Montréal neighbourhood: Discover Old Montréal

Everyone loves a photogenic viewpoint, and Old Montréal has some of the city’s finest, including one from underneath the pavements!

• They say the Pointe-à-Callière – Montréal Archaeology and History Complex  (350 Place Royale) marks the spot where Montréal was founded in 1642, and its collections contain a plethora of artefacts from throughout the city’s early history including some of its first foundations. The museum also offers a rare opportunity to head underground to the city’s foundational roots via the Memory Collector, a cutting-edge visual and sound experience in the old river-routing sewer system.
• After exploring underground, it’s time to go up!-up!-up! to take in the stellar views across Old Montréal’s angled rooftops and the St. Lawrence River atop the La Grande Roue de Montréal ferris wheel (362 De la Commune Street East). With heated, comfortable cars perfect for groups or a romantic moment, La Grande Roue’s calming vistas make for a picturesque rest on a bustling day, and look darn good in photos too.

• The Port of Montréal Tower (200 De la Commune Street West) reaches 65 metres above the roofline, looking out across the neighbourhood and the river rushing past below. There’s even a glass cage for those who want a bit of a rush with their viewpoint pics.
• Those wanting to get up close and personal with the St. Lawrence’s rushing waters without getting their feet wet will love the views from the Grand Quay of the Port of Montréal, King Edward Quay, Jacques-Cartier Pier and Clock Tower Pier reaching out into the current.
• And if getting out on the water is more your speed, take a pleasure cruise with AML Cruises or Bateau-Mouche and feel the spray of the water on your skin. 🛥️
• If that’s not exciting enough for you, thrill seekers won’t want to miss the ultimate experiences of the MTL Zipline (Hangar 16, 363 De la Commune Street East) and Montréal Bungee (Quai des Convoyeurs), Canada’s highest bungee drop from a height of 210-feet. Both are easily found by just following the joyful screams of those brave enough to take a ride!

The photogenic Jacques-Cartier Bridge lights up nightly over the expanse of the St. Lawrence River, but it’s controlled by much more than just flip of a switch. 

• Determined both by season and by the city’s mood collected throughout the day from the hashtag #illuminationMTL across social media, the bridge is a must-see at any time of day. 
• Each 30 minutes there’s also a specially animated sequence, and the year’s major events are commemorated with special lighting effects!

Old Montréal is home to several cutting-edge arts spaces, regularly hosting exhibitions by some of the leading names in contemporary art. 

• PHI's focus on trend-setting VR, digital arts and unique concert experiences will keep your finger on the pulse of what’s happening. While presently housed in two locations (407 Saint-Pierre Street and 451 and 465 Saint-Jean Street), their new home base will bring both together under one roof in 2029.
• The Fonderie Darling (745 Place Sable-Gris) houses monumental works within the shell of the former Darling Brothers Foundry, and its open-air Quartier Éphémère outdoor space is a gathering spot for artists and art lovers alike through the warmer months.
• Explore Montréal’s rich Indigenous history at Sacred Fire Productions' galleries (43 Des Sœurs-Grises Street) and support artisans via their online boutique Ashukan 2.0. 
• Indigenous craftsmanship is on full display at Heritage Gallery (30 Saint-Paul Street East), Images Boréales Inuit Art Gallery (4 Saint-Paul Street East) and Galerie Le Chariot (446 Jacques-Cartier Place).

Feel like shopping? Old Montréal’s boutiques offer some of the latest designs from world-class designers, both local and international.

• Mon Shack au Québec (161 Saint-Paul Street East) offers locally created jewellery, accessories, gift items and decorative objects.
• La cour des arts du Vieux-Montréal open-air market is open May through October, with Québec-based craftspeople offering their unique wares under a charming canopy of maple trees.
• Maktaba Bookshop (165 Saint-Paul Street West) offers a carefully curated selection of books and social events focused on Middle Eastern writers and thinkers.
• SSENSE (418 Saint-Sulpice Street) is one of North America’s leading new fashion hot spots, with racks full of cutting-edge clothing sure to make you look your best.
• Le Magasin Général du Vieux-Montréal (34 Saint-Paul Street West) specializes in gifts and treats for the whole family, alongside some top-tier souvenir items.

The Jacques-Cartier Bridge isn’t the only spot in Old Montréal transformed by light and projection technologies. We’d suggest booking ahead, as they’re hot ticket events indeed. 

