Ioana's MTL Guidebook

Ioana
Ioana's MTL Guidebook

Neighborhoods

Plateau is one of Montreal's hippest, most beautiful and overall most fun neighborhoods. Whether you want to hang out in a park with a bottle of wine, dine at some of the city's best restaurants, people watch, dance, watch live shows, or all the above. Plateau is the perfect area to start your local explorations from.
401 locals recommend
Le Plateau-Mont-Royal
401 locals recommend
Plateau is one of Montreal's hippest, most beautiful and overall most fun neighborhoods. Whether you want to hang out in a park with a bottle of wine, dine at some of the city's best restaurants, people watch, dance, watch live shows, or all the above. Plateau is the perfect area to start your local explorations from.
St-Henri is now one of Montreal's hippest neighbourhoods. It was once up and coming, but it's now there.
Notre-Dame Street West
Rue Notre-Dame Ouest
St-Henri is now one of Montreal's hippest neighbourhoods. It was once up and coming, but it's now there.
258 locals recommend
Mile-End
258 locals recommend
229 locals recommend
Little Italy
229 locals recommend

My Fave Cafes

Right across the street from my apartment, making it the perfect little neighborhood spot for your morning coffee. The Korean husband + wife duo that run it are here everyday, and the sweetest people. Their coffee is incredible too.
NOUS SOMMES CAFE
180 Rue Prince-Arthur E
Right across the street from my apartment, making it the perfect little neighborhood spot for your morning coffee. The Korean husband + wife duo that run it are here everyday, and the sweetest people. Their coffee is incredible too.
I love walking down to this cafe through the residential streets. They have a little outdoor bench that's perfect for enjoying during the summer.
56 locals recommend
Café Replika
252 Rue Rachel E
56 locals recommend
I love walking down to this cafe through the residential streets. They have a little outdoor bench that's perfect for enjoying during the summer.
53 locals recommend
Café Nocturne
19 Rue Prince Arthur O
53 locals recommend
20 locals recommend
Pastel Rita
5761 Boul. Saint-Laurent
20 locals recommend
115 locals recommend
Pikolo Espresso Bar
1635 Av du Parc
115 locals recommend
A cute little kiosk in Saint Louis Square (right behind my apartment) where you can hang out to have some coffee, snacks or gelato.
Le K (Le Kiosque K)
Avenue Laval
A cute little kiosk in Saint Louis Square (right behind my apartment) where you can hang out to have some coffee, snacks or gelato.
Another great leafy terrasse to get some reprise from the Montreal heat while still dining outdoors. This is an awesome spot to hide out during the day and right by Mont-Royal.
171 locals recommend
Café Santropol
3990 Rue Saint-Urbain
171 locals recommend
Another great leafy terrasse to get some reprise from the Montreal heat while still dining outdoors. This is an awesome spot to hide out during the day and right by Mont-Royal.
An old school Italian cafe, all cash, incredible coffee, and a cute little outdoor terrasse.
455 locals recommend
Café Olimpico
124 Rue Saint- Viateur O
455 locals recommend
An old school Italian cafe, all cash, incredible coffee, and a cute little outdoor terrasse.

