Summer in Montreal

Explore the city on two-wheels: Montreal gives Copenhagen and Amsterdam a run for their money in terms of bikeability. The city has protected bike lanes on nearly every street, as well as designated bike paths everywhere. The most efficient and fun way to get around during the warm months is by grabbing one of the city bikes. Download the Bixi app for the best experience.

Walk, bike, or run along the canal: Montreal is situated on an island, with a canal running through it. Along both sides of this canal is a lovely path reserved for pedestrians and cyclists, and you’ll see all the locals taking advantage all summer long. There are also grassy spots for a picnic, as well as cafes and bars all along this path.

Check out the trendy neighborhoods: Check out the vintage shops, cafes, and pedestrian-only streets of Plateau Mont-Royal and Mile End. Enjoy a night out in Little Burgundy, hitting up French restaurants, wine bars, and world-renowned cocktail bars. Or try Wellington Street, named the “world’s coolest street” by TimeOut in 2022 for its pedestrian-only design filled with unique shops and restaurants.

Trek up to Mount Royal: Montreal’s Central Park is hard to miss, as it’s situated on top of a hill overlooking the city. Fun fact—it was actually designed by the same man who designed NYC’s Central Park, Frederick Law Olmsted. Its trails are a great place for a hike or a challenging run, with rewarding views at the top.

Attend one of the city’s many summer events: There is always something going on in Montreal in the summer. From street food festivals at Peel Basin, to music festivals on St. Helen’s Island, and even F1 races and tennis tournaments. These events are where you’ll find the locals all summer long, taking advantage of their vibrant city.

Coffee shops

The most beautiful (and crowded) cafe in the city is Crew Collective & Cafe, located in the old Royal Bank Building. Cafe Paquebot has a few locations around the city, and in the summer they serve an excellent cold brew lemonade on tap. Cass Cafe in Plateau Mont-Royal and Pastel Rita in Mile End are trendy and aesthetic spots with excellent drinks as well.

Bagels

New Yorkers will come for me, but I have to say that the bagels I had in Montreal were better than any I’ve had in NYC. Montreal-style bagels are a distinct type of bagel—thinner, boiled in honey-sweetened water, and cooked in a wood-fired oven. They are perfectly crispy on the outside and chewy on the inside. A classic place to try these is St-Viateur Bagel. The original location is in Mile End, but there are a few others around the city.

Dinner

Le Vin Papillon is a cute French restaurant & wine bar with excellent small plates and a seasonal specials menu—the perfect spot for a date night. Try Elena for pizza and other Italian dishes. And Les Street Monkeys is a fun spot to try Cambodian fusion food.

Drinks

Messorem is a brewery with excellent beer and the coolest outdoor seating area. Atwater Cocktail Club is a famous speakeasy with inventive and beautifully presented cocktails, and it’s definitely worth a visit. Check out Le Bar Baby as well, which turns into a dancing spot later at night. And if you need a late night snack after, hit up Greenspot Restaurant for poutine.