Best Restaurants Montreal | Travel Bug — Bar George at the Le Mount Stephen Hotel, Montréal, Canada

A Taste of Paris in Canada

Montréal is less than a two-hour drive from our house. Unfortunately for us, we moved to Vermont at the end of 2019, just before the pandemic started and the Canadian border shut down. At the end of 2021, the border reopened, and we’ve been back to Canada quite a few times since. And if you’ve been reading my other guides (like Banff and Newfoundland), you know how much I love Canada.

If you’re craving delicious French food and European-style architecture without the 7-hour flight to Paris, Montréal—specifically Old Montréal—is the next best thing. Whether you’re going for a weekend trip or to spend the night before a flight, this guide will help you plan the perfect getaway.

A Few Things to Note

If you’re driving, be prepared for long wait times at the border, especially on weekends/around holidays. We’ve waited anywhere from 1 minute to an hour on either side. If you’re heading up just for the night, be sure to factor in an extra 30-45 minutes so you’re not late for dinner reservations, etc. Also, Global Entry is not the same as NEXUS! This is a separate program designed to expedite the border crossing process into Canada and the United States that you’ll have to apply for. We saw a couple of cars make the mistake of cutting the line and trying to go through the NEXUS lane, only to be rejected and sent back to the end (which was logistically a nightmare).
We’ve brought our Bernese Mountain Dog Boris with us to Montréal! He’s 75 lbs and there were plenty of dog-friendly hotel options (see the Where to Stay in Montréal section for my recommendation). If you are driving across the border from the US with your pup, be sure you have proof of their up-to-date rabies vaccination from a certified veterinarian (we’ve never been asked to show it, but it’s better to be safe than sorry). Also, if you’re visiting Montréal in the winter, it will likely be snowy and very cold! Protect your pup’s paws by applying Musher’s Wax, Bag Balm, or Pam cooking spray (we find this to be the easiest to use!)
The official language of Montréal is French, but we found that everyone spoke English as well. As a show of respect, do yourself a favor and learn a few French words like hello, goodbye, thank you, etc.

Best Time to Visit Montréal, Canada

Montréal is great to visit year-round. We’ve been in both the summer and winter and there’s plenty to do. Just keep in mind that it’s typically very cold in the winter. Even in December, the temperature difference between northern Vermont and Montréal was significant, despite being less than 100 miles apart. That being said, there are so many great restaurants, concerts, and sporting events to enjoy. Just bundle up!

How to Get to Montréal, Canada

Montréal-Trudeau International Airport (YUL) is located just 20 minutes from downtown Montréal. There are tons of nonstop flights into Montréal from all over the US and Europe. In fact, a lot of our friends fly in and out of Montréal when visiting Europe to secure more affordable direct flights (and parking is easy/affordable too). Once you land in Montréal, there’s no need for a rental car to get around the city (unless you plan to venture out to Mont-Tremblant, etc.).

As I mentioned above, Montréal is less than a two-hour drive from Burlington, VT. If you’re looking to combine your visit to Montréal with a Vermont roadtrip, you can fly in and out of Burlington International Airport (BTV).

Where to Stay in Montréal, Canada

Le Petit Hotel ($$) - This charming boutique hotel is located in the heart of Old Montréal and received a MICHELIN Key two years in a row. Old Montréal is a historic neighborhood right on the St. Lawrence River. Dating back to the 17th century, it features cobblestone streets, charming Parisian cafés, and the Notre-Dame Basilica. Needless to say, you feel like you’re transported to Europe. It’s also home to Bota Bota, an incredible spa on a boat (more on that later)! The staff at Le Petit Hotel staff is incredibly attentive, the lobby has 24/7 coffee drinks and fresh croissants delivered daily, and you’re a 5-minute walk to countless great restaurants and bars. Plus if you book with me (at no cost to you), you’ll score exclusive perks like:
- Upgrade to next room category, based upon availability at check-in
- Guaranteed 2pm late check-out
- Welcome treat in room on arrival
- Complimentary daily breakfast (max 2 guests)

Vogue Hotel Montréal Downtown ($$) - We’ve also stayed at the Vogue Hotel Montréal Downtown, part of Hilton’s Curio Collection. It’s located in the heart of the Golden Square Mile, which is the city’s fashionable culture hub or “Museum Quarter". It features high-end shopping, luxury hotels, world-renowned museums and galleries, and Victorian mansions. The Vogue is also dog-friendly, so it’s Boris-approved! The hotel staff loved Boris (I mean, how could you not?!) and stocked our room with a dog bed, bowls, and cookies. We were also in Montréal celebrating my birthday, and they surprised me with a delicious lemon tart and thoughtful birthday message!

