In Montreal, everyone calls it “Chinatown,” but the stretch of Saint-Laurent Boulevard marked by large painted gates is officially called the “Chinese Quarter.”
The neighborhood, like other Chinatowns and Asian neighborhoods in North America, was built around a wave of immigration. In Montreal, Chinese immigrants working on the British Columbia railroads arrived in Montreal in the late 1880s.
In the 20th century, the neighborhood was described as “dangerous and mysterious,” but from the very beginning, its cafés and clubs were the coolest in the city. After the repeal of a law restricting Chinese immigration in 1947, a new wave of immigration that reunited families breathed new life into the neighborhood.
Most of the neighborhood’s Chinese-style buildings were constructed during a revival in the 1980s and 90s. Today, the neighborhood is just as cool as it was in its early days.
Our favorite spots in Chinatown
Among our (almost) secret Chinatown spots are favorites of our coolest friends, discoveries made while wandering the streets when it’s too hot to go back to the apartment under the summer sun, and recommendations from lifelong Montrealers.
An exhibition: Do You Know Your Chinatown? at theMusée des Mémoires Montréalaises
To get things off to a good start, we suggest checking out an exhibition—technically not in Chinatown, but right next door. It runs until May 10, 2026, and explores the identity and history of Montreal’s Chinatown through photos and personal accounts.
Where? Musée des Mémoires Montréalaises (MEM), at 1210 Saint-Laurent Boulevard
When? February 17 to May 10, 2026
How? Free admission
A restaurant: Fleurs & Cadeaux
This Japanese restaurant is partially hidden behind its candy-pink florist’s shopfront, but it’s a Montreal institution for those in the know. Sushi, sashimi, mazemen, sake—everything is delicate and delicious.
The restaurant’s atmosphere is perfect for dinner with an old friend you haven’t seen in a long time, or with new friends you want to impress. The music is exceptional.
Dishes range from $17 to $42 each, and there are sake options for every budget.
Where? Fleurs & Cadeaux, at 1002 Saint-Urbain
Website? fleursetcadeaux.com
A store: Herbes de Chine Kim Huê
For herbs and teas to take home—following the instructions we’ve been given, of course—we love stopping by this somewhat hidden apothecary.
Where? 1078 Saint-Laurent Boulevard
We also recommend stopping by;
- at Gol’s Lanzhou Noodle, for hand-pulled noodles / at 1006 Saint-Laurent Boulevard
- at the Centre du Cadeau Oriental, for everything you need and for small moiré fabric handbags / at 67 Rue de la Gauchetière West
- at Sammi & Soupe Dumpling / 68 Rue de la Gauchetière West
And right now, just outside Chinatown, we recommend checking out the Bubble Planet exhibit…
Welcome to Bubble Planet, where bubbles are bigger and more fantastic than ever. A marvelous planet that will spark your imagination, enchant you with its magic and science, and transport you back to childhood. You can jump from one immersive space to another in this spherical universe filled with a thousand and one bubbles that will engage all your senses. Giant balloons and enormous soap bubbles await you in this unique sensory experience. You’ll see the world in a whole new light and explore every nook and cranny of this strange planet during a hyper-realistic hot-air balloon ride—and much more!
Bubble Planet: An Immersive Experience in Montreal
12 May 2026 10:00 + more dates
