Our prayers have been answered and we shall finally enjoy Montreal's summer! God, it feels good, doesn't it? Forget about the summer solstice, after a year of pain and endless takeout orders, summer in Montreal "officially" starts THIS Friday with the reopening of restaurant terraces. So get ready, it's gonna be a good one! And to kick off the festivities, here are some of our favourite spots in the city to (re)visit.
Located on the third floor of the prestigious and somewhat new Montreal Four Seasons, Marcus is undeniably one of the best spots to enjoy a great meal whilst looking at the downtown vistas. We've missed you Marcus!
1440 Rue de la Montagne
Located in Saint Henri right by Canal Lachine, Riverside offers a wonderful atmosphere that you can enjoy after a long day's work or simply on any given day. Plus get ready to see some furry friends as their terrace is pet-friendly! And for those with a sweet tooth, check out their ice cream truck located by the canal. You won't be disappointed.
5020 Rue Saint-Ambroise
If there's one thing we miss most after this godforsaken pandemic is the art of beer pouring. Even though 4 Origines offers their own brews at your local grocery/corner store (if you haven't tried them, now's the time!), just the sight of seeing a waiter bringing a beer to your table is enough to make a grown man cry.
1304 Rue Saint-Patrick
Without a doubt, this boutique hotel has become a staple in Old Montreal. Offering not only one but TWO rooftop Terraces, William Gray is the perfect stop to admire Montreal in all its' glory. When you're in the area, check out Hotel William Gray!
421 Rue Saint-Vincent
A Montreal staple for beer enthusiasts. Get ready to be in awe of the SIZE of their humongous patio and tasty beers. Located in Saint Henri right by the canal, which is the perfect stop after a Bixi ride. See you there!
5080 Rue St-Ambroise
This ephemeral summer market opened its doors a few years ago by allowing local farmers to promote their services to locals and tourists alike by offering them the chance to bring home or consume their products on site. With a patio overlooking the Old Port, Marché des Éclusiers has become one of the best spots in the whole city.
400 Rue De la Commune Ouest
Classic bistro offering French fare & drinks, plus a seasonal rooftop terrace with sweeping views of the Old Port right on De La Commune Street, can't beat that. It is also a premium spot for the Loto Québec fireworks (keep that in mind for next year as they've cancelled this year's edition, thanks COVID).
97 Rue de la Commune Est
Our list of hotels with rooftops continues with Hôtel Place D’Armes located in the Old Port right by the Convention Center. If the rooftop patio is full, there’s another cute patio on street level available with the hotel’s restaurant: Brasserie 701. Worth a visit!
59 Rue Saint-Jacques
Still pretty unknown to locals, located on the roof of Montreal’s Renaissance hotel, this bar lounge offers customers a pretty neat view of the city skyline.
PS: the terrace will reopen on June 11th!
1250 Boulevard Robert-Bourassa
This is a personal favourite of mine as I've spent WAY TOO MANY nights there on the eve of a trip (hello hangovers whilst flying!) In the end, fun is what would describe best this pub. Also, Their indoor terrace with vines alone is worth a visit.
1412 Rue Sainte-Élisabeth
Located right in the heart of the Financial District, the brand new W Terrasse is part of the W Montreal Hotel and will be the starting point for your excursion towards Old Montreal. Get ready to sit back, and enjoy their extensive cocktail lists on a sunny day. See you there!
901 Square Victoria
We are then again venturing in Old Montreal to another hotel rooftop terrace. They just keep on coming and we can't stop loving them. I mean, just the view itself is worth a visit alone.
100 Saint-Paul Street West
If you're looking for the perfect steak cut or an AMAZING charcuterie board or just craving oysters, Grinder! Located in Griffintown, Grinder has not only an outdoor patio but there's another one inside the restaurant itself as the roof opens during summertime. With vines and lots of greenery, Grinder is a must-see in Saint-Henri’s borough.
1708 Rue Notre-Dame Ouest