I’m officially on summer break! One of the biggest perks of teaching is having time in the summer to recharge. For me, that often means traveling somewhere new. Jax and I kicked off the season with a long weekend in Montréal- we had so much to celebrate since we were there for a friends wedding but were also celebrating Jax passing the first round of his CFA exams and the end of the school year.

Since we were in town for a friend’s wedding we decided to extend our trip a bit to really soak in the city. From great food to charming neighborhoods, we packed in so many memorable moments. Below, I’m sharing all the places we visited- plus a few we didn’t have time for but are definitely on the list for next time. Our local friends gave us the best insider recommendations, and I’m so excited to pass a few of our favorites along to you! We ended up driving from Buffalo which was about a 6 hour ride. I loved the drive through the Thousand Islands and it was great to have a car to explore while we were there.

Where We Stayed

We booked a Sonder in Downtown Montréal, which ended up being a great base for the weekend. Central enough to walk almost anywhere we wanted to go, but just far enough from the busiest areas that it still felt relaxed. The space was clean and modern, and having a little kitchenette was a bonus, even though we mostly ate out. We also loved that they had a well equipped gym, rooftop pool, and a gorgeous sauna with a view. Jax and I loved being able to workout and enjoy the amenities of the space! We stayed at the Maisonneuve Sonder- but there are tons of options throughout the city depending on what you are looking for!

Highlights From Our Trip!

• Dinner at Le Vin Papillon
  This meal really set the bar high. This cozy, unpretentious wine bar serves small plates that are seasonal, inventive, and perfect for sharing. The natural wine list is fantastic, and the back patio has that effortlessly cool Montréal charm. We had the best spicy margs which is a personal favorite of mine and tried a mix of their classics and seasonal dishes! Our server gave us so many fabulous recommendations so we could try all of the best on the menu. Still dreaming of this meal.

• Strolling Through Old Montréal
  On our second morning we wandered the cobblestone streets of Old Montréal, taking in the historic architecture as the city lights started to glow. It’s a classic for a reason—especially beautiful at dusk. Jax is really into history so we had so much fun walking around and learning more about the area.

• Coffee at Le Petit Dep
  A café-meets-general-store with a curated vibe and great coffee. A perfect little stop to fuel up before a full day of exploring. They had delicious coffee, a variety of local provisions, and even sold Jelly Cats! It was a fun spot to browse while we waited for our coffees. We grabbed coffee here before heading out for the day and couldn’t resist the pastries. They were so good, they didn’t even make it out the door with us; we ate them while waiting for our drinks.

• Browsing Atwater Market
  From fresh flowers and produce to tempting baked goods, the market was full of color and local flavor. It’s a must for anyone who enjoys a good wander and snack. We ended up walking here while we waited for a table at Arthurs and picked up some delicious fresh berries to snack on. If we were staying longer I definitely would’ve picked up some ingredients to cook at the apartment we were staying!

• Views from Mount Royal Park
  We made our way up through Mount Royal for stunning city views. We took the drive up since we didn’t have a lot of time to walk, but the park is so beautiful and would definitely be a great place to spend the afternoon.

• Brunch at September Cafe
  September Café blends surf culture and specialty coffee in a bright laidback space. Whether you’re there for a flaky pastry, a creamy latte, or a relaxed brunch, it’s a warm, inviting spot. The chai I had here was absolutely perfect and we loved everything we ordered for brunch.

• Brunch at Arthur’s Nosh Bar
  Hands down one of the best breakfasts we’ve ever had. It’s a lively, modern spot with Jewish deli influences—Arthur’s delivered big on flavor. The latkes and pancakes were standouts, and the atmosphere was buzzing in the best way. Jax ended up getting Le Grand Slam with some of the crunchiest fried chicken ever. They also sell a cookbook that I definitely want to order so I can recreate some of their dishes at home!

• Bagels from Solomos
  We couldn’t leave without grabbing some Montréal bagels. Solomos was low-key, no-frills, and absolutely perfect. It made for the perfect stop after a late night out to fuel up for our road trip home!

• Other Spots on Our List!
  We packed in as much as we could in a few days but here are a few other spots on our list for the next time we visit:
  • Botanical Garden visit
  • Bike along the Lachine Canal
  • Saint Joseph’s Oratory of Mount Royal
  • Les Faiseurs for a pottery class
  • Breakfast Spots: Cafe Ferlucci, Crew Collective & Cafe, Fanfare
  • Lunch Spots: Snowden Deli, Lemeac, Orange Julep, Chez Tousignant
  • Dinner spots: Le Violon, Liverpool House, Joe Beef, Elena, Damas, Mano Cornuto, Parc

We absolutely loved our stay and already can’t wait to go back!