A College Kid’s Guide to Montreal
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I fell in love with Montreal when I first visited in April 2018: the European style buildings of Old Port, the friendly demeanor of everyone I met, and the incredible diversity of people checked all of the boxes that I was looking for in my uni city. However, moving to an entirely new country for university is not an easy move, and even though Canada is only a 5 hour drive away from my New York hometown, I found myself looking for stability and comfort whenever possible.
Finding this comfort soon proved to be easy, however, as in each place I visited in this chilly city, I was only met with warmth. Every location listed below provides me that comfort I was searching for, but with the most charming European flare. Hopefully they can provide you this solstice I found in them too:
Milton-Parc
Where to Eat: Lola Rosa is the first spot I went to in the student area of Montreal. This restaurant is adorable, cheap, and all vegetarian, and conveniently located about a five minute walk away from the Downtown Campus. This is a great place to celebrate the end of exam season with a pitcher of sangria and nachos to split amongst friends. For a healthy brunch and a meditative spot to study, check out Cafe St. Barth. This cafe is a quick walk from any point in the student area, and their smoothies and breakfast foods are a nice substitute from the student meal plan. Located next door on Av du Parc is another favorite study spot of mine, Milton B, a 24-hour cafe with free wifi and one of the best hot chocolates I’ve had in Montreal. In general, Av du Parc hosts many grab-and-go food options that may also be on the student meal plan, but the place that holds first place amongst all (non-vegan) McGill students is Chef on Call. Their milkshakes and chicken tenders are to die for, and their owner is one of the sweetest people I’ve ever met. (He may even offer you free milkshake samples if you catch him at a good time.)
What to Do: The Milton-Parc community is perfectly situated right below Mount Royal, one of the most well-known places in Montreal. Hiking, running, or biking the trail to the Observatoire is a popular activity amongst Montrealers, and you can continue this trail all the way to the top of the mountain to the cross that peers over the entire city. In the winter, there is an ice rink you can go to, so if you have ice skates I highly advise bringing them! This is a perfect activity to get you outside during the winter months. Another spot also located on this trail (if you keep walking forward, passing the stairs to the Observatoire) is Beaver Lake. This is a perfect, calm spot to chill, have a picnic with friends, and watch the sunset. At the base of Mount Royal (top of Av du Parc) is another popular location amongst McGill students, Parc Jeanne-Mance. This in my mind is like an off-campus quad; students can be found here tanning, relaxing, picnicking, playing field games, or exercising during the beginning or end of the academic year when the weather is a bit nicer.
Where to Shop: Milton-Parc has most of the necessary shops for students; ranging from pharmacies, grocery stores, cheap restaurants and cafes, post stores, and liquor stores. During the first term, you’ll navigate what you need and during your second year off-campus, you’ll discover the wonders of grocery shopping.
Plateau / Mile End Areas
Where to Eat: Montreal is known for their bagels, and as a New Yorker I was a bit skeptical at first. Their bagels are definitely a different style from the crisp, yet fluffy New York bagels, but I’ve learned to appreciate Montreal bagels for what they are (definitely have become a close contender to NY bagels over time). The most famous bagel store in Montreal is St. Viateur Bagel: this is definitely a bucket-list item. Watch the staff prepare bagels right before serving, and afterwards enjoy a fresh bagel with all the toppings. Another must is SUWU, an eclectic restaurant located on Boul. Saint-Laurent. This spot is infamous for their bottomless mimosa Sunday brunches, but going here at night for dinner is also a move as it later turns into a fun clubby spot.
What to Do: During the weekdays, student night-life revolves around the plateau area. Located on Boul. Saint-Laurent are some of the most popular clubs amongst first-years, including but not limited to: Apartment 200, Cafe Campus, TRH Bar, and SUWU. Each has a different vibe: Apartment 200 is more bar-like with a lounge area and games; Cafe Campus is a larger club populated by students of all different years (throwback Tuesdays will always be a hit); and TRH Bar is a black-lit club with a skatepark inside. For more chill nights, take your friends out to The Lockhart, where Harry Potter-themed cocktails are served, or book a table at Randolph’s where you can drink and snack while playing from a collection of over 1500 games with friends.
