Travel
The City Column: Where To Eat, Stay And Shop In Montreal
Updated on May 8, 2024
Montreal is electric — here’s how to explore like a local, enjoying the best of the city’s art, design and culinary talent.
Where To Eat:
New: Gia
From the team behind hit restaurants Elena and Nora Gray, Gia is a fabulous wine bar with a grill-focused, Italian- influenced menu. If you can’t get reservations, fear not — a section of the resto is reserved for walk-ins.
1025 rue Lenoir
Classic: L’Express
The menu has changed very little since L’Express first opened its doors in 1980, and that’s intentional. This is a French bistro that delivers classics including mousse de foies de volaille aux pistaches, croque-monsieur and soupe de poissons with such consistency that local restaurateurs and chefs regularly dine here.
3927 rue Saint-Denis,
Where To Stay:
New: Hôtel St-Thomas
This intimate boutique hotel, which has just 23 rooms, is walking distance to Quartier des Spectacles, Le Plateau- Mont-Royal and the Village. The design is a mix of old and new Montreal — the heritage building boasts a cool modern addition at the back. Book a room with a balcony and enjoy the view overlooking the heart of the city.
430 rue Sherbrooke Est
Classic: Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth
This hotel is one of the city’s most storied properties — it even recreated the suite John Lennon and Yoko Ono used for their bed-in, and you can book it! Elegant guest rooms are decorated with mid-century-inspired furniture and colorful accents — don’t miss Marché Artisans in the lobby, a market and café.
900 boulevard René-Lévesque Ouest,
What To See:
Classic: Musée des beaux-arts de Montréal and Habitat 67
An institution in the city’s Golden Square Mile, Montreal’s museum of fine arts has something for everyone. Running through August is an immersive, large-scale art exhibition from renowned Indian artist Nalini Malani. For architectural inspiration, head to the water for a guided tour of Moshe Safdie’s jewel of a planned neighborhood,
1380 rue Sherbrooke Ouest, ; 2600 avenue Pierre-Dupuy,
New: Projet Casa
This art space in a historical house belongs to two art lovers and collectors who wanted to create a venue for emerging and underrepresented artists. Visit Thursday through Sunday and an artist will give you a tour.
4351 avenue de l’Esplanade
Where To Shop:
New: Hibou Home
This shop’s inventory is curated by owners and designers Korina Khamis and Eugenia Triandos. Find an eclectic blend of custom furniture, textiles, vintage Turkish rugs and antiques sourced from around the province.
1 rue Chabanel Ouest
Classic: Maison Corbeil and Design Louis George
Visit Maison Corbeil for curated designs and trendy accessories, and Design Louis George for luxe trad and contemporary accents and furniture.
1215 boulevard Crémazie Ouest
4360 chemin de la Côte de Liesse, Mont-Royal
House & Home