48 Hours in Montreal: A Weekend Itinerary from URBANIA's Dehors

This story originally appeared in a special edition The Main x URBANIA Micromag. Read the full collection here.

I'll admit it: as editorial lead at URBANIA’s Dehors, the city is rarely my first choice when I want to unwind. Let's just say the countryside and the mountains call to me more often than the streets of the metropolis.

Every now and then, though, I get a little craving for a weekend in Montreal. When it hits, I tend to return to the same addresses I hold dear. So here are the spots I'd recommend for a short stay in the city.

Day 1

For this first day, I suggest wandering through Mile End and Petit Laurier, two neighbourhoods I'm particularly fond of when I need to stretch my legs. Fair warning: comfortable shoes are a must to make the most of the day. In short, you're going to walk (more than) a little.

Café Olimpico

📍124 Saint-Viateur St. W.

I know, we're starting with a cliché, but it's a classic for good reason. So, head to Café Olimpico for an Italian coffee, as traditional as they come, and their impressive selection of pastries.

Once you're fuelled up, take the alleyways and side streets to your next destination.

Au Coin

📍275 Av. Fairmount O, Montréal, QC H2V 4G3

For brunch, it's Au Coin on Fairmount Avenue. A restaurant that turns into a bar come evening, it serves Scandinavian-inspired toasts, crêpes and breakfast plates.

Belly full, browse the shops along Fairmount, then make your way to Empire Exchange.

Empire Exchange

📍5225 Saint-Laurent Blvd.

A secondhand shop beloved by Montrealers, you'll find pieces pre-selected by the staff, along with a selection of items for the home.

Cinéma Moderne

📍5150 Saint-Laurent Blvd.

You can't visit Montreal without catching a film at a neighbourhood cinema. Cinéma Moderne's programming includes repertory films, independent features, and short films from Quebec and abroad.

There's also a café-bar on site for anyone who'd rather trade the traditional soda and popcorn for a coffee and a pastry. You can bring it all into the theatre with you. The dream, no?

For lunch, I have two options that are worth the detour.

Drogheria Fine

📍68 Fairmount Ave. W.

For the modest sum of $5, Drogheria Fine serves a piping hot takeout container of gnocchi. Dressed in a Calabrian-style tomato sauce, with optional chili flakes and parmesan, you won't be disappointed.

Renzo

📍5195 Saint-Laurent Blvd.

Opened last year, Renzo offers an impressive variety of sandwiches, classic and otherwise, plus cookies and drinks with or without alcohol. It's also worth a visit just to admire the interior, which channels the classic retro diner.

Noble Café

📍430 Laurier Ave. E.

Need caffeine to kick off the afternoon? Head to Noble Café for a drink guaranteed to perk you up. Matcha, coffee, chai: no shortage of choice here!

The team also makes floats with cold brew, matcha, London fog and plenty of other equally eccentric flavours.

I suggest getting it all to go and enjoying it in a park.

Parc Sir-Wilfrid-Laurier

📍5200 De Brébeuf St.

Set on one of Montreal's prettiest streets, Laurier Park has a pool, a playground, a dog run and a big grassy expanse where you can lounge on a blanket, play a game of spikeball or simply read a book, the proper way to soak up Montreal park culture.