<center> # Montréal<br/> <small>Quebec, Canada</small> <img src="https://i.imgur.com/NOwQylx.jpg" style="opacity: 0.9; border-radius: 14px;"><br/> *`Ne manquez pas l'Office Québécois de la Langue Française!`* <hr/> </center> [TOC] --- # Nick's Guide to Montreal ## Motorbiking - https://www.fqcq.qc.ca/carte-interactive/ - [Fédération Québécoise des Motos Hors Route (FQMHR)](https://www.fqmhr.qc.ca/en/carte.php) * https://gravelmap.com/ * [How to Legally Ride Off-Road in Canada? - YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yR4Ofe1mbb8) * [Gaspésie Motorcycle Trip - YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iRbMTkxnZRU) * [Mont-Tremblant Motorcycle Trip - YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=okW71JyPq3M) * [Saguenay Motorcycle Trip - YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FJY5iix_gAY) - [North East Backcountry Discovery Route (NEBDR) Map & Information](https://ridebdr.com/nebdr/) - [Southern California Backcountry Discovery Route (CABDR-South) Map & Information](https://ridebdr.com/cabdr-south/) - [Eastern Quebec | Best Place for a Motorcycle Road Trip](https://www.quebecmaritime.ca/en/what-to-do/motorcycle-touring) - [Gravel Travel Canada - The Big Empty](https://graveltravel.ca/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&layout=edit&id=119&Itemid=19) - [Gravel Travel Canada - Gravel Travel Canada](https://graveltravel.ca/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2&Itemid=20) - [Quebéc's ultimate road trip: into the wild on the Whale Route](https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/destinations/north-america/canada/quebec/quebec-best-road-trip/) - [Top Offroading trails in Quebec (Canada) | Wikiloc](https://www.wikiloc.com/trails/offroading/canada/quebec) - [Wikiloc | Zec Lavigne Trail](https://www.wikiloc.com/offroading-trails/zec-lavigne-41069069) - [How to do the Trans Canada Adventure Trail - Canada Moto Guide](https://canadamotoguide.com/2017/03/19/how-to-do-the-trans-canada-adventure-trail/) - [Special: Trans Canada Adventure Trail - Canada Moto Guide](https://canadamotoguide.com/2012/05/10/the-trans-canada-adventure-trail/) - [Trans Canada Adventure Trail update - Canada Moto Guide](https://canadamotoguide.com/2015/08/12/trans-canada-adventure-trail-update/) - [Fédération Québécoise des Motos Hors Route (FQMHR)](http://www.fqmhr.qc.ca/en/Index.php) - [Fédération Québécoise des Motos Hors Route (FQMHR) - Map](http://www.fqmhr.qc.ca/en/carte.php) - [Op QUEBEC | Adventure Rider](https://advrider.com/f/threads/op-quebec.1075093/) - [Op QUEBEC | Page 3 | Adventure Rider](https://advrider.com/f/threads/op-quebec.1075093/page-3) - [Op QUEBEC | Page 4 | Adventure Rider](https://advrider.com/f/threads/op-quebec.1075093/page-4) - [AdventureSmart | Dirt Biking](https://www.adventuresmart.ca/land/dirtbiking.htm) - [Top 10 Motorcycle Routes for 2020 | Northern Ontario Travel](https://www.northernontario.travel/motorcycle-touring/top-10-motorcycle-routes-for-2020) - [1 day snowmobile ride Quebec City or Charlevoix](https://nordexpe.com/en/packages/1-day-snowmobile-ride-quebec-city-or-charlevoix/) - [Snowmobile tour 6 days off trail From Labrador city](https://nordexpe.com/en/packages/snowmobile-tour-6-days-in-labrador-frontier/) - [Snow Down - Ontario Snow Bike tour for $149](https://www.rallyconnex.com/snowdown.html) ## Urban Exploring - [Casey Air Strip](https://www.google.com/maps/place/Casey+Air+Strip/@47.938258,-74.0921027,17z/) - [Abandoned DEW station covered in graffiti](https://www.urbexplayground.com/fr/rurex/lancienne-base-militaire-abandonn%C3%A9e-des-laurentides) - Abandoned church with graffiti and stained glass on Montreal island - The house on top of the grain silo (good luck) - Abandoned