A question I ask myself when I moved to Montreal and every time I enter a new city is "where are the galleries hidden? What’s happening here and where do I get my visual art fix?" Galleries are for me the best way to prepare a trip if you travel on a budget; it’s usually free entrance such as the Belgo building, you explore new spaces and works or eventually you discover new artists. Sounds like a good deal to me!
Montreal, like many other locations, is full of street art; there are galleries and shops that are bridges and doors that allow one to communicate between these worlds. I think of galerie COA, the shop and gallery El Sino or the Station 16 Gallery. But if you are like me you will want more; the galaxy of art places is broad and like the milky way there exists a cluster with a higher concentration of galleries.
A few months ago I first pushed the doors of the Belgo building and since then I've been coming back very regularly. It's an iconic old building in downtown Montreal near Place des Arts on Sainte-Catherine -- five floors with zillions of art spaces showing the work of many artists. Places like Galerie Laroche Joncas, La Castiglione, art245 (where the picture illustrating this spot is coming from their exhibition on artist Landon Mackenzie) or the amazing space Catalogue are just a tiny selection of what is available for your eyes to see. Enjoy.
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"Léché Desserts" in Montreal hides many promises behind its pink benches and brick building! I recommend getting donuts here and going to watch the trains.
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Zab Café is a coffee roaster from Montreal that has an interesting story, four locations, and good coffee. It's small and smells of good coffee.
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Housed in an art deco building in Old Montreal, the PHI Foundation is focused on making contemporary art accessible to the largest number of people.
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I really recommend their cortado, where the rich, chocolatey espresso meets a dose of milk in a really satisfying combination.
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Sit on the sidewalk and eat the most delicious gnocchi for only $5, with a rich tomato sauce and imagine whatever you want in your own alternate reality.
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I was struck by the enthusiastic staff and the very tender exhibit about window coverings that invited us to consider what is shown and what is hidden.
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Here you will find a strange pyramid of benches that doubles as an art gallery, small fields & greenhouses tended by students from the nearby university.
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Olimpico attracts the young and beautiful. And Club Social feels like it's been there longer, and remains true to its roots. Both have terrific bombolini!
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The cannoli! A crisp shell that shatters a bit as you bite into it, first-class ricotta cheese. Not too sweet. Somehow light and filling at the same time.
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Caffe Italia has been popular with Italian families for decades & it never lost the homey feeling. The coffee is delicious. The vibe is welcoming and loud.
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Jean Talon market is the kind of place where there is a vast choice, but I'd bet that most regulars end up with their favorite sellers.
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The exhibits are free to the public, and very well curated by Isabelle de Mévieus and her team. The converted post office is worth a visit on its own.
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134 Insider Tips from our local Spotters
Authentic Stories by Real People
Escape the crowd & travel slow 🐌
✓ 134 Insider Tips from our local Spotters