Montreal is a city full of culture and festivals. It's the second largest city in Canada and one of the largest French-speaking cities in the world, which makes it feel more like you're in Europe than North America. Aside from visiting the local markets, Mont Royal, the Botanical Gardens, Old Montreal and other must-see attractions, check out our favorite places for delicious eats.

Poutine

Canada's version of cheese fries is poutine, and it's on a completely different level. Poutine is a basket of fries topped with cheese curds and gravy, but you don't have to stop there. You can get any topping your heart desires — from all meat toppings to heaping scoops of guacamole.

French Pastries

It's no secret there is a big French influence in Montreal, and it's evident in their selection of pastries. You'll find classic French desserts in the many bakeries you'll stumble across in Old Montreal and other parts of the city.

Visit pastry chef Christian Faure's parlour and shop, Maison Christian Faure, for a large selection of pastries like macarons.

Bagels

Sure, you've had a bagel before, but have you had a Montreal bagel? A few things make this city's bagels the best of the best. First, they're made from scratch. Second, they boil them in honey-infused water. And lastly, but not least, they're baked in wood-fired ovens. Most people enjoy them plain, but you can get sandwiches at several shops.

Smoked Meat Sandwiches

Montreal takes their delis seriously, and Schwartz's is the place to go. Their smoked meat sandwich isn't your ordinary sandwich. They brine the meat in their secret recipe, then cook it. Next, they rub it in their secret recipe and smoke it for several hours. 

Soft Serve

Calling all soft serve lovers. At La Diperie, you start with vanilla soft serve, and dip it in any of their 40 flavors that are anything but vanilla — cheesecake, hazelnut and praline, just to name a few. Next, you top it with your favorite toppings like pretzels, coconut and candy.