The Main's Directory: How It Works

Our directory isn't an advertising product. No one pays to be here. Every place you see made it in because we believe it belongs in Montreal's cultural fabric.

Editorial Integrity First

The directory exists to help you discover places that matter—not to sell visibility. It's that simple.

How We Choose What Goes In

First-Hand Experience
Most of what you see comes from our own time in the city. Our editors and contributors eat at these restaurants, shop at these stores, attend these venues. We experience them first, then recommend them.

Editorial Curation
Some places earn their spot through careful judgment. They've shown consistency, cultural relevance, or made a real impact on their neighborhood.

Trusted Local Voices
We talk regularly with chefs, artists, designers, organizers, and Montrealers who've been here forever. They help us find places that are respected locally—often before anyone else is paying attention.

What We Don't Do

• Accept payment for inclusion
• Sell rankings or prominent placement
• Guarantee coverage
• Add or remove listings in exchange for money

Advertising and sponsorships have zero influence on what appears here.

Always Evolving

Montreal changes, and our directory changes with it. Listings get added, updated, or removed as neighborhoods shift, businesses close, or our standards evolve. That's intentional—it's how we stay relevant.

Why This Matters

Trust is everything. When you use this directory, you can be confident that every place earned its spot. Nothing's here because someone paid for it.

If you're listed, it's because you belong.