I’ve always loved visiting Canada. As a child, I traveled to Vancouver and Victoria in British Columbia, and as an adult, Joe and I have visited Toronto multiple times. Montreal is a city we had been eager to explore, and in late August we finally made it happen. It was so nice exploring a new-to-me city in Canada, and it lived up to all my expectations and more!

Where We Stayed

Vogue Hotel Montreal Downtown. The Vogue Hotel was the perfect luxury escape in the heart of Montreal. The hotel was a wonderful blend of sleek, modern, and elegant finishes, and it had a great vibe. Located in the Golden Square Mile area, the hotel was across the street from Holt Renfrew, a luxury Canadian department store, and around the corner from tons of shopping (think COS, Moncler, ALO, Sephora).

Our room was gorgeous! Joe and I kept saying we wish we lived there. I think when you live in New York City, you start fantasizing about any real estate that’s remotely larger than your current living situation. There were herringbone floors, which are my favorite, and the interior design mixed modern and classic styles flawlessly. I appreciate a good sleeping situation, and the mattress, bedding, and pillows were a ten out of ten.

Where We Ate + Drank

Tzatzi-qui. After our spa day at Bota Bota, Joe and I were ravenous. Greek food sounded incredible, and this wonderful restaurant appeared like a gift from the food gods at the perfect moment. The food was wonderful. They served some of the best pita bread I’ve ever had, and the mocktails Joe and I ordered were perfect.

Bis Ristorante. A wonderful fine-dining Italian restaurant, with exposed brick, a warm vibe, and delicious food. This was a short walk from our hotel, which was a bonus.

Café Magnolia-Buvette et Brunch. We dined here for brunch on our first full day in Montreal. We sat outside and had a prime spot for people-watching. The street was shut down to cars, which is something I loved about Montreal. The pedestrian-friendly areas were so charming! This was a great casual brunch spot with very good pancakes.

Ugo Pizzeria. I popped into this small but mighty pizza joint a couple of times on the trip when I needed a quick bite. The pizza was outstanding! Ugo is known for their Roman sourdough pizza. They ferment their dough for 48 hours, and you can taste the quality in each bite. I had a slice with potatoes and caramelized onions that I think about to this day.

Coco Disco Club. We sadly didn’t eat here and only got a drink, but we both loved our experience. The staff was incredibly nice, and they have a massive cocktail selection that’s housed in a fun menu that’s designed like a book. A nearby table ordered a cocktail that came in a tomato sauce can, and Joe’s cocktail came chilled in a kids’ sand bucket. I appreciate a spot that has fun with their presentation!

Bar George. I had been eyeing a trip to Montreal for years, and Bar George was always a spot I kept on my wish list. Lucky for us, it was almost right behind our hotel! This British-inspired restaurant is housed in the hotel Le Mont Stephen, a five-star boutique hotel. This beautiful property dates back to 1880 and is one of the grandest places I’ve ever dined at. The ambiance and service were perfection, and we both loved our food. Highly recommend the chicken!

Cloakroom Bar. This is a fun speakeasy hidden behind an unassuming door in a men’s tailor shop. There’s no menu here. The bartenders chat with you to get an idea of what you’re into, and from there they custom-make your cocktail! We stopped in before dinner, but this would also make a great post-dinner spot to unwind.

Arepera. I always like to research nut allergy-friendly restaurants when we travel. Arepera consistently appeared in my searches as a popular Venezuelan spot for nut-free, sesame-free, and gluten-free food. It was a tasty, casual, and inexpensive meal before exploring the Le Plateau-Mont-Royal neighborhood.

Le Pois Penché. We had no plans for our last night in Montreal, and happened upon this bustling French bistro near our hotel. With a full house and no reservations, we opted for the bar, which was the perfect spot. I love a restaurant that has a chic, comfortable bar setup. One where you actually want to sit there! This had exactly that, and we had a great vantage point to watch the talented oyster shucker work his magic. The food was great, and it was the best way to close out our Montreal visit.

