Montreal — Neighborhood Guide
The Plateau is Montreal's most beloved neighbourhood — a spirited, densely lived-in tapestry of colorful row houses, neighbourhood restaurants, independent bookshops, and the effortlessly cool parks culture that defines Montréalais life.
Quick Answer
The Plateau is Montreal's most beloved neighbourhood — a spirited, densely lived-in tapestry of colorful row houses, neighbourhood restaurants, independent bookshops, and the effortlessly cool parks culture that defines Montréalais life.
5 hotels reviewed · Price range: $$$, $$ · Last updated March 2026
About This Guide
Stretching north from Sherbrooke Street to the slopes of Mont Royal, the Plateau is where Montreal lives, argues passionately about food, cycles year-round, and fills every terrasse the moment the snow melts. Avenue Mont-Royal and Boulevard Saint-Laurent ('The Main') are the neighbourhood's twin commercial arteries, hosting hundreds of restaurants and cafés that represent some of the city's most exciting culinary culture.
Insider Tips
Parc La Fontaine in summer is an essential neighbourhood experience.
Schwartz's Deli on Saint-Laurent is non-negotiable for smoked meat.
The Plateau's bagels (Fairmount and St-Viateur) are genuinely the world's finest — debate welcome.
Our Picks
5 hotels · Updated February 2026
Downtown
Occupying the heritage building of the celebrated Birks jeweller on Phillips Square, Hotel Birks Montreal is a jewel of adaptive reuse — original terrazzo floors, soaring ceilings, and a destination lobby bar that has become one of downtown's liveliest gathering places.
Downtown
Hôtel Monville arrived as downtown Montreal's most tech-forward and design-savvy property — self check-in, a spectacular rooftop pool, and a commitment to local Quebec artistry that makes it feel authentically Montréalais rather than generically international.
Downtown
The W occupies a strikingly renovated beaux-arts bank in downtown Montreal, its dramatic interior contrasting heritage grandeur with the W brand's signature nightlife-forward energy. Le Wunder Bar is among the city's most reliably fashionable après-dinner destinations.
Downtown
A Montreal legend since 1958 — where John and Yoko recorded Give Peace a Chance in Suite 1742 — the Fairmont Queen Elizabeth emerged from a transformative redesign as a true 21st-century grand hotel, with Rosélys restaurant and a breathtaking new lobby.
Old Montreal
Named for the romantic Québécois poet, Hotel Nelligan inhabits two 19th-century merchant buildings in Vieux-Montréal with exposed stone walls and warm brick that make every corner deeply atmospheric. The Verses rooftop bar is unforgettable in summer.
Common Questions
The Plateau is best for independent travellers who want to live like a Montréalais — it's less touristy than Old Montreal but packed with character, food, and local energy.
The Plateau is celebrated for its colourful outdoor staircases, terrasse culture, vibrant restaurant and bar scene on Saint-Laurent and Mont-Royal, and proximity to Parc La Fontaine.
Mont-Royal and Laurier metro stations serve the neighbourhood. The 80 bus on Saint-Laurent connects north–south efficiently.
More Destinations
Prices and availability change daily. Lock in the best rate by booking early — most of our top picks offer free cancellation.
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