Out and about in Notre-Dame de Grâce

How to get there

The neighbourhood stretches between Westmount, Côte-Saint-Luc, and the Lachine Canal and is easily accessible by the Villa-Maria, Vendôme, and Snowdon stations. It is also easy to bike there thanks to the many bike paths that connect Notre-Dame-de-Grâce to its neighbours and downtown Montréal. 

• Get off at Villa-Maria or Vendôme station and enjoy a morning walk through peaceful streets lined with the emblematic duplexes and mature trees that make Notre-Dame-de-Grâce so charming. 
• Start the day with a coffee and scrumptious scone at Melk Café, a must-visit spot in the area, known for its inviting ambiance and excellent coffee, roasted locally twice a week. 
• Stroll through Notre-Dame-de-Grâce Park (Parc Girouard), a veritable urban oasis beloved for its lively ambiance. In the summer, stop by to enjoy Le Rendez-Vous NDG, which fills the park pavilion with music, food, and community activities.  

• Explore the famous Alley Cat Gallery, a public cat-themed community art gallery that showcases local and international artists and was conceived as a way to combat street vandalism in the neighbourhood.  
• Take a knitting class with friends at Espace Tricot, a local yarn store that offers knitting enthusiasts an inspiring space to explore and develop their skills. 
• Stop by La Meunerie Urbaine to sample some artisan bread, a homemade pastry, or a sandwich made fresh on site with local ingredients. The bakery even won the 2025 award for best baguette in Montréal!
• Take a stroll along Monkland Avenue, the lively heart of the area, which brims with independent cafés, neighbourhood restaurants, and local boutiques like Naïf, a ready-to-wear Montréal womenswear brand that marries originality with a love for detail.

• Stop for a light lunch or some shared plates at À la table by Hanna, a specialty store for artisanal cheeses, charcuterie, and gourmet foods. They offer grazing boxes or thoughtfully curated platters for all types of events. 
• Stop by the Maison de la culture Notre-Dame-de-Grâce for its varied annual program of concerts, film projections, dance shows, plays, conferences, and visual art exhibitions.  
• Score some lovely flea market finds at the Marché aux puces NDG. In giving these treasures a second life, you’ll be contributing to an environmental and community initiative in support of Notre-Dame-de-Grâce parish and its most vulnerable members.
• Enjoy seasonal markets, sidewalk sales, or neighbourhood parties like Imagine Monkland, which takes place every August, as well as the fall Halloween celebrations that animate the avenue with kiosks, music, dance, and family activities.  
• Grab a drink at Ye Olde Orchard Pub & Grill or at Honey Martin, two classic local spots, ideal for cold beer, cocktails, or an animated match night. 
• End the day in style at Bistro Amerigo, a must-visit Italian restaurant on Monkland Avenue, perfect for a delicious Italian meal in a laid-back, family-friendly ambiance. 

Key events in the history of Notre-Dame-de-Grâce

• Expansion in the early 20th century: Before being urbanized, the area was made up of agricultural lands and large rural properties on the outskirts of Montréal. The development of a tramway network favoured the construction of duplexes and triplexes, now characteristic of Montréal architecture, attracting many families. 
• Annexation by Montréal (1910): The sector was officially integrated into the city of Montréal, accelerating its urban development. 
• Post-war residential boom: Following the Second World War, the neighbourhood experienced significant growth, becoming a sought-after residential area for the middle class. 
• Cultural Diversification (1960s-1970s): Notre-Dame-de-Grâce became a multicultural neighbourhood, welcoming the diverse communities that shape its current identity. 
• Development of Monkland Avenue: The thoroughfare gradually became the commercial and social heart of the neighbourhood with its cafés, restaurants and independent businesses. 

Strong community spirit: The neighbourhood stands out today for its local associations, community events, and vibrant “village-in-the-city” ambiance. 

Fun fact 

Thanks to its versatile architecture, Notre-Dame-de-Grâce and its surroundings regularly stand in for New York boroughs and other American cities in film productions. In 2022, the American horror film Scream 6 transformed certain areas of the neighbourhood into a version of New York, notably installing its famous subway entrances all along Sherbrooke Street.