In a multicultural melting pot where European influence runs deep, virtually any food can be found – but you can’t miss out on the local specialties! Montreal has mastered the art of the bagel: handmade and wood-fired and rolled in sesame seeds. Try one, then queue up for the “Wilensky Special'' – a smoked meat and cheese sandwich from a local institution. Get your second wind with an espresso from Café Olimpico, and satisfy your sweet tooth with a maple donut. Of course, you can’t possibly miss out on Montreal’s signature meal, an ice-cold craft beer and poutine (at La Banquise, the gravy is extra-rich and the cheese curds have the perfect level of squeak), and if you’re feeling fancy, the foie gras version comes highly recommended.

In central Montreal, the food scene can get slightly overwhelming – but with a food-obsessed local guide to lead the way, you’ll know exactly where to go for the very best of it. The youthful Plateau area, known for its casual bars and 24-hour eateries popular with students, is a good place to start. Try Canadian classics at one of the favorite spots, then head 1.5 miles west to the trendy Mile End neighborhood, a hub of old-school bagel shops and cool cafés. Get your caffeine fix at a coffee shop and a sesame bagel from St-Viateur, an iconic local haunt, before moving a mile further west, through the Little Italy neighborhood (why not pop into an Italian grocery store?), to Jean-Talon Market for handcrafted cheeses and chewy crepes.