95 Best Shopping in Montreal, Quebec

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

Everything about this shop, from the handsome Crescent St. location to the immaculate hardwood floors to the classic bespoke men's shirts with damask silk lining and hand-sewn button holes speaks of quality, tradition, and style. Armenian-Canadian tailor Arthur Der Shahinian has been creating custom-made suits for men (and some women) since 1978, first from his modest digs at Marché Jean-Talon, and now from his elegant atelier-cum-boutique on Crescent St. Still, Mr. Der Shahinian and his sons Tavit and John haven't compromised their principles of quality and friendly, professional service. At 70, Der Shahinian is the youngest shirtmaker in Montréal, a fact that speaks volumes about what has been happening to the fashion industry in the last quarter century. The Der Shahinians also custom-make men's shoes.

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 to 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 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 their 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 Crescent Street, this precious little chocolaterie owned by Belgian maître chocolatier Richard Zwierzynski has lived here for 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.

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.

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.

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$150 to C$1,000, the top price fetching you a top-of-the-line Panama hat. 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.

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.

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 and cookware to 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 La Perla. 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.

Sleek, supple leather clothing and bags from the Québec designer Frédéric Mamarbachi have a cult following from Antwerp to Tokyo. The rough-hewn wood floors and concrete walls of this branch give it an industrial-chic vibe.

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.

A huge expansion in 2013 made this local favorite, in business since 1954, even more popular with customers, who 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.

The original owner made her reputation finding and salvaging fine pieces of early Quebec and Canadian pine furniture, but she also developed a good instinct for folk art, such as exquisitely carved hunting decoys, weather vanes, and pottery. Now her two children continue the tradition.

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, opened in 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. 

Designed in Montréal and sold around the world, this is couture swimwear at its finest. In a rainbow of colors, these sexy cuts are meant to be displayed—though one of the ethereal cover-ups just might make one reconsider. There's also a collection of men's swim trunks and briefs.

Deep in the heart of the McGill University neighborhood, this award-wining Montréal landmark is bursting with used books (including first editions) and specializes in philosophy, poetry, and literature. Despite its dilapidated appearance, the Lilliputian shop is beloved by locals and visitors alike. As celebrated Montreal novelist Heather O'Neill says, "Everyone says a prayer before walking in so that the roof won’t collapse." Open since 1975, the owners shunned modern technology (including a cash register) until just a few years ago. There's not even a sign, so keep your eyes peeled as you walk along Milton, though the bargain books lining the window are a good clue. The Word recently made an appearance in the Netflix movie Pieces of a Woman starring Vanessa Kirby and Shia LaBeouf.

The 6,000 square feet of women's clothing, shoes, and accessories include an eclectic mix of labels: Acne Studios, Mackage and Paloma Barcelo fashions hang near shoes by Ann Demeulemeester and Veja.