Where to Shop: With an artsier-vibe and located a bit more out of the student area, the plateau has a plethora of smaller businesses and thrift shops. Walking up and down Boul. Saint-Laurent you can find affordable vintage such as Eva B, CUL-DE-SAC, and Citizen Vintage. There’s plenty of wandering to do in the plateau area, and even more to do in Mile End. One of my favorite escapades is taking an uber to the Mile End area to LNF Shop, and then just exploring and stepping into stores that catch my eye.
Downtown Montreal
Where to Eat: Downtown Montreal has a huge variety of restaurants and cafes, but two of my favorites are Les Enfants Terribles and the Universel. Located at the top of the building with a spectacular view of the city, Les Enfants Terribles is a great spot for a fancy dinner with the fam. Here I suggest trying another cuisine Montreal is known for (besides their bagels): poutine. The Universel is definitely a more casual and affordable diner-like setting: the perfect location for a post-going-out debrief brunch with friends.
What to Do: Downtown Montreal houses many other going-out spots, including Kampai Garden, McKibbin’s Irish Pub, and Dirty Dogs Bar & Cuisine. For a special night out with friends, book at a table at Kampai Garden for dinner and later hit the dance floor. Grab a pitcher and finger foods at McKibbin’s, an Irish pub that has one of the best outdoor bar spaces I’ve seen in Montreal. Another day, venture to the downtown location of Dirty Dogs for lunch or dinner and grab a code from a server to enter their speakeasy hidden behind a Campbell’s soup wall at night. For a more relaxed day or family visit, consider going to the Musee des Beaux-Arts, Montreal’s fine arts museum.
Where to Shop: Located on Rue Saint-Catherine’s and about a 20 minute walk from the McGill downtown campus are all of the conventional clothing stores: Urban Outfitters, Brandy Melville, Aritzia, H&M, North Face, etc. Also located on Rue Saint-Catherine’s is Eaton Center, an underground mall. This is a perfect location to go when you’re up to explore outside of the student bubble but want to escape from the cold weather.
Vieux (Old) Port
Where to Eat: Old Port is very well-defined by its name: it contains the charming, oldest buildings of Montreal. Because of its setting further away from student areas, its picturesque buildings, and placement along the waterside, it is a much more tourist-y location, and for this reason it contains some of the best restaurants and cafes I’ve been to! For a quick brunch and killer pastries, check out Olive et Gourmando. An equally good brunch (or lunch) option is Marche de la Villettes, located just down the road. For dinner check out Le Robin Square, a boutique restaurant with huge windows that look out at the gorgeous city buildings across the street. However, the restaurant that in my eyes cannot be matched is Modavie. Set in the heart of Old Port, this is a great place to take visitors as it shows off the best qualities of Montreal. Friendly servers and live music from Montreal-based music groups provide the best ambience while enjoying exquisite food.
Pro tip: When making reservations for Modavie, request to be seated in front of the live music.
What to Do: Because of its setting, Old Port is another place that you can just wander around. Some of my favorite stopping points along a stroll on the cobblestone streets and waterside include Le Petit Depanneur, a cafe / convenience store on Rue Saint-Paul. There are many Depanneurs located within Montreal, but this is definitely the cutest and contains many artisanal sweets and souvenirs. Another Montreal bucket-list item is visiting the Notre-Dame Basilica, a Church opened in 1829 that towers over Old Port. Here you can take a tour or just walk in to admire the ornate stained glass and gothic woodwork.
Where to Shop: There are many souvenir shops placed along the streets of Old Port that you can stop into! Other than that, the Old Port strip is mostly restaurants, cafes, and hotels.
