Plateau-Mont-Royal: A Must-See Montreal Neighbourhood Near Central Train Station!

Head to the Plateau-Mont-Royal by riding the metro for a few stops or taking an easy 30-minute stroll from Montreal Central Train Station!
Known for its trendy bars, artsy streets, smoked meat and bagels, and tam-tams in the Mont-Royal park, the Plateau is a go-to area for all visitors. Let me take you on a tour of the best spots to eat, shop and have fun in the area, including some hidden gems you might not find without a local tour guide.

Where to Eat?

Home to many of Montreal's most famous restaurants, the Plateau-Mont-Royal (and nearby Mile-End area) is a must for foodies! Here are a few tried and true options loved by visitors and endorsed by locals:

• Schwartz’s: Established in 1928, this Jewish deli and take-out serves up some of the best smoked meat in the whole world (yup, you read that right!). One bite is all it takes to be won over!
• La Banquise: You can't leave Montreal without a good poutine, and La Banquise is the the perfect place to enjoy one, 24/7! Since its founding in 1968, it has established itself as one of Montreal's finest poutine restaurants.
• St-Viateur Bagel or Fairmount Bagel: If you've never tried Montreal's famous bagels, I strongly recommend you run, don't walk, to St-Viateur or Fairmount Bagel. Better yet, try both and pick your favourite!

Above and beyond these well-known spots, there are many other lesser-known restaurants in Plateau-Mont-Royal that are just as good, and less touristy. Among them, I particularly enjoy Icehouse which is home to some outstanding Tex-Mex, and serves all the southern staples (buckets of fried chicken, tacos, and burritos). Vegetarians (like me) take note: the mushroom tacos are out of this world!

Arepera du Plateau is another neighbourhood favourite. This small Venezuelan spot specializes in arepas: traditional cornbread-patty sandwiches that can be filled with just about anything. It’s a great place for a group get together since there are plenty of options for vegetarians, vegans, and meat lovers. However, take note, there isn't a lot of seating, so if it gets too crowded I opt for takeout and head up De Bullion Street less than a block to enjoy my arepas in Parc des Açores.

Along the way, it would be almost criminal not to stop in Café Névé for a cookie! They make the best chocolate chip cookies in Montreal, period. Eat one (or two) and thank me later!

Where to Shop?

Walking through Plateau-Mont-Royal and you’ll quickly understand why Montreal has a reputation for its fashion. Forget the Gap – here are some amazing local shops that will stock your wardrobe with choice pieces. Heading up Saint Laurent Boulevard, just a few metro stops from the train station, you’ll pass a cute stretch of local and Canadian made women’s clothing shops between Laurier and Saint-Viateur Streets, including Boutique Unicorn and Jennifer Glasgow Design (previously named Général 54).

Did you know that Frank + Oak, now established in various Canadian cities, originally started in Montreal? Their collection of curated basics is popular with both young professionals and creative types, and they recently launched a women’s line.

If you’re looking to add to your bookshelf, stop by Drawn & Quarterly, but heed my warning: you won’t walk out empty-handed, so be ready to spend. This Montreal-based independent publishing house put Canadian graphic novel artists on the map. From home-grown talents to international favourites, this book lover's paradise offers a small, well-curated selection of poetry, contemporary fiction and non-fiction to boot!

Not-to-be Missed Hidden Gems!

Some of the hidden gems of Plateau-Mont-Royal are truly hidden. You can be wandering down a quiet residential street and suddenly find yourself in a garden oasis. Don’t worry, you haven’t fallen through a wormhole; you’ve found a “ruelle verte”! These green laneways were created to foster community spirit, improve air quality, reduce the urban heat island effect, capture rain water, and increase biodiversity. Ruelle Demers, a 5-minute walk from Laurier metro station, is one of the more elaborate ones, with its own windmill, wishing well, community library, and water feature.

The warehouses on Saint-Viateur and de Gaspé Streets are also hiding some cool things, the most unexpected of which (and my personal favourite) is Shakti Rock Gym. This bouldering gym allows you to climb without ropes and harnesses. It may sound intimidating at first (especially when you’re afraid of heights), but it’s a lot of fun! Although Shakti is one of the smaller climbing gyms in the city, it has a loyal and welcoming community of climbers. Its location makes it popular with students and it’s also very kid-friendly, especially on weekend mornings.

Some of Café Falco’s hip clientele

Around the corner from Shakti on the ground floor of another warehouse is Le Falco. This industrial-chic Japanese café is known for its syphon coffee (which I’m told makes for a fruitier brew) and onigiri (rice balls filled with chicken, pork, or edamame). Take advantage of the floor-to-ceiling windows and relax in the afternoon sun in a cool and creative place that’s 100% Montreal!

Enjoy the Fantasia International Film Festival

Good news for Genre film and Fantasy fanatics; this summer, the Fantasia International Film Festival is on! Make sure to grab your tickets early and join the thousands of enthusiastic film lovers for access to indie and low-budget films from around the world. Get lost in true cinema that will carry you far away from the drudgery of the day-to-day for a few hours. And keep your eyes peeled for celeb drop-ins. Past festivals saw the likes of Quentin Tarantino, Takashi Miike and Guillermo del Toro.

Multiple Transport Options From the Train Station

By foot, Bixi (public bike rental service), metro or bus... there are many ways to get to the Plateau from Montreal's Central Station all year round. And given its proximity to the station, you can be discovering the joys of the Plateau within minutes of hopping off the train!

Plan your next Montreal Train Getaway