Walking in a Winter Wonderland

Our Local Expert Says:

A Westmount classic; sit down, relax and enjoy your meal. The prices reflect the more affluent area of town it is located in.

Description:

A bustling fixture on Greene Avenue, this bistro aims for New York and comes up about half-way between the Big Apple and downtown Montreal. With polished brass décor and a long oak bar-a great place to eat alone-this is one of the west end's best known dining spots. The menu is vaguely French but could also be seen as upper class pub grub.

Description:

The Montreal Canadiens are an institution in this town. Far from being just a sporting event, seeing a game in person can be described by the most passionate fans as an almost religious experience. Always energy-filled it is worth going to see the Canadiens play even if you sit in the back rows drinking beer with the cantankerous old men who curse at the team in words you won't ever hear outside of the province of Québec. Call it a learning experience.

Description:

You know you have something going when you are voted in as Montreal's top spot to eat for under CAD10. Crowds come for live entertainment, 18 imported beers on tap, Irish sports on TV and a huge variety of single malt scotches. "Hooley Hour" runs from 5p-8p, and there is a Monday poker night with a prize auction, a terrace, cigar room, and a lounge with fireplace. Wednesdays, the ladies get to drink for free from 9pm-midnight, whereupon things become slightly less civilized. Sunday offers traditional Irish music.

Description:

A triumph of the union of design and preservation. Montréal's surge of new designer hotels spans the spectrum from superminimalist to gentlemen's club posh, and Le St-James sits squarely in the gentlemen's club end of the range. It began life as a merchant's bank in 1870, and the opulence of that station of privilege has been both retained and upgraded. The richly paneled entry hall leads to a grand hall with potted palms, carved urns, bronze chandeliers, Corinthian columns, and balconies with gilded metal balustrades. Breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, and dinner are served right in this "Banker's Hall," often accompanied by harp music. Rooms are furnished with entrancing antiques and impeccable reproductions. All have video screens that control lights, room temperature, and even the DO NOT DISTURB sign. The stone-walled, candlelit Le Spa, with both a regular massage table and full-body water therapy, has to be seen to be believed. The Rolling Stones have stayed here. Obviously they have excellent taste in lodging -- perhaps the Terrace Apartment Suite with private elevator access at C$5,000 (US$4,350/£2,150) a night?

Our Local Expert Says:

Several locations around the city offer up the same breakfast and lunch fare, eggspect eggcellence.

Description:

One of five outlets in Montreal, this restaurant takes the lowly egg and creates an entire menu around it. Set in a renovated office building, the décor features a two-storey space with wrought iron, huge windows and exposed brick. Dishes include two eggs any style with bacon, ham or sausage, toast, baked beans and grilled potatoes and ham and potato gratin topper. Service is cheerful and helpful and breakfast for two, excluding tip, comes to between.

Description:

A triumph of the union of design and preservation. Montréal's surge of new designer hotels spans the spectrum from superminimalist to gentlemen's club posh, and Le St-James sits squarely in the gentlemen's club end of the range. It began life as a merchant's bank in 1870, and the opulence of that station of privilege has been both retained and upgraded. The richly paneled entry hall leads to a grand hall with potted palms, carved urns, bronze chandeliers, Corinthian columns, and balconies with gilded metal balustrades. Breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, and dinner are served right in this "Banker's Hall," often accompanied by harp music. Rooms are furnished with entrancing antiques and impeccable reproductions. All have video screens that control lights, room temperature, and even the DO NOT DISTURB sign. The stone-walled, candlelit Le Spa, with both a regular massage table and full-body water therapy, has to be seen to be believed. The Rolling Stones have stayed here. Obviously they have excellent taste in lodging -- perhaps the Terrace Apartment Suite with private elevator access at C$5,000 (US$4,350/£2,150) a night?

Our Local Expert Says:

Old Montreal is a beautiful place to visit, particularly in the wintertime. New Year’s Eve every year there is a celebration in Place Jacques Cartier, culminating in fireworks at midnight.