Areas We Explored

Mile End. The shopping in this neighborhood was to die for! Mile End is known for its plethora of vintage and modern clothing shops, and I can see why. It was store after store of wonderful things. The dopamine hit hard with every shop I explored and window I browsed.

Plateau Mont-Royal. What a wonderful neighborhood. There were entire streets dedicated to only pedestrians, and it felt like we were in another world. The weather was beautiful, so there were people everywhere enjoying the sun. Another thing that stood out not just here but in all of Montreal is the greenery. There was no shortage of planters and flower boxes filling sidewalks and street corners.

We spent hours strolling through La Fontaine Park and down all the blocks of the neighborhood. The sheer amount of restaurants and shops was impressive and inspiring!

Old Port/Old Montreal. I sadly have no pictures from our time in Old Montreal. Probably because our day started at Bota Bota, a floating spa on the St. Lawrence River. We absolutely loved our spa day. Bota Bota has options for everyone, from massages and esthetician-based treatments to their famous Water Circuit experience and an on-site restaurant. This is what Joe opted for, which starts with a “hot” treatment (sauna or steam), then moves to a cold plunge, and finishes with the relaxation stage (hanging hammocks, relaxation rooms, or lounging on the terrace).

I went with a massage and then added additional time to relax in the pools. They have a large swimming pool, which attaches to an equally large hot tub. Our phones were in our lockers, and by chance I spotted Joe in a peaceful trance state while he transitioned from a relaxation room to a lounge chair. The property is large, with so many relaxing nooks and crannies, so it was a miracle I spotted Joe after my massage! We spent some time in the pool, but lightning cut that experience short. All was well, though, because we promptly moved to some hanging hammocks and passed out while a storm passed through. It was perfect.

After our day at Bota Bota, we did a bit of walking around the area. We were both in a relaxed haze, so it wasn’t super productive, but I loved seeing the historic architecture and charming streets.

Shops I Loved

The boutique shopping in Montreal was top-notch! I feel like I didn’t even get to half the stores in the areas we visited. Thankfully, the boutiques we did see were wonderful, and I bought some pieces I adore.

Le Palais Boutique. The decor of this beautiful vintage shop had me dreaming of moving in. Everywhere I looked, there was something beautiful and fun. I love how the store is laid out, and all the pieces are presented in a chic way. Also, as someone who has dreamed of owning a Pink Lips couch for many years, I was obsessed and jealous of the one perfectly placed in their boutique.

Chez Claude Vintage. We went here for Joe, but I ended up with the find of the day. I found a black vintage collared cardigan with a colorful fringe trim, floral buttons, and multi-colored rosettes. When I pulled it from the rack, I told Joe, “This is so me,” and he immediately agreed. She’s mine now and waiting for the perfect NYC outfit moment.

I also loved Chez Claude because it felt like I was stepping back into the 90s. The decor and selection were so reminiscent of my childhood, and I really loved the vibe!

Citizen Vintage. In addition to vintage pieces, this shop actually has its own in-house brand called Studio Citizen. Their brand uses deadstock fabric to create small-batch pieces. I was lucky enough to score the perfect orange and blue crewneck sweatshirt, which happens to be the colors of FC Cincinnati, my MLS team. Joe, a fellow FC Cincinnati fan, was equally excited about this one-of-a-kind find.

Final Thoughts

Montreal is a vibrant and gorgeous city. Joe and I agreed we’ll be back someday. It was such a breeze getting there from NYC. Our flight was only fifty minutes, yet it felt a world away from what we’re used to. We explored a lot on this trip, but there’s so much we didn’t see. It’d be easy to discover entirely new neighborhoods on a future visit.

I love how walkable the city is, and really appreciate the car-free streets where everywhere you walked, you were surrounded by restaurants, bars, and shops. Like Toronto, they also have a massive underground city system that allows you to move about even during harsh winter weather.

It was just the trip we needed!