• Created by the Montréal-based internationally-renowned magicians at Moment Factory, The AURA Experience transforms the interiors of the Notre-Dame Basilica of Montréal with an eye-popping marvel of video mapping, awe-inspiring projections and a thrilling soundtrack, re-imagining the Basilica into an immersive environment you won’t soon forget.
• Housed in the Palais des congrès de Montréal, OASIS immersion is Canada’s largest immersive destination with regularly changing themed exhibitions that offer a complete head-to-toe sensory experience.
• The Montréal Science Centre (King-Edward Quay) puts you and your family right inside the world of science, including 3D screenings at the on-site IMAX cinema.
• Get lost in the best possible way at SOS Labyrinthe (Clock Tower Pier, Hangar 16) with over two kilometres of twists and turns making up one of the world’s biggest indoor mazes.
• Escape game fans will also love A/Maze Escape Game & Cocktail Bar Inventions (480 Saint-Jean Street), the perfect place for a hair-raising experience followed by a soothing drink.

Old Montréal’s cozy cafés cover a full range of moods and tastes, perfect for a bit of relaxation or a spot of remote work. 

• The breathtaking Crew Collective & Café has regularly been ranked as one of the world’s most beautiful cafés and co-working spaces. Housed in the former headquarters of the Royal Bank of Canada, it’s also one of several palatial spaces formerly inhabited by Old Montréal’s financial district all worth a look.
• The design-savvy Tommy (200 Notre Dame Street West) is always busy with creative Montréalers under its canopy of hanging leafy plants.
• The local chain Le Petit Dep’s Saint-Paul (179 Saint-Paul Street West) and Saint-Sulpice (461 Saint-Sulpice Street) locations are truly film-set worthy. 
• Cafe Olimpico's charming outlet (421 Saint-Vincent Street) brings this Mile-End mainstay to Old Montréal.
• Bringing a taste of the west out east, Vancouver’s 49th Parallel (488 McGill Street) offers unique blends famous with coffee lovers and they’ve brought their famous Lucky’s Donuts along for the ride too.

Old Montréal has long been a culinary hot spot in the city, packed with classic favourites and bold new flavours, culminating every February with the Happening Gourmand festivities including special table d’hôte brunches and dinner menus. With a taste palette as colourful as the neighbourhood itself, Old Montréal’s restaurants are sure to sate any appetite.

• Mama C (100 Saint-Paul Street West) explores Greek cuisine with a forward-looking twist, head chefs Michalis Merzenis and Anastasios Roussis combining years of culinary experience in Athens and Mykonos into a creative environment entirely their own.
• Restaurant Sauvage (52 Saint-Jacques Street) also explores Mediterranean flavours, drawing from Italian, French and Spanish cuisine.
• Yubari (355 McGill Street) is part of the neighbourhood’s bold culinary scene, offering fusion cuisine that blends Japanese traditions with Asian and French influences. 
• MAKAŌ (26 De la Gauchetière Street East) aims for a cultural harmony between cuisines, blending traditional Asian cooking with modernity and experimentation.
• Pangea Restaurant & Bar (104 Saint-Paul Street East) restaurant, bar and club’s elegant beach house setting is the perfect setting for their top-tier Mediterranean menu.

• La Catrina Old Port (117 De la Commune Street West) serves up genuine Mexican cuisine created by chef Jacques Coutu. 
• Serve your cravings for classic French brasserie fare at Place Carmin (740 William Street), from the creators of Cadet and Bouillon Bilk. 
• Discover lesser-known pastas including the capunti and stuffed triangoli at Stellina (410 Saint-Jacques Street). 
• Rediscover old favourites with all-new flourish at the Parisian-inspired wine bar Buvette Pastek (209 Saint-Paul Street West).
• Chef Alexandre Payton and mixologist Jake Cristofaro join forces at Vandale (120 McGill Street), a graffiti-covered speakeasy-themed spot tipping its hat to Montréal’s rebellious spirit.
• You’ll rarely find a better steak frites than those at Mignon Steak Old Montréal (101 Saint-Paul Street West).
• 212 (212 Notre-Dame Street West) offers gourmet eats in a Euro-club atmosphere, transitioning into a neon cocktail bar after dark.

