Montreal reveals its most vibrant personality each summer through a constellation of ephemeral spaces that transform the metropolis into a true urban festival.
From rooftop terraces to farmers' markets, pedestrian zones, and creative pop-ups, these temporary oases redefine Quebec's summer way of life.
This year, many temporary destinations are redrawing the map of summer pleasures, offering as many invitations to rediscover the city from a fresh perspective. From the Lachine Canal to the heights of the Plateau, these seasonal spaces reflect Montreal's creative DNA. The farmers' markets celebrate the Quebec terroir; the restaurant areas reinvent themselves; the secret terraces perch on the rooftops: each concept develops its unique signature.
The summer of 2025 continues this trend with a multitude of creative endeavours. Floating terraces dock at the quays, suspended gardens occupy the heights, and nomadic markets liven up public squares.
This kaleidoscope of temporary spaces gives the city a fresh face, making it more accessible and more human. It's the perfect setting to enjoy the beauty of Montreal in its summer glory.
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Little Italy's effervescence transforms this restaurant area into a true permanent festival of international flavours. Gathered around spacious communal picnic tables, diners enjoy a blend of tradition and innovation, with local farmers and newcomers bringing their unique flavours to the pedestrian streets from June to October. This ephemeral destination has preserved the original "Marché du Nord" spirit since 1933, thanks to the enriching contributions of local producers and new seasonal arrivals in the pedestrian lanes from June to October.
Summer Food Zone:
Mazroca: Luxury tacos, cocktails and natural wines in a festive, relaxed approach.
Bouffe-moi!: Summer snack bar and restaurant offering Montreal pogos, homemade fries and refreshing cocktails.
La Boîte aux Huîtres: Over 40 oyster varieties from P.E.I., Nova Scotia, Virginia, Washington, Cape Cod, British Columbia and European coasts.
La Crêperie du Marché: Traditional and contemporary artisanal crêpes in an authentic French spirit.
Le Coin Santé: Balanced nutritious options for a healthy approach to summer dining.
Les Filles Fattoush: The first permanent 2025 shop and restaurant area kiosk with hot Syrian mezzes and Middle Eastern products.
Loumi: Authentic Lebanese specialties in a warm family atmosphere.
Mangue et Melon: Delicious fresh juices with preventive benefits, local sourcing and compostable cups.
Panda Restaurant: Asian cuisine specialized in sausage dumplings, Korean fried chicken, bubble tea, takoyakis and lacquered duck.
Roxy Focaccia: Authentic artisanal focaccia sandwiches with varied local fish, meats and vegetables.
Casa di Toto: 2025 novelty, family business offering homemade gnocchi, pizzas and express Neapolitan desserts.
The Pôle des Saveurs facing the Lachine Canal embodies the village spirit of southwest Montreal under its large protective shelter. This collective terrace brings together passionate restaurateurs and loyal regulars in an authentic, relaxed atmosphere. Some merchants have been cultivating their specialties for over a decade, creating a true seasonal gourmet community near the canal's peaceful waters.
Temporary Pôle stands:
Aylwin Barbecue: Artisanal smoking expertise perpetuated for years with traditional barbecue specialties.
Aylwin Deli: Summer 2025 novelty, extension offering iconic Montreal smoked meat and a variety of smoked dishes.
Campo: 2025 Portuguese novelty at Pôle des Saveurs, grilled chicken in several variations and authentic pastéis de nata.
Falafel Yoni: Emblematic falafel, hummus and sabich products in a generous Mediterranean approach.
Le Petit Sao: Vietnamese homemade cuisine essentials, fast, authentic and fresh.
Satay Brothers: Winnicki brothers' tradition since 2011, chicken skewers, spicy green papaya salad and steamed breads.
Layla's: Affordable and tasty comfort food from the former Satay Brothers chef, perfect for relaxed meals.
Ca Lem: Traditional and exotic ice creams, pandan-coconut, lime-mojito, strawberry-lychee, weekly renewed flavour.
Margot Bar à jus: Refreshing beverages perfectly complement hot days between culinary discoveries.
