"L'Express, on rue St-Denis in the Plateau Mont-Royal neighborhood, opened in 1980 and has about it the air of a beloved institution. Indeed, with its timeless style, it feels even older than it is. This popular spot serves classic renditions of bistro fare—steak tartare, bone marrow, onion soup—into the early morning hours (2 a.m. except for Sundays, when it closes at 1 a.m.). When the kitchen ventures into new territory, the results are impressive. The spaghetti with mushrooms is unconventional in its presentation (topped with a healthy serving of arugula)—one of those dishes you try on the road and then want to re-create at home. Reservations recommended."

"The Best View of Montreal Not unlike the Eiffel Tower in Paris or the Empire State Building in NYC, the Mont Royal acts as a natural landmark for orientation-challenged travelers. The "mountain" (some would call it a big hill) overlooks the entire city and offers unparalleled panoramas of downtown and the Eastern Townships south of the city. The entire mountain is actually a city park, with many things to do besides admiring the view: tam-tam jams, bird watching, cycling, forest treks—and even skiing, snowshoeing, ice skating, and sledding in the winter. Brownie points if you make it to the Kodiaronk lookout at dawn, in time to see the sun rise behind the skyscrapers."

"Despite the rather audacious dual claim of frozen custard and Italian pizza specialties, Gema Pizzeria succeeds in pleasing all critics, thanks to refined, traditional, and extremely tasty fare, which is mostly made from produce bought at nearby Jean-Talon Market. Because of the pizzeria's location in Montreal 's Little Italy , it would not be wise to make false Italian food claims, and luckily, Gema Pizzeria is authentic. The decor, undertstated yet upscale, is welcome in the otherwise kitschy area. The Impasto pizza has become the menu favorite, but you can't really go wrong. But keep some room for dessert: You don't want to miss out on homemade frozen custard."

"The Ultimate Foodie Experience The whole province of Quebec takes its agriculture very seriously, and consequently you can find some incredibly fresh, tasty products. The vendors at Atwater Market are passionate about what they sell, and they are more than happy to talk all things food. From sweet and tangy strawberries to ice wines, cheeses, and maple creations, the Atwater Market leaves very few unimpressed. A true staple of the Montreal culinary scene, this is a must for all foodies."

"Urban Kayaking in Montreal The trend of urban kayaking has not escaped Montreal . Living on an island, Montrealers appreciate new ways to get out of the city—in this case via the beautiful and serene Lachine canal, just a stone's throw from the core of downtown. Head to H2O adventure for an afternoon of fun and discovery along the historic waterway, whose history goes back to the late 17th century. Few things beat paddling down the canal on a sunny day before stopping at the Atwater market to grab farm-fresh picnic goods. Indeed, a glorious way to enjoy what Montreal has to offer!"

"You might not think that Canadian history is a topic that would sustain your interest for too long, but a visit to the McCord Museum will likely change that preconception. With a tagline of "Our People, Our Stories," the museum is committed to covering the various communities of Canada , and especially the city of Montréal, in all their diversity. Temporary exhibitions focus on the art and culture of anglophone, francophone, First Nations, immigrant, and other populations in Canada, usually from specific points of view, say, late 19th-century Canadian circus posters or a photographer who captured the 1960s art scene in Montréal. A permanent exhibit, "Wearing Our Identity," includes both traditional and contemporary First Nations costumes. The museum is decidedly kid-friendly, with special events as well as souvenir backpacks and "game cards" designed to bring the exhibitions to life as young visitors search for animals, geometric shapes, and other clues in the works on display."

"In Anticipation of Poutine My everyday diet goes off the rails when I visit Montreal . This is my favorite food town in the world, and I often begin an adventure with a visit to Patati Patata. Poutine for breakfast isn't a healthy option, but the beer I drink with it has plenty of organic ingredients, so it's basically a wash. I've made plenty of photographs in this place, but I thought this shot of one of the cooks prepping a takeout box perfectly captures the atmosphere; there's nothing quite like waiting for that first bite. Don't be put off by the lines; this diner is a Montreal institution, and a joint you can't miss. But I do suggest you punch a new hole or two into your belt."