Food scene

The arepas are so delicious, pretty cheap, and perfect for a quick lunch, or a hearty dinner.
62 locals recommend
Arepera
73 Rue Prince-Arthur E
62 locals recommend
The arepas are so delicious, pretty cheap, and perfect for a quick lunch, or a hearty dinner.
One of my go-to seafood restaurants in Plateau. They have daily 5 a 7 deals for oysters, really great wine, and delicious sharing plates. All in a quirky and great atmosphere.
123 locals recommend
Le Majestique Montreal
4105 Boul. Saint-Laurent
123 locals recommend
One of my go-to seafood restaurants in Plateau. They have daily 5 a 7 deals for oysters, really great wine, and delicious sharing plates. All in a quirky and great atmosphere.
154 locals recommend
Bar Henrietta
115 Av. Laurier O
154 locals recommend
A leafy, hidden terrasse to help you hide from the sun while still taking advantage of eating outside. This is an Afghan resto with flavour-packed platters. Khyber Pass is a BYOB, so don’t forget the nice chilled bottle of wine.
73 locals recommend
Khyber Pass Restaurant
506 Av. Duluth E
73 locals recommend
A leafy, hidden terrasse to help you hide from the sun while still taking advantage of eating outside. This is an Afghan resto with flavour-packed platters. Khyber Pass is a BYOB, so don’t forget the nice chilled bottle of wine.
A very beautiful restaurant if you want a more fine-dining experience.
70 locals recommend
Montréal Plaza
6230 Rue St-Hubert
70 locals recommend
A very beautiful restaurant if you want a more fine-dining experience.
Okay, there are a lot of Pho places in MTL. But, this one with humble beginnings gets the whole menu right. Great spot!
79 locals recommend
Pho Tay Ho
6414 R. Saint-Denis
79 locals recommend
Okay, there are a lot of Pho places in MTL. But, this one with humble beginnings gets the whole menu right. Great spot!
This popular Plateau gastropub is a must. The renowned chef is a big advocate for Canadian food identity and their menu boasts hearty flesh and root dishes from across Canada
111 locals recommend
Maison Publique
4720 Rue Marquette
111 locals recommend
This popular Plateau gastropub is a must. The renowned chef is a big advocate for Canadian food identity and their menu boasts hearty flesh and root dishes from across Canada
29 locals recommend
Hélicoptère
4255 Rue Ontario E
29 locals recommend
Larry's is open day and night and kind of does it all. Coffee, breakfast, lunch and dinner. The food is delicious in a really sweet and well-designed interior.
90 locals recommend
larrys
5201 Boul. Saint-Laurent
90 locals recommend
Larry's is open day and night and kind of does it all. Coffee, breakfast, lunch and dinner. The food is delicious in a really sweet and well-designed interior.
A little bit (bot not too bad) out of the way, this Syrian restaurant is so worth the visit. They serve up a varying menu from mezzes through to hefty char-grilled mains with Syrian flavours. So yummy!
110 locals recommend
Damas
1209 Av. Van Horne
110 locals recommend
A little bit (bot not too bad) out of the way, this Syrian restaurant is so worth the visit. They serve up a varying menu from mezzes through to hefty char-grilled mains with Syrian flavours. So yummy!
Sabor Latino is actually a Latin-American grocery store, but it also has a small cafe in the back that serves up some seriously delicious food.
11 locals recommend
Sabor Latino St-Laurent
4387 Boul. Saint-Laurent
11 locals recommend
Sabor Latino is actually a Latin-American grocery store, but it also has a small cafe in the back that serves up some seriously delicious food.
The best Thai resto in MTL for me. It's an authentic, delicious and welcome addition to the tired usuals.
7 locals recommend
Mae Sri Comptoir Thai
224 Rue Milton
7 locals recommend
The best Thai resto in MTL for me. It's an authentic, delicious and welcome addition to the tired usuals.
This is a little chinese noodle soup nook tucked away in Chinatown where the chefs pull fresh noodles in the front window.
21 locals recommend
Nouilles de Lan Zhou - Noodle Shop
1006 Boulevard Saint-Laurent
21 locals recommend
This is a little chinese noodle soup nook tucked away in Chinatown where the chefs pull fresh noodles in the front window.
One of a few Malaysian/Singaporean food joints in the city. Satay Brothers used to be a market stall ran by two brothers and their mom and now it's become a popular fixture on Notre-Dame W.
188 locals recommend
Satay Brothers
3721 Rue Notre Dame O
188 locals recommend
One of a few Malaysian/Singaporean food joints in the city. Satay Brothers used to be a market stall ran by two brothers and their mom and now it's become a popular fixture on Notre-Dame W.
One of the few authentic taco spots in the city that also serves up pozole!
32 locals recommend
Tacos Frida
4350 Rue Notre Dame O
32 locals recommend
One of the few authentic taco spots in the city that also serves up pozole!
Vietnamese food with a great terrasse right across from Jean Mance Park in Mont-Royal. Kind of the perfect combo all around!
125 locals recommend
HÀ Mont-Royal
243 Avenue du Mont-Royal O
125 locals recommend
Vietnamese food with a great terrasse right across from Jean Mance Park in Mont-Royal. Kind of the perfect combo all around!
There's a debate on which bagel shop is the best in town, but you can't come to Montreal without chowing on some Montreal-style bagels. This one is my go-to.
630 locals recommend
St-Viateur Bagel Shop
263 Rue Saint- Viateur O
630 locals recommend
There's a debate on which bagel shop is the best in town, but you can't come to Montreal without chowing on some Montreal-style bagels. This one is my go-to.
Incredible pizza and wine in a beautiful setting.
45 locals recommend
Helena
438 Rue McGill
45 locals recommend
Incredible pizza and wine in a beautiful setting.
Turkish-German street food and delicious kebab döners.
Station Berlin
3751 Rue Saint-Urbain
Turkish-German street food and delicious kebab döners.
34 locals recommend
Foxy
1638 Rue Notre Dame O
34 locals recommend
Your classic, Quebecois diner where you can get a heaping smoked-meat poutine, and you totally should. The inside has old-school diner decor and it's just one of the best spots!
73 locals recommend
Greenspot
3041 Rue Notre Dame O
73 locals recommend
Your classic, Quebecois diner where you can get a heaping smoked-meat poutine, and you totally should. The inside has old-school diner decor and it's just one of the best spots!
Minimalist Japanese restaurant with amazing flavour!
10 locals recommend
Restaurant Nozy
3568 Rue Notre Dame O
10 locals recommend
Minimalist Japanese restaurant with amazing flavour!
It doesn't get more comfort food than this. The chef is from Congo and brings his African and Creole flavours to life in his restaurant.
6 locals recommend
Restaurant Gracia Afrika
3506 Rue Notre Dame O
6 locals recommend
It doesn't get more comfort food than this. The chef is from Congo and brings his African and Creole flavours to life in his restaurant.
Easy. affordable and delicious pizza
11 locals recommend
Atlas Pizza
4051 Rue Saint-André
11 locals recommend
Easy. affordable and delicious pizza
THE best brunch in the city.
29 locals recommend
Hélicoptère
4255 Rue Ontario E
29 locals recommend
THE best brunch in the city.
Favourite gelato spot in the neighnorhood
16 locals recommend
Péché Glacé
1843 Avenue du Mont-Royal E
16 locals recommend
Favourite gelato spot in the neighnorhood

