31 Jul Montreal Things To Do
Montreal Things To Do
When it comes to things to do in Montreal, this city is a hidden gem which comes to life in the summer. There’s a ton of fun things to do in our city, rich in it’s diversity of neighborhoods and culture. If you’re a foodie like me and your heart is in your stomache, you’ll appreciate all the wonderful places to eat and discover. Our city has no shortage of awesome restaurants.
Top Things to do in Montreal
On those beautiful summer days and nights there’s nothing like sitting outside and enjoying a drink or dinner on one of our many wonderful terrasses. (that means “patio”, for any non-locals) Here are a few where you can eat, drink and be merry.
Bistro Boris: – Garden like, cozy terrasse, tucked away inside a building. They serve traditional French fare and are located at 465 McGill St in Old Montreal. Reviews
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- A Garden Like Terrasse
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- Bistro Boris Entrance with the terrace tucked inside
Terrasse Bonsecours: – A cool and hip eatery with a huge terrasse that turns into a nightclub vibe at 11pm. Located at 364 de la Commune St E. Reviews
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- Photo Via Instagram @terrassebonsecours
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- Photo Via Instagram @terrassebonsecours
Terrasse Labo Culinaise Foodlab (SAT): – Sitting above Le Société des Arts Technologiques is Foodlab, a restaurant with a patio that overlooks the entertainment district. The restaurant features seasonal, local fare, with an experimental menu and extensive wine list. Located at 1201 St Laurent Blvd Reviews
Terrasse Nelligan: – Five stories up on Hôtel Nelligan’s rooftop, a chic terasse gives way to stunning views of the Old Port and the Notre-Dame Basilica. Open all summer long, Terrasse Nelligan offers fresh and delicious food, and their bartenders are cocktail experts. Located at 106 St Paul St W. Reviews
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- Photo Credit Via Instagram @terrassenel
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- Photo Credit Via Instagram @terrassenel
Les Fillettes: – A gorgeous terrasse featuring a warm and cozy vibe and plenty of garden like greenery. The restaurant specializes in seafood but has many great dishes. Located in Outremont at 1226 Av Van Horne Reviews
Agrikol: – Rum-based cocktails and Haitian food in a beautiful, lighted, and lush. Lot’s of music, art and a very cool vibe. Located at 1844 Amherst Street Reviews
Photo via Agrikol Instagram
Marché des Éclusiers: – Marché des Éclusiers is a hybrid farmer’s market where you’ll find locally-sourced and sustainable food produce from different local Quebec sources. This is a more laid back and casual space, located in Old Montreal at 400 Rue de la Commune Ouest Montréal. Reviews
Hambar Restaurant Bar: – If you find yourself on Mcgill St in the Old Port, and you’re looking for a cozy place with good food and a wonderful terrasse, this is the place for you. Known for their housemade charcuteries and extensive wine list. Reviews
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- Photo By Bonnie Meisels
Terrasse Sur L’Auberge: – Terrasse with sweeping views, great place from which to watch the fireworks! Tapas Restaurant Reviews
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- Photo Via @terrassesurlaberge Instagram
Montreal’s Celebration of it’s 375th Birthday
Cite Memoire: (Starting May 18th, 2017)
Poetic and dreamlike, Cite Memoire projects images of people who’ve contributed and shaped Montreal into the city it is today onto the Old Port’s landmarks and buildings. Learn more
An Open-Air Museum: (June 5th – October 29th, 2017)
Organized by the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts (MMFA) with the support of McGill University. This public art exhibition of international scope also commemorates two other milestones: the 50th anniversary of Expo 67 and the 150th anniversary of Canadian Confederation. Walk along Sherbrooke street and see the 67 pieces of art that are each inspired by peace and humanity. Learn more
Sunday Brunch Spots
Lov: – Pizzeria No 900 founder Dominic Bujold has create Lov, a sumtuous, brunch spot in Old Montreal with both vegan options as well as waffles and eggs. The space is well designed with a botanical inspiration and suspended basket chairs. Located at 464 Rue McGill in the Old Port. Reviews
