one.
Seconde · Montréal
Seconde
After eating, explore around the hipster Mile End neighborhood, stopping at boutiques like Seconde, a vintage go-to.
Les Etoffes · Montréal
Les Étoffes
Next is Les Étoffes, our favorite boutique from our recent trip with a quite stylish curation of womenswear. Think elegant, monochromatic pieces from Japanese, Korean, and Spanish brands, plus some great gold and silver jewelry. Also don’t miss the wallpaper, which was custom designed for the store.
RUSE Boutique · Montréal
Ruse
Last up is Ruse, the most high-end vintage shop in the area (but still with affordable pieces). You could find everything from Chanel flats and YSL totes to Ganni jeans and more.
larrys · Montréal
Larrys
For a laid-back lunch, grab a table at Larrys, an all-day dining staple known for its brunch fare. Come for a chill vibe and bites like pancakes, granola bowls, egg and bacon plates, burgers, and more.
Leméac · Montréal
Leméac
For something a touch more upscale, opt for Leméac, a French bistro that’s been a local institution for decades. It’s a warm, welcoming classic, with a noteworthy pain perdu dessert.
Mount Royal · Montréal
Mount Royal
After eating, walk through Montreal’s beautiful Mount Royal park. Walk up to the top for incredible city views. This is also a great place to come for a run or at sunset.
Salle Climatisée · Montréal
Salle Climatisée
For dinner, reserve at this cozy, intimate spot serving some of the best seasonal cuisine in the city. Think French-inspired plates including a very unique leeks vinaigrette, an incredible steak tartare, and Arctic char with spicy corn and tarragon butter. The dessert is a standout, so don’t skip it.
Restaurant Elena · Montréal
Restaurant Elena
If you’re more in the mood for Italian, head to Elena, a cozy spot serving great sourdough pizza and natural wine. You can’t reserve for the terrace but arrive early so you can sit out there—the atmosphere is great.
DAY 2
Crew Collective & Café · Montréal
Crew Collective & Café
Start the day at Crew Collective, a beloved cafe (and coworking space!) set in an old bank in the Old Town. Come for coffee and to take in the grand architecture.
SSENSE MONTRÉAL · Montréal
SSENSE
If you’re into luxury shopping, hit up the only brick-and-mortar store for e-retailer SSENSE, a five-story store filled with fashion and designed by David Chipperfield Architects.
Fonderie Darling · Montréal
Fonderie Darling
Meander out of the Old Town—admittedly, a bit of a touristy area—to Fonderie Darling, a cool contemporary art gallery set in a restored old foundry. The shows are quick but cutting-edge.
OSMO X MARUSAN Café-Terrasse · Montréal
OSMO X MARUSAN
For a casual, quick lunch, walk over to one of Montreal’s best cafes, the Japanese-inspired OMSO. Order a Japanese egg salad sando or katsu sando and enjoy it with their excellent coffee on the terrace.
Arthurs Nosh Bar · Montréal
Arthurs Nosh Bar
For a bigger feast, head to Arthurs Nosh Bar, a beloved brunch destination. The syrniki pancakes and the McArthur sandwich (star ingredient: crispy schnitzel) are the stuff of legend. Go on the early side, and prepare for a wait.
Montreal Museum of Fine Arts · Montréal
Montreal Museum of Fine Arts
If you went to OMSO for lunch, you can walk over to the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts for a bit of culture in the afternoon. It’s a big museum, with great exhibits.
Marché Atwater · Montréal
Marche Atwater
If you went to Arthurs, walk over to Marche Atwater after lunch to tour one of Montreal’s two famous markets (the other is Marché Jean-Talon, which is also a must-visit). It’s filled with locally grown produce, artisanal products, cheese, and more.
Bota Bota, spa-sur-l'eau · Montréal
Bota Bota
Unwind in the afternoon at Bota Bota, a Scandinavian-inspired spa set on a boat that's anchored on the St Lawrence River. Rotate between the sauna, cold plunge, and steam room, and enjoy the views.
Vin Mon Lapin · Montréal
Vin Mon Lapin
Dinner should be at Vin Mon Lapin, one of the absolute best restaurants in Montreal (but be warned: it’s very hard to book, so set an alarm for when reservations open). It’s an all-around stellar restaurant, from the warm service and natural wine list to the seasonal menu, which changes but is consistently excellent.
Pichai · Montréal
Pichai
Another superb dinner option in the neighborhood is Pichai, a casual Thai restaurant with a very loyal following. All of the dishes are packed with flavor, so order as much as you have room for.
Dalmata Bar Laitier · Montréal
Dalmata Bar Laitier
For dessert, walk to Dalmata, a gelato soft-serve spot from the team behind Le Violon restaurant (another favorite spot). Opt for a twist of flavors like pistachio and dark chocolate.
Parcelles · Sherbrooke
Optional Add-On: Parcelles, Québec
If you have more time in Montreal, it’s absolutely worth a day trip out to the Eastern Townships for a long, farm-to-table meal at Parcelles. Roughly one hour and 30 minutes by car from Montreal, Parcelles is a culinary destination serving highly seasonal plates and wood-fired pizzas right on the restaurant’s farm. Despite the set menu format (including five vegetable-forward small plates plus one pizza—sold as a menu for two people), the vibe here is decidedly relaxed: diners eat at picnic tables, kids and dogs play while the grown ups eat, and a soundtrack of laid-back music is always present. It’s a highly memorable experience.
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