96 Best Places to Shop in Montreal, Quebec

A sea of chairs, lamps, tables, and other 1930s–1980s furnishings and accessories awaits you at Antiquités Curiosités, but it's the beautifully restored mid-century modern teak pieces that are the biggest draws. Retro curiosities like rotary phones also tickle the fancy.

Chef and owner Jonathan Cheung not only knows food; he also knows books. The respected chef, author, and CBC Montréal food columnist made a longtime dream come true when he opened his shop, Appetite for Books, in Victoria Village. Here in his kitchen-cum-bookstore he offers private and group cooking classes, private dinners, tasting events, and, of course, a wide selection of cookbooks in both French and English.

Everything about this shop, from the handsome rue Crescent location to the immaculate hardwood floors and the classic bespoke men's suits with damask silk lining and hand-sewn buttonholes, speaks of quality, tradition, and style. Armenian Canadian tailor Arthur Der Shahinian began creating custom-made suits and shirts for men (and some women) since 1978, first from his modest digs at Marché Jean-Talon and later from his elegant atelier-cum-boutique on rue Crescent. Der Shahinian's sons David and John haven't compromised their father's principles of quality and friendly, professional service. The Der Shahinians also custom-make jeans and men's shoes.

Set in an old button factory, this retro, multipurpose space (boutique, design/sewing workshop, and sewing school) makes and sells simple and sustainable clothing for all genders and children, as well as toys, underwear, and homewares. Many of their products, such as pencil cases and bags, are made from recycled scraps of organic cotton and linen, sometimes even turning these into pulp to make lampshades. atelier b also produces made-to-order pieces and does repairs and alterations.

In French they call costume jewelry bijoux de fantaisie, and that's exactly what you'll find here: a fantastic array of colorful crystal baubles. Elegant lines from Ginette NY contrast with the bold designs of Reminiscence Paris. The glass-walled boutique is easy to miss, as it blends into the surrounding building.

Looking for that special handcrafted gift that can't be found anywhere else? A whimsical teapot straight out of a children's picture book, perhaps? A hand-painted ceramic bead necklace? A wood-sculpted anthropomorphized bird that reminds of you of your brother? A gold bracelet made of hundreds of miniscule seed-like beads? An adorable animal-shaped cushion? This Quebec artisans' guild boutique may have just what you're not for, but find delight in nonetheless. 

Mod, space-aged, kitsch—this boutique has it all. From Russell Spanner dressers and vintage needlepoint dog portraits turned cushions to ceramic lamps in atomic designs circa 1950, Spoutnik is a veritable Aladdin's cave of retro treasures. Owner Sylvie Rochon takes her work seriously, carefully curating her collection and adding her own artistic touches to vintage objects. Not surprisingly, her gorgeous boutique has been featured in several Québec home décor publications.

Featured in publications like the Guardian, GQ, and Goop, this authentically retro locale is a hipster's dream. Little has changed on the building's main floor, with the old, scuffed-up brownish-gray terrazzo flooring still in attendance and few embellishments made to the premises. The focus here is on the clothing and other products like leather goods, apothecary, and homewares, each item handpicked for quality, craftsmanship, and the story behind the brand. In addition to its own locally produced in-house brand, Clark Street Mercantile sources casual and classic men's clothing from labels like Portuguese Flannel, La Paz, and orSlow; apothecary from Rockwell, Groom, and Baxter; and other lifestyle products, including books, from Barebones, Kinto, and Monocle.

Tucked away in a basement, the tiny "Second Skin" sells a fine assortment of French lingerie. It's hard to miss the curvy mannequins in their ground-floor window, adorned in the likes of Aubade, Chantelle, and Prima Donna. While you're feeling brave and beautiful, kill two birds with one stone and try on a bathing suit from the shop's tasteful collection of French, Spanish, and Australian designers.

Tucked away in a small basement space on rue Crescent, this precious little artisanal chocolaterie owned by Belgian maître chocolatier Richard Zwierzynski has lived here for over 30 years and been in existence since 1976. With its stuffed teddy bears, shoe- and bottle-shaped chocolate decorations, and antique porcelain plates adorning the walls, a visit to Divine is like stepping into a 19th-century ice-cream parlor. Chocolate massage oil and chocolate tablets made from the mold of an illustration from the Kama Sutra will tickle the fancy, but it's the chocolate truffles, assorted chocolates, and the dark-chocolate-ganache cheesecake that will have you returning again and again.

Owner Julie Pesant has stocked her boutique with top-quality Montréal-made-and-designed dresses in a multitude of styles that can easily be dressed up or down with a simple change of accessories. From peplums to lace, satin to jersey, long and short, they're all here.

With a reputation as the best vintage shop in the city, this upscale boutique specializes in vintage clothing, shoes, and accessories from the 1920s through the mid-1980s. Each handpicked item is carefully cleaned, repaired, and altered as necessary to give it a more contemporary flair and using no new materials. High-profile clients like Julianne Moore and Cate Blanchett have been known to drop by. This location is bright, spacious, and loaded with irresistible treasures.

From its humble beginnings in a kitchen, this popular Canadian brand outfits young creatives and professionals in casual, contemporary fashions using ecologically friendly fabrics like hemp, kapok, seawool (a yarn made from recycled polyester and oyster shell composites), SeaCell (biodegradable fibers made from renewable raw materials found in seaweed and natural cellulose), and recycled cottons, polyesters, nylons, and wools.