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- Photo Via @LOVRESTAURANT Instagram
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- Photo Via @LOVRESTAURANT Instagram
Read up on the battle between Fabergé Restaurant and L’avenue, two great places for brunch
Maison Publique: Chef owner Derek Dammann once worked for Jamie Oliver at his original Fifteen in Islington, London—and Oliver provided Dammann the financial backing to open this place in 2012. A classic British tavern nestled right in the Eastern part of the Plateau, this restaurant serves strictly Canadian Ingredients with one of the best Canadian wine lists. Located at 4720 Rue Marquette
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- Photo Via @masionpublique Instagram
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- Photo Via @masionpublique Instagram
Read the Review for Butterblume and Arthur’s Nosh
Régine Café: – A wonderful café with a vintage decor and delicious breakfast fare and enticing deserts. This is located in Rosemont at 1840 Rue Beaubien E Reviews
Dep le Pickup: – Gourmet and Veg friendly sandwiches, half dépanneur, half restaurant. This is a great brunch option if you’re in Little Italy, the Mile-Ex or want to try something new. They are know for their haloumi sandwich and there’s plenty of stuff to get in their depanneur section. Located at 7032 Rue Waverly Reviews
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- Photo Via @Deplepickup Instagram
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- Photo Via @Deplepickup Instagram
Click here to see Eater’s selection of Montreal’s best brunch spots
Canadas100best.com features Canada’s top 100 restaurants
Lunch at Crew Café
Treat yourself to a wonderful lunch at Crew Café which was the former headquarters of the Royal Bank of Canada, built in 1928 down on St-Jacques St. in Old Montreal.
The space sat empty since RBC abandoned the building in 2010 — a shame, considering the grand splendour it once possessed, with its 50-foot-high vaulted ceilings, chandeliers, intricate tiling and marble and bronze galore. But thanks to the vision of Crew, a young Montreal company, that took over the building , the glory and splendor of the building will remain preserved. Now it functions as an inspiring co-working space and wonderful café.
This place is a freelancer’s haven (coffee, wifi, and outlets), meeting rooms and seating options are available with a coworking space membership.
Here’s a feel for the beauty and stunning architecture of the place!
Enjoy one of our many festivals!
Montreal has become a city of festivals. Every year we seem to add something new. This year that new edition was the e-race that took place over this past weekend for the first time, in the downtown streets of Montreal. Some of the many festivals are;
June
Les FrancoFolies June 8-18, 2017
Le Mondial de la bière/Beer Festival June 14-18, 2017
Festival Mural public art fest June 8-18, 2017. Plays music.
Montreal Grand Prix June 9-10-11, 2017
Montreal Folk Fest on the Canal June 14-18, 2017
St-Ambroise Montreal Fringe Festival: (May 29th – June 18th, 2017
Fête nationale Saint-Jean June 23 concert, June 24 parade
Montréal Baroque June 22-25, 2017
Montreal International Jazz Festival June 28-July 8, 2017
Mtl en Arts June 28-July 2, 2017
July
Canada Day July 1 – parade and events
Festival international de Lanaudière July 1-August 6, 2017
Carifiesta parade July 8, 2017 – Plays VERY LOUD audio
International des feux Loto-Québec fireworks fest, July 1‑August 5, 2017
International Festival of Circus Arts July 6-16, 2017
Montreal Comic-Con July 7-9, 2017
Les Week-ends du Monde July 2017
Kahnawake Pow-Wow July 8-9, 2017
Dragon Boat Race Challenge July 8-9, 2017
Haïti en Folie July 24-30, 2017
HeavyMTL metal festival, next edition July 28 and 29, 2018
Shakespeare-in-the-Park (Various parks from July- August, 2017)From July to August, find out which park is hosting the play, bring your own snacks and lawn chairs.
Just for Laughs (July 15th – 30th, 2017)
Featuring an impressive list of local and international comedians which include some of the biggest names in comedy! They also host a free outdoor festival in the Place-des-Arts entertainment district.
Fantasia International Film Festival (July 13th – August 3rd, 2017)
Long lines surround Concordia University’s Hall building for Fantasia, a leader in genre film scene. You can catch movies that wouldn’t normally be screened at your average movie theatre. Think movies from Asia, Europe and the Americas that are harder to find.
