Explore the sights, sounds, and tastes of the best neighbourhoods in Montreal and discover why this city is everyone’s favourite Canadian destination.
Curated by a born and bred Montrealer, this guide covers the top districts to check out the next time you find yourself in this multicultural metropolis. Here are the best Montreal neighbourhoods to visit on your next trip, including the best areas to stay.
Best neighbourhoods in Montreal to visit
- Old Montreal
- Downtown Montreal
- The Plateau
- Mile End
- Cote-des-Neiges/Mont-Royal
- Little Burgundy
- Rosemont Petite-Patrie
- Verdun
Land recognition: Montreal is located on the unceded Mohawk territory of the Kanien’kehá:ka Nation. The traditional name of the city is known as Tiohtià:ke.
Old Montreal
If you’re looking for that glimpse of France in Montreal you’ve heard so much about, then you’ll find it in Old Montreal. Start by wandering along the cobblestone path of Rue St-Paul, which is a beautiful commercial street lined with art galleries, gift shops, restaurants, cafés, and stylish boutique hotels. Some of the architecture from the days of New France can still be found in this neighbourhood, and visitors can learn about the history of the French settlers who arrived in 1642 at some of the city’s top museums nearby.
Immerse yourself in centuries of history at the Pointe-a-Calliere Museum, located on what’s known as the ‘birthplace of Montreal’. They have bilingual (English and French) exhibits, one which includes part of the original Fort Ville-Marie site from the mid-1600s. Another must-see attraction nearby is the Notre-Dame Basilica, a Gothic Revival structure. Then take a peak at the St-Sulpice Seminary right around the corner, one of the oldest buildings in Montreal dating back to 1687.
Hungry yet? Stop for lunch at Olive et Gourmando, where you can get delicious sandwiches and signature salads. For a perfect Montreal afternoon, head out for drinks at the trendy Hotel Nelligan and enjoy the views on the rooftop terrace while sharing a pitcher of their famed white sangria.
Continue down Old Montreal and you’ll get to the Old Port, complete with a pedestrian pathway where you can enjoy views of the St. Lawrence River. This very tourist-friendly Montreal neighbourhood was once the centre of commerce for the city, and you can still see the old container ships at the port. Check out this official guide for the latest activities and events happening year-round.
Where to stay in Old Montreal
If you’re looking for a place to stay in Old Montreal, head Le Saint-Sulpice, where you’ll find modern suites and plenty of facilities for any type of traveller.
Downtown Montreal
All the hustle-and-bustle with beautiful architecture to boot, downtown Montreal is always a fascinating neighbourhood to explore. Start your day on Ste-Catherine’s Street, one of Montreal’s main streets which stretches from east to west of the city centre. The top attractions of downtown include the Quartier des Spectacles, home to the city’s music festivals like the Montreal Jazz Fest and Les Francos de Montreal.
Head a few blocks east on Ste-Catherine’s from here and you’re in Montreal’s Gay Village. Home to the annual Montreal Pride Parade, this area is also where you can find the much sought-after drag show at Cabaret Mado.
And make sure to check out the newly opened OASIS Immersion, which is one of the largest indoor immersive experiences in Canada. Located in centrally-located Palais des Congrès by Place-d’Armes metro, visitors here are taken on a sound and visual journey as they explore immersive galleries and light installations.
Where to stay in downtown Montreal
Popular Montreal hotels in this neighbourhood include Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth, the site of John Lennon and Yoko Ono’s infamous ‘bed-in for peace’ in 1969. If you’re on a budget, book a bed at Samesun Montreal. An established hostel chain, this property features an indoor bar and a terrasse.
Plateau Mont-Royal
Home of Little Portugal to The Main, the heart of Montreal’s multicultural history can be found in Plateau Mont-Royal. Visitors can spend days enjoying its many local parks and taking pictures of murals that can be found on just about every corner. This Montreal neighbourhood is also where many European immigrants settled during the Great Depression and WW2, and some of the original delis and bakeries from that era can still be found today.
The Plateau is one of the best neighbourhoods in Montreal to visit if you’re a diehard foodie; from mouth-watering Portuguese chicken to French pastries and pad Thai, you can sample the world’s cuisine right here in the Plateau. Top restaurants to check out include Restaurant Jano (for their Portuguese rotisserie), Aux Vivres (a staple for vegans), and Patisserie Kouign Amann. And if you’re looking for some typical Quebecois delights, be sure to pay a visit to Patati Patata. They serve a cheap and delicious breakfast, local beer on tap, and mouth-watering poutine that’s made just right.
For a sample of the city’s most iconic fare, look no further than Schwartz’s Deli, located in the heart of The Main on Boulevard Saint Laurent. Established in 1928, this historic deli is home to some of Montreal’s best smoked meat. The classic sandwich is served on rye bread with mustard and, for traditionalists, washed down with a black cherry soda. Walk off some of those calories by going for a stroll in nearby Lafontaine Park or shop along Mont-Royal Avenue, where you’ll find a ton of boutique shops featuring some of Montreal’s best designers and artisans.
