Bring the best of Montréal home with these cool souvenirs
Montréal is one of the world’s most stylish, design-savvy cities, with a cutting-edge portfolio reaching all the way back to iconic aesthetic trend-setting moments like Expo 67 and the 1976 Olympics. Named a UNESCO City of Design in 2006—alongside international trendsetters like Berlin, Bilbao, Helsinki, Mexico City, Seoul and Nagoya—you can depend on these local boutiques and creatives for some of the latest and greatest Montréal-made must-have souvenirs. Our local artisans specialize in items made with love and an ever-so-special attention to detail that’s uniquely Montréalais.
Where: 300 Villeray Street
Neighbourhood: Villeray
What to get there: Located in Montréal’s vibrant Villeray neighbourhood, Boutique Articho is a charming gift shop that celebrates local craftsmanship. Specializing in Québec producers, the boutique is a go-to spot for unique souvenirs and thoughtful gifts including clothing, teas, homeware, candles, pottery, and more. You’ll also find handmade greeting cards, natural beauty products, and kid-friendly stuff too.
Where: 6572 Saint-Hubert Street
Neighbourhood: La Petite-Patrie
What to get there: Local mainstay arloca showcases the immense talent of homegrown artisans. From elegant jewelry to trendy accessories, arloca has something for everyone—from those who want to bejewel their hands to those who like getting them dirty in the garden or kitchen.
Where: 7736A Saint-Hubert Street
Neighbourhood: Villeray
What to get there: Not only does Camillette Jewelry design and sell eye-catching jewelry and accessories, this workshop-boutique also offers classes in which fashion fanatics can make their own pieces in less than three hours, a true keepsake of your time in Montréal.
Where: 3475 Saint-Laurent Boulevard
Neighbourhood: Le Plateau-Mont-Royal
What to get there: Savonnerie M’Nonga specialize in natural soaps, bath salts, oils, body butters and whatever else you need for some top-tier self-pampering. Entirely handmade, M’Nonga’s open atelier is visible to the public, so you can see it all come together step-by-step. And if you’ve ever wanted to get into soap making yourself, their workshops will teach you all the tricks of the trade.
Where: 261 Bernard Street West
Neighbourhood: Mile End
What to get there: Located in the Mile End hipster hotspot Bref is a neighbourhood hub of brightly hued art and design pieces including stickers, postcards, frameable posters and housewares. Their kids section features toys made by local producers that you’ll only find in Montréal.
Where: 503 Place d’Armes
Neighbourhood: Old Montréal
What to get there: Housed in the historic Aldred Building adjacent to the Notre-Dame Basilica, the Marché Saint Laurent offers a wide array of locally-sourced products ranging from regional cookbooks to MTL-centric clothing. It’s also the perfect spot to recharge—the in-house café carries locally-roasted beans and fresh pastries to reward oneself for a successful shopping excursion.
Where: 5301 Saint-Laurent Boulevard
Neighbourhood: Le Plateau-Mont-Royal
What to get there: At the forefront of vegan, all-natural, beauty products with eco-responsible practices, BKIND specializes in face and body care products, hair care innovations and vibrant nail polishes in a unique palette all their own, perfect for statement-making flourishes on your fingertips. They’ve also got a second location in the riverside Verdun quartier at 4570 Wellington Street.
Where: 6260 Saint-Hubert Street
Neighbourhood: La Petite-Patrie
What to get there: If you’re looking for that special something, look no further than Les Mauvaises herbes, whose beauty products and homemade artisanal craft wares are sure to grab attention. We’re particularly fond of their original tea infusion blends, scented candles and make-at-home body butter kits.
Where: Select stores
Neighbourhood: City-wide
What to get there: The sense of smell is our sense most connected to memory, and Les Citadines' original Montréal collection of scented candles consists of six specially-formulated scents in tribute of the city’s iconic neighbourhoods Homa (amber and sandalwood), Mile End (maple syrup), Griffintown (white tea and berries), Vieux-Montréal (wood fire), Rosemont (fig tree and fern) and Le Plateau (pepper and port). Check their online list of stockists around the city.
Where: 129 Mont-Royal Avenue East
Neighbourhood: Le Plateau-Mont-Royal
What to get there: The shelves at Artpop Montréal are stuffed with posters, T-shirts and cards featuring Montréal-centric graphics and in-jokes, all made by local producers. Whether you’re looking for the perfect cheeky postcard or something to hang on the wall back home, it’s all here.
Where: 5445 De Gaspé Avenue
Neighbourhood: Mile End
What to get there: WANT Les Essentiels is one of Montréal’s leading luxury brands. Their shoes, accessories and outfits are true attention grabbers, but their line of bags for women and men—including totes and briefcases—are examples of expertly-made minimalism. Their boutique is located in one of the Mile End’s large atelier buildings, also home to some of the city’s most exciting independent galleries, so you can take in some cutting-edge art after getting your new fit.
