Montreal Playbook

Perry often curates this list for friends, collaborators, and visiting professionals. Think of it as your tactical guide to the city.

Category

Time of Day

Neighborhood

Group Size

Eat

Diolo Traiteur

Senegalese catering spot and restaurant known for hearty thieboudienne and grilled meats.

Jean-Talon-Ouest

Any

Any appropriate

232 A Rue Jean-Talon-Ouest Montréal, QC H2R 2X5

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Eat

Chez Khady

Authentic Senegalese restaurant offering traditional dishes in a cozy, informal space.

Saint-Laurent

Any

Any appropriate

850 decarie, Saint-Laurent, QC, Canada, Quebec

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Eat

Restaurant Akwaba

Ivory Coast–inspired menu with attiéké, grilled tilapia, and peanut stews in a warm setting.

rue Bélanger

Dinner

Any appropriate

4541, rue Bélanger, Montréal, QC

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Eat

Hot Africa

Vibrant African eatery with spicy stews, grilled meats, and Nigerian specialties.

Queen Mary Rd

Any

Any appropriate

4959 Queen Mary Rd, Montreal, Quebec H3W 1X4

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Eat

Le Bled

North African grill and shawarma joint known for generous platters and casual street food style.

Saint-Denis

Evening

Any appropriate

2112 Rue Saint-Denis, Montréal, QC H2X 3K9

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Eat

Marché Tropico-Leo

West African grocery and takeout with home-style dishes like jollof rice and grilled chicken.

Rue Fleury O

Lunch

Any appropriate

400 Rue Fleury O, Montréal, QC H3L 1V7

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Eat

Le Petit Sénégalais

Senegalese comfort food in a modest space, great for trying mafé and grilled lamb.

Chem. Queen Mary

Lunch

Any appropriate

5176 Chem. Queen Mary, Montréal, QC H3W 1X5

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Eat

Le goût des îles

Caribbean-Afro fusion featuring griot, fried plantains, and rich sauces inspired by Guadeloupe and Haiti.

chemin Queen Mary

Evening

Family, Friends appropriate

4968A chemin Queen Mary, Montreal, Quebec H3W1X2

Check them out

Eat

Poutine at La Banquise

Classic Quebecois dish with fries, cheese curds, and gravy. La Banquise is open 24/7.

Rue Rachel El

Any

Any appropriate

994 Rue Rachel E, Montréal, QC H2J 2J3

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Eat

Beaver Tails in Old Port

Iconic Canadian fried dough pastry with various sweet toppings.

Old Montreal

Day

Any appropriate

123 Rue de la Commune E, Montréal, QC H2Y 1J1

Check them out

Eat

Schwartz's Deli

Home of the original Montreal smoked meat sandwich. Legendary Jewish deli since 1928.

St Laurent Blvd

Any

Any appropriate

3895 St Laurent Blvd, Montreal, QC H2W 1X9

Check them out

Eat

St-Viateur Bagel

Famous for hand-rolled, wood-fired bagels. A Montreal institution.

Saint-Viateur O

Morning

Any appropriate

Various locations (263 Rue Saint-Viateur O, Montréal, QC H2V 1Y1)

Check them out

Eat

Rockaberry Café

Local chain known for its rich, handmade cheesecakes. Great dessert stop.

Various

Afternoon

Any appropriate

Various locations (1380 Rue Notre-Dame Ouest, Montreal)

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Eat

Orange Julep

Retro-style fast food stand famous for its creamy orange drink and roadside appeal.

Côte-des-Neiges–Notre-Dame-de-Grâce

Any

Any appropriate

7700 Boul. Décarie, Montréal, QC H4P 2H4

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See

Old Port of Montreal

Historic district along the St. Lawrence River. Cobblestone streets, scenic views, shops, and cafes.

Old Montreal

Day

Any appropriate

Old Port of Montreal, Montreal, QC

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See

Notre-Dame Basilica

A stunning example of Gothic Revival architecture with intricate interiors and vibrant stained glass.

Old Montreal

Any

Any appropriate

110 Notre-Dame St W, Montreal, QC H2Y 1T1

Check them out

See

Mount Royal Park

Large city park designed by Frederick Law Olmsted. Panoramic views from the summit lookout.

Plateau / Mont-Royal

Morning

Any appropriate

1260 Remembrance Rd, Montreal, QC H3H 1A2

Check them out

See

Leonard Cohen Mural

Towering mural tribute to Leonard Cohen, located on the side of a downtown high-rise.

Downtown

Any

Any appropriate

1420 Crescent St, Montreal, QC

Check them out

See

Lachine Canal Bike Path

Beautiful 13.5km canal-side bike path with historic locks, greenery, and riverfront views.

Southwest Borough

Morning

Any appropriate

Canal de Lachine, Montreal, QC

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Watch

Old Montreal Walking Tour (YouTube)

High-quality 4K walking tour through Old Montreal with captions. A great way to preview the area.

Old Montreal

Any

Any appropriate

Online

Check them out

See

Olympic Stadium

Olympic Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium in Montreal, Canada, located at Olympic Park in the Hochelaga-Maisonneuve district of the city.

Pierre-de Coubertin Ave

Any

Any appropriate

4545 Pierre-de Coubertin Ave, Montreal, Quebec

Check them out

See

Biodome

The Montreal Biodome is a museum of enclosed ecosystems located at Olympic Park in the Mercier–Hochelaga-Maisonneuve borough of Montreal, Quebec, Canada, that allows visitors to walk through replicas of four ecosystems found in the Americas

Pierre-de Coubertin Ave

Any

Any appropriate

4777 Pierre-de Coubertin Ave, Montreal, Quebec H1V 1B3

Check them out

Explore

Plateau Mont-Royal

Creative, artsy district with mural-covered alleyways, local boutiques, and cafes. Close to Mount Royal for hikes or sledding.

Plateau

Any

Any appropriate

Plateau Mont-Royal, Montreal, QC

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Explore

Underground City (RESO)

32 km of interconnected underground walkways, shopping centers, and transit hubs. Perfect for winter exploration.

Downtown

Any

Any appropriate

Montreal Eaton Centre

Check them out

Activity

Cirque du Soleil

World-renowned circus arts and street entertainment troupe based in Montreal, known for spectacular performances.

Downtown

Evening

Any appropriate

Various venues in Montreal

Check them out

Activity

La Grande Roue de Montréal

Giant Ferris wheel in the Old Port offering panoramic views of Montreal and the St. Lawrence River.

Old Montreal

Day

Any appropriate

362 Rue de la Commune E, Montréal, QC H2Y 0B4

Check them out

Event

Nuit Blanche Montreal

Annual all-night arts festival featuring interactive installations, performances, and cultural events.

Various

Night

Any appropriate

Multiple locations, Montreal

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Museum

Montreal Museum of Fine Arts (MMFA)

Largest art museum in Canada featuring classical and contemporary art exhibitions and collections.

Westmount

Day

Any appropriate

1380 Sherbrooke St W, Montreal, QC H3G 1J5

Check them out

Museum

Museum of Contemporary Art Montreal

Focuses on contemporary artworks and installations by Canadian and international artists.

Downtown

Day

Any appropriate

Niveau Galerie, Pl. Ville-Marie Local 11220, Montréal, QC H3B 3Y1

Check them out

Exhibition

Oasis Immersive Experience

Canada’s largest indoor immersive video experience with large-scale projections and sensory effects.

Downtown

Any

Any appropriate

301 Rue Saint-Antoine O, Montréal, QC H2Y 0A3

Check them out