SOAKING UP THE FRENCH-CANADIAN CHARM AND FOOD IN MONTREAL

If you have ever travelled around Canada, you know that Quebec is unlike any other province. This unique region is where Canada’s French influence can be found in its historic architecture, charming cafes, French language, and unbelievable culinary scene. If you are looking to see this side of Canadian culture, Montreal is the place to be!

As autumn began to set in, and the leaves were just starting to change colours, we were itching for a cozy, scenic trip to beautiful Montreal. Lucky for us, this iconic Canadian city is just over five hours away by car. We were ready for five days of walking the streets of the charming old town, trying as many restaurants as possible, and taking in the view from Mount Royal.

Our biggest concern, entering the French part of Canada was navigating around the city without either of us being able to speak the language. Aside from a few minor hiccups while attempting to read the street signs, we found that almost everyone spoke English. The people were super friendly and forgiving despite our linguistic shortcomings.

If you’re thinking about heading to Montreal, we have you covered with the best places to see, stay, eat, and drink around in the city. Continue reading to hear more about our fabulous Canadian adventure.

WHERE WE STAYED IN MONTREAL: HISTORIC, CUTE AND BOUGIE HOTELS

We decided to divide our trip into two separate hotel stays so that we could check out some of the most highly recommended accommodations in the city. First, we stayed at the Fairmont Queen Elizabeth hotel located right in downtown Montreal. One of our favourite things about all of the Fairmont hotels is that they are all uniquely furnished and decorated according to the feel of the location. The Queen Elizabeth features warm, modern decor with a touch of extravagance found in their oversized chandeliers and other lavish accents. The first room we stayed in was spacious and upscale, offering a great view of downtown Montreal's beautiful cobblestone streets.

The suite that we were most excited to experience at The Queen Elizabeth Fairmont hotel was room 1742. This suite is where John Lennon and Yoko Ono set up camp for a week during the Vietnam War, in an effort to protest for peace. The couple was photographed in bed, with signs of peace on the windows behind them. To this day, the room is set up as a tribute to this historic event, complete with a virtual reality experience where you can lay in bed, protesting with Lennon and Ono. We loved the attention to detail in their 60s decor, old records, and a massive entranceway featuring the words “give peace a chance.” Staying here was an absolute privilege, and we would recommend it to anyone who has a passion for history or music. The room also features a luxurious outdoor patio for guests to enjoy the sights in true Beatles fashion.

After a memorable stay at the Fairmont, we wanted to check out one of Montreal’s independent hotels in the heart of the old town. Hotel Nelligan was the perfect option for us. With the Notre-Dame Basilica just steps away, this highly recommended hotel transported us straight to Paris. Rustic accomodations with exposed brick and wooden features surround a stunning courtyard. We stayed in a luxurious corner room dubbed the Petite Suite, and enjoyed the downtown view from all angles. One of our favourite things about hotel Nelligan was their pristine rooftop bar. Guests and locals enjoy delicious cocktails and excellent food here.

WHERE TO EAT IN MONTREAL: THE CITY OF WORLD-CLASS DINING

Out of everywhere we have visited, we have never received more food recommendations than we had en route to Montreal. This city truly is the food capital of the world, and we are not ones to miss out on an incredible culinary scene.

The first stop on our food tour was one of Montreal’s most famous bagel shops called Shwartz Deli. The restaurant may look like a typical mom and pop’s shop, but this modest establishment is pumping out some of the best smoked meat sandwiches in the city.

For our next stop, we decided to check out Montreal’s more upscale dining scene. Recommendations flooded in our inboxes, but one of the most highly recommended places was the iconic Bar George. This gorgeous lounge is located inside a 19th century mansion, which features a red carpet running throughout the building, velvet furniture and antique-inspired decor. If you love vintage luxury, this is the perfect place to show up dressed to the nines, and enjoy an unforgettable meal. When we walked in, the house mixologist prepared two custom made cocktails and named them after us. This was such a beautiful touch to kick off our meal. Chef Alexander Zelina proceeded to prepare some of the most incredible dishes we’ve ever tried.

Another fine dining highlight of our trip that is well worth a mention is called Le Muscadin. Italy is one of our favourite places to visit and the food is one of the main reasons why. We are always looking for North American Italian restaurants that can compare with the old country, and we finally found that here. We tried the spaghetti con pistacchi e burrata, along with a selection of traditional Italian desserts, and everything was absolutely authentic.

Some other noteworthy culinary experiences took place right on site at our hotels. At the Fairmont Queen Elizabeth, the Naracat terrace was the perfect place to look out at the city, and enjoy some great food and cocktails at the end of the day. Hotel Nelligan also features an impressive brunch dining hall, where you can indulge in all your favourite breakfast treats.

Before our time in Montreal was up, we had to try the world-famous St.-Viateur Bagel. Montreal is known for their unique “Montreal-style” bagels, which neither of us had tried before coming to the city. These bagels are boiled in a mixture of water and honey, and finished off in a wood-fired oven, giving them their signature sweet taste and crisp exterior. We went with St.-Viateur’s classic bagel sandwiches with layers of smoked meat piled on top, and they definitely did not disappoint.

On our way out of town, we had time for one last stop, so we decided to go with Gibeau Orange Julep, which is a unique drive through, known for their top-rated poutine. The building itself looks like a giant orange, which makes for a fun photo-op. The poutine certainly lived up to Montreal’s high standards, and made for the perfect on-the-road snack.

THINGS TO DO IN MONTREAL:

If you think that all we did in Montreal was eat, you’re almost right. Our culinary tour took up the majority of our time in the city, however that does not mean there aren’t a few other amazing things to do and see in Montreal. First off, wandering around the stunning old town was one of the highlights of our time in Quebec. We also went on the La Grande Roue de Montréal, the famous ferris wheel, to get some epic views of the cityscape, and did the famous hike up to Mount Royal. The fall is an excellent time to do this hike. The weather was crisp, and the leaves were just starting to change colours. When you get to the viewing point, you can enjoy an amazing view of Montreal, and check out their impressive observatory. We decided to go at sunset, which was a great time to get some photos and enjoy the scenery.

FIND ALL OF THE MONTREAL RECOMMENDATIONS OUR COMMUNITY SENT IN:

If you are planning a trip to Quebec, do not miss out on the wonders of Montreal. This is a truly special place that makes us proud to be Canadian!

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