Trendy Places to Visit in the Mile-Ex Area

Nestled between Little Italy, Parc-Extension, and the Plateau Mont-Royal, the Mile-Ex neighbourhood has quickly attracted artists and innovators from around the city. The district is now one of the trendiest places to live in Montreal, and there are numerous famous restaurants, bars, and cafes that dot the landscape. Today, we’re breaking down the best places to visit in the Mile-Ex area.

Manitoba

Situated on St-Zotique Street in the heart of the Mile-Ex is a new restaurant called Manitoba. Don’t let the nondescript exterior fool you, as this place serves a “taste of the forest” in every dish. Sound interesting?

Manitoba was voted the number one restaurant in the city by Eater Montreal in 2014, and The Gazette’s food critic Lesley Chesterman gave it a glowing review last summer. Since chef Simon Mathys took charge of the kitchen, foodies from across the country have flocked to the “warehouse-inspired” establishment to sample the unique and strange offerings.

We suggest trying the seal appetizer (yes, you read correctly) that comes with butter-fried seaweed and haskap berries. For the main course, try the deer dish, which features mushrooms, potatoes, and malt cream!

Alexandraplatz

During the summer months, this bar is the place to be in the neighbourhood. It features a sprawling outdoor setup and some of the best locally brewed beers in the province. The concept of Alexandraplatz began when owner Bernadette Houde saw the opportunity to transform an old bottling factory into a sprawling urban bar.

Fast-forward a few years later, and the institution quickly became a trendy hangout for locals. If you’re visiting during the winter months, you’ll be out of luck, as Alexandraplatz is only open from the end of April until October! We recommend sampling the Paloma cocktail (made with tequila and grapefruit soda) or one of their micro beer selections.

Dépanneur Le Pick Up

For those foreigners confused by the term dépanneur, it’s a French Canadian term for a local convenience store. They’re everywhere in Quebec, and Dépanneur Le Pick Up celebrates these traditional establishments while also serving up some delicious food.

Sit in one of the swivel stools and absorb the retro ambiance that hasn’t changed in nearly 40 years. Order the chipotle club or grilled halloumi sandwich if you’re in the mood to awaken your taste buds. During the summer months, patrons can sit on the picnic tables outside; it’s definitely a cute place for a quick lunch date.

Never Apart

To switch things up a bit, explore the local art scene at Never Apart. Run by the non-profit organization (of the same name), this space serves as a creative space for the entire Mile-Ex community. Converted from an old industrial factory, this unconventional gallery features 12,000 square feet utilized for different events and exhibitions.

Ateliers Castelnau

If you’re thinking about purchasing a property and living in the Mile-Ex neighbourhood, check out the Ateliers Castelnau project. Phase one is already 85 percent sold and phase two is currently on sale, so act now to get ahold of your dream property in this trendy district!