Montreal Monthly Highlights: September 2023 Edition

Bonjour à tous! Welcome to the first edition of ‘Montreal Monthly Highlights,’ where I’ll recap my favorite restaurants, bars, activities, and unforgettable moments from the past month and in turn give you inspiration for your own Montreal adventures. Join me as we explore the best of September 2023 in Montreal!

Margot Juice & Smoothie Bar at Atwater Market

Like many Montreal locals, I love Atwater Market, especially living just 15 minutes away. Exploring & shopping from the diverse vendors at the market is my favorite Sunday activity. During September I tried Margot Bar à Jus for the first time. Their goal is to bring you the freshest and healthiest juices & smoothies in town, and they definitely achieve this! I tried the Mango Tango Smoothie which was a refreshing blend of pineapple, oranges, mango & greek yogurt, and the perfect pick-me-up on a Sunday Morning. I also thought their signature branding & pink packaging was so cute! Definitely check out Margot Bar à Jus the next time you are in Atwater Market. They are open everyday 9am – 5pm and you can check out their official instagram here. 

Dinner at Vieux-Port Steakhouse

I visited Vieux-Port Steakhouse in Old Montreal for dinner during September with my family visiting from Australia. It was my first time dining at this Montreal institution and I was blown away by the decor & food! We sat in the garden Terrasse (terrace) which was completely fitted out with lush greenery, stone walls & tropical flowers. To begin our meal, we shared Lobster Bisque, Classic Caesar Salad & Oysters of Moment, all of which were incredible and a great way to try a bite of everything. Our mains were even more spectacular; the dry-aged, AAA certified Canadian steaks were perfectly cooked and came with garlicky mash, vegetables & your choice of sauce. The cocktail menu is extensive and I loved their desert Espresso Martinis which are made with espresso, vodka, Tia Maria & Baileys and make for the perfect nightcap.I highly recommend visiting Vieux-Port Steakhouse on your next date night or special occasion for an unforgettable dining experience! 

Day Trip to the Mont Tremblant 

This September I went on an epic 1-day road trip through the Laurentian Mountains. We visited Saint-Sauveur, Lac Saint Joseph, Sainte-Agathe-des-Monts in the morning & finally Mont-Tremblant in the afternoon. I visited during the end of September, so we were lucky enough to see the fall leaves changing color in each town. The small towns of Saint-Sauveur & Sainte-Agathe-des-Monts were very unique with incredible views and I can’t wait to go back and spend more time in each town. The picturesque Mont-Tremblant was the highlight of my day, from the European style Pedestrian Village, the quebecois cuisine, admiring the views from the Cabriolet (open air gondola) or the postcard perfect view from the top of the Mont-Tremblant. I loved going on the Panoramic Gondola, which takes you to the summit of Mont Tremblant, providing breathtaking views of Lac Tremblant, the Laurentians and the surrounding valleys. You can check out my Instagram Reel here for a sneak peak of the stunning views. If you would like to plan your own 1 day trip to Mont-Tremblant, I highly recommend going on Get Your Guide’s Laurentian Mountain Day Trip Tour, which is an affordable & convenient way to explore these towns in 1 day. Feel free to check out my latest blog post here for my detailed guide on how to plan the ultimate 1-day road trip through the Laurentian Mountains. 

5 à 7 (Happy Hour) at Perles et Paddock

Perles et Paddock is a modern French restaurant & craft cocktail bar located in Griffintown. While their brunch & dining menu is fantastic I’ve been loving their 5 à 7 menu which features delectable dishes meant to be shared. My favorites are the Candied Tomatoes with Marcel’s Honey, Greek Yogurt or the Shiitake & Leek Rilette, both of which are vegetarian and served with house made focaccia. The decor inside Perles et Paddock is very stylish with lush greenery and a huge atrium in the center which fills the bar & dining area with light. The outside terrasse is equally beautiful, and is the perfect spot to enjoy the sunset in Griffintown. To drink, I highly recommend the Pain Killer, which is actually one of my all time favorite cocktails in Montreal! It has rum, pineapple juice, orange juice & coconut milk and transports you to relaxing on a beach in the Caribbean! You can reserve your spot at Perles et Paddock’s official website here: https://perlesetpaddock.com/

Oktoberfest at Atwater Market

On Saturday September 30 and Sunday October 1 Atwater Market hosted its second Oktoberfest. It featured 15 microbreweries showcasing nearly 100 craft beers & amazing food. There was live music & lots of family-friendly activities. Admission to the event was free, and you can opt for a $3.50 tasting glass and fill it up from the vendors for $4 for a 5 oz or $7 for a 10 oz. It was a great way to try many of the beers on offer from Montreal’s many unique microbreweries. Check out my Instagram Reel here  for the highlights! 

Canal Lachine Walks 

We had beautiful weather during September, with a heatwave at the start of the month to the start of fall foliage at the end of the month. During September, I tried to go for a daily morning walk along the Lachine Canal, alternating between the direction of Atwater or the Old Port. The views are spectacular, especially watching the leaves change color day by day. It’s a great opportunity for bird watching & dog spotting, as well as to watch the locks expertly maneuver boats along the canal. I’ve been enjoying walking around the canal, but you can also bike along the 14km path and there are numerous Bixi stations along the way. 

Blossom Sushi at Time Out Market

Time Out Market in the Eaton Centre in Downtown Montreal is the ultimate ‘food court’ where you can sample renowned dishes from Montreal’s best restaurants. It features sixteen eateries, three bars and even a cooking school and is one of the best places in Montreal to sample some of the city’s best food & drinks in one convenient location. In September I couldn’t get enough of Le Blossom, a Japanese restaurant serving up creative Japanese plates & sake cocktails. The menu includes fresh sashimi, savory maki, pressed and torched oshizushi, poke bowls and japanese street food with a Montreal flair. My favorite dish is the Saumon épicé (Spicy Salmon) which has seared salmon on top of spicy rice, tempura shrimp, unagi sauce & spicy mayonnaise. The presentation is stunning and it is the perfect pick-me-up during a day of retail therapy at Eaton Centre!

Sunset Drinks at Terrasse Perché

I visited Terrasse Perché for the first time in September and it has quickly become one of my favorite bars in the city. It is a rooftop bar & restaurant on the 4th of Hotel William Grey in Old Montreal and has incredible views of Place Jacques-Cartier & the Old Port of Montreal. I loved the California-vibe & lush decor. The cocktail & wine list is fantastic & I featured their Blossom cocktail in my new series ‘Cocktail of the Week’. It has vodka, Apérol, pineapple, strawberries & lime and is the perfect summer cocktail. You can make reservations online at their official website here: https://perchemtl.com/en/

I hope you have enjoyed reading my September highlights and get some inspiration yourself for amazing places to dine in Montreal & fun things to do. Share your monthly favorites in the comments below.