72 Hours in Montreal
Montreal is a city with a certain je ne sais quoi. A city where the French and English languages are spoken, with the former exerting its dominance. A city that vehemently tries to preserve its history while simultaneously evolving into a cosmopolis embracing trends and novel ideas. A city where the arts derive from and reflect the diverse ethnicities of its creatives, hence why it’s often considered the ‘cultural capital’ of Canada. Naturally, when differing forces make up the fabric of a city, there are bound to be frictions and Montreal is no exception. The city has consistently been a hotbed of controversies and incessant political debates, becoming increasingly pronounced in recent years.
Despite this, Montreal remains a dynamic and fascinating city with plenty to offer. The dining scene here is top-notch. Sports events, music festivals, exhibitions, and international conferences run year-round without pause. Art and architecture permeate the city’s streets and neighbourhoods. Home to the most vibrant gay village in Canada, Montreal welcomes LGBTQI+ folks with open arms, with dozens of entertainment venues and annual celebrations catering to tourists and locals in the community.
Lying on an island where the St. Lawrence River and the Ottawa River meet, Montreal isn’t a huge city per se but it certainly isn’t small either. Discovering the city, especially in a limited time, can bring forth decision fatigue. This is why we have put together a 72-hour guide for those of you planning a brief getaway to the city. We hope it can provide you with useful references on where to stay, eat/drink and explore.
Stylish contemporary comfort is the name of the game at Hotel Monville. Its proximity to the city centre including Old Montreal and the buzzing downtown core is a boon for travellers who prefer convenient access to tourist landmarks and Montreal’s neighbourhoods. Just a few minutes walk from the Place-d’Armes and Place-des-Arts stations, the hotel is especially attractive to solo and business travellers. Moreover, it features a rooftop terrace where one can unwind and enjoy decent views of the city.
Dandy, founded by Michael Tozzi, always emits a cheery vibe. This stylish daytime dining nook is located on Rue Saint-Jacques in Old Montreal. What we love about this place is that it has an inviting interior and seriously comforting breakfast and brunch plates that warrant exclamations of satisfaction. Our recommendations? Try their Endless Summer Breakfast, Ricotta Pancakes and Maple Butter Tart.
One of the most cherished green spaces in Montreal, Parc La Fontaine is where locals flock to when the weather is warm and pleasant (mind you, Montreal experiences long and brutally cold winters). In the summertime when the trees are at their most verdant, you’ll see people lying on the lawn to bask in the sun, walking their pets, cycling, sitting on benches to read or chat and having picnics with friends and loved ones. The carefree bliss in the air is infectious here, even if you come here alone. In the autumn, when the foliage turns colours, the park transforms into a picturesque backdrop, perfect for a romantic stroll.
Sometimes, if you’re lucky, you’ll find yourself at a restaurant that feels homely and serves food that feels earnest and refreshing. Hèlicoptère is precisely that kind of restaurant. This charming address in the Hochelaga neighbourhood is run by David Ollu and Youri Bussières Fournel, whose former stints at Bouillon Bilk eventually led them to start their collaborative venture. By day, the establishment operates as a cafe. In the evening, the space converts to a full-fledged restaurant offering dishes inspired by international flavours. Their menu offerings are designed to be shared. For first-time visitors, however, we strongly recommend opting for their tasting menu. It’s a glorious feast with one delightful surprise after the next!
As a main artery of the city, St. Laurent Boulevard encapsulates the contemporary persona of Montreal - grounded in history yet with an eclectic, trendy edge. Art, culture, fashion, shopping and food weave inextricably together to create a cultural and commercial focal point for leisure and entertainment indulgence. Many of the preserved buildings flanking the street are clad in resplendent murals. There are a plethora of eateries, coffee shops, bars, thrift stores and nightclubs waiting for you to discover. During the summer months, the street turns into a car-free zone, allowing pedestrians and cyclists to stroll through and businesses to provide outdoor seating.
A sleek, industrial-chic restaurant set inside the retrofitted visual arts venue Fonderie Darling of Griffintown, Le Serpent offers contemporary Italian fare that never fails to draw an eager clientele. Notables include their Grilled Octopus and Bucatini, both gorgeously presented with the latter designed for the more curious palate.
Part patisserie, part gourmet grocery shop, Chez Potier is indispensable to those who gravitate towards anything sweet. A purveyor of exquisite French pastries and desserts in Montreal, this boutique shop located in Old Montreal is the long-awaited endeavour of none other than Olivier Potier, who went from cooking in the French Navy at a young age to a seasoned pastry chef who has worked alongside some of the most recognized names in the business, in both Paris and Montreal. All of Potier’s creations are worth trying and don’t skip out on their baked goods, shortbreads and sables. Their gourmet shop is also a delight to peruse, well-stocked with both locally produced and imported goods including jams, wines, condiments and more.
Brightly painted graystone Victorian row houses reminiscent of those seen in European cities line this elegant and historic square established in 1876. Some of Quebec’s most prominent literary figures like Émile Nelligan and Gaston Miron had once resided in homes nearby. A statue erected in memory of Nelligan sits in the southeast corner of the square. At the centre is a fountain encircled by park benches, a serene spot for a reprieve.
Mont-Royal is one of those spots that most first-timers in Montreal would visit and we don’t object to the idea one bit. It’s almost inexcusable to not do so because the sweeping view you get of Montreal from the lookout terrace, Belvédère Kondiaronk, is simply breathtaking. We do implore you to take a moment and head inside Chalet du Mont, the iconic heritage building in French Beaux-Arts style located at the summit. Inside, the airy space is decorated with chandeliers, a large fireplace and mural paintings illustrated by thirteen Canadian artists that celebrate the history of Montréal under the French regime.
Another favourite in Montreal’s Griffintown, Foxy tempts food aficionados with mouthwatering dishes cooked over the kitchen’s charcoal grill or roasted in its wood-fired oven. Packaged in an intimate setting, the restaurant exudes a light-hearted atmosphere, though it’s serious business when it comes to food and drinks. The place carries a curated selection of natural wines and private imports. The dishes here embody a rustic nature —straightforward but loaded with flavours. Book a seat at the bar if you’re travelling solo as you’d have front-row viewing of expertly crafted drinks by some of the most agile bartenders in the city.
