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The Main Media Inc. 2026

✦ Built By Field Office
    The Main

    Montreal's Cultural Directory

    Help us improve! Share your thoughts on how we can make your experience better.

    Leave feedback

    For partnerships and collaborations:

    partnerships@themain.com

    Content

    • Articles
    • Food & Drink
    • Arts & Culture
    • History Lesson
    • Bulletin
    • Events

    Guides

    • All Guides
    • Best Restaurants
    • Best Cafés
    • Best Bars
    • Best Brunch
    • Best Bakeries

    Explore Montreal

    • Browse Directory
    • Restaurants
    • Bars
    • Cafés
    • Bookstores

    About

    • About us
    • Subscribe
    • Shop
    • Advertise
    • Pitch us
    • RSS Feed
    • Subscribe

    Legal

    • Terms of service
    • Membership Terms
    • Privacy Policy
    Follow us
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    The Main Media Inc. 2026

    ✦ Built By Field Office
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      --°C|Friday, March 20, 2026|
      Subscribe today to get 3 free articles per month.ROYALMOUNT Wants to Be Your Dining Destination for a Whole MonthGet 50% off your first 5 rides with Lyft
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      The Main Logo
      Magazine
      Categories
      • Arts & Culture

        Creativity, heritage, and expression.

      • Beyond Montreal

        Travel, adventure, and global perspectives.

      • Design

        The best of Montreal design.

      • Food & Drink

        La bonne bouffe.

      • History

        Stories, lessons, and context.

      • Newsletter

        Our weekly newsletter.

      • See all original stories
      Explore Montreal
      Popular Guides
      • The Best Restaurants in Montreal
      • Best new Restaurants
      • Best Cafés
      • Unique Boutiques
      • Romantic Restaurants
      • Best Bookstores
      • See all Guides
      Neighbourhood
      • Downtown
      • Le Plateau-Mont-Royal
      • Mile End
      • Mile-Ex
      • Saint-Henri
      • See All
      Business Type
      • Restaurant
      • Café
      • Boutique / Store
      • Bar
      • Bakery
      • See All
      Near the Metro
      • Peel
      • Mont-Royal
      • Place-Saint-Henri
      • Place-d'Armes
      • Jarry
      • View all
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      Who Killed the Late-Night Dinner?
      Opinion
      J.P. Karwacki

      Who Killed the Late-Night Dinner?

      Montreal used to be Canada's late-night dining capital. Now more kitchens are closing at 9 p.m., and everyone has a good reason why.

      Will the next generation of creatives be able to afford kids?
      Opinion
      Leigh Kinch-Pedrosa

      Will the Next Generation of Creatives Be Able to Afford Kids?

      Cheap daycare, 1,500 parks, and creative communities made raising interesting kids on a patchwork income possible. Will the next generation of creatives get the same chance?

      The digital camera comeback isn't about authenticity. It's just a flattering filter.
      Opinion
      Phylida Tuff-West

      The Digital Camera Comeback Isn't About Authenticity. It's Just a Flattering Filter.

      Gen Z found a socially acceptable way to blur their pores while somehow convincing everyone it's counter-cultural.

      Wellness culture has an optimization problem
      Opinion
      J.P. Karwacki

      Wellness Culture Has an Optimization Problem

      Wellness promised an escape from productivity culture. Then it became another thing to optimize.

      Forget poutine and bagels, a real taste of this city comes from the chicken
      Opinion
      Mike Chaar

      Forget Poutine and Bagels, a Real Taste of This City Comes from the Chicken

      Rotisserie feeds more Montrealers than bagels, smoked meat, or poutine ever will.

      Letter from the Editor: Our favourite stories from 2025
      Opinion
      J.P. Karwacki

      Letter from the Editor: Our Favourite Stories from 2025

      One story for every month of 2025: A year of covering Montreal's culture, history, and the people shaping its future.

      Who Killed the Late-Night Dinner?
      Opinion
      J.P. Karwacki

      Who Killed the Late-Night Dinner?

      Montreal used to be Canada's late-night dining capital. Now more kitchens are closing at 9 p.m., and everyone has a good reason why.

      Will the next generation of creatives be able to afford kids?
      Opinion
      Leigh Kinch-Pedrosa

      Will the Next Generation of Creatives Be Able to Afford Kids?

      Cheap daycare, 1,500 parks, and creative communities made raising interesting kids on a patchwork income possible. Will the next generation of creatives get the same chance?

      The digital camera comeback isn't about authenticity. It's just a flattering filter.
      Opinion
      Phylida Tuff-West

      The Digital Camera Comeback Isn't About Authenticity. It's Just a Flattering Filter.

      Gen Z found a socially acceptable way to blur their pores while somehow convincing everyone it's counter-cultural.

      Wellness culture has an optimization problem
      Opinion
      J.P. Karwacki

      Wellness Culture Has an Optimization Problem

      Wellness promised an escape from productivity culture. Then it became another thing to optimize.

      Forget poutine and bagels, a real taste of this city comes from the chicken
      Opinion
      Mike Chaar

      Forget Poutine and Bagels, a Real Taste of This City Comes from the Chicken

      Rotisserie feeds more Montrealers than bagels, smoked meat, or poutine ever will.

