Luxury things to do in Montreal
Monarque, two omakase counters and Europea, plus Notre-Dame and Jean-Talon market.
This is Montreal at full throttle: omakase counters, legendary whole-fish lunches, neo-Gothic cathedrals, and wine bars that know what they're doing. The plan moves from the cobblestones of Old Montreal through the Golden Square Mile to the market streets of Little Italy, spending freely and eating seriously the whole way. It suits anyone who wants the city's best addresses without compromise and a hotel that matches.
Day 1: Old Montreal, properly done
Start with a pastry and the basilica, take a long French lunch at Bonaparte, walk the founding site at Pointe-à-Callière, then dinner at Monarque and natural wine at Le Vin Papillon.
- 9:30 AM
Olive et Gourmando
Old Montreal's favourite café: a hot panini or a chocolate brioche with your coffee; queues on weekends.
Map - 10:15 AM
Basilique Notre-Dame
The grandest landmark in Old Montreal, the neo-Gothic basilica is unmissable and a short walk from the café.
Map - 12:30 PM
Restaurant Bonaparte
Old Montreal French classic in a stone townhouse: duck, lamb and a long lunch by the windows.
Map - 2:30 PM
Pointe-à-Callière: Pavillon de l'Ancienne-Douane
Archaeology museum built on the city's founding site, fascinating layers of Montreal history right on the waterfront.
Map - 7:30 PM
Monarque
The Bastien family's grand Old Montreal brasserie: seafood towers, duck and steak in a soaring room.
Map - 9:30 PM
Le Vin Papillon
Joe Beef's wine bar on Notre-Dame: vegetable-first small plates and a natural-leaning list.
Map
Day 2: Golden Square Mile and beyond
Grand art, a storied fine-dining table for lunch, and the city's most elite omakase counter after dark in the Downtown core.
- 9:30 AM
- 10:30 AM
Musée des Beaux-Arts de Montréal
Musée des Beaux-Arts de Montréal, the city's grand art museum, world-class permanent and rotating collections.
Map - 12:30 PM
Restaurant Jérôme Ferrer - Europea
Restaurant Europea, acclaimed French table just steps from the museum; the city's most celebrated lunch address.
Map - 2:30 PM
Square Dorchester
Square Dorchester, beautiful Victorian square a short stroll away; perfect for a digestif walk before the afternoon.
Map - 7:30 PM
Sushi Okeya Kyujiro
Edomae omakase counter: a long run of nigiri served one piece at a time, at fixed seatings.
Map - 9:30 PM
Day 3: Little Italy, Jean-Talon, Nishinokaze
A long whole-fish lunch at Milos, a wander through Jean-Talon's stalls, an omakase dinner at Nishinokaze and a last glass at ALMA.
- 9:30 AM
Café Olimpico
Mile End's Italian espresso bar, family-run since 1970: a cappuccino at the counter with the regulars.
Map - 10:15 AM
- 12:30 PM
estiatorio Milos Montreal
Greek seafood room on Park Avenue: pick your fish from the ice, grilled whole; the lunch set is the deal.
Map - 2:30 PM
Marché Jean Talon
Marché Jean-Talon is Montreal's most famous market, wander the stalls, taste local produce and artisan goods.
Map - 7:30 PM
Sushi Nishinokaze
Small omakase counter where the chef serves nigiri piece by piece; reserve well ahead.
Map - 9:45 PM
ALMA
Outremont wine bar with Catalan small plates and a deep natural list, good for a last glass.
Map
Where to stay
Four Seasons Hotel Montreal
The Four Seasons sits squarely in the Golden Square Mile, perfectly centred between all three days and a natural match for this level of trip.
Vogue Hotel Montreal Downtown, Curio Collection by Hilton
Vogue Hotel is a polished Downtown address steps from Day 2's lunch and dinner, with the kind of bar worth returning to at night.
Make Montreal your trip
Swearby drafts the days from places people swear by. Swap any stop, then invite the crew by text, even friends without the app. Vote on dates, track costs as you go, and everyone gets one number at the end.
Get Swearby on the App StoreBefore you go
Book ahead
- Notre-Dame Basilica of Montreal: weeks ahead
- Biodôme de Montréal: a few days ahead
- Bota Bota spa-sur-l'eau: a few days ahead
- Bell Centre: weeks ahead
- Club de golf de l'Île de Montréal: a few days ahead
- Rafting Montréal: a few days ahead
Skip these
- Old Montreal square-front restaurants on Place Jacques-Cartier, where you pay for the square, not the cooking.
- La Grande Roue Ferris wheel, a fine view you get better and free from Kondiaronk and the Oratory.
- The Underground City as an attraction. Walk it for function, not a sightseeing morning.
- Chain or airport poutine. The real dish needs squeaky curds from a casse-croute, diner or poutinerie.
The full Montreal travel guide: when to go, safety, getting around