Other recommended Montréal hotels include the Four Seasons Hotel Montréal ($$$$), The Ritz Carlton ($$$$), and Le Mount Stephen Hotel ($$$). We’ve been to the Four Seasons for pre-dinner drinks and had an incredible meal at Le Mount Stephen’s restaurant, Bar George; more on that later! And I can get you exclusive perks at all three hotels, such as:
- Room upgrade on arrival (subject to availability)
- Daily breakfast for two
- $100 hotel credit
- Early check-in/late check-out (subject to availability)
- Just reach out to me to learn more!

Where to Eat & Drink in Montréal

Bar George ($$$) - Bar George is located inside the Le Mount Stephen Hotel, an opulent mansion dating back to 1880 that once belonged to Lord George Stephen. It’s in the heart of the Golden Square Mile, and was just around the corner from where we stayed one time. The bar is stunning and has an incredibly cozy atmosphere, featuring an intricate fireplace and dozens of candles. It’s clearly a popular spot because there was a line to get in! The dining room is beautiful and features intricate wood ceilings, cozy booths, and eclectic fabrics (fairly certain they’re from The Inside, one of my favorite furniture and decor brands). Our meal was incredible. Highlights included a burrata appetizer with a basil sorbet and a to-die-for Beef Wellington. I can’t recommend this restaurant enough! Needless to say, reservations required!

Modavie ($$-$$$) - Modavie is a timeless French bistro in Old Montréal with live music every night from 7-10 and during brunch on the weekends from 11-2. It’s a big space and they have tables in both the bar area and the dining room, so if you want to enjoy the live music, specify a table in the dining room! The Mirage is a great cocktail featuring gin, St-Germain, grapefruit juice, lime juice, and egg whites. They also have an extensive wine list. We ordered the braised lamb poutine and Scallop Grenobloise for starters, and the mushroom risotto and duck confit for mains. Everything was incredible and our server was so attentive and funny. Reservations recommended!
Marcus Lounge & Bar ($$$) - This stylish bar is located inside the Four Seasons, across the street from the Vogue Hotel. We just went for pre-dinner drinks, but they have a raw bar, small plates, and bar snacks like a burger. They make a mean dirty martini and espresso martini.

Things to Do In Montreal

Bota Bota - No visit to Montréal is complete without a visit to Bota Bota, a floating spa on the St. Lawrence River in Old Port. Not only do they have spa treatments like massages and facials, but they also have a water circuit which features a mixture of hot saunas and cold baths. Bota Bota also has a restaurant that opens at 11:30 am on weekdays and 10:30 am on weekends for brunch, allowing you to make your visit a full-day experience. Important to note: Access to the water circuit is not included with a spa treatment such as a massage or facial. It must be booked separately. While water circuit walk-ins are accepted, it is highly recommended to make reservations, especially on weekends.
See a Game or Concert at the Bell Centre - The Bell Centre is a premier sports and entertainment venue in downtown Montréal. It’s the home of the Montréal Canadiens and the largest hockey arena in North America. If you’re a Boston Bruins fan (like my husband), maybe do yourself a favor and don’t wear a Bruins jersey or cheer too loudly for your team…the Bruins are the Canadiens biggest and most bitter Rival! The Bell Centre is less than a 15-min drive or <30-min walk from Old Montréal, and less than a ten-minute walk from the Vogue Hotel, Four Seasons, etc.

Montréal is a 1.5-hour drive for Vermonters, making it an easy weekend trip or mud season getaway (IYKYK). If you’re coming from New York or Boston, it’s a 1.5-hour nonstop flight on Air Canada. Montréal is a Parisian escape you can get to in a fraction of the time (and cost), making it a must-add to your bucket list!

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