factory assemblyline in Mauricie ## Day Trips Email me to request individual a selection of 1-3 day trip GPS tracks (.GPX) in your area. --- # Cowpig's Guide to Montreal *This is a mirror of cowpig's original post, everything below is his content:* https://github.com/cowpig/Montreal-Guide/blob/master/README.md ## Neighborhoods ### Plateau ideal for people in their early 20s who are into. lots of restaurants and bars. hipster vibes. relatively expensive, but you can find shared housing (ie rent one of the bedrooms in a 4+ bedroom apartment) for pretty cheap ### Mile-End similar to the plateau but a bit more fringe-culture stuff, a bit less dense, and a bit cheaper ### Outremont historically an upper-middle-class french neighborhood, has lots of spillover from mile-end, and also houses the hasidic jewish community. a bit removed from public transport, and similar prices to mile-end. ### mcgill ghetto student housing, cheap, fratty vibes ### Downtown central, expensive, busy ### The Village gay part of town. very affordable, and crazy nightlife. if you're not comfortable with "interesting characters" roaming the streets at night don't go here ### Old Port This is where tourists go. Lots of super-swanky apartment buildings, but sometimes you can find relatively cheap converted lofts or old houses. classy/professional/swanky vibes. very little in terms of groceries/amenities. ### Griffintown recently-gentrified neighborhood that's kind of in between old port and downtown. tons of new construction. expensive, lots of amenities. young professional vibes ### South-West/Atwater borders griffintown, but is much poorer. closer to the atwater market is really nice. parks, groceries, and a quieter restaurant/bar scene. (this is where I live) ### St-Henri I think this can best be described as where people who lived in the plateau in the 20s go in their 30s. Quieter and more family-oriented, but still has some scene. Relatively cheap, and a bit removed from the rest of the city ### Westmount traditionally very jewish, upper-class neighborhood. kind of a public-transport black hole ### NDG more of a working-class, diverse neighborhood. Very affordable, but also a public-transport black hole and a bit removed ### Pt Saint-Charles kind of an up-and-coming neighborhood that still has a lot of the oldschool working-class quebecois living there. may look more like st-henri in a decade, but is more mixed now ## Food **Kazu**,[ 1862 Ste-Catherine Ouest](https://maps.google.com/?q=1862+Ste-Catherine+Ouest&entry=gmail&source=g) * MUST GO - by my reckoning, the best quality to price ratio I’ve ever found in a restaurant * Weird, tiny restaurant run by a cheerful, tiny Japanese man in a bright yellow shirt (the eponymous Kazu) * Time your arrival right - try to show up at the beginning of service (or near the end), or you will wait on a long line -- you may still have to wait on a short line, but it's 100% worth it * Limit yourself to groups of 4 or fewer * Enjoy the envious stares of people still waiting in the cold while you're stuffing your face full of delicious flavor * Try the plum wine or homemade ice cream for dessert -- I recommend Green Tea or Sparkling Maple * About $13-25CAD/dish **Au Pied de Cochon**, [536 Ave. Duluth E](https://maps.google.com/?q=536+Ave.+Duluth+E&entry=gmail&source=g). * Very Montréal gustatory adventure from Québec chef Martin Picard * Over-the-top decadant takes on traditional Québecois dishes. Huge portions. This place is infamous. * Pretty expensive @ $15-40 CAD/dish **Toque,** [900 Jean Paul Riopelle](https://www.google.com/maps/place/Toqu%C3%A9!