Description:

Old Montreal is the area immediately surrounding the Old Port. It was the first developed part of the city of Montreal, as reflected through its architecture and narrow cobbled streets. Many of the more historically significant buildings are in this area of town, as well as the Champ-de-Mars, an old parade ground where citizens used to be able to come to enjoy the spectacle of public hangings. It is very tourist friendly. The Place Jacques Cartier, an open square leading from the town hall (Hôtel de Ville) down to the water, is the venue for shows at all times of the year.

Description:

Visiting the Old Port area throws visitors back to the days of the city's founding with its narrow cobbled streets and old style of architecture. This tourist-oriented area of town recalls Montreal's history with museums and restaurants set in buildings dating back to the origin of the city - in the mid 1600s. Horse-drawn carriages (calèches) line up to provide transportation to the foot-weary, but the Old Port is pleasantly pedestrian friendly and an exploration on foot guarantees the time to stop and peruse at will.

Description:

This is one of two Montreal renditions of a popular European sausage house. The setting is marvellously upscale and rustic, but relaxed, with fieldstone walls and casement windows. At the same time, the prices are reasonable, thanks to a limited yet well-designed menu. You will not find a much more convenient spot for a bite when visiting Old Montreal.

Our Local Expert Says:

For the best view of the city, head up to Altitude 737's bar or restaurant. Don't forget to head out onto the terrace in summer.

Description:

When this complex was constructed in the late 1950s, it marked not only a revolution in modern building methods (portable cranes rose with the structure), but also the beginning of modern architecture in the city. Seen from the air, the central building resembles a cross, in honour of the Virgin Mary. The building features commercial offices, banks, shops and restaurants, including the 737 terrace on the roof. The concourse level features many shops and services, and is connected to the Underground City.

Our Local Expert Says:

The Underground City is a great way to meander through the city’s shopping areas when it is rainy, snowy or otherwise unpleasant outside.

Description:

The Underground city is one of Montreal's claims to fame. Its kilometers of passageways under the city allow shoppers and tourists to get to where they are going without the hassles posed by the sometimes seemingly interminable winter snows and slushy streets. One particularly interesting bit of this subterranean maze is in the Cours Mont-Royal, near Peel Street. At one point the atrium of the mall extends several stories high and the facades of the stores facing the atrium (inside the mall) are made to reflect exterior building design.

Our Local Expert Says:

The 1000 de la Gauchetière is both a hub of the Montreal underground and a great destination of its own right, thanks to its indoor skating rink and restaurants.

Description:

One of the most striking buildings on the city's skyline, this high-rise office building is also well known for the many shops and services housed within its magnificent atrium. Walk through the Underground City and suddenly you will come across a skating rink, restaurants and an overall sense of warmth even in the depths of winter. A fitness center is among the many other services at Le 1000, as it is known. Bell Canada Enterprises, the Royal Bank and Lucent Technologies are among the many high profile tenants.

Our Local Expert Says:

The question remains… can YOU eat the whole combo platter?

Description:

This huge, venerable chicken and ribs joint is a Montreal institution if ever there was one. A favourite for casual business lunches or pre-hockey game dinners, no one leaves with clean fingers. Although it can be loud and cramped, and the decor is hilariously tired, it is still surprisingly difficult not to have a good time. It may not suit everyone's tastes, but it's definitely worth a shot.

Description:

Founded in 1821 with a bequest from Montreal fur trader and merchant James McGill, this world-renowned English-language university is located on 80 acres of land in downtown Montreal. The downtown campus consists of a fusion of modern architecture with turn-of-the-century landmark buildings. It is also a pleasant expanse of green in the otherwise urban landscape, with playing fields, large trees and benches where both visitors and students can sit to soak in the sun and the ambience of higher learning.

Our Local Expert Says:

Named after the famous jazz musician, this bar is one of your best bets for live jazz in this town.

