From of-the-moment concept stores to bustling oyster counters, Canada's cultural capital is made ultra-relevant by twins Dexter and Byron Peart, style blog fixtures and founders of the covetable luggage and accessories label WANT Les Essentiels de la Vie. Combining old world quality standards with 21st-century technological savvy, the Peart duo has collaborated with Opening Ceremony, J.Crew and New York’s NoMad Hotel, in addition to representing brands like Acne and Fillipa K. via their creative agency—work that keeps them on the go. "Travel takes people out of their daily routine and allows them to discover, experience and explore," the brothers explain of their attraction to the genre. "It was the lack of luggage for the new, more technological lifestyle that first drew us in." The team is also behind WANT Apothecary, a storefront in Montreal’s historic Golden Square Mile district offering a selection of luggage, menswear and grooming products and modeled after a 19th-century pharmacy. "We are constantly inspired by our environment," the Pearts say of their home base, "and Montreal, a UNESCO City of Design, is a city that geographically and philosophically exists as a hybrid of European and American lifestyle and tastes." Here photographed by Alexi Hobbs, the style-setters reveal the essential corners of their modern metropolis.

Hotel Gault 
Superb boutique hotel in a majestic building conveniently located in Old Montreal, yet discreetly tucked away on a quiet side street, away from the hustle and bustle.
449, rue Sainte-Hélène, Montréal, QC, H2Y 2K9; Tel: 514-904-1616

Les Touilleurs
We never thought we could get excited about cooking utensils until this fantastic specialty kitchen boutique opened. We have since replaced everything in our kitchen. 
152, avenue Laurier Ouest, Montréal, QC, H2T 2N7; Tel: 514-278-0008

Joe Beef
The lobster spaghetti is epic.
2491, rue Notre-Dame Ouest, Montréal, QC, H3J 1N6; Tel: 514-313-6049

Couleurs
This is our favorite haunt in Montreal for collecting mid-century antiques. The owners Andre and Lambert have a keen eye and have tastefully curated this shop, where you will find collectibles worthy of the set of Mad Men.
3901, rue St-Denis, Montréal, QC, H2W 2M4; Tel: 514-282-4141

Liverpool House
The restaurant brings a unique Cape Cod feeling to Montreal's Little Burgundy quarter. The amazing old world wines and fresh oysters are not to be missed. 
2501, rue Notre-Dame Ouest, Montréal, QC, H3J 1N6; Tel: 514-313-6049

The Canadian Centre for Architecture
This museum's incredibly curated exhibitions have featured Mies van der Rohe in America and John Soane.
1920, rue Baile, Montréal, QC, H3H 2S6; Tel: 514-939-7026

C2-MTL (New City Gas)
Revered Montreal-based Cirque du Soleil partnered up with design agency Sid Lee in 2012 to create an annual symposium, Commerce + Creativity. Arianna Huffington, Francis Ford Coppola and Google's Robert Wong spoke at the inaugural session, which was a huge success. We suspect the Spring 2013 edition will be one not to be missed.
172, rue Dalhousie, Montréal, QC, H3C 2L1; Tel 514-879-1166