Steven & Kaytie's Guidebook
Neighbourhoods
Little Italy at a glance
Delineated to the south by Bellechasse, to the north by Jean-Talon, to the west by Saint-Laurent and to the east by Saint-Denis, this neighbourhood stars one of the city’s most famous food attractions, Jean-Talon Market, among the biggest and best four-season public markets in Montréal. The residential streets around the market feature mostly cute, small duplexes with exterior staircases, originally designed for the Italian railway and quarry workers of the area. The neighbourhood is nestled within a trifecta of metro stations: Jean-Talon, Beaubien and De Castelnau stations will all get you there, as will the 55 bus on the Main.
Architecture and demographics
Little Italy was still dominated by fields and farmland as recently as 1900. That history lives on in the Jean-Talon Market, originally where neighbouring farmers gathered to sell their fresh produce. Today, it’s a hopping, bustling place to wander about, shop, munch on street foods and more: meat, fish, cheese, bread, Mexican dishes at El Rey Del Taco, fresh oysters at La Boîte aux Huîtres, vegan sausages at Gusta – a world of flavours. Architecture fans will enjoy the many Art Deco buildings around the market, as well as the rows of tree-lined houses with painted spiral staircases – a Montréal classic. There’s a growing LGBT+ community establishing their homes in the area, as well as a ton of young families mixed in with the remaining Italian residents.
229 locals recommend
Little Italy
Little Italy at a glance
Delineated to the south by Bellechasse, to the north by Jean-Talon, to the west by Saint-Laurent and to the east by Saint-Denis, this neighbourhood stars one of the city’s most famous food attractions, Jean-Talon Market, among the biggest and best four-season public markets in Montréal. The residential streets around the market feature mostly cute, small duplexes with exterior staircases, originally designed for the Italian railway and quarry workers of the area. The neighbourhood is nestled within a trifecta of metro stations: Jean-Talon, Beaubien and De Castelnau stations will all get you there, as will the 55 bus on the Main.
Architecture and demographics
Little Italy was still dominated by fields and farmland as recently as 1900. That history lives on in the Jean-Talon Market, originally where neighbouring farmers gathered to sell their fresh produce. Today, it’s a hopping, bustling place to wander about, shop, munch on street foods and more: meat, fish, cheese, bread, Mexican dishes at El Rey Del Taco, fresh oysters at La Boîte aux Huîtres, vegan sausages at Gusta – a world of flavours. Architecture fans will enjoy the many Art Deco buildings around the market, as well as the rows of tree-lined houses with painted spiral staircases – a Montréal classic. There’s a growing LGBT+ community establishing their homes in the area, as well as a ton of young families mixed in with the remaining Italian residents.
So hot and yet so cool—the Plateau moves to its own funky beat. Wrought-iron staircases, old-style stone masonry, walk-up duplexes, imported cars, second-hand bicycles, designer fashion boutiques and funky friperies (used clothing) stores: this working-class-turned-yuppie neighbourhood with bohemian undercurrents is by far the grooviest scene in Montréal. Those of us who don’t live here come to play as often as possible. The Plateau is the best window to view the real Montréal.
401 locals recommend
Le Plateau-Mont-Royal
So hot and yet so cool—the Plateau moves to its own funky beat. Wrought-iron staircases, old-style stone masonry, walk-up duplexes, imported cars, second-hand bicycles, designer fashion boutiques and funky friperies (used clothing) stores: this working-class-turned-yuppie neighbourhood with bohemian undercurrents is by far the grooviest scene in Montréal. Those of us who don’t live here come to play as often as possible. The Plateau is the best window to view the real Montréal.
Montreal's Gay Village, located on Saint Catherine Street East, centred on the Beaudry Metro station, and on Amherst Street in the Ville-Marie borough of the city.From June to September the main drag, Sainte-Catherine Street, is closed to vehicles. Out-of-towners and native Montréalers alike leisurely stroll along the strip to shop, dine al fresco or just relax in the sun with a beer. The street has fashion and specialty boutiques, restaurants representing all major types of cuisine and a variety of bars.
286 locals recommend
Gay Village
Montreal's Gay Village, located on Saint Catherine Street East, centred on the Beaudry Metro station, and on Amherst Street in the Ville-Marie borough of the city.From June to September the main drag, Sainte-Catherine Street, is closed to vehicles. Out-of-towners and native Montréalers alike leisurely stroll along the strip to shop, dine al fresco or just relax in the sun with a beer. The street has fashion and specialty boutiques, restaurants representing all major types of cuisine and a variety of bars.