Markets

A great Farmer's Market in Montreal's Little Italy neighbourhood.
1744 locals recommend
Jean-Talon Market
7070 Av. Henri-Julien
1744 locals recommend
A great Farmer's Market in Montreal's Little Italy neighbourhood.
A great Farmer's Market in Montreal's Atwater Neighborhood next to the Lachine Canal.
852 locals recommend
marché atwater
852 locals recommend
A great Farmer's Market in Montreal's Atwater Neighborhood next to the Lachine Canal.

Nightlife

A relaxed cafe during the day on a beautiful corner that slowly turns into a relaxed lounge-type bar, and later in the evening with fun Afro-Caribbean and diverse music as well as a great crowd!
Gypsy Kitchen+Bar
500 Rachel Est
A relaxed cafe during the day on a beautiful corner that slowly turns into a relaxed lounge-type bar, and later in the evening with fun Afro-Caribbean and diverse music as well as a great crowd!
A dark basement tiki-bar (located beneath a Chinese restaurant) in Chinatown
84 locals recommend
Bar Le Mal Nécessaire
1106B Boul. Saint-Laurent
84 locals recommend
A dark basement tiki-bar (located beneath a Chinese restaurant) in Chinatown
a cool underground (literally) mezcal and tequila bar
54 locals recommend
Clandestino
436 R. Saint-François-Xavier
54 locals recommend
a cool underground (literally) mezcal and tequila bar
A brew-pub on Duluth St. that serves up tasty snacks and good beer, as well as decent wine offerings and other drinks. They have a rooftop terrasse great for a cozy summer night and people watching down below.
140 locals recommend
Réservoir
9 Av. Duluth E
140 locals recommend
A brew-pub on Duluth St. that serves up tasty snacks and good beer, as well as decent wine offerings and other drinks. They have a rooftop terrasse great for a cozy summer night and people watching down below.
A super cozy and trendy cocktail bar
121 locals recommend
Atwater Cocktail Club
512 Av. Atwater
121 locals recommend
A super cozy and trendy cocktail bar

5 à 7

130 locals recommend
Le Darling
4328 Boul. Saint-Laurent
130 locals recommend
20 locals recommend
Pastel Rita
5761 Boul. Saint-Laurent
20 locals recommend
Banc Public
A Haitian food spot in the Village that also has a beautiful back terrasse.
92 locals recommend
Agrikol
1844 R. Atateken
92 locals recommend
A Haitian food spot in the Village that also has a beautiful back terrasse.
One of the most beautiful terrasses in Montreal
103 locals recommend
Le Sainte-Élisabeth
1412 Rue Sainte-Elisabeth
103 locals recommend
One of the most beautiful terrasses in Montreal
One of my favourite spots in the area. It's a cafe, relaxed bar, oh.. AND it doubles as a cinema that shows critically aclaimed foreign-language films. Tres cool.
14 locals recommend
Cinéma Moderne
5150 Boul. Saint-Laurent
14 locals recommend
One of my favourite spots in the area. It's a cafe, relaxed bar, oh.. AND it doubles as a cinema that shows critically aclaimed foreign-language films. Tres cool.
A great little wine bar
23 locals recommend
vinvinvin
1290 Rue Beaubien E
23 locals recommend
A great little wine bar