Welcome back to our Summer Fridays Series, where we share the places we love, the moments that make a city feel like yours, and the looks we’d wear to do it all in.
Today, we explore Montréal, a city where cobblestone streets, colourful markets and café patios make every part of the day feel like a unique experience. It’s a place where mornings start with pastries in Old Montréal, afternoons are for soaking up skyline views or just rambling through the local markets, and evenings open up beside the water in the Old Port.
The Look
Whether you’re wandering through Old Montréal, browsing the stalls at Jean-Talon Market or heading to the Old Port for sunset, the Laurelgrove Dress feels made for a summer day in the city. Its plaid print, fitted bodice and easy A-line skirt create a look that feels polished without being overly dressed up. Made from breathable cotton with adjustable straps, it’s comfortable enough for a full day of exploring. Pair it with sneakers or sandals during the day, then add a light cardigan when the evening cools down.
Breakfast at Olive et Gourmando
Start your morning at Olive et Gourmando, a much-loved bakery café tucked along Saint-Paul Street in Old Montréal. They’re famous for homemade pastries, cozy breakfast plates and generously packed sandwiches, with this warm, busy vibe that kinda makes you linger, like you should grab yet another coffee.
Exploring Old Montréal
After breakfast, take your time and kind of wander around Old Montréal. Just stroll down Saint-Paul Street, peek into the boutiques and galleries, and pause at Place Jacques-Cartier before you head off toward Notre-Dame Basilica. Once there, with all that dramatic architecture, stained glass, and the really intricate interior, the basilica turns out to be one of Montréal’s most recognizable sights. Around it, the cobblestone lanes, historic buildings, and even those tucked-away courtyards make this corner of the city feel almost European, yet at the same time, the shops, restaurants, and galleries keep the vibe lively and kinda modern.
Lunch at Schwartz’s
If you want a real taste of Montréal, go to Schwartz’s on Saint-Laurent Boulevard. That deli has been in the city since 1928, and it’s famous all over the world for its classic Montréal smoked meat sandwich, the kind people talk about like it’s a small ceremony. The place feels relaxed but busy, and there’s history everywhere, even in the air, with lineups that pretty much become part of the deal. Get a sandwich with a pickle, sit down if you can, and enjoy what is often called one of the city’s most iconic meals.
A Sweet Stop at Chocolats Favoris
No summer day in Montréal feels fully right without something sweet, and Chocolats Favoris is kinda the best spot to cool off. It’s especially known for soft-serve ice cream that gets dipped into a thick layer of proper chocolate, and yeah, you can pick classic milk or dark chocolate along with those more playful seasonal flavours. The chocolate sort of sets up around the ice cream, giving you that really satisfying crunch each time you bite, which is honestly the whole point. It’s rich, kinda messy, and totally worth it, even if you end up wearing a little bit of it.
Dinner at Modavie
For dinner, head to Modavie, a lively French bistro in the heart of Old Montréal. The menu brings together comforting French-inspired dishes, from mushroom risotto and fresh seafood to pasta and classic meat dishes. With live jazz, blues and contemporary music playing every evening, it feels like more than just dinner and is the perfect way to settle into Montréal’s nightlife before taking one final walk through the Old Port.
Sunset in the Old Port
Finish your day by the water, in Montréal’s Old Port. Just stroll along the river, then pause for a drink on a patio, or hop on La Grande Roue for those big sweeping views over the city. It’s 60 metres up, the observation wheel gives you a 360-degree glance over Old Montréal, downtown, Mount Royal, and the St. Lawrence River. Honestly, it’s one of the prettiest ways to see everything, when the sun is starting to set, and Montréal’s lights begin to switch on, slowly.
