Montreal for a long weekend
April 25, 2024 6:08 AM Subscribe
We (2 NYers in late 30s) are planning on driving up to Montreal for a long weekend the second weekend in May. What should we do/see/eat and more specific questions
We have a third person flying in and meeting us. We all just love to walk around/see local shops/ eat good food/ see interesting things. My first internet search was "Montreal design sponge (rip) to give you an idea. Ive done a preliminary internet hunt, but were hoping for some more specific suggestions and have some questions-
1. Our friend wants to use Marriott points if possible- the Honey Rose hotel looks cute, but am I going to regret not staying in Old Montreal? Im trying to stay under/around $300usd a night, and just care that its a great bathroom if there are other, better suggestions.
2. Bota Bota looks super cool, is this worth dedicating some time to, and if so like half a day?
3. We are adventures eaters with little restrictions. I know we have to try bagels, but what else should be on our list?
4. I love walking around gardens, but will it be a little too early for the Montreal Botanical Garden?
5. Love a rec for local shopping or oh you have to see this.
Thanks!
We have a third person flying in and meeting us. We all just love to walk around/see local shops/ eat good food/ see interesting things. My first internet search was "Montreal design sponge (rip) to give you an idea. Ive done a preliminary internet hunt, but were hoping for some more specific suggestions and have some questions-
1. Our friend wants to use Marriott points if possible- the Honey Rose hotel looks cute, but am I going to regret not staying in Old Montreal? Im trying to stay under/around $300usd a night, and just care that its a great bathroom if there are other, better suggestions.
2. Bota Bota looks super cool, is this worth dedicating some time to, and if so like half a day?
3. We are adventures eaters with little restrictions. I know we have to try bagels, but what else should be on our list?
4. I love walking around gardens, but will it be a little too early for the Montreal Botanical Garden?
5. Love a rec for local shopping or oh you have to see this.
Thanks!
Best answer: My favourite thing to get at a Montreal bakery is the kouign amann at Kouing Amann (photo) on Mont Royal. It's a very dense sweet/salty/buttery dessert. It's not too far from the bagel places in Mile End.
posted by oranger at 7:00 AM on April 25 [3 favorites]
posted by oranger at 7:00 AM on April 25 [3 favorites]
Best answer: Old montreal is very crowded when the weather is nice and feels a lot like a theme park, so I wouldn't sweat not staying there. It's also not where the best restaurants are, instead it's filled with places that remind me of the bad restaurants in Prague's old city, tourist trap kind of overpriced but "fancy" (for the most part, there are some exceptions).
I highly recommend checking out the area around Parc La Fontaine, esp., Avenue Mont-Royal. It's where I would move in my fantasies about moving to Montreal. Lots of great places. If you like wine, try Le Rouge Gorge.
posted by dis_integration at 7:01 AM on April 25 [2 favorites]
I highly recommend checking out the area around Parc La Fontaine, esp., Avenue Mont-Royal. It's where I would move in my fantasies about moving to Montreal. Lots of great places. If you like wine, try Le Rouge Gorge.
posted by dis_integration at 7:01 AM on April 25 [2 favorites]
Best answer: I live in Montreal and while the Eater site for the city is no longer regularly updated, they do keep current this list of "essential" eateries; it reflects a lot of my personal experience and recommendations. We had a fantastic meal at Moccione a few weeks ago, takeout from Pumpui the other day, and a few others on there are on my short list to check out. It's nice, too, because the list is all over the city and with a few exceptions aren't particularly on the tourist beat, I'd say.
You won't regret staying outside of old Montreal, no. In fact, it might even be better not to. Please do not stay in an AirB&B. It's exacerbating a housing crisis and is full of unlicensed and scammy places at any rate.
The area dis_integration suggests is indeed cool. Little Italy/the area around Jean-Talon market is also cool. (Our former and current neighbourhoods :p) I agree that a lot of old Montreal caters to visitors. Doesn't make it all bad, but it can make it tricky, for example, when it's time to eat.
added on edit: This weekly newsletter (in English) can be useful for little special events and shopping.
posted by fruitslinger at 7:15 AM on April 25 [1 favorite]
You won't regret staying outside of old Montreal, no. In fact, it might even be better not to. Please do not stay in an AirB&B. It's exacerbating a housing crisis and is full of unlicensed and scammy places at any rate.
