
It’s hard to pinpoint the exact moment Montreal became not-so-friendly towards dogs, but I’d guess it was around 2021. In previous trips up to Quebec with Reggie, we had endless places to go – dog cafes, plenty of regular cafes, outdoor terrasses, etc. Then, on a trip in late 2021, we were turned away from a lot of places and ended up getting takeout to eat in our Airbnb because we couldn’t find anywhere to eat inside with Reggie. Yes, it was winter so that’s partially to blame, but in general, the vibe isn’t as cozy as it once was.
A few non sequiturs that color my impression and make me believe the Quebecois are not as friendly towards dogs as their Parisian counterparts:
- Breed-specific bans (after fostering an American Bully named Bernadette last year, these types of bans break my heart)
- Dogs are not allowed on public transportation, except during off-peak hours and under very specific circumstances
All that being said, if you’re like me and you have a co-dependent relationship with your dog and can’t leave each other’s sides, it’s still possible to bring your dog to Montreal and have a good time. Here’s how to do it.
When to Go
From personal experiences over the last few years, we’ve found that it’s much easier to visit Montreal with a dog when the weather is nicer. June to September is a safe timeframe for booking.
Where to Stay

Hotel Vogue: This downtown hotel allows dogs and even offers an in-room dog-sitting service. We stayed here our first trip to Montreal with Reggie and used the service on New Year’s Eve.
Airbnb: It’s fairly easy to find a dog-friendly Airbnb and that’s what we usually book when we’re heading up to Montreal with Reggie. This is our favorite in Little Burgundy, and here’s another good one across the river from Little Burgundy.
Where to Eat & Drink

Ruby Cafe at Doggyville: This multi-hyphenate restaurant-daycare-boarding facility is like doggy nirvana.
Jean Talon: Dogs are allowed in the outer ring of the outdoor market, which in the summer, gets packed with vendors serving food & drink.
Riverside: This outdoor beer garden on the St. Lawrence river also has a food truck.
Barley: A ‘cereal bar’ slash brunch restaurant that allegedly allows dogs inside, though I haven’t been here myself yet.
LILI & OLI: A very dog-friendly cafe that allows pups inside.
Cafe Lali: Tiny neighborhood coffee shop with additional seating up a spiral staircase. I appreciate any coffee shop with more than one milk alternative, and this place had the three majors – oat, almond, soy — so they get an A in my book. Also dog friendly, so make that an A+.
Burgundy Lion: British-style gastropub with a huge whiskey list that allows dogs on their interior courtyard patio in the summer.

[RIP] Le Doggy Cafe: I’d be remiss to not give a shout out to the now-closed Le Doggy Cafe on Saint-Laurent. This cute little cafe used to be a haven for off leash dogs & their owners grabbing a grilled cheese and a latte. The pandy killed this one and it makes me super sad.
Where to Play
City of Montreal Dog Parks: You can view all of the dog parks in Montreal here on this map.