OldMontrealinSummerLunchMode

Once upon a time in the west — Old Montreal is out to conquer summer

Got a few colleagues with the same idea? Lunch boxes from Le Beau Marché make everyone a winner. Three menus are available to order online, and their La Gourmande is a hard one to resist — your choice of sandwich, salad or dessert, plus a drink, all for $22.50, and not a minute of sun lost. What more can you ask for? Our pick: the ultra-fresh gravlax bagel with chive cream cheese and tabbouleh. Or the grandma’s cookie. Or a canelé. Let's just say you've got all summer to work your way through this menu.

Looking for green spaces nearby? Think Square Victoria with its comfortable shaded benches, or any of the five urban oases set up for your enjoyment by the SDC Vieux-Montréal.

A tomato focaccia from L'Amour du Pain with an iced latte, and you're all set. The urban oasis on the forecourt of the old No. 1 fire station makes for a great pit stop, or why not head down to de la Commune Street West to catch photojournalist Jacques Nadeau's outdoor exhibition Vénérables.

In keeping with the spirit of portable deliciousness, few things are as comforting — or as practical to eat anywhere — as a proper rice ball. Onigiri Shop offers a range of flavours along with refreshing Japanese sodas on the side; plus, it won't put a dent in your budget while you treat yourself.

A pizza to go from Pizzeria 900 is happiness guaranteed — on a park bench or in the grass, eaten with your fingers, wind in your hair, summer turning life in Old Montreal into one long dolce far niente. Don’t forget to return to the office afterwards, but we'll understand if the way back rhymes more with Spritz than it does with sprint.

Right across the street, Brit & Chips is yet another easy option for outdoor eating, whether enjoyed at nearby Parc des Frères-Charron or along the riverfront. Take your pick.

At the heart of the action, at the heart of the neighbourhood

Feeling Mediterranean? Le Petit Dép's niçoise salad or their hummus and roasted vegetable sandwich — with those lovely roasted pepper notes — are always a delectably safe bet. Throw in a raspberry cannelé and an iced matcha latte, and you're in business. Take everything with you to the Place Royale urban oasis (south side, near Pointe-à-Callière) for some chairs, shade and sun, or cross the train tracks and spread that picnic blanket out on the inviting green space at the Grand-Quai.

A curry latte and the Végé OG sandwich from Paquebot Café: pure joy on the go, ideally savoured at Place de la Dauversière, another delightful urban oasis installed by the SDC Vieux-Montréal. Not feeling particularly adventurous? Their homemade lemonade is always a great call. Good to know: they're now pouring an anniversary coffee to mark ten years of collaboration with Montreal roaster Zab — a lychee fermented coffee, no less.

If you're not ready to head back to the office just yet, it's probably time for ice cream. Make your way over to Mlle Catherine, right on Place Jacques-Cartier, a beloved neighbourhood go-to for quality frozen goodness. And while you're in the area, don't miss this: Le Royer and Saint-Claude Streets will soon be hosting an outdoor photo exhibition from Château Ramezay, celebrating the work of photojournalist Jacques Nadeau, who sadly passed away last December.

More of a terrasse person when it comes to ice cream? La Cave à Manger has you covered with a totally charming outdoor space plus their ice cream croissant, to devour or savour — your call. Soft serve meets viennoiserie… it was bound to happen, and it's our current obsession.

Old Montreal is going all out — the heat is on, and we want something cold!

Enter the affogato al caffè. Cafe De Mercanti has everything you need: the know-how, the warm service, and their excellent paninis if you want something more on the substantial side (this is a lunch stop, after all, not just a sunshine stop). Then head down rue Bonsecours to the pétanque courts on de la Commune Street (bring your boules) — probably the smarter post-lunch digestion call than the zip line right across the way, but we’ll let you be the judge.

Bar à beurre rhymes with bonheur, and we're taking that as a sign. Summer flavours and pop colours are currently gracing their perennially eye-catching space, and we strongly recommend coming back more than once; with so much edible decadence on display, picking a favourite is genuinely difficult. Easy to take out, easy to eat. Vive le sucré.

For the perfect match, drop in next door at Matcha Haüs Atelier and pair your butter ball with an incredible iced matcha — black sesame, matcha lemonade, or their coconut cloud. Any of these, to go, are sure to transport you while you transport them.

Since you're in the neighbourhood, consider Muru Crêpe for sweet or savoury crêpes, kawaii latte art, and everything required for a delicious little break. It needs to be said: the crêpes here are every bit as good as the ones in your memory.

Right nearby, Parc Dalhousie is a simply lovely spot; or push on a bit further to Plage de l'Horloge for a proper riverside lunch that will put you immediately in vacay mode. Just grab a spot under one of those colourful umbrellas and let the reviving begin. Feel like a little browsing? The Old Port's pop-up boutiques come with beautiful views of the port and the St. Lawrence thrown in.

Find all the urban oases from one end of Old Montreal to the other:

• Forecourt of the old No. 1 fire station
• Place Royale (south side — Pointe-à-Callière)
• Les Chuchoteuses (take a moment to admire the new green wall added this year to frame the sculpture)
• Forecourt of the Quebec Court of Appeal
• Place de la Dauversière

• Forecourt of Bonsecours Market