The area dis_integration suggests is indeed cool. Little Italy/the area around Jean-Talon market is also cool. (Our former and current neighbourhoods :p) I agree that a lot of old Montreal caters to visitors. Doesn't make it all bad, but it can make it tricky, for example, when it's time to eat.
added on edit: This weekly newsletter (in English) can be useful for little special events and shopping.
posted by fruitslinger at 7:15 AM on April 25 [1 favorite]
A good way to find out more about the food offerings and the city itself is to take a food tour. There are tours in different parts of the city. I enjoyed the one in Mile End, which featured bagels, gnocchi, poutine, etc. There is also one in Chinatown that looks great, too.
On a different trip, I took this wonderful beer tour.
Montreal is a great city to walk around in. When I'm there I usually just walk up and down all the streets I can fit in to find new street art and installations, of which there are plenty.
posted by Don_K at 7:18 AM on April 25
On a different trip, I took this wonderful beer tour.
Montreal is a great city to walk around in. When I'm there I usually just walk up and down all the streets I can fit in to find new street art and installations, of which there are plenty.
posted by Don_K at 7:18 AM on April 25
I've stayed at the Honeyrose and it was very nice -- also extremely convenient to the subway. Would definitely stay there again.
We also enjoyed this Beyond the Market food tour -- our guide was fantastic, and we explored some less-touristy neighborhoods.
posted by sriracha at 7:26 AM on April 25
We also enjoyed this Beyond the Market food tour -- our guide was fantastic, and we explored some less-touristy neighborhoods.
posted by sriracha at 7:26 AM on April 25
Another Montrealer here.
1. Hotel looks nice and is in a good area. As others have said, it's better than staying in Old Montreal/Port.
2. Again, repeating, but Bota Bota is great. If it's warm enough, the extra outdoor area really adds to it, but the main draw is the boat and it's nice to look at the old port from the whirlpool. Reserve ahead if you want to add a massage.
3. I'll leave this to others.
4. Botanical Garden is nice in May, but obviously not at it's peak. It also has many ongoing events and closed pavillion areas though, so still may be worth a visit if you like that kind of thing.
5. If you like artisan co-op shops, this place is nice: https://www.lempreintecoop.com/
posted by Laura in Canada at 8:10 AM on April 25
1. Hotel looks nice and is in a good area. As others have said, it's better than staying in Old Montreal/Port.
2. Again, repeating, but Bota Bota is great. If it's warm enough, the extra outdoor area really adds to it, but the main draw is the boat and it's nice to look at the old port from the whirlpool. Reserve ahead if you want to add a massage.
3. I'll leave this to others.
4. Botanical Garden is nice in May, but obviously not at it's peak. It also has many ongoing events and closed pavillion areas though, so still may be worth a visit if you like that kind of thing.
5. If you like artisan co-op shops, this place is nice: https://www.lempreintecoop.com/
posted by Laura in Canada at 8:10 AM on April 25
Best answer: I'm in Montreal frequently and write about food and restaurants for a living, so my suggestions reflect that.
1. Your hotel looks totally fine. Keep in mind that the area around the hotel is going to make parking a complication for you, as it would be if you stayed in Old MTL as well. It's best to sort out parking NOW so you don't have to do it there. Seriously, it can be a nightmare.
Related to that, if your hotel offers overnight parking with no in/out, you might want to go ahead and do that and just rely on Uber/Lyft in town.
2. I've heard Bota Bota can get really crowded when the weather turns, so just be ready.
3. In terms of must-visit restaurants, Elena is at the very top of the list. Don't miss it. L'Express is also one of my favorites--an old-school French bistro that's open late. I also recommend wandering around Mile End (which has a big Brooklyn vibe), where you'll find the aforementioned Kouign Amann as well as other highlights like Guillaume Bakery and the two big MTL bagel icons, Fairmount and St. Viateur.