      Letter from the Editor: Our favourite stories from 2025
      Opinion
      J.P. Karwacki

      Letter from the Editor: Our Favourite Stories from 2025

      One story for every month of 2025: A year of covering Montreal's culture, history, and the people shaping its future.

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      Montreal's got a nightlife policy, so why are venues still at risk?
      Arts & Culture
      Opinion
      Max Honigmann

      Montreal's Got a Nightlife Policy, so Why Are Venues Still at Risk?

      A year into the city's first-ever nightlife framework, the future of Montreal's independent venues still hangs in the balance.

      Opinion: Vote for talent in Montreal's upcoming election, not the party
      Election 2025
      Opinion
      Fede Sanchez

      Opinion: Vote for Talent in Montreal's Upcoming Election, Not the Party

      Otherwise, we run a heavy risk of being stuck with the same two parties that have governed our city since 2013.

      Old Montreal's losing its soul and we've got to get it back
      Arts & Culture
      Opinion
      Kevin Demers

      Old Montreal's Losing Its Soul and We've Got to Get it Back

      "Nine years running bars in the neighbourhood has taught me one thing: we're fumbling what should be our greatest asset."

      Related Classics

      From our archive.

      Montreal's got a nightlife policy, so why are venues still at risk?
      Arts & Culture
      Opinion
      Max Honigmann

      Montreal's Got a Nightlife Policy, so Why Are Venues Still at Risk?

      A year into the city's first-ever nightlife framework, the future of Montreal's independent venues still hangs in the balance.

      Opinion: Vote for talent in Montreal's upcoming election, not the party
      Election 2025
      Opinion
      Fede Sanchez

      Opinion: Vote for Talent in Montreal's Upcoming Election, Not the Party

      Otherwise, we run a heavy risk of being stuck with the same two parties that have governed our city since 2013.

      Old Montreal's losing its soul and we've got to get it back
      Arts & Culture
      Opinion
      Kevin Demers

      Old Montreal's Losing Its Soul and We've Got to Get it Back

      "Nine years running bars in the neighbourhood has taught me one thing: we're fumbling what should be our greatest asset."

      1. Articles
      2. Opinion

      Farewell, Valérie Plante: A Letter for Montreal's First Woman Mayor and Her Legacy

      You didn't fix everything, but in many key respects, you left Montreal better than you found it.

      By J.P. KarwackiNovember 3, 2025 - Read time: 6 min
      Farewell, Valérie Plante: A letter for Montreal's first woman mayor and her legacy
      Valérie Plante at the Esplanade of Olympic Park with the Orchestre symphonique de Montréal, August 13, 2025. | Photograph: Eva Blue / @evablue
      1. Articles
      2. Opinion

      Farewell, Valérie Plante: A Letter for Montreal's First Woman Mayor and Her Legacy

      You didn't fix everything, but in many key respects, you left Montreal better than you found it.

      By J.P. KarwackiNovember 3, 2025 - Read time: 6 min
      Farewell, Valérie Plante: A letter for Montreal's first woman mayor and her legacy
      Valérie Plante at the Esplanade of Olympic Park with the Orchestre symphonique de Montréal, August 13, 2025. | Photograph: Eva Blue / @evablue

      Places featured in this article

      Esplanade TranquilleThéâtre de VerdureVerdun BeachPlace des Montréalaises

      Dear Valérie,

      After eight years, two terms, one pandemic, and more orange cones than anyone thought possible, you're walking away from the job. As Taylor C. Noakes aptly pointed out, it was all done without scandal, corruption charges, or a midnight resignation. For Montreal, that's kind of remarkable.

      Like all things—especially acting as mayor of a city like Montreal—it was rarely simple. Legacies don't run in a straight line, and yours had its share of messes and contests that probably won't be settled for years. Some will remember you as the mayor who finally made Montreal green and livable, others will remember you as someone who planted trees while the roads fell apart and people couldn't find housing.

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      Places featured in this article

      Esplanade TranquilleThéâtre de VerdureVerdun BeachPlace des Montréalaises

      Dear Valérie,

      After eight years, two terms, one pandemic, and more orange cones than anyone thought possible, you're walking away from the job. As Taylor C. Noakes aptly pointed out, it was all done without scandal, corruption charges, or a midnight resignation. For Montreal, that's kind of remarkable.

      Like all things—especially acting as mayor of a city like Montreal—it was rarely simple. Legacies don't run in a straight line, and yours had its share of messes and contests that probably won't be settled for years. Some will remember you as the mayor who finally made Montreal green and livable, others will remember you as someone who planted trees while the roads fell apart and people couldn't find housing.

      Free account required

      For readers who care about Montreal

      Create a free account to read this story and access 3 articles per month, plus our weekly Bulletin.

      Independent. Local. Reader-supported.

      or

      Already a member? Sign in

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      Things to do in Montreal this November

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      Things to Do in Montreal This November

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      Boulangerie Marguerita Has Been Baking Bread the Same Way for Over a Century

      Boulangerie Marguerita has been baking bread the same way for over a century
      Things to do in Montreal this November

      Previous

      Things to Do in Montreal This November

      Next

      Boulangerie Marguerita Has Been Baking Bread the Same Way for Over a Century

      Boulangerie Marguerita has been baking bread the same way for over a century