I have been in Montreal for a bit more than 8 months now, and I thought it might be the right time to write in my adventure section.
To be honest with you, I didn't do it sooner because the weather was terrible, I was in school and I didn't explore much. And now I feel like I can tell you the city I have been living in as someone who lives there, and has tried many places, fallen in love with few.
Le Plateau Mont-Royal:
It's probably my favorite place of all Montreal. It is also where all the vegan restaurants, thrift stores and natural shops are. The houses, with their balconies and stairs, are the cutest thing ever. There is life.
La Panthère Verte:
As I recall, it's been the first vegan restaurant I went to in Montreal. Their falafels are known to be the best in the city, definitely the best ones I ever had. Oh, and their fries. Sweet potato, salt, spices, and the veganaise! Everything I had here is good, the prices are reasonable and their philosophy everything I look for. Reducing food waste, but also waste in general is their mantra. They serve you delicious filling vegan organic food, certainly made with love. Well, when you can't finish your plate and have to pay for the plastic container, you're not the happiest, but you pay the price. That's the right way to do it. The paper and the straws are compostable, everything else is reusable. Check them out, there are 6 restaurants in Montreal, you'll find one that's close to where you are.
Frenco bulk store: We got there by chance, one day, while walking without a goal on Saint-Laurent Boulevard. It looked eco-friendly and cute. All we bought was green clay to do face masks, but actually wanted to get everything they had. Loose soap, bulk ingredients, delicious dishes ready to eat. Oh, and we got a chocolate cookie.
Montreal Vegan Festival:
And all the others vegan events and opportunities to get involved in veganism. Cube of Truth, festivals, events, facebook groups, etc. Montreal has a big vegetarian/vegan community, and people get involved. I went to the vegan festival in October, and it was the first vegan event I went to. The food was amazing, there were speeches, cooking workshops and movie screenings.
Facebook group:
Trip de Bouffe:
On one rainy night that we were starving and didn't find the restaurant we were looking for, we just followed our noses. It smelled just delicious. So we stopped. Everything happens for a reason, it was like heaven to us.
They serve Lebanese food, to enjoy there or to go. The food is delicious, and makes everybody happy, from the meat-eater to the vegan. The staff was super nice to us (to everybody). Some restaurants give you single use dishes and cutlery, even though you eat there, but not here. And their slogan "Be aware, bring your tupperware" made me fall in love.
The Thrift Stores:
They are everywhere on Plateau Mont-Royal, but elsewhere too. Where I live, there aren't as many, and here, you can find pretty much everything. I think the last time I went shopping for new clothing was in November. I love the fact that I save money and, I can get unique clothing that is likely to last longer and has a minimal impact on the environment.
Some of them have a nicer selection, some of them are cheaper. On the Saint-Laurent Boulevard, they usually are trendy and therefore on the expensive side. Some of the cheaper ones are Renaissance, and NOVA West Island. They are both really cheap, even though I have a preference for the NOVA, because it is smaller. You can also find books, dishes and more.
It is always an adventure. You never know what you'll find.
The Flea Markets:
We've only been to two, but I loved the experience. I found unique objects to bring home as souvenirs, observed and discovered. You can find pretty much everything, going from clothing to books, dishes, jewelry, furniture, old magazines, posters and more. Everything. With the goal of bringing back home something for everybody, but something that is original and has a value. I found what I was looking for. And there is nothing new, everything is repurposed, reused
Montreal, I love you.