Léché Dessert: Colourful, tasty donuts satisfying the sweet cravings of this collective destination.
Ave Greene: Varied sweet products enriching the gourmet offer facing the Lachine Canal.
Atelier Cookie par Caro: May 2025 novelty, decadent artisanal cookies inspired by seasons and local ingredients.
Quartier DIX30 Ephemeral Terraces
Brossard reveals its summer transformation through three temporary spaces that redefine the urban leisure experience. Avenue des Lumières comes alive every Thursday with its outdoor country evenings, creating a modern rodeo atmosphere under the stars. Espace Lumen hosts Tuesday salsa and Sunday yoga-classical music, fusing relaxation and Latin rhythms in a bohemian chic setting with elegant pergolas. The Esplanade dedicates itself to families with its colourful P'tits Samedis, offering animations and discoveries for young and old. This free weekly programming transforms the commercial complex into a true ephemeral cultural destination on the South Shore.
2380 Rue Notre Dame E, Montréal, H2K 4K3
Facing the Jacques-Cartier Bridge, this urban seaside destination evokes "all-inclusive" vacation villages with its temporary beach resort atmosphere. From June 5 to September 6, four event concepts rhythm the evenings: traditional festive 5 to 7s, collé-collé evenings celebrating Montreal's musical collectives, and suave evenings dedicated to Latin flavours and rhythms. The diversified food trucks offer an unpretentious experience: feet in artificial sand facing the St. Lawrence River. The privileged location also offers the best view of summer fireworks, consolidating its reputation as an essential gathering point for Montrealers seeking urban escape.
151 Avenue Atwater, Montréal, H4C 3P5
This 50-year-old Canadian paddle wheeler, docked at Atwater Quay, instantly evokes the atmosphere of Parisian or Amsterdam floating cafés. The collaboration with Imadake enriches Sundays with an authentic izakaya dimension, while other days reveal a fresh and colourful décor in an inimitable cozy atmosphere. The carefully crafted cocktails perfectly accompany the tapas facing the Lachine Canal, creating a unique maritime experience steps away from Atwater Market. The nocturnal transformation into a lounge animated by music and lights consolidates this temporary European escape in southwest Montreal, where one "remakes the world" comfortably moored.
Photo Credits: julia_tastes
997 Rue Saint-Jacques, Montréal, H3C 1G6
Mediterranean charm meets house modernity in this sophisticated downtown terrace, creating a continuous sensory adventure. The mixologists' signature creations harmonize perfectly with quality local DJ programming, while the eclectic menu seduces every palate. From savoury appetizers to decadent desserts, each dish reflects an authentic passion for refined flavours, complemented by innovative mocktails with fresh ingredients. This vibrant oasis transforms every visit into a memorable summer celebration, consolidating its reputation as an essential spot for lively and elegant Montreal evenings with its signature bang bang shrimps, burrata and lamb chops.
Aux Quartiers Belle Gueule - Biergarten
5579 Avenue Christophe-Colomb, Montréal, H2J 3H3
Plateau-Mont-Royal reveals its Quebec craft beer temple with this unique tripartite experience. The Biergarten offers one of the most beautiful urban terraces to savour brewer David Meunier's creations among friends and enthusiasts. The nano-brewery offers VIP tours with private tastings surrounded by fermentation tanks, revealing the secrets of this proudly Quebec microbrewery. The Broue Pub Belle Gueule completes the immersion with the signature menu: XL hot dogs, chicken wings, artisanal pizzas and exclusive cocktails like Espace Lock 4. This Brasseurs RJ institution now exports its distinctive award-winning products to Canada, the United States and Europe.
463 Rue Saint-Catherine O, Montréal, H3A 2E4
This fabulous terrace has been deploying Chef Manuel Da Silva's Mediterranean vision and his team of creators since May 28th in a sophisticated festive atmosphere. The signature cocktails pay tribute to soul and disco legends with the Roberta Flack martini rum Flor De Cana, the Donna Summer pisco-Campari-coconut and the James Brown espresso martini cognac Hennessy. The exclusive programming animates every evening: the Tuesday Latin Groove with free dance classes, the Wednesday-Thursday captivating live jazz, the Friday-Saturday groove with Montreal's trending DJs. The $10 artistic cover charge enriches the experience during the quality live performances, consolidating this address as a coveted summer reference for weddings, launches and business conventions in an exceptionally covered and heated setting.