Where: 2601 William-Tremblay Street
Neighbourhood: Technopôle Angus
What to get there: Nestled in the up-and-coming Technopôle Angus neighbourhood, Toutes les choses parfaites elevates the classic Montréal Dep (the local nickname for a corner store) to new heights, with a focus on local products. There’s also a plant selection, tidy café and a selection of craft beers sure to please any taste.
Where: 470 Duluth Avenue East
Neighbourhood: Le Plateau-Mont-Royal
What to get there: Designed and printed in Montréal, Paperole’s postcards shine a spotlight on the city’s beloved skyline, cuisine (bagels and poutine, naturally) and squirrels—a great way to brighten any postbox. And most designs are also available as larger prints if you want to keep their cheery designs for yourself!
Where: 3790 Saint-Laurent Boulevard
Neighbourhood: Le Plateau-Mont-Royal
What to get there: Artgang’s clever local redux spins on iconic designs range from recent collabs with local illustrators to their instantly recognizable transformation of the New York Yankees baseball team insignia into a design that’s 100% MTL emblazoned on hats and backpacks.
Where: 6534 Saint-Hubert Street
Neighbourhood: La Petite-Patrie
What to get there: Gabrielle Laïla Tittley’s boutique La Maison Pony features the beloved local brand’s limited-edition prints, pins, scented candles, stuffed toys (shout out to Anxietyeti), undergarments, nail polish and more. We’ll always be fans of their instantly recognizable designs—in particular the now-classic Club Optimiste range available on T-shirts, crewnecks and camisoles.
Cath Laporte wall hangings and Raymond Biesinger prints
Where: Online and in select stores
Neighbourhood: Everywhere!
What to get there: Montréal artist Cath Laporte’s work is a daily boost to the spirit, and her minimalist, graphic #giantclapcath series of large scale wall hangings transform any space beautifully. She’s also available for one-of-a-kind commissions and happy to grant permission for her pieces as the basis for your next tattoo. Equally as eye-catching, Raymond Biesinger’s prints range from his Canadian Cities screenprint series (including our city circa Expo67) and a moving tribute to 18 lost buildings of Montréal sure to bring a tear to the eye of any architecture lover.
Where: Online
Neighbourhood: Everywhere!
What to get there: The nearly-lost art of hand-painted signs is alive and well in Montréal thanks in large part to 2 Lettreurs, the namesake of sign painters Malcolm McCormick and Alexandre Saumier Demers. The pair offers unmissable workshops (make and take home a snazzy hand-lettered sign), as well as design services already utilized by some of the city’s hippest spots. It’s time for your Montréal rebranding!
Where: Online
Neighbourhood: Everywhere!
What to get there: Since 2005, Raplapla’s iconic stuffies have been a big hit amongst Montréal’s trendsetter kid set. Since kicking off with the iconic Mr. Tsé-Tsé, the line’s full roster of characters are all every bit as adorable. Trust us, these cuties are the gotta-have backseat companion for the drive back—or a surprise new best friend for a young one at home.
Where: Studio les fleurs du mal, #305 5333 Casgrain Avenue
Neighbourhood: Mile End
What to get there: Illustrator turned tattoo artist Cole Degenstein’s brittle linework translates perfectly from paper to flesh, whether in black and white or punctuated by bright splashes of colour inspired by Montréal autumns. His fellow artists at Studio les fleurs du mal are also worth the skin. A new tattoo—the ultimate Montréal souvenir! (And for those not down for that kind of commitment, Degenstein’s prints and graphic novels are worth seeking out too!)
Where: 156 Jean-Talon Street East
Neighbourhood: Little Italy
What to get there: Tah-Dah! is a must-visit boutique for handmade Québec products, located right next to the iconic Jean-Talon Market. Shelves stocked with unique jewellery pieces, candles and room mists, bath and beauty products, and Montréal street scene tote bags, there’s something here for you and those waiting back at home.
Museum boutiques
Where: Montréal’s museums
Neighbourhood: City-wide
What to get there: Montréal’s world-class museums don’t just display objets d’art, they also each house an unmissable boutique’s worth of carefully curated items perfect to commemorate your #mtlmoments. The Montréal Museum of Fine Arts offers a large art books section, along with ceramics and jewelry, while the Canadian Centre for Architecture has the coffee table books on architecture and design scene cornered. The Musée d’art contemporain’s printed catalogues make for warm remembrances and overviews of artists as varied as Nan Goldin, Pussy Riot, Françoise Sullivan and Leonard Cohen, while the McCord Stewart Museum sticks to its mandate of Montréal history with locally-made products and publications. The Boutique de Pointe-à-Callière also offers original and unique locally-minded items, from exclusive jewellery to archaeology and history books.
