6 Shops to Explore in Montreal
One of my favourite ways to shop is by looking for items that feel special, thoughtful, and different from what you’ll find at home. Montréal has such an incredible maker community, and the gifts that come out of the city are often artisanal, sustainably produced, and designed to last — which is exactly what I look for when shopping for gifts. From beauty and home to food and accessories, it’s a great place for inspiration when you’re trying to move beyond last-minute, big-box gifts. Many of the local brands ship nationwide, which makes it easy to support Canadian businesses and check everyone off your list without leaving home — especially during the busy holiday season. And for those who value experiences over things, Montréal delivers too — with dining, wellness, and cultural attractions that can be bundled and gifted through Passeport MTL, creating truly memorable moments.
Le Cartel
For someone who needs fresh, unique pieces to update their wardrobe, Le Cartel is the best place to shop. A diverse selection of talented artists make their art accessible by blending it with fashion, resulting in stylish streetwear.
A fashion partner of Osheaga Musical and Arts Festival since 2018, Le Cartel features bold colours and designs in a range of shirts, sweaters, pants, jackets, and accessories — including toques for the chilly Canadian winter months. Everything is silk-screened in Montreal, and the artists are celebrated for their creative work, making a shopping experience that helps the local art community thrive.
Les Filles Fattoush
The delicious taste of Syria is available in Montreal at Les Filles Fattoush. This women-owned business benefits more than just your tastebuds – it employs refugee Syrian women, offering them a way to transition into Canadian life while maintaining deep ties to their culture.
The resulting food is authentic and steeped in history. You can browse the store at the Jean-Talon Market for spreads, spices, sauces, and desserts, or get a recipe book to try your hand at Syrian dishes. Purchase a ready-to-eat meal at the store, or order online to have it delivered to your door. Excellent food makes for great gifting.
Domaine des 15 lots
You can’t get much more Canadian than maple, which is Domaine des 15 lots’ specialty. They have a tasty assortment of maples syrups, but that’s not all: maple butter, maple cream fudge, maple syrup jelly, and pastries (made with maple sugar) is a glimpse into their range of maple products.
Syrup is bottled daily, the taste of each bottle telling the unique story of its harvest. Coming from a sugarbush with a rich history and a company that cares about its environmental impact, their products are the perfect Canadian gifts. At their local shop you’ll also be able to grab food from their grocery section, find alcohol, and browse goods from Montreal artisans. Or you can attend a conference-tasting and learn about their syrup right from the source!
État de choc
If chocolate is the sweet fix you are looking for, État de choc is the shop you need. Their chocolate has won international awards, but they are all about local. Working with bean-to-bar manufacturers in Quebec, they know where all their artfully chosen ingredients are from.
Whether you want something classic or something unique, they have a wide range of products and flavours: tablets, bars, chocolate cards, hot chocolate, and more will satisfy the sweet tooth. The quality isn’t just in the taste — the chocolates are wrapped in beautiful packaging. To make an easy gift for the chocolate lover, they also have giftboxes for purchase.
Additionally, you can enjoy their tasting workshops where you can learn about their chocolates and try a selection of them!
Paperole
Looking for that ultimate Montreal souvenir? Or just want to find something pretty? Paperole, which serves as both a publisher and a boutique-gallery in Plateau Mont-Royal, will have what you are looking for with their Canadian-made, sustainable products. Shop for eye-catching home décor, stationary, clothing, accessories, and wall art. For the younger crowd, explore their toys and games.
Their curated art pieces all come with a certification of authenticity. Some are limited edition or original pieces! All of them are special, designed by artists from Montreal and beyond. You will find something unique here to hold a little piece of Montreal.
Groom
If you’re shopping for the men in your life, check out Groom. You can find beard products, bath essentials, and haircare. Choose from an array of bear oils, shaving tools, face serums, lip balms, hair pomades, and more. If you can’t choose just one, they have giftsets to make gifting easy.
They make their products in their Montreal workshop, choose their ingredients with care and locally when possible, and are certified plastic negative! If there is a man you’d like to pamper, while also being considerate of your ecological footprint, this is the place to shop. You can purchase products online or in various stores around the city.
Montreal’s shops have an array of beautiful products, many from local artisans. Whether you are looking for tasty treats, unique fashion and accessories, beautiful home décor, or a souvenir from the city, there is something to satisfy everyone. These shops benefit the local community and are environmentally conscious, making them hard to beat. Their online option is an easy way to enjoy these local treasures anywhere in Canada, and they are perfect for gift hunting during the holiday season — or any time of the year.