Description:

This legendary jazz club occupies a particularly bleak corner in downtown Montreal, but the atmosphere inside (and on the terrace in summer) is anything but cold. Patrons feast on barbecued chicken, ribs and other pub-grub favorites while relaxing to the tunes of any number of local jazz outfits. It isn't cheap, it's more than a little touristy, the jazz is hardly cutting-edge and on weekends it can be impossibly crowded.

Description:

A triumph of the union of design and preservation. Montréal's surge of new designer hotels spans the spectrum from superminimalist to gentlemen's club posh, and Le St-James sits squarely in the gentlemen's club end of the range. It began life as a merchant's bank in 1870, and the opulence of that station of privilege has been both retained and upgraded. The richly paneled entry hall leads to a grand hall with potted palms, carved urns, bronze chandeliers, Corinthian columns, and balconies with gilded metal balustrades. Breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, and dinner are served right in this "Banker's Hall," often accompanied by harp music. Rooms are furnished with entrancing antiques and impeccable reproductions. All have video screens that control lights, room temperature, and even the DO NOT DISTURB sign. The stone-walled, candlelit Le Spa, with both a regular massage table and full-body water therapy, has to be seen to be believed. The Rolling Stones have stayed here. Obviously they have excellent taste in lodging -- perhaps the Terrace Apartment Suite with private elevator access at C$5,000 (US$4,350/£2,150) a night?

Our Local Expert Says:

Good breakfasts, busy on weekends.

Description:

The wild hand-written menu is indicative of the overall spirit at this vibrant, popular hangout. Though it's named after its many fantastic fruit concoctions, you will also find patrons enjoying well-made specialties from across the spectrum of American cuisine. Burgers (Le King, a chicken burger with goat cheese,) and club sandwiches are served with salad and roasted potatoes. Like most restaurants on St-Denis Street, the terrace is the place to kick back and watch the world go by.

Description:

Voted the best fries in the city on numerous occasions, this Belgian snack bar and bistro offers top-notch fried goodies at exceptional prices. You can eat in or get take-out if you are in a hurry. From burgers and fries to deep-fried mussels washed down with a nice cold beer, it doesn't get much better than this. The bright and breezy features Tintin cartoons. This location also sports a terrace for that summer afternoon or evening snack. Cash only.

Description:

The Plateau Mont Royal is a pleasing mish-mash of restaurants, shops and apartments. Considered one of the best places to live in North America, the cultural life on the Plateau is diverse and rich. It is easy to forget that the rest of the city exists when at your doorstep there is anything that you could possibly want: lively show venues, friendly green spaces, cozy restaurants and long boutique-lined boulevards. The Portuguese community is still strong in this area; reflected through the abundance of Portuguese restaurants and shops, as well as through the sounds of everyday life you hear on the side streets between the Main and St. Denis Street, South of Mount-Royal Avenue.

Description:

Still popular after many years of existence, this dance club and bar at the upper end of The Main continues to draw crowds despite the competition from newer and more trendy spots. In fact, the place is jammed on weekends, so you should get there before 10:30p. The ambience is cozy and fairly relaxed, especially in the bar section during the winter, before the terrace is open. The music is mostly popular dance with the occasional old timer for the boomers in the crowd. Cover charge may apply.

Our Local Expert Says:

You can rent your skates at the rink, but remember to check the open hours of the Parc first, and make sure that the water has completely frozen over… Sometimes it takes a little longer than we may imagine.

Description:

The Parc Lafontaine is open year in and year out. In the summer time ducks and geese wait by the shores of the pond for passers-by to feed them, and in the winter time that same expanse of water is frozen over and turns into one of the city's largest skating rinks. Christmas lights are strung through the trees and softly-piped music keeps the beat as the skaters make their way around the rink. Yes, this is a great place for a date.

Our Local Expert Says:

From St-Denis, walk through Carré St-Louis at the end of which you will reach Prince Arthur street, a pedestrian street where you will find restaurants, bars and cafes as well as street performers and arts and crafts stalls.

