Sherbrooke Street West is one of the world's coolest! 😎
B & B's and hostels Hotel Leisure activities Architecture Museums Gastronomy
Montréal’s no stranger to being named home of some of the world’s coolest streets and neighbourhoods, and TimeOut has just bestowed the title on Sherbrooke Street West in their annual ranking. Heading westward from Saint-Laurent Boulevard through the Golden Square Mile, Sherbrooke Street West continues through Downtown, Westmount and Notre-Dame-de-Grâce, past some of the city’s hippest cafés, shops and quartiers.
Young and fresh
Given that Sherbrooke Street West passes by three of Montréal’s major universities (McGill, UQÀM and Concordia) and Dawson College, it comes as no surprise that the sidewalks are thronged with young wanderers and on-the-go students. And when they’re not studying, students love to eat, shop and celebrate, all easily done on a street that’s not only one of the city’s coolest, but also longest (the entirety of Sherbrooke Street both East and West makes for the second longest on the island)!
Historical highs
While the Golden Square Mile is filled to the brim with stellar examples of picturesque 19th century buildings, there are multiple other examples of architectural wonders along Sherbrooke Street West.
- McGill University blends Victorian flare with neoclassical touches in a campus that is as photogenic as it is academic. Enter through the Roddick Gates at 15a Sherbrooke Street West for the best views.
- Montréal Masonic Memorial Temple (1850 Sherbrooke Street West) may be closed to the public except for rare open house opportunities, but its Beaux-Arts exterior looks like a Greek temple uprooted and placed in Montréal.
- Westmount Public Library (4574 Sherbrooke Street West) is a gorgeous example of Victorian architecture with soaring roofs and turret, and one of the oldest library buildings in Canada.
- The Empress Theatre (5440 Sherbrooke Street West) has been closed since a fire in 1992, but its epic Egyptian facades and sculptures erected in 1927 still hold place of pride along Sherbrooke Street West. And the Empress is finally set to rise from the ashes with mixed-use development in progress.
- Concordia University Loyola Campus (7141 Sherbrooke Street West) was founded in 1896 as a Jesuit college and was annexed by Concordia University in 1974, and stands as one of Québec’s most beautiful educational buildings. Those after something hidden and quirky won’t want to miss the old-school neon signs on display as part of the Montréal Signs Project displayed indoors.
Nom nom nom
Sherbrooke Street West’s restaurants and cafés run the gamut from upscale bistros to mouthwatering street food, with a particular concentration of Asian eats in close proximity to Concordia University. Some of our favourites include:
- BENELUX brewpub (245 Sherbrooke Street West) spotlights their top-tier homemade beers with Belgian flare alongside filling snacks.
- Marcus (1440 Sherbrooke Street West) housed in the Four Seasons Hotel, Marcus is all about views—those from the bar into the bustling kitchen, or those over the city from its rooftop terrace.
- Maison Boulud (1228 Sherbrooke Street West) defines refinement with a professional take on classic French cuisine overlooking the Ritz-Carlton’s garden.
- OSMO X MARUSAN (51 Sherbrooke Street West) is a stylish café well-known by local creatives who snack on Japanese sandwiches and curries while co-working until the DJ takes over and the mood shifts.
- Café Aunja (1448 Sherbrooke Street West) is a cozy Persian café featuring delicious mains and desserts in one of the city’s coziest rooms.
- MeiWei Dumplings (5100 Sherbrooke Street West) serves up steaming hot hand-made dumplings in a tucked-away corner basement location.
- Biblio Café (5853 Sherbrooke Street West, Suite 2) is small in size but big in flavour with expert roasts and treats.
- Croissant Monkland (6050 Sherbrooke Street West) are pros at French pastries, in the heart of the up-and-coming Monkland district.
- Restaurant Chalet Amu Jan (6107 Sherbrooke Street West) is a family-friendly Iranian eatery specializing in Tahchin, Mirza-Ghasemi and Kashko Bademjan.
