Please complete your profile to unlock commenting and other important features.

Please select your date of birth for special perks on your birthday. Your username will be your unique profile link and will be publicly used in comments.
MTL Blog Pro

This is a Pro feature.

Time to level up your local game with MTL Blog Pro.

Pro

$5/month

$40/year

  • Everything in the Free plan
  • Ad-free reading and browsing
  • Unlimited access to all content including AI summaries
  • Directly support our local and national reporting and become a Patron
  • Cancel anytime.

old port montreal

Poutine lovers rejoice, 'cause there's a massive poutine festival touching down in Montreal this month and you're going to want to show up hungry.

Le Grand Poutinefest is making a comeback in Montreal's Old Port this July, serving up countless varieties of Quebec's iconic dish, all while offering concert performances and an array of on-site activities.

Keep readingShow less

Montreal, summer is officially here and with the hot season comes even hotter festivals and events across the city. While the Quartier des Spectacles scene is well worth a visit this summer, the action won't be exclusive to Montreal's downtown core.

The Old Port is suited up to host some of the most unique and delicious festivals in Montreal including the renowned Cirque du Soleil, Festival of Colours and of course, food festivals covering cuisines from Mexico, Korea and the Caribbean, to name a few.

Keep readingShow less

As Netflix rolls out the second half of the new Bridgerton season this month, you might find yourself craving high teas, grand ballrooms, and manicured gardens between the credits. Fortunately, there are plenty of things to do in Montreal that bring the romance of the Regency era to life.

You can find candlelit concerts and floral displays fit for royalty, pick up a new gown from a modiste, or enjoy a refined tea service, all without leaving the city.

Keep readingShow less

Accessibility in Montreal might be a work in progress, but the city seems to be coming around to the fact that it’s rude to stair. At least, not without a ramp or elevator nearby.

From relaxing in a fairytale greenhouse to paddleboarding on the Saint Lawrence River, some of the city's coolest spots are now more reachable than ever. You can lose yourself in floor-to-ceiling digital artworks or sip afternoon tea at the Ritz like royalty.

Keep readingShow less

After serving up a fusion of mouthwatering Caribbean food in Montreal's Verdun borough for years, Kwizinn has officially moved to a new location — offering up more space, colourful vibes and a menu you don't want to miss out on.

Following a bitter-sweet goodbye to its Wellington location last month, Kwizinn is officially up and running at its new Old Port location on rue Saint-Paul O., directly across from the iconic Marché Bonsecours.

Keep readingShow less

When it comes to Montreal's food scene, more is always merrier. While the city is home to countless must-try restaurants, you just might want to add this brand-new Mediterranean spot in Montreal's Old Port to your list.

Located on rue de la Commune Ouest in Vieux-Montreal, La Boqueria will serve up Spanish and Mediterranean-inspired cuisine, tapas-style. Named after a popular market in Barcelona, La Boqueria will operate next to La Catrina, a Mexican restaurant operated by the same partners.

Keep readingShow less

Alan Ritchson channelled his inner Jack Reacher while on a date night in Montreal and he gushed all about with Jimmy Fallon on The Tonight Show.

During his time on Fallon, Alan Ritchson discussed his latest project Ordinary Angels, as well as the upcoming third season of The Reacher, a role Ritchson said he had to emulate when taking down a thief in Old Montreal.

Keep readingShow less

Montreal's Old Port is getting a frosty facelift. This winter, you can take in the twinkling city skyline on skates and under a blanket of stars. The Old Port Skating Rink will open its icy embrace on December 9 and remain a glacial paradise until March 10, 2024.

The rink is practically a whole winter festival on ice. The lineup of events is tailored to bring cheer to all ages. Santa Claus is set to make an appearance, bringing a touch of North Pole magic to the heart of Montreal.

Keep readingShow less

Montreal is welcoming a brand new Middle Eastern restaurant to its repertoire of must-try eateries. Hayat, which translates to "life" in Arabic will officially be opening its doors this month with a menu promising to transport your taste buds to the coasts of Lebanon and the mountains of Syria.

Located on rue de la Commune Ouest in Montreal's Old Port, Hayat serves up all your favourite Lebanese dishes, mezze-style, which is truly the best way to enjoy the flavours of the Mediterranean. The restaurant seats a total of 60 inside and another 150 on its outdoor terrasse overlooking Vieux-Montreal.

Keep readingShow less

Montreal in August is a sea of orange cones, as construction season drags on. But behind the dust and detours lies a pot of cultural gold. You may not find a rainbow at the end of the roadworks, but you will find a full spectrum of Pride events.

There's also Orientalys, a melting pot of diverse flavours to tease your palate, and the Scottish Highland Games, with kilts and caber tosses. And let's not forget the epic Italian heritage celebration, taking you through the heart of the Mediterranean without leaving the city.

Keep readingShow less

The sky over Montreal is set to burst into a kaleidoscope of colours and music as the International des Feux Loto-Québec festival returns this summer — although it will now start later than planned due to poor air quality in the region.

The opening act of Montreal’s international fireworks contest originally scheduled for Thursday night has been cancelled due to recommendations from public health. A smog warning currently looms over Montreal, leading to the decision.

Keep readingShow less

Gazing up at the 65-metre Port of Montreal Tower and its glass-bottom outlook, one thought crossed my mind: nope.

If the idea of entrusting your life to a transparent ledge or staring down the side of a concrete beast scares the living daylights out of you, you're not alone. Fear of heights is as primal as it gets. But I was determined not to let the dizzying pull of vertigo stop me from checking out the unmissable new structure at the end of the Old Port's Grand Quay.

Keep readingShow less