Laval unveils its new summer entertainment complex, featuring diverse terraces serving signature cocktails and refreshing gourmet frozen treats. The flagship creations include the "Cluck Off" Caesar with spicy wings at Birdhouse Wingerie, the Bovary Sangria rosé-peach at Madame Bovary and the tropical Pinacooler at Vertigo. The gourmet sweet offerings include Menchie's, offering customizable frozen yogurt, Crêpinos, with its homemade sundaes, Jukebox Burger, with its retro charm, and Jack le Coq, with its beloved classic soft serve. The high-quality, free musical programming has been animating Friday evenings since July. The immersive ABBA Mamma Mia tributes, the nostalgic Beatles, Joe Dassin, the 90s Boys Bands, the powerful Queens of Rock, the energetic neon 80s and the warm country finale enrich the evening. The July wine-spirits Festivals and the August MOSAÏQUE diversity festival add to the excitement.
Esplanade PVM à Place Ville Marie, Montréal, H3B 2B6
Since May 15th, this urban stop at Place Ville-Marie has been turning Thursday evenings into a full-on social ritual. Starting at happy hour, the vibe kicks in right at the base of the iconic skyscraper, with sweeping views of the city's bustling financial core. The formula consists of three simple ingredients: gin and tonics, music, and good company in an open-air setting that buzzes with energy. Young professionals flock to it, fuelled by that unmistakable after-work buzz unique to Montreal. The hype hasn't let up, week after week. And the reason it works? It doesn't try too hard. A terrace, a few drinks, and laughter that lingers into the night. Nothing more, nothing less. And that's exactly the charm.
328 Rue Beaubien E, Montréal, H2S 1R8
Just steps from Marché Jean-Talon, a sunny terrace brings Petite-Italie to life all summer long. Bar Mamie stays open throughout the week, but its summer pop-up takes over every weekend until October 5, with the vibe of an improvised vacation house. An easygoing atmosphere, wine by the glass and comforting bites make it the perfect spot to unwind. Cheese boards, charcuterie and grandma-style small plates hit the tables at apéro time, while Mamie's kebabs keep the crowd happy every Friday, Saturday and Sunday, starting at noon. A simple, feel-good stop, best enjoyed with or without a reason.
The Rivière-des-Prairies-Pointe-aux-Trembles borough reveals this exceptional outdoor café-bar from June to mid-September, creating a unique family destination with an integrated urban beach. The food kiosk offers a vast choice of local snacks, craft beers on tap, selected wines by the glass and creative cocktails with or without alcohol. The privileged location at Fort Park, facing the river, transforms on Friday and Saturday with live musical programming and local restaurateurs offering ready-to-eat specialties. The July-September Terrasses Éphémères events create a thematic urban lounge with extravagant decorations, invited DJ performances and intergenerational creative workshops, consolidating this essential summer address in eastern Montreal.
Pedestrian streets with beautiful terraces
Source: City of Montreal
Avenue Bernard: From May 20th to September 25th, between Wiseman and Bloomfield avenues, this dynamic cultural public space includes a pedestrian zone with restaurants, shops and the Outremont theatre.
Avenue Duluth East: From June 19th to October 13th, between Saint-Laurent Boulevard and Saint-Hubert street, the avenue transforms over 750 metres with its shops, terraces and unique activity programming.
Avenue du Mont-Royal: From May 29th to October 13th, it extends over 2 kilometres between Saint-Laurent and Saint-Denis. It also extends over 2 kilometres between Saint-Denis and De Lorimier from May 29th to September 1st, with its distinctive shops and terraces.
Place De Castelnau: In summer 2025, between De Gaspé avenue and Saint-Denis street, this family commercial artery in Villeray transforms into an open-air museum with the Jeux de paysages exhibition as part of the Piéto-Expo.