From Lawren Harris and Emily Carr to Jean-Paul Riopelle and Jean Paul Lemieux, the Klinkhoffs know art, especially Canadian art. Open since 1950, the gallery showcases several floors of Canadian works from both contemporary and historical artists.

A Montréal tradition since 1932, the best men's hat store in Canada carries a huge stock of homburgs, fedoras, and derbies, as well as cloth caps and other accessories. Prices range from about C$80 to C$1,000, the top price fetching you a top-of-the-line Panama hat. There are lots of women's hats on offer as well.

This upscale department store is Canada's answer to Bergdorf Goodman. Gucci, Chanel, and all the usuals are complemented by up-and-coming designers and Holt's own in-house line.

Holt Renfrew purchased Ogilvy, Montréal's other chic department store on rue Ste-Catherine, and the two are currently in the process of merging into a megaluxury store and hotel (the brand-new Four Seasons). Holt Renfrew's move from rue Sherbrooke to Ste-Catherine should be complete sometime in 2020.

The Mile End neighborhood earned its reputation for all things cool with funky shops like this one. The natural-hue clothes—most by local designers—are feminine and elegant, and owner Jennifer Glasgow sells her eponymous clothing line here. The location on the Main is warm and welcoming, with exposed brick, pendant laps, and an antique display table.

For a taste of the old Main, where generations of immigrants came to shop, look no farther than this deli packed with sausages, cheeses, European chocolates, jams, and loads of atmosphere. Pick up a rich shot of espresso on your way out. Call ahead as hours vary seasonally.

If you're a fan of graphic novels, this bookstore has your name on it. Founded in Mile End over 30 years ago, Drawn & Quarterly started out as a magazine and grew into an internationally recognized publisher of the best cartoonists. The company publishes Canadian and international writers and cartoonists like Kate Beaton, Ebony Flowers, Craig Thompson, Tove Jansson, Guy Delisle, Tom Gauld, Astrid Lindgren, Yoshiharu Tsuge, Rutu Modan, Shigeru Mizuki, Zuo Ma, and many more. The cozy shop sells their own publications as well as titles from many other publishers, in addition to hosting authors and book signing events.

A fixture on boulevard St-Laurent since 1964, this is your one-stop shop for all things Spanish and Latin American in Montréal. The name is really a misnomer today since few books are sold here anymore. However, the friendly staff at this unpretentious establishment sell just about everything else from Spanish and Latin American foods to ceramic ware, cookware, flamenco shoes, and a large assortment of espadrilles.

Helping women feel their best since 1982, this lovely shop carries some of the finest lingerie in the city—including brands like Eres and Prima Donna. The staff is extremely helpful in finding what fits and flatters. Two other reasons to stop and shop: exquisite fashions from Europe and a great selection of swimsuits and darling cover-ups.

The 6,000 square feet of upmarket women's clothing, shoes, and accessories include an eclectic mix of labels: Pieces by AGOLDE, Citizens of Humanity, and Ulla Johnson hang near shoes by Isabel Marant Jinsay and Veja.

Talented owner and painter Lysanne Pepin has an eye for design. Her boutiques, located a few addresses apart on the same block, are beautiful and intriguing spaces to explore. They are filled with romantic clothes, funky shoes, and a carefully edited mix of local and international labels, as well as eclectic housewares and furniture for home and office.

This is the biggest and liveliest of the city's public markets. On weekends in summer and fall, crowds swarm the half-acre or so of outdoor produce stalls, looking for the fattest tomatoes, sweetest melons, and juiciest strawberries. Its shops also sell sausage, fish, cheese, bread, pastries, and other delicacies. Early in the morning you might rub elbows with the city's top chefs. The market is in the northern end of the city, but is easy to get to by métro.

The smells of roasting chestnuts and fresh pastries at this market will surely excite your olfactory system. To further delight your senses there are dozens of tiny shops full of Québec cheeses, Lebanese sweets, country pâtés, local wines, and handmade chocolates. Less threatening to the waistline but a feast for the eyes are the huge mounds of peas, beans, apples, carrots, pears, garlic, and other produce on sale at the open-air stands. Visit on weekends during the warm summer months, and it will feel as if all of Montréal has come out to shop. During the holiday season there is a Christmas market, which runs from late November until the 23rd of December.

In business since 1954, customers here form long lines for prepared foods at the takeout counter. There's a vast selection of cheeses, oils, vinegars, and baked goods. For some elbow room, go during the week.

The leading female designer in Québec (and one who's celebrated throughout Canada), Marie Saint-Pierre is known for her signature pleats and ruffles—think sleek and sophisticated rather than frilly. Now she's lending her avant-garde touch to bridal, with a wedding collection that's available only at this flagship boutique.

This little boutique showcases beautiful ballerina flats handmade in Spain. Available in a wide variety of colors and styles, you'll find it difficult to limit yourself to just one pair. You'll also find Barbour handbags—a canvas tote might be the perfect accessory to complement your new flats.

Everyone from casual readers to serious book collectors will find something at this Mile End gem, where the stacks of literature are complemented by a vast selection of books on philosophy, science, and religion. The owner and his employees are friendly and well-read.

One of the top shoe stores in Montréal, hands down, Scarpa, which means "shoe" in Italian, has been in business since 2008. From espadrilles, flats, and pumps to winter boots, sneakers, and strappy sandals, Scarpa shoes are always high quality and consistently on point. The company has its own footwear brand and atelier, which aptly enough is called Ateliers. A smaller collection of men's shoes is also available.