They say Montreal is a little piece of Europe in North America - and we can see why, the cobblestone streets and adorable houses are incredibly quaint. You’d be forgiven for thinking that you’re walking the streets of Paris, with French being the main language spoken in the city along the banks of the Saint Lawrence river.

Montreal’s charming beauty’s flipside is a grittiness and rough edge you could experience in New York City. Truly the best of both worlds, this city will have you saying “je t’aime” before you even know it.

Here are some of our favorite spots in Quebec’s biggest city:

Notre Dame Basilica of Montreal This jewel of neo-gothic architecture and icon of the city is worth a detour. designed by architect James O'Donnell. Beginning in 1824, work on the rebuilt Notre-Dame Church—now known as the Basilica—was finished in 1829, and on July 15, 1829, it was dedicated. Fun fact, the structure, which can hold 8,000 to 10,000 attendees, is still the biggest church in North America.

Montreal’s food scene could well be Canada’s best! Obviously, you have to try Poutine, this most authentic cure for after a boozy night out will have you coming back for me. There’s an abundance of fancier food around (see next chapter), but a trip to Montreal without having poutine at least once just doesn’t make sense! They say the best one around is at Chez Ma Tante (my aunt’s place) but that’s a debate for the locals we don’t want to get in the middle of!

Île Flottante  If you want to taste French food with a Quebecois twist, this is your chance. Do not leave without tasting the stunning range of amuse bouches and duck ravioli. For dessert, we highly recommend the chocolat frappé, yep it’s as tasty as it sounds folks!

Cloakroom Bar Hidden upstairs beside a bespoke Men's store is a wooden paneled wall that opens to reveal this small yet uber cool bar. Opened in 2015, it has established a reputation for expertly made cocktails combining premium spirits with the know-how of award-winning bartenders. You’ll feel as though you’ve discovered somewhere top-secret, one of those places you only hear about in travel blogs, but you’re one of the lucky ones who gets to enjoy it!

Hotel Épik Honestly, sometimes having only 10 guest rooms just seems to put a sharper emphasis on service and well, a warm welcome. Epik Montreal is located in the heart of Old Montreal, adjacent to cutting edge art galleries, quirky stores, and world-class eateries. Historic landmarks, shopping, bustling nightlife, arts and entertainment, and festivals abound - literally on your doorstep! 

Check what your best travel options to get to Montréal are with the shoopit extension!