![Montreal solo uk female travel blog blogger to montreal canada](https://c8.staticflickr.com/9/8134/30148563055_5267105541_o.jpg)
Oh Montreal.. you lovely, arty city. Really wish I'd stayed a night or two to get the most out of this place, but a few hours was better than nothing!
We hopped in the car and had breakfast on the road. It took around 2 hours to drive from Ottawa, and once we were there we needed a coffee, so we stopped in at Arts Cafe.
SEE ALSO:
• a week in ottawa.
• 3 days in Toronto.
• New York City Guide.
• 3 days in Brooklyn.
![Arts Cafe, Montreal solo uk female travel blog blogger to montreal canada](https://c4.staticflickr.com/6/5532/30148561755_0f09f53530_o.jpg)
![Arts Cafe, Montreal solo uk female travel blog blogger to montreal canada](https://c6.staticflickr.com/8/7667/30064118941_dc0a0000f9_o.jpg)
This place was obviously very popular, and had lots of unusual artefacts to look at - although you can't see many in my photo. There were also shelves stacked full of art books & magazines to browse while you drink your coffee, and plenty of interesting people to watch! Over in the left corner there were a couple of guys on their MacBooks, and we were trying to guess what they did for a living.
Afterwards, we browsed the gorgeous shops, of which there were many! Some of my favourites that we came across:
It's pretty easy to just wander around and find loads of interesting shops, cafes and galleries - as long as you make sure you're in the right areas!
![Boutique Vestibule, Montreal solo uk female travel blog blogger to montreal canada](https://c2.staticflickr.com/9/8554/30148559305_5c8cf1628d_o.jpg)
![Boucle et Papier, stationery shop in Montreal solo uk female travel blog blogger to montreal canada](https://c6.staticflickr.com/6/5449/30148558245_35c9a4eb32_o.jpg)
![Citizen Vintage shop in Montreal solo uk female travel blog blogger to montreal canada](https://c5.staticflickr.com/6/5605/30034176892_1c33fd28ca_o.jpg)
![Citizen Vintage shop in Montreal solo uk female travel blog blogger to montreal canada](https://c4.staticflickr.com/8/7509/30148556355_6532f1a18e_o.jpg)
![Monastiraki shop in Montreal solo uk female travel blog blogger to montreal canada](https://c5.staticflickr.com/6/5233/29520116644_d9f39c6437_o.jpg)
![Monastiraki shop in Montreal solo uk female travel blog blogger to montreal canada](https://c5.staticflickr.com/9/8413/30034173932_097ec988dc_o.jpg)
![Julie Delporte Journal solo uk female travel blog blogger to montreal canada](https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8537/29520115144_678411d176_o.jpg)
![Ghost love poster solo uk female travel blog blogger to montreal canada](https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8556/29520114544_6560bc15eb_o.jpg)
![La Banquise authentic poutine solo uk female travel blog blogger to montreal canada](https://c4.staticflickr.com/9/8418/30064122731_5e2cd319ee_o.jpg)
After all that wandering, it was time for some very naughty sustenance. I hadn't had authentic poutine yet, so we headed to La Banquise. They specialise in poutine, and have 30+ different combinations, meaning there's probably something for everyone there. And they're open 24 hours... I can imagine this would make the best drunk food.
I went for the classic, as it was my first time. I'm still not sold on cheese curds, but damn do Canadians know how to do fries well!
![Bike shop & coffee solo uk female travel blog blogger to montreal canada](https://c7.staticflickr.com/9/8567/29520112214_457e31b0a2_o.jpg)
![Montreal bike shop solo uk female travel blog blogger to montreal canada](https://c3.staticflickr.com/6/5752/30034170002_1ab1c62edc_o.jpg)
After a little more wandering and a walk around the nearby park, we decided to head home as I was absolutely knackered (thanks jetlag + CFS).
But a few extra nuggets of gold that were recommended to me by my Airbnb hosts:
• TriExpress for sushi - don't order from the menu, just ask for "chef's choice" and let them know you want to spend about $20 per person.
• Jean Talon Market for all the delicious fresh produce.
• Monkland Village - nice area to walk around with cute shops.
• Westmount - beautiful neighbourhood, with the greatest concentration of wealth in North America!
• Mandy's - delicious salad place in Westmount.
• Cafe Myriade.
• Cafe Pikolo - cool vibe, delicious espresso.
• Bobby McGee's - Stefan's favourite bar in Montreal.
• Bily Kun - Ashley's favourite bar in Montreal.
• Mile End - cool area to walk around.
• Le Plateau - their favourite neighbourhood in Montreal - classic & beautiful.
• Cafe Olimpico - cool crowd, and apparently famous people like Arcade Fire go there.
• Faimount Bagels/St Viateur Bagels - order "all dressed".
• Try Montreal beer brands - McAuslan & St Ambroise.
Remember, you can see the other posts from my trip here: Ottawa, Toronto, Manhattan, Brooklyn!
![Park in Montreal solo uk female travel blog blogger to montreal canada](https://c8.staticflickr.com/6/5833/30064120151_91cdbccb48_o.jpg)
![White squirrel in Montreal solo uk female travel blog blogger to montreal canada](https://c7.staticflickr.com/9/8553/29852948550_d189c42fda_o.jpg)
![](http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5127/5306769664_6b3289ca2e_m.jpg)
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Canada is on my list of place to see! Lovely post and pictures :)
ReplyDeletehttp://allornothing-blog.blogspot.co.uk/
My hometown! I miss it so much, I'm currently living in Birmingham (UK). I'm going home this Christmas, and I so looking forward to going to La Banquise again after drinks with my friends. You're right, it's the perfect drunk food. :)
ReplyDeleteThis just catapulted Montreal to the top of my must see in Canada list! It looks like you were able to see a lot even in just a couple hours, and that poutine looks incredible!
ReplyDeleteKate | girlinthebluejacket.blogspot.com
These photos are lovely, I hope you had a great time :) x
ReplyDeletehttp://amyleehaynes.blogspot.co.uk
Wow over 30 different versions?! How would you even manage to pick one? Montreal looks absolutely gorgeous!
ReplyDeletenat // dignifiable
Looks like you had a wonderful time, everything looks gorgeous, super pretty! x
ReplyDeleteholljc.blogspot.co.uk
This made my heart ache, I was born in Montreal but have only been back once since I was a baby and it was love at first sight. Thinking of heading back out there ASAP!
ReplyDelete