Orlando City goes back out on the road this weekend and will cross country borders to face the Montreal Impact. Make sure to pack your sweatpants, because I suspect you’ll be eating good while you’re up there.
The Venue
The Montreal Impact play their home matches at Stade Saputo. It was built back in 2007 while the Impact were still playing in USL. Located in Olympic Park, the stadium can sit up to 20,341, making it the second largest soccer specific stadium in Canada and it has a natural grass field.
The Impact have three supporter groups: Ultras Montréal, 127 Montréal and 1642MTL.
Things To Do
Mont Royal
After a short 15-minute walk from Beaver Lake, the entirety of Montreal’s downtown is revealed from the top of Mont Royal. During the day or at nighttime, this is one of the city’s most unforgettable views.
Basilica Notre-Dame
The Notre-Dame Basilica is widely recognized as the most beautiful cathedral in all of Montreal, and I’m not here to dispute it. The tall, majestic ceilings, never-ending pews, and divine acoustics make this a place worthy of a visit. Also, it’s where Celine Dion got married. #fancy
The Main
Every summer, Montreal celebrates its many murals with the Mural Festival; but it’s Mural Fest every day on Saint Laurent, also known as The Main. The psychedelic figures and imaginary scenes looking back at you from nearly every wall on this street are not only a sight to see, but they’re also a part of the artistic fabric of the city.
Bars and Restaurants
Terrasses Bonsecours
Terrasses Bonsecours boats both breathtaking views of the port and some of the prettiest sangria you've ever seen. Located right in the Old Port, you can see the entire waterfront from the sunny terrace. The pride of the bar is their multi-colored sangria, which packs a punch and comes in all colors of the rainbow. Tapas-style small plates and bar snacks are available to offset the alcohol, and a DJ turns the place into a nightclub on weekend nights.
St-Viateur
Sorry, New York, but your salty, dirty city water bagels got nothin' on Montreal’s bagel game. What their bagels lack in perceived mass, they more than make up for in their honey-sweetened flavor and fluffy-on-the-inside, crunchy-on-the-outside texture. Do as a Montrealer does and eat your carbs in the superior form at this essential local bagel shop.
Frite Alors
There are 8 styles of poutine to choose from at this fry-house, including a hearty sucker topped with steak, ‘shrooms and fried onions. The thing that really makes it, however, is their selection of 17 different sauces to dip the fries in. And in case you were wondering, those fries are trans-fat free! Phew!
Romados
Bagels and smoked meat are well known Montreal food staples, but right up there with them is Portuguese chicken. Romados is known as the best place to get it, with its “crack chicken” being its aptly named bestseller.