"Notre-Dame Basilica of Montréal A church—or, at least, a small chapel—has stood on the site of the Basilica of Notre-Dame since shortly after Ville-Marie (Montréal's predecessor) was founded in 1642. The current building, however, dates to 1829 and was constructed in a soaring Gothic Revival style. At the time, that aesthetic choice raised some eyebrows—Gothic designs were associated more with Protestant churches than Roman Catholic ones. (Perhaps the fact that the architect was an Irish-American Protestant didn't help the situation.) Whatever initial resistance there was evaporated in the face of the beauty of the completed building. In the decades that followed, Gothic became the popular choice for churches in Canada of every denomination in large part because of Montréal's basilica. In the 1870s, in what was perhaps a case of gilding the lily, the basilica became even more stunning when its interiors were painted in bright colors to resemble Paris 's Ste-Chapelle."

"Line 'Em Up, Knock 'Em Down, Eh I never pass up an opportunity to sample fresh concoctions at my favorite Montreal brewpub. The atmosphere is lively, the servers extremely knowledgeable, and the snackables extraordinary. I'm a huge fan of Peche Mortel (Imperial Coffee Stout), Half-Light (Black IPA), Last Will (Belgian IPA), Summer Solstice (Sour Wheat), and anything with maple syrup. I may or may not have tried to buy a share in a stool at the bar, but I wasn't allowed. Le sigh."

"Hang Out With the Locals in a Park If you only have a day in the city, go to Mont-Royal park for the views. But if you have more time, I strongly suggest you also visit Laurier Park, just a stone throw's from Laurier metro station. It's the park Montrealers enjoy the most. Mature trees, beautiful architecture in the surrounding streets and tons of take-away restaurants nearby (not to mention free wifi) make this park incredibly popular from early March to late November, from the first to the last rays of warm sunlight. It really is a great place for a picnic, for a tanning session or even an impromptu volleyball game."

"Champagne Bar? Count Me In. Rustic elegance is the order of the day at La Champagnerie, a champagne-only bar in Old Montreal . Between the delicious cocktails, heaven-sent food, and exposed brick walls of this historic building, the drinking experience will be memorable. The menu features over 50 different brands of bubbly (including real champagne, cava, and prosecco) and a very entertaining sabering act, as well as brie poutine and oysters. Contrary to popular belief, la Champagnerie isn't that expensive. Yes, there is the odd $500+ bottle, but visitors can easily enjoy a meal and a cocktail or two without needing to remortgage their house. A very nice way to spend an evening, if you ask me—champagne, Old Montreal, and good music. Santé!"

"Mix with the Cool Crowd in Outremont What started out as a crazy musing during a family dinner has turned out, surprisingly, to be one of Montreal 's most appreciated establishments. Indeed, when Francine Brûlé mentioned that she was thinking of taking on a new project, nobody could predict the huge success Les Enfants Terribles would be become—not even her. And yet, with the help of chef Guillaume Daly and partner Serge Bruneau, this Outremont eatery is now a frequent hideout for the cool, hip, urban youngsters of Montreal. It's a place where people go to see and be seen, but most importantly, to have a good time. Les Enfants Terribles revisits the classics of French cuisine, all while crafting innovative dishes with a festive, flavorful, and unorthodox touch. For example? Chorizo corndogs, gouda mac'n'cheese, shepherd's pie with truffle oil, and a coco pana cotta. I have visited this restaurant many, many times and not once was I disappointed."

"Turkish Café Goodness in Le Plateau What makes Réplika stand out from the rapidly growing Montreal indie coffee-shop scene is that it offers all things Turkish. People come here not only to gorge on Turkish goodness, but also to enjoy the plentiful sun, the ample seating space, the sincere smiles of the owners Ceren and Ozan, the expertly mismatched furniture, and the laid-back vibe—studious on a Tuesday morning or relaxed on a Saturday afternoon. People like me go for, yes, the reasons listed above, but more specifically for the pastries. While I have yet to set food in Turkey, I am already in love with the flavors of the country, which I discovered thanks to Réplika. Simit sandwich, tahini rolls, lahmacun, poachas, böreks, and Ayran Ashi are now part of my culinary vocabulary, and I couldn't be more thankful."

