Do Limoilou Like a Local

Our first stop is a one-of-a-kind gift shop, Article 721.

It’s like Ali Baba’s cave of wonders. I never know what treasures I’m going to find!  

Pins, posters designed by owner Émilie, jewelry, vintage clothes, candles, books—it’s wall-to-wall made-in-Québec. They even say that Article 721 is where the expression “Limoilove” was born. Sophie comes here to pick out greeting cards by local illustrators to send to her friends. “I'm big on supporting local businesses, and it’s so easy to do in Limoilou.”

When she’s running errands, Sophie always makes a beeline for bulk and minimalist grocery store La Récolte. Spices, pasta, coffee, soap, it’s all here.

When La récolte opened, I breathed a sigh of relief. It was like, ‘Finally!’ They have tons of organic ingredients and fresh spices. I always stock up on coffee beans, too.

Leaving 3^e Avenue and exploring the side streets is time well spent. Limoilou is a neighbourhood known for its lively alleys, immortalized by poet and singer Sylvain Lelièvre who famously wrote, “Moi je suis d’une ruelle comme on est d’un village” (Some people come from a village, but me, I’m from an alley). Keep your eyes peeled! With 50 alleys spanning 11 km, there’s tons to discover.

Behind my house is the last dirt alley in the neighbourhood. I love the majestic trees. The kids can spend hours playing out here. We know a lot of the neighbours. Limoilou without the alleys is not Limoilou!

As a foodie, Sophie loves taking people to Babeurre Délicatesses, a charming and colourful neighbourhood café run by chef Karine Jacques. People come from all over for the madeleines, brioches, and all the other sweet goodness on the menu.

I’ve been following Karine since she first started out. She’s super creative and her cooking is totally my kind of food. This place is like an extension of my own dining room!

If the dish of the day has fish or mushrooms, Sophie’s a happy camper. Room for dessert? Impossible to resist!

It’s not summer in Limoilou until Lilo ice cream bar opens its doors. The tiny building has been in existence since the early 1960s. It’s a local institution!

I love going to Lilo with my kids after school. I’m an ice cream minimalist: vanilla soft serve, plain and simple!

True to her love of all things local, Sophie takes a detour off 3^e Avenue and over to 1^re Avenue for a trip to Madame Alice’s flower shop.

What I like about Madame Alice is that there are flowers grown locally, right here in Québec.

This one’s a well-kept secret. Near the hospital is a haven of Colombian cuisine, Chez Carlos Café.

I usually order the same thing: pork arepas with that special green sauce on the side. So good! My kids love it too. Great food, and easy on the budget.