If you end up anywhere nearby, Arhoma in Hochelaga is worth a stop for incredible sandwiches, pastries, chocolates and cheese. Ditto for Olive + Gourmando if you're down there. Ditto any branch of Fugazzi pizza.
The big public markets are definitely worth a visit. Jean-Talon and Atwater, in particular.
posted by yellowcandy at 8:29 AM on April 25 [1 favorite]
1. Your hotel looks totally fine. Keep in mind that the area around the hotel is going to make parking a complication for you, as it would be if you stayed in Old MTL as well. It's best to sort out parking NOW so you don't have to do it there. Seriously, it can be a nightmare.
Related to that, if your hotel offers overnight parking with no in/out, you might want to go ahead and do that and just rely on Uber/Lyft in town.
2. I've heard Bota Bota can get really crowded when the weather turns, so just be ready.
3. In terms of must-visit restaurants, Elena is at the very top of the list. Don't miss it. L'Express is also one of my favorites--an old-school French bistro that's open late. I also recommend wandering around Mile End (which has a big Brooklyn vibe), where you'll find the aforementioned Kouign Amann as well as other highlights like Guillaume Bakery and the two big MTL bagel icons, Fairmount and St. Viateur.
If you end up anywhere nearby, Arhoma in Hochelaga is worth a stop for incredible sandwiches, pastries, chocolates and cheese. Ditto for Olive + Gourmando if you're down there. Ditto any branch of Fugazzi pizza.
The big public markets are definitely worth a visit. Jean-Talon and Atwater, in particular.
posted by yellowcandy at 8:29 AM on April 25 [1 favorite]
Regular visitor to Montreal here. It's such a great city to walk around and the best city for biking in North America (or so I'm told). Driving is pretty awful, so park it and forget it.
Old Montreal is not my favourite. It's quite touristy and crowded and not where the coolest stuff is.
ChuChai is our favourite vegan place. Do no miss the crispy "duck." They also have amazing cocktails. All my meat-eating friends love ChuChai.
Also love vegan sushi at Momo or Bloom, both delicious.
If you're into fungi at all, here is a cool mushroom shop: https://mycoboutique.com/
Ursa is a wonderful small indy music venue owned by Martha Wainright:
https://ursamtl.com/
posted by Frenchy67 at 10:25 AM on April 25
Old Montreal is not my favourite. It's quite touristy and crowded and not where the coolest stuff is.
ChuChai is our favourite vegan place. Do no miss the crispy "duck." They also have amazing cocktails. All my meat-eating friends love ChuChai.
Also love vegan sushi at Momo or Bloom, both delicious.
If you're into fungi at all, here is a cool mushroom shop: https://mycoboutique.com/
Ursa is a wonderful small indy music venue owned by Martha Wainright:
https://ursamtl.com/
posted by Frenchy67 at 10:25 AM on April 25
This sounds gimmicky, and it is, but Onoir was the food highlight of my visit last month. You eat in 100% darkness and are served by blind waitstaff. The food would great in the light, but this experience of eating it in the dark is incredible.
If you like walking around, you can walk up Mont Royal. Despite it being an obvious tourist attraction, the mountain paths are cool (and not serious-hike-brutal if you take it slow) and the view is cool.
If you happen to like board games, Randolph Gaming Pub is awesome. They don't just have board games; they have a bunch of board game sommeliers that ask you what you feel like playing, make suggestions, then explain (well) how to play the games you pick. A caveat: It is loud like a bar. They play club bangers, and everyone is talking over it.
posted by ignignokt at 11:05 AM on April 25
If you like walking around, you can walk up Mont Royal. Despite it being an obvious tourist attraction, the mountain paths are cool (and not serious-hike-brutal if you take it slow) and the view is cool.
If you happen to like board games, Randolph Gaming Pub is awesome. They don't just have board games; they have a bunch of board game sommeliers that ask you what you feel like playing, make suggestions, then explain (well) how to play the games you pick. A caveat: It is loud like a bar. They play club bangers, and everyone is talking over it.
posted by ignignokt at 11:05 AM on April 25
The Montreal Doubletree Hilton has a really lovely sunny indoor pool, and is attached to a mall, which means food is easy to find and cheap.
