A detour guide to Montreal: Off-route alternatives to the usual suspects

Montreal's pantheon of iconic stops is robust, but you’ve probably heard those names, if not waited in line for some of them a hundred times. They’re classics for a reason, no doubt, but this city rewards curiosity. The good stuff isn’t always front and centre. It’s often on the beaten path, hiding in plain sight, in-the-know, or cooking out of a kitchen or served at a bar with barely (if any) digital footprint.

This isn’t about calling anyone out. It’s about giving you options. Whether it’s your first visit or your fifth, or you call Montreal home, these off-route alternatives offer a different inroad that still feels deep and distinct to the city. Think of it less as a rejection of the usual recommendations and more like taking the scenic route.