Montreal Authentic Shopping Guide

Local handicrafts and artisanal items to pick up on your trip

Maple Products
The most famous Quebec delicacy, canned syrup can be found in every grocery store, and maple sugar and candy can be bought in specialty stores all over the city, or at Les Délices de l’Erable (www.mapledelights.com) in Old Montreal.

Brome Lake Duck
Considered the best in North America. Dozens of duck products, from foie gras to vacuum packed magret de canard to smoked duck slices can be purchased in gourmet butchers and delis around Montreal or at Le Canard Libéré (4396 Boulevard St. Laurent).

Objets d’Art
The Musée d’Art Contemporain de Montréal Boutique offers unique objets d’art, designer wares, housewares, and especially jewelry by some of the city’s prominent artists and craftspeople.

Traditional Crafts
Visit the Musée McCord store for a wide selection of traditional crafts from native and Inuit communities of Quebec. For jewelry, glasswork, scarves, pottery, fur, and leather apparel created by local craftspeople, visit the upscale craft fair, Marché Bonsecours.

Bagels
“The true heart of Jewish Montreal.”—Bill Brownstein, city columnist, the Gazette. St.-Viateur Bagel (263 St. Viateur O.; www.stviateurbagel.com) has operated seven days a week, twenty-four hours a day, since 1957. Pop in for a half-dozen “hot white” (fresh sesame) or “hot black” (fresh poppy seed) and eat them right out of the bag. Tip: Keep leftover bagels overnight in the paper bag, wrapped in a tightly knotted plastic bag, toast for freshness, and slather on cream cheese or smoked salmon dip, also sold in the shop.