/@45.502948,-73.5633926,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x4cc91a5a5bcf3cf9:0xbc597e7aa83a3a3!8m2!3d45.502948!4d-73.561204) * Long-considered one of Montreal’s finest restaurants * Very expensive, but very, very good. **Fung Shing**, [1102 Boul. St Laurent](https://maps.google.com/?q=1102+Boul.+St+Laurent&entry=gmail&source=g) * Chinese restaurant "hole in the wall" * we love the treasure bean curd, hot and sour soup, and crispy chicken (1/2 can be ordered) **Larrys**,[ 9 Fairmount Ave Est](https://maps.google.com/?q=9+Fairmount+Ave+Est&entry=gmail&source=g) * Nice little cafe/bar in the plateau that serves great food **Rotisseri Romados**, [115 rue Rachel Est](https://maps.google.com/?q=115+rue+Rachel+Est&entry=gmail&source=g) * The plateau is full of Portuguese restaurants, especially chicken places. This is the best one * Very cheap, fast service **Patati Patata**, [4177 Boul St-Laurent](https://maps.google.com/?q=4177+Boul+St-Laurent&entry=gmail&source=g) * Cheap & delicious tiny hole-in-the-wall that serves traditional quebec junk food. Expect to wait in line during peak hours **Ganadera**, [1862 de Maisonneuve Ouest](https://maps.google.com/?q=1862+de+Maisonneuve+Ouest&entry=gmail&source=g) * Korean restaurant in the Concordia University area. Cheap and really good. **Antep Kebab**, [1626 de Maisonneuve Ouest](https://maps.google.com/?q=1626+de+Maisonneuve+Ouest&entry=gmail&source=g) * Quick, cheap & good Turkish sandwich shop in the Concordia/Guy metro area. **Nulifar**, [1923 Ste-Catherine Ouest](https://maps.google.com/?q=1923+Ste-Catherine+Ouest&entry=gmail&source=g) * Another quick, cheap & delicious Guy/Concordia area option. Lebanese food. **My Cahn**, [1086 Boul St. Laurent](https://maps.google.com/?q=1086+Boul+St.+Laurent&entry=gmail&source=g) * Fantastic Pho place in chinatown **The Main**, [3864 Boul. St. Laurent](https://maps.google.com/?q=3864+Boul.+St.+Laurent&entry=gmail&source=g) * A Montreal cultural experience! * Taste the famous Montreal smoked meat (in sandwich form or on its own) at Schwartz's (the famous and tourist-filled one) or The Main (the less famous but equally delicious one with no line) * Get a Medium smoked meat sandwich (medium refers to the amount of fattiness) * $10-15CAD/dish **Schwartz's**, [3895 Boul. St. Laurent](https://maps.google.com/?q=3895+Boul.+St.+Laurent&entry=gmail&source=g) * This is a tourist stop and a fantastic smoked meat deli but our family prefers The Main which is across the street. **Joe Beef**, [2491 rue Notre Dame Ouest](https://maps.google.com/?q=2491+rue+Notre+Dame+Ouest&entry=gmail&source=g), 514-935-6504 * Located in "Little Burgundy", this restaurant serves wonderful food, it has broad acclaim but it is rather pricey. You will need reservations. **Qing Hua**, [1676 Ave Lincoln](https://maps.google.com/?q=1676+Ave+Lincoln&entry=gmail&source=g) * Chinese soup dumplings place located downtown, a good choice for tasty, cheap meal **Yokato Yokabai Ramen**, [4185 Drolet](https://www.google.com/maps/place/Yokato+Yokabai+Ramen/@45.5212477,-73.5807153,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x4cc91bcdce6fef43:0xb9d59a5426dbb271!8m2!3d45.5212477!4d-73.5785266) * Great ramen place in the plateau. Karaage chicken is also delicious * $11-15CAD for a giant bowl of warm, comforting deliciousness **Le Quartier Général**, [1251 rue Gilford](https://maps.google.com/?q=1251+rue+Gilford&entry=gmail&source=g) * Area sourced food Québécois cuisine. Good, but not cheap--medium to expensive. **Desserts / Cafés**: **Juliette & Chocolat,** [3600 Boul. St Laurent](https://maps.google.com/?q=3600+Boul.