Montréal neighbourhood: Discover Chinatown

Montréal’s Chinatown, or le Quartier chinois, is situated in the Ville-Marie borough. Chinatown occupies roughly one square block: Saint Dominique Street to the east, René-Lévesque Boulevard to the north, Viger Street to the south and Jeanne-Mance Street to the west, the four corners of which are marked by large ornate Paifang Gates (the most of any Chinatown in Canada).

The bustling part of town was established in the early 1890s. With several Chinese stores set up on De le Gauchetière Street peppered with Chinese laundries in the area, a Montréal Chinatown slowly started to emerge. 

Throughout the years, Montréal’s Chinatown has survived expropriation and redevelopment. The first initiative to revive the area was the establishment of a pedestrian mall on De la Gauchetière street in the 1980s. This was followed by the Chinese Catholic Community Centre, low-rent housing complexes with reserved floors for seniors and low-income families, and the construction of the Montréal Chinese Hospital in 1999, the first Chinese hospital in Canada.

From historic landmarks and hidden artifacts to steaming dim sum and hand-pulled noodles, here is your essential guide to the best things to see, do, and eat in Montreal’s storied Chinatown.

The Wings Building

Located at the corner of De la Gauchetière and Coté streets, the Wings Building may be the oldest building in Chinatown. Built in 1826 by James O'Donnel, the architect of Notre-Dame Basilica in Old Montréal, the Wings Building has been a military school, a paper box factory, and warehouse. Since closing, the Wing’s family heirlooms have recently been acquired by the MEM, Centre des mémoires montréalaises, preserving over 5000 artifacts, including documents and objects that tell the story of Wings Noodles and Montréal’s Chinatown. 

Place Sun Yat Sen 

Situated in the heart of Chinatown on Clark Street, this public square is named after the ideological father of modern China. Constructed by eight commissioned craftsmen from Shanghai, this park was created using traditional methods and materials. The north wall features a large grey slate carving and, to the east, a traditional decorative Chinese structure featuring exposed wood beans joists and lintels that house a souvenir shop.

Tongs

Benevolent associations or Tongs (which translates to “hall” or “gathering place” were founded where members of the same families would congregate to provide support and counseling to newly landed Chinese immigrants. Montréal’s Lee Family Association as well as Wong Wun Sun Association are amongst the oldest in the country. They invite visitors to admire artifacts and photos on display from over the years – some are over 100 years old!

The pedestrian mall on De la Gauchetière Street

This pedestrian-only section of De la Gauchetière sees street festivals during the Mid-Autumn Moon Festival and storefronts extending into the street in the summer selling sweet treats and souvenirs. 

What started off as small grocery stores, diners and restaurants evolved over the years into businesses in Chinatown that reflect the mix of Asian cultures that make up this vibrant neighbourhood. Businesses founded by Hong Kong Chinese, Mainland Chinese and Chinese refugees from South-East Asia are all represented in Chinatown. 

Behind the souvenir stands and trinket shops are businesses that Asian-Montrealers frequent to source specialty imported items, such as Asian pharmacies (herbal teas and ointments anyone?), or to dine at some of the most authentic Chinese and other Asian restaurants the city has to offer. 

Dim Sum

Literally meaning “touch the heart” these small, delicate plates of food that often consist of dumplings, steamed sweet or savory buns and stir fry are a weekend brunch favourite. Head to Restaurant Kim Fung or Red Ruby for all your dim sum favourites. 

Szechuan

Tantalize your taste buds at Restaurant Kanbai, where fiery Szechuan cuisine will leave you wanting more. If you’re down for a quick show with your meal, visit the noodle pullers at Lanzhou noodle or Le Lotus Bleu where the loud claps of dough being slapped to form fresh noodles welcome you as you walk through the door. 

Fast casual eats

Visit some of the city’s most authentic “cha chan tengs”. Literally translated as “tea restaurant”, these Hong Kong style diners serve snacks, small meals and coffee or tea based drinks. Restaurant Andy and Dobe and Restaurant Ethan are your best bets. Enjoy succulent roasted pork and duck noodles, classic macaroni with ham soup, deep-fried “French toast” and wash it all down with a cold and creamy sweetened milk-tea. 

Sweet Treats

You can’t visit any Chinatown without devouring some Chinese pastries.  Head over to Hong Kong style bakeries like Patisserie Harmonie, Pâtisserie Coco, or Patisserie Bao Bao Dim Sum and build yourself a box of baked goods, sweet buns filled with red bean paste or creamy custard egg tarts.  Don’t forget to visit the Dragon Beard Candy stall for this traditional confectionary. Made to order, the candy master pulls sugar taffy over and over to produce thousands of strands of “dragon’s beard” and wraps it all up over a peanut and sesame filling. 

Whether you are looking to soak up centuries of history or simply want to fill your belly with the city's best street food, Chinatown welcomes you with open arms.