- Boulangerie Golchin (6925 Sherbrooke Street West) is a personal favourite of students at Concordia’s Loyola Campus, who line up for their tasty Sangak flatbreads and stews.
An arts and culture thoroughfare
Sherbrooke Street West is home to some of Montréal’s biggest arts institutions, alongside independent galleries specializing in contemporary artists between Guy and University Streets.
- La Guilde (1356 Sherbrooke Street West) has been showcasing and collecting fine arts and handicrafts by Inuit, First Nations and Métis artisans since 1906, in temporary and permanent exhibitions with some works available for purchase.
- Montréal Museum of Fine Arts (MMFA) (1380 Sherbrooke Street West) is the city’s primary arts museum, spread across several iconic buildings and home to some of the hottest ticket exhibitions of the year.
- McCord Stewart Museum (690 Sherbrooke Street West) focuses on local history through permanent and temporary exhibitions, while also playing host to touring expos ranging from photography to fashion.
- Cinéma du Musée (1379-A Sherbrooke Street West) screens international festival hits and classic repertoire in a top-tier movie house in the MMFA’s Jean-Noël Desmarais Pavilion.
Get your nature on
While Sherbrooke Street West traverses some of Montréal’s busiest areas, it’s also home to lush parks and green spaces perfect for relaxed breaks and hangs. The towering Mount Royal itself is also always in view, mere streets away.
- Westmount Park (between Lansdowne and Melville Avenues) is an oasis of calm along Sherbrooke Street, inspired by the classic park designs by Frederick Law Olmsted. The park also houses the Westmount Conservatory and Greenhouses, an iconic sight throughout the year.\
- Parc Notre-Dame-de-Grâce (between Marcil and Girouard Avenues) slopes gently upwards towards with large green grasses, a pavilion, play fountains and skating rink.
A perfect place to rest
Several stellar hotels line Sherbrooke Street West, offering boutique experiences to trusted brands, offering the rare opportunity to stay on one of the world’s coolest streets.
- The Ritz-Carlton (1228 Sherbrooke Street West) lives up to the hype, and let’s you truly engage in some YOLO pampering. Naturallly, no stay is complete without a visit to the on-site Spa St. James.
- Hotel 10 (10 Sherbrooke Street West) is a stylish hub for design-savvy travelers and also hosts events throughout the year including the Blue Metropolis International Literary Festival.
- Auberge du Plateau (185 Sherbrooke Street East) feels like the middle of everywhere, with Mont-Royal Park and Downtown both just a short stroll away.
- Hôtel Manoir Sherbrooke (157 Sherbrooke Street East) is nestled in a charming Victorian home, perfect for a quiet hideaway weekend.
- La Citadelle (410 Sherbrooke Street West) gives you the chance to live the life of a student, as rooms are available at this McGill University residence building. Don’t miss the stunning views from the 26th floor common area and gym. Rooms are also available in McGill’s Carrefour Sherbrooke building.
- Hôtel Le Cantile Suites (1110 Sherbrooke Street West) is a perfect geographic mid-way point between Mount Royal and the Palais des congrès de Montréal.
- Hôtel Omni Mont-Royal (1050 Sherbrooke Street West) offers stellar views over the city from its location at the base of Mount Royal. You’ll love the abundance of natural light and breathtaking vistas.
- Sofitel Montréal Le Carré Doré (1155 Sherbrooke Street West) is a stylish haven, mere steps from the Montréal Museum of Fine Arts and the McGill University campus. Their Renoir restaurant not only offers a perfectly balanced menu of savoury experiences, but there’s also a skilled pastry chef on-staff.
- Château Versailles (1659 Sherbrooke Street West) gives more than a comfortable stay in a gorgeous Victorian house—there’s also the bragging rights of saying you slept at Versailles!
Mark Hamilton
Mark Hamilton is the community director for QueerMTL, an internationally-touring musician with his projects Woodpigeon and Frontperson and a graduate studies student of history researching LGBTQ+ activism in the city. He’s lived in Montréal since 2015, during which time he’s most often spotted atop a BIXI bike usally running a few minutes late.