This Weekender’s theme is ‘living well and feed your brain’. Montreal is stacked full of amazing culture, from world-class museums to diverse architecture and, of course, regional and diverse French cuisine. This weekend will be filled with museums, art galleries, and authentically local eating, so get ready for a weekend of cultural overload.
Friday night head to Montreal’s Latin Quarter (Centreville East) and grab a table at Restaurant Julien, one of Montreal’s best classic French restaurants. Restaurant Julian is a cozy French restaurant with a Quebec twist, exactly what we are looking for when it comes to French restaurants in Montreal. This bistro has arguably the best duck leg confit in town, so we strongly suggest you go for that and let them choose a delicious bottle of French red wine as an accompaniment. End off the dinner with their famous nougatine (whipped egg whites loaded with fruit and nuts). After the meal, go for a walk and end up on St. Denis at Montreal’s famous L’Express bistro for a late-night bottle of red wine at their bustling restaurant bar.
Saturday morning, get up and go on the Musees Montreal website to download the Old Montreal walking route. This walking museum route immerses you in the history of Montreal by following a path that blends archeology, history, and heritage. Amongst your stops will be the Old Chapel, a 19th century foundry, and residence of one of the fathers of confederation. Mid tour, stop in for a late brunch at Restaurant Bonaparte, Old Montreal’s most authentic French restaurant. Their brunch menu is prix-fixe (a steal at $15 per person) and your options include items likes French pancakes or omelets (French-style). Finish up your tour and stop in at Restaurant Verses for an early meal of contemporary cuisine. With a floor fireplace you will no doubt be cozy. As an evening activity, get yourselves two tickets to the Montreal Symphony. On Saturday night, the symphony features Kent Nagano & La Valse By Ravel.
Sunday is all about culture in Montreal’s Golden Square Mile. Start the day off with a French brunch at Le Pois Penche and follow that with a Square Mile walking route. Again, download this route off the Musees Montreal website and enjoy a walk that will expose you to opulent residences of Montreal’s 19thh century elite, the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, and the Montreal Planetarium amongst many others. This will keep you busy for the most of the day. By the end of the weekend you will be chalked full of rich Montreal culture and be ready to tackle more of the suggested walking routes to experience Montreal’s 39 museums across the city.