"Iconic Boutique in the Mile End With local brands like Barilà, Betina Lou, Uranium and Eve Gravel, Unicorn is probably the one-stop shop for all things Montreal designers. The shop itself, cleverly located on Montreal 's biggest shopping street and in the heart of hipster, artsy Mile End district -- that sometimes feels more like Brooklyn than Montreal --, is a work of art and immediately makes shoppers feel at ease. The owners, Amélie and Mélanie, created a unique minimalist atmosphere where their passion for clothes truly prevails, and where their own individual style perfectly mix. The store recently celebrated its 5-year anniversary, and luckily for us fashionistas, the adventure is nowhere near over. Here's to 5 more years of wonderful shopping!"

"Winter Sports with a View in Old-Montreal Whether boasting full-on winters is actually a curse or a blessing remains to be seen; but whenever a snowstorm hits and cover the city in a fresh layer of snow, one can hardly feel anything else than sheer excitement, especially in Old- Montreal . The Bonsecours Quay are not only iconic year-round, but also quite festive in the colder months thanks to a popular and entertaining ice-skating rink. For just $6, skaters can relish the view of downtown Montreal and the Old-Port, especially the historic Bonsecours Market, while enjoying the music and the colorful lighting, in a truly unique urban ambiance. Each night has a different theme (including Classical Mondays and Retro Fridays) and thus, from November to March."

"When Bouillon Bilk first opened in 2011, Montréal's restaurant critics were intrigued. The chef, François Nadon, had worked at several of the city's top restaurants but was largely unknown, and the restaurant was located on an undistinguished stretch of boulevard St-Laurent. But it soon became both a critical and popular favorite. The contemporary, minimal space is decidedly unstuffy compared with many of Montréal's leading restaurants. Similarly, the menu may be gourmet but it's also daring, with ingredients and preparations from Asia complementing French dishes and techniques. You can start with Japanese yellowtail, move on to a pasta dish, and end with a selection of Québecois cheeses, if you choose. There are also fresh oysters on the menu at both lunch and dinner."

"High Notes In 2011, the Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal, founded in 1934, held its first concert in its new home, La Maison Symphonique de Montréal. The soaring building of glass and beech was designed by architect Jack Diamond and is now an anchor of the Place des Arts, the cultural heart of the city. Since Kent Nagano became the musical director in 2006, following his success in Germany , the symphony has become one of the most closely followed classical institutions in North America. While most of the symphony’s 100 or so concerts each year are held at the Maison, visitors to Montréal can also see them at the Notre-Dame Basilica and at outdoor concerts in the city’s parks in warmer months. Sponsored by Tourisme Montréal"

"It's Like Riding a Bike The Bixi isn’t just any bike-sharing system: it’s the very first one to have ever existed, and has since been implemented in a number of cities around the world over the last few years, including New York, London and Paris. Pick any one of the 411 docking stations located in central Montreal and go explore Plateau Mont-Royal, Canal Lachine and Rosemont-Petite-Patrie with a brand new perspective. These areas are ideal for this type of active outing, thanks to their typically-Montreal architecture (tree-lined streets and colorful, twirling staircases), locals-only atmosphere, and flat landscape. Visitors who would rather go cycle with a group can opt for a guided tour around Montreal with operators like Ça roule Montréal and Fitz & Follwell."

"Drawn & Quarterly, Montreal Possibly the most important and influential publishers of graphic novels in the last 20 years, Drawn & Quarterly has a must-visit shop in the cool Mile End neighborhood. It sells work from the extensive D&Q catalog (which includes Joe Sacco, Lynda Barry, and Adrian Tomine) and from other publishers. Check out 184 Rue Beaubien by local graphic artist Cyril Doisneau."

"Joe Beef This Little Burgundy mainstay is the headquarters of chefs David McMillan and Frédéric Morin, the acclaimed and enterprising minds behind an evolving blackboard menu that has been known to feature smoked meat croquettes, house-cured ham with truffles, lobster spaghetti and horse meat steaks. The duo is known to do absolutely everything in-house, even brew their own beer and distil their own absinthe. Stroll down Rue Notre-Dame, past their other restaurant, Liverpool House, to the nearby Lachine Canal after an evening at this inviting space with vintage wooden chairs, leather banquettes and a permanent air of celebration."