• Gray Collection’s old city restaurants are all a must-eat destination: BEVO Bar + Pizzeria (410 Saint-Vincent Street), Jacopo Italian eatery (436 Place Jacques-Cartier), Maggie Oakes grillhouse (426 Place Jacques-Cartier), California-inspired Perché (153 Saint-Amable Street, 4th Floor)  Pincette – Lobster Bar (94 Saint-Paul Street East), Gaspar – French Brasserie (89 De la Commune Street East), the rooftop Terrasse sur l’Auberge (97 De la Commune Street East), the gourmet viewpoint Terrasse William Gray (421 Saint-Vincent Street, 8^th Floor) and Vieux-Port Steakhouse (39 Saint-Paul Street East). 
• Montréal loves a good French bistro, and Modavie (1 Saint-Paul Street West) is a definite local favourite.
• Get some of the city’s finest cuts at Méchant Bœuf bar brasserie (124 Saint-Paul Street West).
• There’s expertly served sushi and other Japanese favourites galore at Kyo Bar Japonais (711 Côte de la Place-d’Armes).

• The Parisian Brasserie 701 (701 Côte de la Place-d’Armes) is a definite French cuisine hot-spot.
• The tastes of the Caribbean come to life under the guiding hands of co-owners Michael Lafaille and Claudie Fiorelli at Kwizinn Vieux-Port (311 Saint-Paul Street East).
• 3 Amigos Resto-Bar Old Montréal (200 Saint-Jacques Street) specializes in authentic, flavourful Mexician tacos and more.
• Neighbourhood mainstay The Keg (25 Saint-Paul Street East) is all about steaks and hearty fare.
• The food is as bright and colourful as the décor at the California cuisine inspired Venice MTL Old Montréal (440 Saint-François-Xavier Street).

Sometimes there’s no better reward after a long day of exploring than a masterfully-made cocktail at one of Old Montréal’s wealth of deluxe options. Bottoms up!

• Bisou Bisou (416 Saint-Vincent Street) specializes in aperitifs so good it’s been ranked one of Canada’s best bars. 
• El Pequeño Bar (401a Saint-Vincent Street) brings a piece of Havana’s celebrated drinking culture to MTL. 
• Grab a quiet corner at Philémon Bar (111 Saint-Paul Street West).
• Keep it like a secret at Clandestino (436 Saint-François-Xavier Street) mezcal and tequila speakeasy. 
• Try the latest in mixology at Flyjin (417 Saint-Pierre Street).
• Turn back to the clock to the roaring ‘20s when Montréal was a prohibition-free party town at Bord’elle (390 Saint-Jacques Street) and the tucked-away Coldroom (Saint-Vincent Street and Saint-Amable Street). If you know you know, and in this case you want to know!

Old Montréal’s hotels define deluxe comfort, and you’ll feel like old world royalty stepping out onto the cobblestone streets. 

• The Le Petit Hôtel pair of hotels—one at 168 Saint-Paul Street West and the other at 39 Notre-Dame Street West—were awarded Michelin Key ranking for their blend of comfort and old-school charm. 
• Hôtel Nelligan’s (106 Saint-Paul Street West) complete update of buildings dating back to the 1850s are so beloved by visitors it was ranked Canada’s Best City Hotel in Travel & Leisure (and the view from the rooftop patio is to die for too).
• The all-suite Hôtel Saint-Sulpice (414 Saint-Sulpice Street) rests next to the Notre-Dame Basilica.
• The AC Hotel Old Montréal (445 Saint-Jean-Baptiste Street) brings everything you’ve come to expect from Marriott’s trusted brand.

• The magnificent Gault Hotel (449 Sainte-Hélène Street) brings modern flair to a 19^th century graystone building.
• The elegant Hôtel St-Paul (355 McGill Street) guarantees the most modern of amenities in distinctly historical settings. 
• And speaking of views, those from the Hyatt Centric Montréal (621 Notre-Dame Street East) overlook Viger Station on one side and the waters of the St. Lawrence on the other, and there’s a rooftop pool to boot.
• The Gray Collection’s portfolio of boutique hotels in the district includes some of the city’s shining gems of accommodation like the Hôtel William Gray, the Loft et appartements du Vieux-Montréal's two locations at 408 Saint-Vincent Street and 425 Saint-Jean-Baptiste Street, Hôtel Place d'Armes (55 Saint-Jacques Street) and Auberge du Vieux-Port (96 De la Commune Street East).