ONoir (the dining in the dark restaurant) is really fun, I did it in Toronto and it's very memorable.
posted by nouvelle-personne at 12:48 PM on April 25
ONoir (the dining in the dark restaurant) is really fun, I did it in Toronto and it's very memorable.
posted by nouvelle-personne at 12:48 PM on April 25
You should also check out the pedestrian/car-free walk zones around Montreal. A few of them will be open in May, if not most. And some are open even now.
I walked down la rue Sainte-Catherine today during lunch, near the Quartier des Spectacles, and even as a life-long resident I really enjoyed the ambling along and people watching. There are various installations (some interactive) along the way. For Sainte-Catherine, I would recommend west-to-east - a better view as you are going very slightly downhill.
posted by mephisjo at 4:31 PM on April 26
I walked down la rue Sainte-Catherine today during lunch, near the Quartier des Spectacles, and even as a life-long resident I really enjoyed the ambling along and people watching. There are various installations (some interactive) along the way. For Sainte-Catherine, I would recommend west-to-east - a better view as you are going very slightly downhill.
posted by mephisjo at 4:31 PM on April 26
Response by poster: For posterity we just got back and had a great time
- Everyone was right that we were very happy staying downtown instead of Old Montreal. We ended up walking through there one day and the crowds made me nuts and was such a different vibe than the rest of the city.
-Would stay at the HoneyRose again if I was downtown, everyone was very nice, but would try to get a room not above the outdoor restaurant that had a DJ till midnight. Inexpensive (to a NYer) parking with in/out privileges, but the garage is narrow and tight. We just parked and then ubered to dinners
- Had great lunches at Le Super Qualite and Pumpui (the pumpkin fritters and mango sticky rice are amazing
- Had two great dinners at Elena, one at Darna (so homey and nice), and Moccione was incredible. Would happily eat at all of them again. The Eater list was very helpful. Cafe Olympia kept me well caffeinated in the mornings
- Loved Bota Bota, water circuit was great and we all had very good massages. It was pretty quite (a slightly chilly cloudy sunday) but i can see how it could become a scene on a really pretty day
- Walked a ton around Mile End/little italy & a bit of Mount Royal. Loved Librarie Drawn & Quarterly and the record store next to it. Got bagels from Fairmount Bagel which were hot and delicious. Also went to St Viateur in Mont Royal which wasnt as good and much more touristy.
-Wished we had time for the art museum, botanical garden & more markets, but that just gives us more things to explore next time. Thank you so much to everyone for their great recommendations
posted by zara at 6:02 PM on May 14
- Everyone was right that we were very happy staying downtown instead of Old Montreal. We ended up walking through there one day and the crowds made me nuts and was such a different vibe than the rest of the city.
-Would stay at the HoneyRose again if I was downtown, everyone was very nice, but would try to get a room not above the outdoor restaurant that had a DJ till midnight. Inexpensive (to a NYer) parking with in/out privileges, but the garage is narrow and tight. We just parked and then ubered to dinners
- Had great lunches at Le Super Qualite and Pumpui (the pumpkin fritters and mango sticky rice are amazing
- Had two great dinners at Elena, one at Darna (so homey and nice), and Moccione was incredible. Would happily eat at all of them again. The Eater list was very helpful. Cafe Olympia kept me well caffeinated in the mornings
- Loved Bota Bota, water circuit was great and we all had very good massages. It was pretty quite (a slightly chilly cloudy sunday) but i can see how it could become a scene on a really pretty day
- Walked a ton around Mile End/little italy & a bit of Mount Royal. Loved Librarie Drawn & Quarterly and the record store next to it. Got bagels from Fairmount Bagel which were hot and delicious. Also went to St Viateur in Mont Royal which wasnt as good and much more touristy.
-Wished we had time for the art museum, botanical garden & more markets, but that just gives us more things to explore next time. Thank you so much to everyone for their great recommendations
posted by zara at 6:02 PM on May 14
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Keep in mind that USD-CAD is in your favor, it's about a 25% more purchasing power right now if you go shopping.
posted by larthegreat at 6:21 AM on April 25 [1 favorite]