Montreal summer begins the moment someone sends 'rooftop tonight?', turning indoor seating into a distant memory. Rooftops across the city become social ecosystems, from polished Old Montreal venues to lively downtown spots, offering skyline views, sunset cocktails, oysters and long nights powered by DJs. These spaces define Montreal's summer.
Old Montreal fuses stunning architecture and deep history with a dynamic food scene. It is home to hidden gems, internationally acclaimed restaurants, and beloved locals' staples, from elegant brasseries to intimate tasting rooms. Iconic spots like Club Chasse et Pêche and Olive et Gourmando anchor its diverse dining landscape.
Montreal shines as a foodie weekend hub, from Mile-End bagels to Little Italy and Old Montreal to Saint-Henri, with markets, cafés and inventive spots. A three-day itinerary guides you through vibrant neighborhoods to must-try brunches, canal-side lunches, terrace cocktails and elevated dinners.
A new experience lets guests enjoy live sports in a refined private setting in Old Montreal, watching games in an elegant private room with an exclusive menu by Vieux-Port Steakhouse. The concept blends the energy of live sports with a high-end dining experience, turning each game into a memorable occasion.
Hotel William Gray marks its 10th anniversary with Freddi, a new bar and dining destination in Old Montreal. Freddi functions as a social hub blending food, design and atmosphere, open daily from lunch to dinner with weekend brunch; a 50-seat space under a glass roof offers Japanese-inspired shareables, signature cocktails and curated wines, led by Chef Konstantin Chakhnov.
Located at the Quai de l’Horloge, Plural is one of Canada’s largest contemporary art fairs, celebrating current artistic practices. Here’s a selection of spots to grab lunch in the Old Port before or after your visit to the exhibition.
Montreal Bungee reopens on April 18 with night jumps, extended hours to 10pm from June 1, and a new Tiki Bar in the Old Port. On Saturdays, jumpers can enjoy stunning views of the Loto-Québec fireworks for a unique nighttime thrill, while friends and family watch from Quai des Convoyeurs and soak in the summer vibe.
Discover Montreal food tours that unveil its culinary identity, from wood-fired bagels to poutine and market tastings. Explore Mile End, Jean-Talon Market, Chinatown and Old Montreal with expert guides, sampling local bites and hearing the stories behind the city's vibrant gastronomy.
Food and music converge at SonoLux in Old Montreal, pairing LUMI's nine- or fourteen-course contemporary seasonal menus with Subterra's DJ sets and full album vinyl sessions inside Quebec's first art-exhibiting hotel, uniting gastronomy, art, and music.
Mezcla offers a refined French-Peruvian fine dining experience in Capisco, Old Montreal. Led by chef Marcel Olivier Larrea with David Dumay and David Schmidt, it blends French technique with Peruvian flavors on a tasting menu and cocktail program by Joseph David, featuring razor clam and melon ceviche, papa rellena, and alpaca al carbon.
Autumn arrives at Paparmane with a seasonal menu by executive chef Yoann Bouyer, featuring warm bites like a moist pumpkin cake, double-baked apple tartlet, butternut squash crostini, and a Philly-inspired little sandwich, plus an Autumn Flavors take-out box for home. Reservations open in Old Montreal.
Old Montreal's historic streets invite a flavorful daytime dining stroll, from cafés to inventive lunches and brunches. Discover a variety of spots with unique vibes and curated menus, including La Cave a Manger, Café Olimpico, Olive et Gourmando, Mandy's, Crew Collective & Café, and more.
Chez Delmo, a Montreal institution since 1907 in Old Montreal, specializes in seafood and fish with a timeless, authentic dining experience. From Dover sole meuniere to Thermidor lobster, it blends tradition with seasonal ingredients, reviving in 2011 to continue as a landmark for locals and visitors alike.
Gray Collection's hotels earn three of four spots in Condé Nast Traveler's 2024 Readers' Choice Awards, with The Metcalfe Hotel in Ottawa, Hotel William Gray, and L'Auberge du Vieux-Port in Montreal recognized, highlighting the group's hospitality excellence in Montreal and Ottawa.
The former Boris Bistro at 465 McGill Street becomes Romies, a modern American bistro by Alexandre Cohen and Raegan Steinberg, with an industrial-vintage interior by Annika Krausz, a chic bar and courtyard, a curated wine list, and a menu from beef tartare to filet mignon, ideal for date nights or gathering with friends.
Kwizinn moves from Verdun to Old Montreal's Bonsecours Market, redefining Afro-Caribbean dining with Michael Lafaille, Claudia Fiorilli and executive chef Céline Diallo. The two-area set-up features bar lounge and events room, 80 inside/40 outside, a growing terrace, shared plates and weekly DJs, brunches.
Bonaparte in Old Montreal, housed in a historic Saint-Francois-Xavier Street building beside the Centaur Theatre, celebrates its 40th anniversary with upscale French cuisine in three rooms for 112 seats and a theater menu, wine pairings, gluten-free options, and anniversary cocktails; OpenTable lists it among its top 100 romantic restaurants.
Annexe BreWskey is a boutique bar and smokehouse in Old Montreal's Marché Bonsecours, serving on-site brews, whiskies and cocktails, plus smoked bites like salmon nuggets and pulled pork. With a Prohibition-era vibe, terraces and a retail boutique, it suits groups or casual visits.