Verdun's enjoying itself these days because people have only figured out what it already knew: It's a special place in the city.
The borough sits on Montreal's southwestern edge, pressed up against the St. Lawrence, and for most of the 20th century it was easy to drive past on your way somewhere else. That's changed considerably: Wellington Street has been called one of the coolest streets in the world, Beba holds a spot on multiple fine dining lists, and on a warm summer evening the pedestrianized strip hums with genuine energy day in and day out.
What makes Verdun worth more than a single visit is that the reputation hasn't flattened the place. The neighbourhood that earned all that attention is still recognizably itself with working-class bones, a tight community fabric, and a stretch of riverfront that belongs to everyone. The restaurants and bars that have opened in the last decade are without a doubt worth a stack, too.
Finish “A Local's Guide to Verdun”
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