Wellington, one of the coolest streets in the world
Offering one of Montréal’s most unique quartier vibes in the heart of Verdun, bustling Promenade Wellington has long been a preferred meander spot for those in the know. Named for the Duke of Wellington, infamous for defeating Napoleon at Waterloo, Promenade Wellington—affectionately referred to as “ma well” by locals—is an off-the-beaten-track gem worth the quick métro or bike ride from downtown. Named by TimeOut as the coolest street in the world, Promenade Wellington is ready for its close-up on the world stage. In no particular oder, here’s just a few of our favourite spots.
Archway
3683 Wellington Street
100% vegan, Archway elevates the café experience to the level of fine dining. The dining room decor may be expertly minimalist, but the menu offers unforgettable creativity when it comes to its marinated watermelon pokai bowls and umeboshi shiitake tacos with edamame guacamole. Located at the top of Promenade Wellington’s pedestrianized zone, it’s also the perfect starting or ending point to any visit.
Café Komma Rosta
5300 Wellington Street
Get a genuine taste of the local life at Café Komma Rosta, where the staff’s skills extend beyond barista duties to include tasty bowls of Japanese curry and 14 in-house made cold drinks (including iced kinako lattés, fresh-pressed lemonade and Genmaicha & sudachi iced tea) perfect for those hot summer days.
Pavillon Snack Bar
5200 Wellington Street
With an eye-catching angled entrance on the corner of Desmarchais Boulevard and Wellington Street, the Pavillon Snack Bar is another hood favourite. Expect tasty eats paired with a carefully curated wine selection, and a dessert menu featuring crème brulée à l’expresso and Brownie à la menthe.
Marigold Montréal
4841 Wellington Street
Featuring clothes designed and 100% made in Montréal, Marigold's fashions are the definition of fine fit and design, with everything just so. Designed by Marilyne Baril, every garment includes transparent pricing, breaking down everything from the cost of the fabric to the labour going into it. And if you rue the day you didn’t pick up that perfect skirt in the window, they offer international mail order through their website.
Cycles Campus Verdun and Atelier Wellington
3901 Welling Street & 4136 Wellington Street
Montréal is a bike riders' paradise and Promenade Wellington features two of the city’s finest cycle emporiums. Pick up new parts, grab a tune-up or peruse the selection of new bikes at Cycles Campus Verdun or Atelier Wellington just down the street. And if you forgot your helmet, no worries—both carry full selections to keep you riding safe.
Chez Robin Marché Local
3819 Wellington Street
Fully stocked with an eye-popping selection of organic and fresh locally-sourced products, Chez Robin Marché Local is a great option for picnic snacks or a grocery run. Their small in-store bistro also offers hot plates and ready-made meals to take home with you. Bring your reusable bags, because you’re about to fill them all.
Millman’s
3779 Wellington Street
No visit to Montréal is complete without a visit to a genuine casse-croûte (or casual diner), and the postcard-pretty Millmans serves up provincial favourites including hearty breakfast fry-ups, thick pancakes and fresh pies. Their mouthwatering menu also includes lighter fare for snacks and lunch including salmon-stuffed bagels, but don’t be late—Millmans is only open 8AM to 4PM Wednesdays through Sundays.
Station W
3852 Wellington Street
Clearly, the founders of Station W know all the up-and-coming places to be (their other shop is located in the Technôpole Angus), and their bright and cozy Verdun location makes for a great option for coffee dates or co-working. And when hunger strikes, their small menu of sandwiches, bowls and salads make for a hearty break.
Solios Watches
3859 Wellington Street
Created by Montréal watch lovers Samuel Leroux and Alexandre Desabrais, Solios Watches are not only made from environmentally-friendly sustainable elements, they’re solar powered too. Minimalist and stylish, the time has clearly come for Solios. (But don’t just take our word for it—the duo’s Kickstarter campaign to get the business off the ground collected three times its investment goal in one evening!)
Harricana by Mariouche
3697 Wellington Street
Verdun-based hat makers since 1918, Harricana has focused on sustainability since 1994, recycling high fashion pieces including fur coats, tweed jackets and silk garments into new pieces. In the process, they’ve saved an estimated 1,200,000 animals while keeping Montréalers heads in fashion.
Sweet Lee’s Rustic Bakery
4150 Wellington Street
Under the guiding hand of head baker Liana “Lee” Settels Lessard, Sweet Lee’s Rustic Bakery is one of Verdun’s most loved patisseries, served fresh from the oven in an instagram-worthy wood-lined location designed by her brother Greg Lessard. Without doubt, Lee’s confections are the definition of savoury and decadent—but you’ve deserved it!
Mark Hamilton
Mark Hamilton is the community director for QueerMTL, an internationally-touring musician with his projects Woodpigeon and Frontperson and a graduate studies student of history researching LGBTQ+ activism in the city. 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.