Mile End
If you haven’t heard of Montreal’s Mile End neighbourhood before, you’ve probably heard from it at some point. This Montreal neighbourhood has been home to the city’s best-known musicians, writers, and artists like Arcade Fire, Ariane Moffatt, and Mordecai Richler. While rent prices have gone up in recent years, visitors can still come here for a glimpse of what makes Montreal such a diverse and unique city.
This stylish neighbourhood in Montreal is filled with local hot spots like Wilensky’s Light Lunch, a historic Montreal restaurant known for its grilled bologna sandwich and fountain sodas. To feel the real neighbourhood vibe of the Mile End, go for a caffe freddo at Cafe Olimpico, a family-run establishment that’s been around since the 70s. For some culture, head to Cinema Moderne, where you’ll find a unique selection of indie films new and old. Complete with a trendy café-bar, you can even enjoy a pint before your screening!
One of the best things to do in this neighbourhood is to simply walk. You can easily spend the day wandering up Park Avenue and Fairmount Avenue discovering some of the city’s best independent cafés and shops. Montreal’s Mile End neighbourhood is where you’ll find delicious Montreal-style bagels. You can get yourself one at St-Viateur Bagel or Fairmount Bagels; a Montreal establishment that is open 24 hours. The secret? They’re dipped in water with honey before they’re boiled, then cooked in a wood-burning oven for a perfect exterior.
Cote-des-Neiges/Mont-Royal
Montreal’s most central neighbourhood is Cote-des-Neiges, where you’ll find Mont Royal, one of the world’s great urban parks. The go-to nature escape for Montrealers and visitors alike, this giant park was designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, one of the men who designed New York’s Central Park. At this popular spot for all Montrealers year-round you’ll find hiking trails and lookout points that are perfect for picnics and awesome views of the city.
Cote-des-Neiges is also the multicultural heart of Montreal – in one block you can find anything from a little French bakery, to a Jamaican grocery store, a Russian restaurant and café, and even a trendy poke restaurant. And while you’re exploring the area be sure to check out St Joseph’s Oratory, one of Montreal’s main attractions. You can’t miss it really, as the Oratory is the highest peak of the city.
Little Burgundy
Located a bit west of downtown along Rue Notre-Dame, this Montreal neighbourhood has become one of the trendiest parts of town, not to mention one of the best places to live in Montreal. Check out Atwater Market for all your foodie needs, including fresh fruits and veggies from local farmers, maple treats (this is Canada, after all), and incredible bread at Premiere Moisson. The market is just a few metres from the Lachine Canal, which is lined with a great walking and bike path.
There are plenty of independent coffee shops and restaurants scattered along Notre-Dame that you won’t have time to try them all! Highlights include September Café, Mamie Clafoutis, and Foiegwa. For a real splurge, Joe Beef is a legendary spot in Montreal that’s been voted among the top dining places in Canada.
Rosemont Petite-Patrie
If you’re looking for an energetic neighbourhood in Montreal that’s full of joie de vivre, Rosemont Petite-Patrie is your spot. Here you can find vibrant food markets like the famed Jean-Talon Market in Little Italy. Spending an afternoon at one of the largest open-air markets in North America is one of my favourite things to do in Montreal. You won’t regret eating your way through the cheeses, meats, pastries, and other Québecois products on offer here. You can even try practicing your French-speaking skills with the local vendors!
The Biodome, located at Montreal’s Olympic Park from the 1976 Games has recently reopened, giving families and aspiring horticulturists a chance to explore some of the world’s most diverse ecosystems. Families will also enjoy spending some time at one of the many green spaces such as Maisonneuve Park, especially during the spring and summer months.
One of Rosemont’s eclectic features are the urban villages in the residential area. Each has their own personality and wandering around, popping into bakeries and bistros, gives you a sense of what Montreal life is really like.
Verdun
Of course us Montrealers knew about Verdun’s uniqueness, but this neighbourhood recently went viral when Wellington Street was named by Time Out as the coolest street in the world. With a new restaurant or bar opening just about every week and a secret beach to boot, Verdun is the ever-evolving heart of southwest Montreal.
Verdun is about a 15-minute ride on the metro from downtown, so it is easy to get to and incredibly walkable once you get there. Come visit during the summer months to see this bustling Montreal neighbourhood at its best.
Best Montreal neighbourhoods: FAQs
For first-time travellers visiting Montreal, the Old Port is an impressive area with lots of boutique accommodation options. Filled with history, amazing restaurants and major attractions, it’s a great choice for any trip to Montreal.
Neighbourhoods like the Plateau and Mile End are very pedestrian-friendly and are best explored on foot if you want to take in the best sights. Travellers will find everything they need within walking distance, making these areas a solid option for those without a car. Looking for shared bikes? Bixi bike stands can be found throughout the city making it easy to navigate your way around Montreal by bike.
Visitors enjoy exploring Montreal from spring to fall. In the summer, travellers flock to the city for one of the many music and arts festivals held between June and September. Spring blooms and the mild fall temperature make Montreal a perfect long weekend getaway.
Which Montreal neighbourhood will you explore first?
Whichever area you choose, you can’t go wrong with a visit to Montreal. From the history to the food and the endless number of outdoor activities, heading to this enchanting Canadian city should be at the top of your travel bucket list.
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