My six days in Montreal and Quebec City was filled with delicious food and wonderful sights!
If you want to experience a little taste of Europe without leaving North America, then it’s time to visit Canada! The historical buildings, cobblestone streets and delicious restaurants are not disappointing.
My husband and I enjoy spending time together experiencing new sights and good food. So when it was time to plan our vacation, Montreal and Quebec seemed perfect! We spent 2 days in Montreal and 4 days in Quebec City. Highlights include places we ate, things we did and where we stayed.
Montreal
This was our first time visiting Montreal. We were only going to be here for 2 days so our plan was to explore the city and find the best cafes.
We stayed at the Hotel Place D’Armes, this modern hotel is a beautiful stone building surrounded by all the sights.
Resturants you want to visit
- Brasserie 701: This was a lovely resturaunt with a industral look ( you know I’m always looking for inspiration) You will be charmed by the enchanting atmosphere of this spacious and bright Montreal dining room with chic decor and magnificent neoclassical architecture.
- BreWiskey: Not a place you would think of stopping in, but my husband loves trying new beers. The atmosphere is relaxed, warm and the dress code is casual. As for the food, I had the best grilled cheese sandwich I have ever eaten!!
- Terrasse Place D’Armes: Roof Top resturant, we were able to see the whole city. We went there for the view, but we were not disapointed with our choice of small plates
- Dandy: This placed opened at 10:00 am and there was a line around the corner, so we knew we picked the right place! It was the perfect place to enjoy a delicious breakfast. We both enjoyed the Ricotta Pancakes with maple syrup and strawberrys.
- Brasserie Dieu Du Ciel: As we headed out of Montreal we stopped at our last place for breakfast and were surprised with the unusual menu. We were not disappointed.
Our time spent in Montreal was mostly walking around enjoying the arcithecture & statues. But we did do a tour of Notre-Dame Church. This I would highly recommend. It is a beautiful church something you would not want to miss. They even have a light show that I heard is amazing.
Quebec City
Quebec City was hard not to fall head-over-heels in love with, the city’s European vibes, cobblestoned streets, and fairytale architecture.
We loved wandering the charming streets and admiring the colonial architecture of Old Quebec. I loved hearing French being spoken all around me, and indulging in French Canadian cuisine.
Sights you don’t want to miss
- Fairmount Le Chateau Frontenac:This historic castle-like hotel dominates the landscape of Quebec City and is one of the most famous attractions.
- The Petit Champlain District: This is one of the oldest commercial districts in North America. Located in Old Quebec, it is full of cobblestoned streets lined with lots of amazing art galleries and restaurants, and souvenir shops. Don’t miss the 17th-century Breakneck Stairs, Quebec City’s oldest stairway.
- Quebec Fortifications: Quebec was once a fortified city, and you can still visit some of these fortifications that stretch around the city. They are the only remaining fortified city walls in North America. Don’t miss the Porte Saint-Louis Gate, which has stunning views of the city.
- Place Royal: Located in the lower old town, and down the Old Quebec, one of the most historic landmarks in Canada. Here you can see buildings and streets dating back to the 17th century (now containing restaurants, cafés, and shops), as well as the Notre-Dame-des-Victories Church, which is the oldest stone church in North America. It dates back to 1688 and is dedicated to St. Genevieve.
- Terrasse Dufferin: This wooden walkway is wrapped around the Château Frontenac and reaches towards La Citadelle. Overlooking the Saint Lawrence River, it was created in 1879 by Lord Dufferin, the then Governor-general of Canada, and features numerous gazebos and benches making the perfect spot to take a relaxed stroll. It even has a Toboggan Run that is opening December to March.
We stayed a the Hotel Port-Royal which was a lovely hotel walking distance to everything.
No matter what kind of food you like or what your budget is, you’ll be amazed with the selection of the restaurants in Québec City.
I think the best part of our day started in the morning with Les Cafes Du Soleih. Here we enjoyed a relaxing cup of coffee, a croissant and embraced the start of the day.
We were not disappointed in any of the restaurants we chose, but I do recommend you make reservation.
- La Piazzetta: The Piazzetta offers a warm atmosphere in a “bistro-chic” style decor, we enjoyed the casual dining and Pizza
- Bistro St-Malo: This French Bistro has a country look and a casual atmosphere. We had the Mussels and they were unbelievable
- Bello Restorante: The Bello Restorante has a menu of Italian cuisine, fresh handmade pasta, local meats and risotto that was absolutely divine! I would have to say this was my favorite place. Five stars for the food, atmosphere & decor!
- Brasserie Les Mordus: If you are looking for seafood, this is your place. As much as I enjoyed the food, I loved the whimsical decor
If you are looking to get away, It’s not a huge city but you could plan great day trips if you’re someone who likes to pack their days (that was not us), but it’s also a great place to slow down the pace of life and really just soak in this special, beautiful place. I’d recommend 2 nights at least here, ideally 3 just to really slow down and enjoy it!
I hope you enjoyed my first travel guide, it’s not what I normally write about, but the food and beauty of both Montreal & Quebec inspired me.