Where: #108 160 Saint-Viateur Street East
Neighbourhood: Mile End
What to get there: One of the Mile End’s most intoxicating boutiques, LVNEA specializes in original fragrances, essential oil blends and scent-based accoutrements. The helpful and friendly staff is always there to make suggestions, and the shop’s one-of-a-kind creations are sure to have everyone back at home take notice.
Where: 3626 de la Montagne Street
Neighbourhood: Ville-Marie
What to get there: If you love stylish notebooks and stationery, but also want an equally-attractive bag to put them in, COUPLE d’IDÉES has got you covered. 100% Montréal designed and made, their collection of bespoke items now also includes chic reflective brooches for those night walkers and bikers looking to make a safety statement.
Where: 1373 Mont-Royal Avenue East
Neighbourhood: Le Plateau-Mont-Royal
What to get there: A musical hot-spot, Montréal’s presence on the world stage has long been established by the likes of Leonard Cohen, Céline Dion and the new breed of indie stalwarts still going strong. Pick up the latest releases by some of Montréal’s finest at Aux 33 Tours, whose friendly staff are qualified to give the local lay of the land. (And if your ears are hungry for more, there’s many more indie record shops worth a visit).
Where: 179 Saint-Paul Street West
Neighbourhood: Old Montréal
What to get there: As pretty as a Wes Anderson film still, Le Petit Dep’s original location is infinitely photogenic. And beyond the charming in-house cafés and foodstuffs for sale, there’s also locally-minded gifts and souvenirs on hand. Grab a snack while you grab some gifts—it’s a win-win situation indeed.
Where: 6466 Saint-Laurent Boulevard
Neighbourhood: Petite-Patrie
What to get there: Who doesn’t love chocolate? État de choc embraces that love with craftily created blends and flavourings that may or may not make it all the way back home. But lucky for all, their website offers Canada-wide shipping options to refresh your supply.
Where: Select stores and online
Neighbourhood: City-wide
What to get there: From their design studio on Verdun’s buzzing Wellington Street, Solios Watches bring solar-powered technology to your wrist with minimalist design flourishes and comfort in mind. And those who love the exclusive will be all over the limited edition designs (recently including one inspired by the MR-63 Montréal métro trains) made in numbers as low as 100.
Where: 3697 Wellington Street
Neighbourhood: Verdun
What to get there: Harricana has been keeping heads and bodies warm in Montréal since 1918, undertaking a revolutionary shift to sustainable practices in 1994. Through recycling high fashion pieces including silk, tweed and fur, Harricana’s initiatives have saved the lives of over 1,200,000 animals. It’s the perfect way to do good while looking good too.
Where: 88 Saint-Paul Street East
Neighbourhood: Old Montréal
What to get there: L’empreinte coopérative gives pride of place to Québec-based artisans specializing in home decor, soaps, scents, prints, fashions and toys for the kids. Many products feature reclaimed and re-used materials. From top to bottom, L’empreinte coopérative is distinctly Montréal.
Where: Select stores and online
Neighbourhood: City-wide
What to get there: Through their couture Patrizio aprons in a variety of on trend colours and eye-grabbing kitchen accessories, Maison Milan brings a unique taste of Milano via Montréal to your culinary activities. Find their list of stockists around Montréal here.
Where: Select stores and online
Neighbourhood: City-wide
What to get there: The perfect gift for the mixologist in your life, ¾ Oz. Tonic Maison’s mixers spruce up cocktails and mocktails and their stylish graphics look great on any cabinet shelf. Crafted in small batches, they’re sure to raise spirits high, pun intended.
Where: 911 Mont-Royal Avenue East
Neighbourhood: Le Plateau-Mont-Royal
What to get there: Constantly collaborating with both up-and-coming and established artists, the streetwear label Le Cartel is always eye-popping in fit and fabric. The perfect choice for those wanting to make a statement who aren’t shy of getting stared at.
Where: #276 2065 Parthenais Street, by appointment
Neighbourhood: Quartier Sainte-Marie
What to get there: Montréal is a bona fide city of lights, making one of Atelier Cocotte’s gorgeously fluid lighting fixtures a fitting addition to any Montréal trip shopping list. Handmade in Montréal from Canadian woods, Atelier Cocotte’s lamps brighten up any room.
Mark Hamilton
Mark Hamilton is the community director for QueerMTL, a musician in the projects Woodpigeon, Frontperson and Brittle Dreams and a curator and historian specializing in LGBTQ+ activism and zinemaking. He’s lived in Montréal since 2015, during which time he’s most often spotted atop a BIXI bike usally running a few minutes late.