August
Archaeology month in Quebec, with various events
Rogers Cup tennis tournament, August 4-13, 2017 This year: men’s tennis
Osheaga music & arts festival August 4-6, 2017
Montreal Highland Games August 6, 2017
Île Soniq August 10-12, 2017
Otakuthon anime convention, August 4-6, 2017
International tango festival August 4-13, 2017
Italian WeekAugust 4-13, 2017
Orientalys August 10-13, 2017
Under Pressure August 10-14, 2017
St-Jean-sur-Richelieu Hot Air Balloon Festival August 12‑20, 2017
Montreal Reggae Festival August 18-20, 2017
Fierté Montréal Pride parade, August 20, 2017
MUTEK digital creativity fest, August 23-27, 2017
Montreal World Film Festival August 24-September 4, 2017
Montreal Electronic Groove August 31-September 3, 2017
September
Jardins de lumière September-October
YUL Eat September 2-3-4, 2017
OUMF Quartier Latin culture fest, September 6-9, 2017
Mois de la Photo September 7-October 14, 2017
Art Tattoo Montreal September 8-10, 2017
La Grande Rencontre folk fest, September 14-17, 2017
Montreal Marathon September 23-24, 2017
Festival international de la littérature September 22‑October 1, 2017
International Black Film Festival September 27-October 1, 2017
Journées de la culture Quebec-wide culture fest, September 29‑30 and October 1, 2017
October
The OFF Festival de Jazz October 1-10, 2016
International organ competition October 9-21, 2017
Festival Phénomena October 13-20, 2017
Burlesque Festival October 19-21, 2017
Montreal Biennale next edition 2018
La Braderie de mode québécoise October 20-23, 2016
Festival du monde arabe October 28-November 13, 2016
November
La Grande Dégustation booze fest, November 2-3-4, 2017
Cinemania French films subtitled in English, November 2-12, 2017
Coup de cœur francophone November 2-12, 2017
MTL À TABLE November 2-16, 2017
Rencontres internationales du documentaire, November 10‑20, 2016
Expozine small press fair, November 12-13, 2016
M for Montreal music showcase, November 16-19, 2016
Salon du Livre November 15-20, 2017
Bach festival November 17-December 3, 2017
Great Places To Go For Ice Cream
Kem Coba: – Located at 60 Avenue Fairmount O. in Mile End. An artisinal ice cream shop with fresh ingredients and interesting flavors.
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- Photo Via @kemcoba Instagram
Dairy Queen:– One of the oldies but goodies! Love their chocolate dip and especially their banana split sunday with pineapple and chocolate sauce. It’s a great space as well since you don’t have to look for parking.
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- Photo Via @dairyqueenduparc Instagram
Ripples: – What a fun ice cream shop in the heart of Mount Royal. Located at 3880 St Laurent. They do homemade ice cream
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- Photo Via @ripplesicecream Instagram
The Best Homemade Tomato Sauce and gnocchi In The City
Who needs to cook tomato sauce when you can go to Drogheria Fine located at 68 Avenue Fairmount Ouest in Mile End and buy some. The tomato sauce is not only fresh, and delicious, but Nonna herself is on site, cooking and selling her gnocchi to go smothered in her delicious homemade “Salsa de la Nonna” tomato sauce!
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- Photo Via @drogheriafine Instagram
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- Photo Via @drogheriafine Instagram
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- Photo Via @drogheriafine Instagram
Learn More about Mile End and the best things to do there
Also check out this public maintained space, Marché des Possible, located at 5635 rue St-Dominique (coin Bernard). The space has community organized events for local artists, chefs, and musicians.
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- Photo Via @marchedp Instagram
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- Photo Via @marchedp Instagram
Video Via @marchedp Instagram
A mini map of where things are located in Le Plateau
Some points of interest in Old Montreal
Another reinvented public space is the village called Au Pied-Du-Courant. It’s become a living lab for entrepreneurship, design and the arts. Designers come together in collaboration to create some cool projects and design experiments. You can read more about it here.
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