Local Food

If you are visiting Montréal for the first time, there are three unique foods that you must try. This is an order. First, you must go to La Banquise and stuff your face with poutine. The dish was created in Quebec in the 1950’s but recently has become popular in other Canadian provinces, the US, and France. Poutine is quite simple. It consists of French fries, gravy, and cheese curds. There are now tons of different ways people have played with the traditional poutine from soups to dumplings. If you are in Montréal, however, the best way to enjoy poutine is after a night out.

The next morning, head to St. Viateur and try Montréal bagels. There will always be a debate among Montréal and New York residents over who has the best bagels (Montréal obviously…) There’s nothing like getting a fresh baker’s dozen, a container of cream cheese, and munching on the bagels in a park. Have one bite of a Montreal bagel and you’ll instantly never be able to have any other bagel. I believe Montréal’s food scene wins hands down here.

Finally, on our local food tour, you have to go to Schwartz’s and get a smoked meat sandwich. Schwartz’s has been around since 1928 and doesn’t look like business is slowing down anytime soon. Head there early because if you get there late in the afternoon, no matter the time of the year, the line will be down the block and around the corner. The restaurant is not fancy, it just makes incredible smoked meat. A smoked meat sandwich is best enjoyed with a cherry Coke and pickle. Keep that in mind if you want to order like a local. 

Food Festivals

If you come to Montréal in summer, you’ll probably run into some sort of food festival by mistake. It seems like every neighborhood has their own mini food festival at some point during the warmer months. While there are many food festivals to choose from in Montréal’s food scene, there are three that stand out due to how incredible the food is and the amount of variety. The first festival that is worth mentioning is Un Goût des Caraïbes (A Taste Of The Caribbean). This festival celebrates the city’s rich Caribbean influences, people, and food. With music, dancing, drinks, and food, you really can’t go wrong with this one. If you go, you have to try jerk chicken. While it may be a bit spicy, the flavor is amazing! The food at this festival never disappoints.

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Next, another food festival in the Old Port worth mentioning is Montréal’s Rib Fest. The festival takes place August 13th-16th and brings in BBQ restaurants from around North America. Montréal’s food scene is fantastic, but to be honest, its BBQ game is weak so Rib Fest is a welcomed taste of some great barbecue. Most of the participants come from the Southern US so this is the real deal. Besides ribs, many microbrews are on tap to wash down your meal. Throw in some live country music and you swear you might be in Texas…if it weren’t for the French architecture behind you.

The final food festival you can’t miss takes place every first Friday of the month from May to October. The three-year-old festival happens at Olympic Stadium and brings in food trucks from throughout the city. My favorite is a Pho Burrito that is absolutely to die for. Everything is tasty, however, the lines can get long so either come early or later on in the evening (The food trucks are open until 11 PM) If you still have room left for dessert, try the strawberry sorbet from Monsieur Crémeux. It’s to DIE for!

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Ethnic Food

Last, but certainly not least, are the ethnic options of Montréal’s food scene. As mentioned before, Montréal is a melting pot of different cultures. Due to immigration, diversity, and representation of all French-speaking countries in Montréal, the city has developed a delicious and interesting food scene. It’s not uncommon to see an Afghan restaurant next to a Mexican spot that is across the street from some Polish woman serving pierogis out of her front door (this is actually a realistic scenario in Montréal). In my opinion, however, there are two local restaurants that visitors will love.

The first is called La Khaïma. It’s a traditional Moroccan restaurant that is meant to look like a tent in the Sahara Desert. It is highly recommended you get a reservation here since the place fills up every weekend. You must sit on pillows and take off your shoes when you enter the restaurant. When you sit down, you have two options for your full course menu. You pick one or the other and the four-course meal that consists of an appetizer, entree, dessert, and tea is brought out to you. It’s not only a meal but an experience that you won’t soon forget.

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Sticking with the French-speaking country theme, head to Agrikol for some of the best Haitian food in the city (that’s a big statement considering there are 100s of Haitian restaurants in Montréal.) It’s home to some of the best plantains you’ll ever eat and their lamb and rice plate is spectacular. You won’t be disappointed.

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Suggested next reading: 10 Alternative Things That You’ll Love About Montréal

The post How To Eat Your Way Through Montréal Like A Local appeared first on Modern Trekker.