+St+Laurent&entry=gmail&source=g), and other locations I love this place, there are several locations in Montreal and, if you're in the mood for a dessert, this is a great choice. **Cacao 70**, [2087 Sainte-Catherine Ouest](https://maps.google.com/?q=2087+Sainte-Catherine+Ouest&entry=gmail&source=g) This has a warm, rustic urban café ambiance, the desserts are amazing tasting and amazing looking. I would definitely encourage you to stop here. It is downtown near the Guy metro area. **Crew Collective**, [360 St Jacques St](https://goo.gl/maps/3gsqUpEpcrS2) Incredible cafe + coworking space in a repurposed 19th century bank [preview](https://www.google.ca/search?q=crew+collective+%26+caf%C3%A9+montreal+qc&safe=off&client=ubuntu&hs=8ku&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwju7J-iy9vaAhVIwlkKHRXQC3AQ_AUICygC&biw=1797&bih=1009). Gorgeous setting, good coffee, good wifi, excellent place to catch up on email or do a few commits. **Humble Lion**, [904 Sherbrooke W](https://goo.gl/maps/GGVwPZXjLnC2) Great coffee, good quality produces, nice atmosphere **Bagels**: Many Montrealers believe that their bagels are superior to NY bagels. They are very different (denser and sweeter) and I recommend you try them fresh out of the oven with sesame seeds. * Don't expect to eat them piled high with toppings, like its NY cousin. The Montreal Bagel is a different beast altogether * Best eaten straight out of the bag, just as they are. Toasted with a little butter or cream cheese and lox is acceptable for day-olds * Freeze the extras for future nomming * 1 dozen for $7 There are basically two places near each other that compete for the "best Montreal bagel" crown: **Fairmount Bagels**, [74 Ave Fairmount Ouest](https://maps.google.com/?q=74+Ave+Fairmount+Ouest&entry=gmail&source=g), open 24 hours **St-Viateur**, [263 rue St-Viateur](https://maps.google.com/?q=St-Viateur,+263+rue+St-Viateur&entry=gmail&source=g), open 24 hours **Markets**: **Marché Jean Talon**, [7070 Ave Henri Julien](https://maps.google.com/?q=7070+Ave+Henri+Julien&entry=gmail&source=g) * This is a large open air market where you'll find meats, vegetables, fruit, maple syrup, cheeses etc. **Marché Atwater**, [138 Atwater Ave](https://maps.google.com/?q=138+Atwater+Ave&entry=gmail&source=g) * This is similar to the Jean-Talon Market, but at the opposite end of the city. ## Wine bars **Le Vin Papillon**, [2519 rue Notre Dame Ouest](https://maps.google.com/?q=2519+rue+Notre+Dame+Ouest&entry=gmail&source=g) * Same owner as Joe Beef, and also somewhat pricey. Just down the street. **La Buvette chez Simone** [4859 Parc Ave](https://goo.gl/maps/EiAVv22Xu5B2) * Great atmosphere * Can get very busy **Pullman** [3424 Park Ave](https://goo.gl/maps/QfUrNrydKhv) * pricy but good ambiance, staff and tapas **Philemon** [111 St Paul W](https://goo.gl/maps/xuYeh6jHZnm) * in beautiful old montreal **Furco** [425 Mayor Street](https://goo.gl/maps/TNmS12vRx6A2) * popular spot for yuppies ## Breweries/Craft Beers **Dieu Du Ciel**, [29 Laurier Avenue](https://maps.google.com/?q=29+Laurier+Avenue&entry=gmail&source=g) * A must for micro-brew-lovers -- delicious seasonal beers in a homey pub atmosphere. * Considered one of the best breweries in the world, they often experiment with recipes and test them out here at their home bar, so you can try things that aren’t available anywhere else in the world! * Their *Moralité* IPA, *Aphrodisiaque* black ale, and *Péché Mortel* (Mortal Sin) stout are all rated 100 on ratebeer, and plus the names are super cool! * The food isn’t great. The beer is the star. **Isle de Garde**, [1039 rue Beaubien Est](https://maps.google.com/?q=1039+rue+Beaubien+Est&entry=gmail&source=g) **Réservoir**, [9 Ave Duluth Est](https://maps.google.com/?q=9+Ave+Duluth+Est&entry=gmail&source=g) * Also serves good vegetarian food **Cheval Blanc**, [809 Ontario Est](https://maps.google.com/?q=809+Ontario+Est&entry=gmail&source=g) **Vices & Versa**, [6631 Boul. St Laurent](https://maps.google.com/?q=6631+Boul.