Promenade Ontario: From June 23rd to September 7th, between Pie-IX Boulevard and Darling Street, this pedestrian street extends over more than a kilometre, offering a travel atmosphere from around the world.
Rue Sainte-Catherine East: In the Village between Saint-Hubert street and Papineau avenue, the world's largest 2SLGBTQ+ space offers no less than 40 lively terraces for the summer.
Saint-Denis and Émery streets: From June 13th to September 17th, in the Quartier Latin between Sherbrooke East and Sainte-Catherine East streets, more than 30 terraces flourish with rich francophone cultural programming.
- Wellington Street: From June 2nd to September 19th, between 6th Avenue and Régina Street in Verdun, this shopping promenade offers, for a 6th consecutive year, playful and flowered arrangements with numerous terraces.
Farmers markets
Sources: Association des Marchés publics du Québec and The Family Farmers Network
Permanent and seasonal markets
Angus Market: Seasonal public market on Fridays with various local producers in the Angus district.
Atwater Market: Permanent public market with Les Jardins de la Belle Verte presence on Saturdays from 8 AM to 5 PM, and Les Jardins d'Arlington Friday-Saturday-Sunday from 9 AM to 5 PM.
BEAU Market in Beaconsfield: Seasonal public market in the west island offering local and artisanal products.
Baldwin Farmers Market: Seasonal public market in the Baldwin district with regional producers.
Laurier Farmers Market: Sundays and Thursdays (Thursday 3 PM to 7 PM, Sunday 12 PM to 4 PM) with Les Jardins d'En Haut, and Thursdays from 3 PM to 7 PM with Les Jardins de Ré-Gaia.
Saint-Louis Farmers Market: Seasonal market in the Saint-Louis sector with Quebec terroir producers.
Jean-Talon Market: Permanent public market with Les Jardins de la Belle Verte presence on Saturdays from 8 AM to 5 PM, and Les Jardins d'Arlington Friday-Saturday-Sunday from 9 AM to 5 PM.
Maisonneuve Market: Permanent public market in the Maisonneuve district offering fresh and local products.
Ahuntsic Public Market: Seasonal public market in Ahuntsic bringing together local producers and artisans.
Île-des-Soeurs Public Market: Seasonal island public market with views of the St. Lawrence River.
Pointe-aux-Trembles Public Market: Saturdays from 10 AM to 2 PM with Ferme La Rosace in eastern Montreal.
Rivière-des-Prairies Public Market: A seasonal market in the RDP-PAT borough, featuring local eastern Montreal producers.
Sainte-Anne Market: A seasonal public market in Sainte-Anne, offering terroir products.
Ahuntsic-Cartierville Solidarity Market: A solidarity market promoting food accessibility and local producers.
Sauvé Solidarity Market: A solidarity market in the Sauvé district focusing on the social economy and urban agriculture.
Verdun's Farmers' Market: Every Wednesday, from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., at the Jacqueline-De-Repentigny library, featuring "Les Potagers Des Nues Mains".
McGill's Farmers' Market: a seasonal public market on campus offering many organic produce items.
Complementary urban farmers' markets
Westmount - Prince-Albert Square: Thursdays from 2 PM to 6 PM with Complètement Légume.
Montreal - Carré St-Louis Farmers Market: Tuesdays from 15 h to 19 h with Les jardins d'entre Lune et Sol.
Montreal - Molson Park: Wednesdays from 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM with Ô Saine Terre.
Montreal - Saint-Justin Annex: Thursdays from 4:15 PM to 6:30 PM with Ô Saine Terre.
Montreal - Technopôle Angus: Fridays from 3 PM to 7 PM with Ô Saine Terre.
These ephemeral spaces represent only a glimpse of Montreal's summer richness.
To further your explorations, visit the food trucks and attend summer food festivals to satisfy your taste buds. Additionally, check out the city's best terraces, discover the city's finest rooftop terraces, which provide breathtaking views, or explore waterfront terraces, which reveal a different side of the metropolis.
Cover picture photo credits: Latrompette Studio