1. Explore Silo #5

Montréal’s industrial roots run deep. That is immediately apparent when you walk around Montréal’s Old Port and notice a giant, rusting structure looming over the district. The huge building is Silo #5. Built in 1903, the silo helped make Montréal the biggest grain port in the world. The building has been left rotting and abandoned since the mid-90’s. While exploring this site is technically forbidden, many sneak into the property to explore the old grain elevators and take amazing pictures of Montréal’s skyline. Go at your own risk, but you will be rewarded tenfold if you succeed!

2. Garden Of Lights

Every fall during September and October, the Montréal Botanical Gardens host the Gardens Of Lights Festival. Walk through three different types of gardens, Chinese, Japanese, First Nations, and watch the bright colors light up the night sky. The festival has come to represent a changing of seasons in Montréal from summer to fall and is especially popular among families. Each weekend is a different theme so be sure to check the festival schedule before visiting.

3. First Fridays Food Truck Festival

Garden Of Lights may signal fall, but First Fridays Food Truck Festival is the beginning of summer. Lasting from May until October, every first Friday of the month over 40 food trucks dish out tasty treats in front of Olympic Stadium. In addition to food trucks, enjoy a beer or wine while listening to live music from local bands. While food trucks have only existed for 5 years in Montréal, the event is incredibly popular with over 20,000 people attending each event.

4. Mont Tremblant Day Trip

It is no secret that Canada has beautiful nature. Montréal and the surrounding region is no exception. One of the most pristine nature areas near Montréal is Mont Tremblant National Park. About a two-hour drive north of the city, Mont Tremblant offers an endless amount of activities from kayaking to hiking to camping. For those looking to have a more laid-back experience, you can take a panoramic gondola that overlooks all of the town and lakes below. If you are looking to escape the hustle of Montréal, visiting Mont Tremblant is a must!

5. Rent A Scooter

Montréal’s public transportation system is one of the best in North America, but the most fun way to see the city is by scooter. Rent one from one of the many shops in the Old Port and drive around the entire island (Montréal is actually an island for those of you that didn’t know!) Be sure to check out the trendy Plateau and Mile End, voted 2018’s coolest neighborhood in the world by How I Travel. If you have time, drive around Pointe St. Charles, one of Montréal’s oldest neighborhoods. You’ll see incredible architecture and see traces of one of North America’s first Irish communities.

6. Catch A Festival

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As the snow melts, days become longer, and everyone has summer on their minds, it’s time to get ready for festival season. From late May to early September, Montréal truly comes alive and puts on a show! Can’t-miss festivals include Mural Festival (a celebration of graffiti and urban art), Grand Prix (the yearly F-1 race weekend), The Montréal International Jazz Festival (One the largest jazz festivals in the world with over 1,000 shows, some of which are free), and last, but not least Just For Laughs (A massive, 2 week long comedy festival that draws visitors from all of the world). There is a festival pretty much every weekend during the summer so be sure to check out the schedule before you arrive to see what’s going on.

7. Walk Around Atwater Market

One of my favorite things about Montréal is the emphasis on local food. That’s why there are four public markets within the city that promote Montréal and Québec grown foods. My favorite market, however, is Atwater Market. It is located on the edge of the Lachine Canal and is the perfect place to walk around and get lost among the different food stalls. In the summer, there is an outdoor food court that hosts various different local restaurants.

8. Watch A Sunrise At Mont Royal

Montréal is named for its small hill overlooking the city. While it once was used for maintaining guard over the city, today Mont Royal is the best place to watch the sunrise. There is no better way to wake up than walking up the hill with a coffee and watching the city slowly come alive.

9. Eat At St. Viateur/ Fairmount

Sure, there is poutine and smoked meat, but Montréal is fiercely proud of their bagels. There are two choices for your bagel needs. You are either team Fairmount or team St. Viateur. You have to choose one and once you choose, you can’t change. Personally, I am on St. Viateur’s team, but I would suggest you try both. Their bagel sandwiches are to die for! Head to one or both institutions on a weekday to beat the rush, because on the weekend it is almost impossible to get a table.

10. Take In The Murals On St. Laurent

Montréal is known for many things, but it has only recently become known for the amount of street art its buildings and walls have. The best place to see street art in Montréal is on Rue St. Laurent, home to the Mural Festival. Take a walk up and down the street to see the newest murals. They are changed every early June as artists from countries near and far are invited to create new works of art.

Suggested next reading: Gaspésie, Québec: A Region You Need To See To Believe

The post 10 Alternative Things That You’ll Love About Montréal appeared first on Modern Trekker.