Montreal Things to Do

Surely there is no shortage of cafes, bistros, and restaurants in Old Montreal, but deciding where to best spend your limited time at one can be tricky. Fear not—greatness is in no short supply here. This beautiful section of Old Montreal (Vieux Montreal) has been preserved in much of its original state—the oldest building dates back to the 1600s!

Montreal, like all multicultural cities, is not short on places to dine, drink, or munch; especially in the downtown area, you’ll find as many Asian and European cuisine choices as you would in New York City or San Francisco. Even after you’ve eaten, it can be hard to say no to the smell of pastries or the idea of sipping another glass of red wine on a patio.

Craving chocolate in Quebec? Here are our top picks for chocolatiers in Montreal!

Travelers often hear about the best steaks, ribs, grills, and rotisseries in town – but word doesn’t spread as quickly about the most organic lettuce, yummiest hummus, or crunchiest bread.

Montreal‘s first vegan restaurant, Aux Vivres, will surprise even those who adamantly insist a meal isn’t complete without animal products. The combination of flavors comes from both local and seasonal foods, which, by the way, is a cooking habit that restaurants and cafes should be adopting these days anyway. Not only is it healthier to eat products that haven’t been drenched in chemicals to last long journeys around the world, but it’s also better for the environment.

Of all the places famous for a warm, yummy bagel, Montreal may not pop up in your head as a typical place to go. Yet few know that Montreal actually has its own variety of bagel, which is different to the ever-popular “New York bagel” in that it’s wood-fired, made with egg and honey or malt, chewy, dense, saltless, and usually smaller with a bigger hole in the middle. They also normally have either poppy seeds or sesame seeds on top.