If you like the outdoors, there are some lovely walks around the Old port of Montreal. Walk along the water and enjoy all sorts of different activities such as kayaking, rafting, biking, zip lining etc. Great restaurants and art exhibits all along the Old Port, Imax theatre on the water, a must see! Also the main street has plenty of shops and restaurants to keep you entertained for hours.
1148 locals recommend
Old Port of Montreal
If you like the outdoors, there are some lovely walks around the Old port of Montreal. Walk along the water and enjoy all sorts of different activities such as kayaking, rafting, biking, zip lining etc. Great restaurants and art exhibits all along the Old Port, Imax theatre on the water, a must see! Also the main street has plenty of shops and restaurants to keep you entertained for hours.
If your more oriented into culture, crescent street is the place for you. Sumptuous Victorian architecture housing luxury boutiques, haute couture showrooms and art galleries has been carefully showcased, giving the Street a distinctive touch of elegance. Nightclubs, restaurants, bars, outdoor cafés and pubs add frivolity and excitement.
239 locals recommend
Crescent Street
Rue CrescentIf your more oriented into culture, crescent street is the place for you. Sumptuous Victorian architecture housing luxury boutiques, haute couture showrooms and art galleries has been carefully showcased, giving the Street a distinctive touch of elegance. Nightclubs, restaurants, bars, outdoor cafés and pubs add frivolity and excitement.
Food scene
We gathered up local nearby restaurants, caffee and bakeries for our guests :)
Starbucks
751 Avenue du Mont-Royal E
Juliette & Chocolat
3600 Boul. Saint-Laurent
Dirty Dogs
3685 Boul. Saint-Laurent
SAQ
1325 Avenue Laurier E
B & M Restaurant
6200 Av. Somerled
St-Viateur Bagel Shop
263 Rue Saint- Viateur O
Allô! Mon Coco - Plateau Mont-Royal
4448 Boul. Saint-LaurentOne on Montreal’s best breakfast places.
Guillaume
5170 Boul. Saint-LaurentOne of the best Bakeries in Montreal
Louise boulangerie
6835 Boul. Saint-LaurentOne of Montreal’s finest bakery
L'Avenue
922 Avenue du Mont-Royal EMontreals BEST breakfast spot on the isaland
Le Passé Composé
1310 Boul. de Maisonneuve EBAR - Big in Japan
4175 Boul. Saint-LaurentGrinder Viandes & Vins
1708 Rue Notre Dame OCinko
1641 R. Saint-DenisSoubois Restaurant
1106 Maisonneuve Blvd WL’Entrepôt Mont-Royal
1019 Avenue du Mont-Royal ELa Banquise
994 Rue Rachel EstYokato Yokabai Ramen
4185 Rue DroletMa Poule Mouillée
969 Rachel St EGarde Manger
408 R. Saint-François-XavierBuvette Chez Simone
4869 Av du ParcNhậu bar
600 Rue WilliamLa Queue de Cheval Steakhouse & Raw Bar
1181 Rue de la MontagneSightseeing
Lit up like a jewel at night, this casino on the Ile Notre-Dame is the largest in Quebec and one of the ten largest in the world in terms of the amount of gaming equipment. The excellent live entertainment draws gamblers and nongamblers alike.
422 locals recommend
Casino de Montreal
1 Av. du CasinoLit up like a jewel at night, this casino on the Ile Notre-Dame is the largest in Quebec and one of the ten largest in the world in terms of the amount of gaming equipment. The excellent live entertainment draws gamblers and nongamblers alike.
For shoppers: La Maison Ogilvy is a prominent retail establishment located in downtown Montreal. Founded in 1866, the store, at 1307 Saint Catherine Street West, is considered a retail landmark. It began as a dry goods store, and today hosts an array of luxury goods shops, brands and boutiques. Much of its retail space is devoted to designer brand shops including Louis Vuitton, Michael Kors, Burberry and Hugo Boss, in addition to other well known labels such as Canada Goose.
86 locals recommend
Holt Renfrew Ogilvy
1307 Rue Sainte-Catherine OFor shoppers: La Maison Ogilvy is a prominent retail establishment located in downtown Montreal. Founded in 1866, the store, at 1307 Saint Catherine Street West, is considered a retail landmark. It began as a dry goods store, and today hosts an array of luxury goods shops, brands and boutiques. Much of its retail space is devoted to designer brand shops including Louis Vuitton, Michael Kors, Burberry and Hugo Boss, in addition to other well known labels such as Canada Goose.
La Ronde
22 Chem. MacdonaldMount Royal
Beaver Lake
Montreal Science Centre
2 Rue de la Commune OThe Montreal Museum of Fine Arts
1380 Rue Sherbrooke O
Bell Centre
1909 Av. des Canadiens-de-Montréal