Description:

The cultural and social heart of the western Plateau, this beautiful park is centered around a magnificent fountain. The textbook Montreal architecture surrounding it is among the most coveted in the city, and singer/poet Leonard Cohen is said to maintain a residence on the Square. Situated one block north of Sherbrooke Street, between Rue Saint-Denis and Avenue Laval, its beautiful old trees, ornate park benches and patches of grass provide the perfect setting in which to waste a summer afternoon. You won't be alone!

Our Local Expert Says:

Remember when you go out on St Denis Street in Montreal: a little bit of scruff is in style.

Description:

St Denis Street is a more upscale shopping and dining street. From Sherbrooke Street to Mount Royal Avenue boutiques, coffee shops and restaurants are packed together; and pedestrians clutter the sidewalks. The keyword here is location. People walk along St Denis Street to see and be seen. There is something for everyone along this street. The overall ambience is of affluent consumerism during the day; however, this merges seamlessly into the traditionally more grungy scene of the Montreal nightlife as the sun sets.

Description:

Only slightly larger than your basic hole in the wall, this Latin Quarter standby packs in students, profs, young execs, and middle-agers. They come for the burgers, as much the consensus choice for best-in-town as Schwartz's is for smoked meat. Unless you possess a really large appetite and a capacious mouth to go with it, you certainly won't need the double burger or the frites grosse (big fries). Wines are available by the glass. The inevitable line moves quickly.

Description:

This extremely popular breakfast chain offers well-above-average quality and huge portions, the menu includes choices for both the health-conscious and for those who eat as if they are heading to the woods. Dishes include the usual bacon and eggs, crepes, waffles and maple syrup on each table.

Description:

This popular spot offers an enormous selection of Swiss and Chinese-style delicacies. With a simple, comfortable décor and magnificent garden terrace in the rear, this is a favourite on summer evenings and chilly winter nights alike. Appetizers include soups and salads. Game meats are another specialty: buffalo, deer, caribou, wild boar, duck and ostrich are available along with a selection of fondues.

Our Local Expert Says:

Have your cake or pie- and eat it here.

Description:

One of few dessert-oriented restaurants in the area, this bright, airy café hosts a boisterous crowd all day and night. Pies are the order of the day, and you can wash them down with a beer, a glass of wine or a cocktail if that is your thing. Top notch coffee means a thriving after-dinner crowd. Lunch options include pizzas, sandwiches and other options. The terrace is a wonderful place to waste a summer evening.

Description:

This thoroughly civilized café and bar sits in a beautiful 1872 bank building on St-Denis Street. With mirrors, candles, high ceilings, muted lighting and plush booths, this is a fine spot for a casual meal or to while away the night. Specializing in mussels, with 28 different styles, the kitchen also offers an ostrich burger and a caribou ravioli appetizer. The enormous selection of beers includes local microbrews and Belgian imports.

Our Local Expert Says:

McKibbin's Irish pub is a mainstay of the Concordia student (and professor) lifestyle. Don't wimp out and order the salad, it has great bison burgers!

Description:

You know you have something going when you are voted in as Montreal's top spot to eat for cheap. Crowds come for live entertainment, 18 imported beers on tap, Irish sports on TV and a huge variety of single malt scotches. There is a Monday poker night with a prize auction, a terrace, cigar room, and a lounge with fireplace. Wednesdays, the ladies get to drink for free whereupon things become slightly less civilized. Sunday offers traditional Irish music.

Description:

Do not expect stadium seating, interactive experiences or IMAX screens. There is nothing fancy here, but this student-favorite repertory house is the source in Montreal for English art films, second-runs, Canadian productions and specialty films like midnight horror features. It's a bargain, too: the five- or ten-movie cards are quite popular. Their program is available all over the city in various bars and restaurants.

Description:

Steak is the reason most people go to this restaurant in Old Montreal; it is a long-time attraction for both tourists and locals out to enjoy an evening meal. The décor is retro, circa 1974, and lends itself well to the nostalgic ambience. The limited menu includes various cuts and styles of steak in green or black pepper sauce. Reservations are a must.