I went to Montreal to meet a Quebecois friend I'd met in France 24 hours earlier – sometimes that's all it takes. It was a friendly love at first sight. We never lost touch, and I had never been to Canada, so it was the perfect opportunity for me to go there.

So, at the end of April, I packed my bags and crossed the Atlantic to discover poutine and Céline Dion's homeland.

Instead of museums, I preferred wandering the streets, looking at the murals, eating in restaurants and cafes, taking my time, and enjoying my friend's company.
Here are some of the good places we tried, should you decide to cross the Atlantic.
 
RESTAURANTS

Chez Suzanne, on the Plateau Mont Royal. A cocktail bar/restaurant serving dumplings and ceviche. Refined and delicious.
20 Av. Duluth E, Montréal

Hanzo Izikaya, in the heart of Old Montreal on Saint Nicolas street. A good Japanese restaurant.
417 Rue Saint-Nicolas, Montréal

Neo Tokyo, a new neo-futuristic noodle bar opened this winter. A bit of a Blade Runner vibe. It's hearty and very good. 
425 Av. Viger O RC-001, Montreal

Fleurs et Cadeaux, a Japanese speakeasy and sake bar. I love this little pink house hidden in Montreal's Chinatown. Unfortunately, I couldn't have dinner there, so remember to book!
1002 Rue Saint-Urbain, Montréal,

Pho Ban New York
Best dive in the city to devour a Pho! 
1001 Boul. Saint-Laurent, Montréal

MUST-DOS

Eat poutine at Ma Poule mouillée, but the Portuguese version this time! Apparently, it's one of the best in Montreal with chorizo and chicken.
969 Rachel St E, Montreal, 

Bite into a bagel from Fairmount,(74 Av. Fairmount) or Saint Viateur (S263, rue St-Viateur Ouest).

Stop by Schwartz THE BEST DELI for Montreal's smoked meat sandwiches.
3895 Boul. Saint-Laurent, Montréal

CAFÉS

Lapin pressé, a small café for grilled cheese and latte to go, in the very trendy Laurier district.
1309 Avenue Laurier E, Montréal

September, a quiet and trendy little café where you can eat an avocado toast and a coffee in the less touristy area of Petite Bourgogne.
2471 R. Notre Dame O, Montréal, 

Tommy, a neighborhood bar for lunch in Old Montreal. 
200 R. Notre Dame O, Montréal, 

Chez José, a small Portuguese café in the heart of the Plateau. Chill and colorful.
173 Av. Duluth E, Montréal,

BARS

Club Pelicano, a beautiful bathhouse-style bar hidden on the -1 level of the Tiradito restaurant. A little nod to "club piscine," a swimming equipment store in Quebec. 
1076 Rue de Bleury #001, Montreal

Le Mal Nécessaire, a pretty, elegant bar inspired by the 70s, hidden in Chinatown. You go there to sip a cocktail.
1106B  Boulevard Saint-Laurent, Montreal 

Fleurs et Cadeaux, a favorite for this little pink house in the middle of Chinatown. In the basement, there's the Sans Soleil, a speakeasy for sake fans, and on the 1st floor for sake lovers.
1002, rue saint-urbain, Montreal

Le Cobra, for those who want to sing their hearts out!
6584 Boul. Saint-Laurent, Montréal,

Le Renard,
A trendy bar with a relaxed atmosphere offering craft beers and cocktails with a limited menu of creative brasserie dishes.
1272 Rue Sainte-Catherine E, Montréal,

Le Datcha, one side is a bar with a subdued atmosphere, the other a nightclub for dancing in the Laurier district.
98 Av. Laurier O, Montréal

THRIFT STORES

Eva B. , Ribotti, La caravane Vintage and all the ones on Boulevard Saint Laurent

BOUTIQUES

Buk & Nola, Ex voto, Paperole, Bref... Montreal is full of cool little shops