The Most Beautiful Terrasses in Downtown Montréal
Summer is here! And with it, tourists and festival-goers are back downtown Montreal. The shops are buzzing, the streets are full of passersby, and the Place des Festivals rings with music and the cheers of the crowd — in short, this is where it’s all happening! With the holidays and the warm weather ahead, it’s the perfect moment to rediscover downtown’s rich food scene, starting with its beautiful terrasses!
Whether it’s for a 5 à 7 (after-work drinks), a business lunch, a quick break during an intense shopping session or a colourful night out, the neighbourhood is full of addresses for every taste and every occasion. You’ll find some of the city’s biggest tables here, but also a remarkable diversity of cuisines from the four corners of the world — and several of the loveliest terrasses in town!
Downtown holds plenty of secrets for anyone tempted to explore its little corners: hidden bars, rooftop terrasses, pretty cafés. To make the most of the season of sun and festivals, here are a few of our favourite downtown terrasses.
For all the good addresses, and to know where and what to eat downtown, take a look too at our list of the best downtown spots.
Restaurant Bivouac
In the heart of the Quartier des spectacles, Bivouac serves modern boreal cuisine that puts Québec terroir front and centre. From the terrace, you get a front-row seat for the shows on the Place des Festivals — without having to wade into the crowd.
Montréal
BAR EDICOLA
From the team behind Caffettiera, Bar Edicola brings a little breath of Italy into the middle of downtown. Drop in first thing for a cappuccino, a cornetto or a sandwich, then linger into the evening over antipasti, fresh pasta and big Italian classics. On warm days, its pretty terrace becomes a welcoming place for a glass of wine or a cocktail in a lively, easygoing atmosphere.
Montréal
Bar Caffettiera
Inspired by the Italian aperitivo, Caffettiera is a café by day that turns into a bar come 5 à 7. You can enjoy the lovely Italian pastries from Arte & Farina and excellent espressos, but also spritzes, Italian beers and cocktails for the apéro — best paired with a few cicchetti, ideally out on the pretty terrace.
Montréal
Pizza Il Focolaio
Set across from Square Phillips for nearly 40 years, the Il Focolaio pizzeria turns out some of downtown’s finest pizza. The vast menu runs to no fewer than 77 wood-fired varieties, which you can order to go or devour on the sunny terrace when the weather plays along.
Montréal
Biiru
We love this little izakaya for its festive atmosphere, its decor full of nods to Japanese pop culture, and its tasty, affordable menu. We’re also smitten with the pretty terrace, lit by Japanese lanterns.
Montréal
Jatoba
Set in the former Phillips Lounge, this handsome upscale Japanese restaurant also hides a beautiful veranda. It’s where you can savour the refined creations of well-known chef Olivier Vigneault and his team.
Montréal
Tiradito
Chef Marcel Larrea’s warm nikkei cooking (a Japanese-Peruvian fusion) tastes even better on the terrace, catching the last rays of sun. After a good meal, head for a drink on the small terrace of Club Pelicano, Tiradito’s sister address, tucked into the alley beside the front door.
Montréal
SoLIT Café
If you find the decor at SoLIT Café sunny, wait until you discover its terrace. Nestled between the café and the Hôtel Le Germain Montréal, this charming little enclave is the ideal place to settle in quietly between two appointments or after a day of downtown shopping.
Montréal
Maison Boulud
The elegant veranda at the Ritz-Carlton’s restaurant is almost as much of a draw as its exquisite cooking. Whether for breakfast, brunch, lunch or an evening out, it’s one of the most refined addresses in town.
Montréal
Terrasse Alizé
Near the Palais des congrès, on the 9th floor of the Humaniti hotel, the Alizé offers a superb view over downtown. To cool off on hot days, the house slush — strawberry or lemonade — is a staple. And for a bite, let yourself be tempted by the excellent fried chicken or a flavourful poke bowl. A rooftop worth seeking out.
Montréal
Papito Restaurant
Papito offers a friendly, easygoing formula right in the heart of the Quartier des spectacles. Dreamed up by the team behind Café Parvis and Furco, it wins you over as much with its crowd-pleasing cooking as with its gorgeous interior terrace — a genuine green oasis, sheltered from the downtown bustle. A lovely spot to take your time and linger.
Montreal
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