+St+Laurent&entry=gmail&source=g) * Great selection of Quebec beers and other assorted intrigues (alcoholized Kombucha, etc.) * Very nice "classy neighborhood bar" ambiance, with an adorable terrace * Food is solid but not spectacular, around $10-15CAD/dish **Le Saint-Brock,** [1749 rue St-Denis](https://maps.google.com/?q=1749%C2%A0rue+St-Denis&entry=gmail&source=g) * Massive selection of interesting beer (I think they have 50 on tap any given night, plus their "Bible" of bottles) * Mix of their own brews, other Quebec beers and imports * Pints around $8-9CAD ## Music Venues **Casa del Popolo**, [4873 St-Laurent](https://www.google.com/maps/place/Casa+Del+Popolo/@45.5221802,-73.5927865,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x4cc91bd44c240de3:0xe8d6ca13549e6984!8m2!3d45.5221802!4d-73.5905978) **La Sala Rossa**, [4848 St-Laurent](https://www.google.com/maps/place/La+Sala+Rosa/@45.5217929,-73.5926361,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x4cc91bd4455f2071:0xb19690d07af4abc0!8m2!3d45.5217929!4d-73.5904473) **La Vitriola,** [4602 St-Laurent](https://www.google.com/maps/place/La+Vitrola/@45.5209978,-73.5907646,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x4cc91bd47e3aa8d9:0xd7088c82230ed567!8m2!3d45.5209978!4d-73.5885759) * This set of venues owned by the same family * They all offer pay-to-enter shows and are popular with Montreal's indie music hipsters. * [set list for all three](https://www.lfttckt.com/en/calendar/casa-del-popolo) **Diese Onze (Bar/Live Jazz),** [4115 Rue St Denis](https://maps.google.com/?q=4115+Rue+St+Denis&entry=gmail&source=g) * Super cool jazz venue tucked into a basement on the Plateau * Watch the best MTL jazz musicians try to impress each other during jam sessions * [set list](http://www.dieseonze.com/calendrier.php?l=en) **Brutopia (Bar/Brew Pub/Live Music)** [1219 rue Crescent](https://maps.google.com/?q=1219+rue+Crescent&entry=gmail&source=g) * Chill downtown bar with live music almost every night * Young-ish college crowd * Brew their own seasonal beers, which is very hit-and-miss (I believe they have two master brewers, and one of them is good and the other not) * [set list](http://brutopia.net/entertainment) **Upstairs (Bar/Live Jazz),** [1254 rue Mackay](https://maps.google.com/?q=1254+rue+Mackay&entry=gmail&source=g) * Classy and popular downtown jazz venue--look for the upside-down sign * Check online for their schedule of shows/jam sessions * Cover varies, usually around $15; 3 sets/night, later sets are usually cheaper or free * [set list](https://www.upstairsjazz.com/en/calendar.php) **Bar Le Ritz PDB (Music Venue),** [179 rue Jean-Talon](https://maps.google.com/?q=179+rue+Jean-Talon&entry=gmail&source=g) * Famous-ish MTL indie music venue * Quirky atmosphere and often interesting bands * [set list](https://barleritzpdb.com/) **Hurley's**, [1225 rue Crescent](https://www.google.com/maps/place/1225+Rue+Crescent,+Montr%C3%A9al,+QC+H3G+2B1,+Canada/@45.496912,-73.5769446,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x4cc91a69e48e8b41:0x75e365c87d95d529!8m2!3d45.496912!4d-73.5747559) * celtic/folk music on just about any night * Has multiple stages on multiple floors and on busier nights usually has them all in use * [set list](http://www.hurleysirishpub.com/en_entertainment.html) **Bistro a-Jo-Jo**, [1627 St-Denis](https://www.google.com/maps/place/1627+Rue+Saint-Denis,+Montr%C3%A9al,+QC+H2X+3K3,+Canada/@45.515088,-73.5651937,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x4cc91bb3369f5b4b:0x99d6134ee53533a8!8m2!3d45.515088!4d-73.563005) * has hard rock and blues most nights, sometimes a cover to get in. * [set list](https://www.bistroajojo.com/calendrier) ---