Things to See in Montreal

A curated guide to Montreal for visitors and locals in the alternative lifestyle community. From the best food spots and markets to fetish stores, spas, and sightseeing — here are some of our favourite places the city has to offer.

Food

  • Kyo Bar — A stylish Japanese-inspired bar and restaurant in Old Montreal, known for its creative cocktails and Asian fusion dishes.
  • Pho Bac 97 — A beloved Vietnamese spot serving hearty, authentic pho and other traditional dishes at great prices.
  • Resto L’Avenue — A popular brunch institution on Mont-Royal Ave, famous for its creative eggs Benedict and long weekend lineups.
  • Poutineville (1365 Ontario Est) — Build-your-own poutine with a huge range of toppings. A fun and filling Montreal staple.
  • La Banquise (994 Rue Rachel E) — Open 24 hours, offering over 30 poutine variations. A go-to late-night spot, though it can be busy with tourists.
  • St-Viateur Bagels (263 Rue Saint-Viateur O) — One of Montreal’s two legendary bagel institutions. Wood-fired, hand-rolled, and baked fresh around the clock.
  • Fairmount Bagels (74 Avenue Fairmount O) — The other great bagel rival, also open 24/7. Try both and pick your favourite — it’s a Montreal tradition.
  • Schwartz’s (3895 Blvd St-Laurent) — The oldest deli in Canada, serving legendary Montreal smoked meat since 1928. Expect a line, but it’s worth it.
  • Time Out Market (Eaton Centre) — A large food hall gathering some of Montreal’s best chefs and restaurants under one roof, great for groups.
  • Pier Market — A waterfront restaurant in Old Port offering fresh market cuisine with a beautiful view of the St. Lawrence River.
  • Gibby’s — A classic Montreal steakhouse set in a historic Old Montreal stable. One of the city’s most iconic fine dining destinations.
  • Loam — A farm-to-table restaurant with a focus on local, seasonal ingredients and creative contemporary cuisine.
  • L’Ermitage — An intimate, upscale dining experience with a refined menu inspired by French culinary tradition.
  • Restaurant de l’ITHQ — The training restaurant of Quebec’s hospitality institute. High-quality food at surprisingly accessible prices, run by culinary students.
  • HuisClos — A cozy, tucked-away restaurant with an intimate atmosphere and a thoughtfully crafted menu. A hidden gem.

Markets & Malls

  • Montreal Underground City (RÉSO) — One of the largest underground pedestrian networks in the world, connecting shopping, restaurants, metro stations and more across downtown Montreal. Perfect for cold winter days.
  • Carrefour Angrignon — A major shopping mall in the southwest of the city with a wide range of stores and services.
  • Plaza St-Hubert — A lively outdoor shopping street known for bridal shops, fashion, and a uniquely local atmosphere.

Stores

Steel & Hardware

  • Acier Lachine — A metal and steel supplier, useful for rigging hardware, custom builds, and specialty materials.

Tactical & Military Surplus

  • PSP Corp — A tactical and outdoor gear supplier with a solid selection of professional-grade equipment.
  • Camouflage — A long-standing Montreal military surplus and outdoor store carrying clothing, gear, and accessories.
  • CanNam Surplus — Another excellent military surplus source with a wide inventory of army gear and workwear.
  • Suelee — A little new guys, great selection of gears.

Fetish & Lifestyle

  • Seduction — One of Montreal’s best-known adult lifestyle stores, offering a wide range of toys, clothing, and accessories.
  • Priape — A landmark gay lifestyle and fetish boutique in Montreal, carrying clothing, gear, and accessories for the community.
  • Armada par Men’s Room — A Montreal boutique focused on men’s fashion and lifestyle products with a fetish-friendly edge.
  • Mistr Bear — A store catering to the bear community, offering apparel and lifestyle products.
  • Sellerie Lemay — A traditional leather craft shop offering custom leather goods, harnesses, and accessories, handmade in Montreal.
  • Il Bolero — A fetish and lifestyle boutique with a strong selection of leather, latex, and BDSM gear.

Medical & Body Modification

  • Dufort & Lavigne — A medical and dental supply company, useful for sourcing professional-grade tools and consumables.
  • Surgo — A surgical and medical supply distributor with a broad catalogue of clinical equipment.
  • Painful Pleasures — An online retailer specializing in body jewelry, piercing supplies, and tattoo equipment.
  • Steve Haworth — A pioneer in extreme body modification, offering specialized implants and modification tools.
  • Oxymed – Cryotherapy — A Montreal-based clinic offering cryotherapy and related treatments for recovery and wellness.
  • Pro North Medical — A Canadian medical supply company offering a range of professional healthcare products.

Rope

  • Barry Cordage — A major Canadian rope and cordage supplier offering a wide variety of rope types, including natural fibers ideal for bondage.
  • Rock Exotica — A high-end manufacturer of climbing and rigging hardware, known for precision-engineered carabiners, pulleys, and ascenders.

Magic & Performance

  • Spectra Magic — A Montreal magic shop supplying professional magicians and hobbyists with tricks, props, and performance gear.

Medieval & Costume

  • Artisans d’Azure — A craft store specializing in medieval costumes, armor replicas, and fantasy accessories, great for events and cosplay.
  • Dracolite — A Montreal-area supplier of LARP and medieval gear, including foam weapons, armor, and accessories.

Martial Arts

  • Jukado — A Montreal martial arts supplier offering tatami mats, training gear, uniforms, and equipment for dojos and home training spaces.

Spa & Wellness

  • Bota Bota — A unique spa located aboard a converted boat moored in the Old Port of Montreal. Offers thermal baths, massages, and stunning river views.
  • Espace Thomas — A wellness and relaxation space offering a range of therapeutic treatments in a calm, intimate setting.

Sightseeing

  • Mont-Royal Belvédère (Kondiaronk) — The most iconic viewpoint in Montreal, offering a sweeping panorama of the entire city skyline. Best at sunset or after a snowfall.
  • Notre-Dame-des-Neiges Cemetery — One of the largest cemeteries in North America, beautifully landscaped and rich with history, art, and architecture. A surprisingly peaceful place to explore.
  • Île de la Visitation Nature Park — A tranquil natural park on an island in the Rivière des Prairies, perfect for hiking, cycling, and escaping the city without leaving it.