We all know the hot new hits, the old favourites and the star-rated restaurants that help make Montreal the buzzing food town it is. But what about the unsung heroes? Here are some great food spots that tend to fly under the radar, but that are beloved by those in the know. Which, now, includes you.
3858 Boulevard Pérron, Laval, H7V 1P7
It doesn't get more bare bones than this falafel place in Laval. A long counter, three or four melamine tables across from it, lino flooring and frames on the wall that looks like they've been there since 1992. But what really matters is the falafel sandwich: on thin pita, loaded with the usual suspects (tomato, turnip, tarator), grilled flat, and voilà. But oh boy, the texture! The spicing!
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264 Rue St-Zotique E, Montreal, H2S 1L3
As soon as you sit down at this authentically Mexican carnitas joint in little Italy you'll be greeted with bowls-full of alluring condiments, including incredible home-pickled onions with rounds of hot chili. It's only the intro to a feast of grilled meats of your choice, from beef loin to cheek and pork flavoured in all sorts of different ways. The meat comes by the kilo with a bottomless stack of warmed tortillas. And don't forget a Michelada or two.
740 Boulevard Côte-Vertu O, Montreal, H4L 5C8
Forget the bells and whistles: it's all about great soup at this Vietnamese restaurant found deep inside a strip mall, the one you've driven by on Côte-Vertu a million times, right across the street from the Middle Eastern butcher Abu Elias (another hidden gem, especially for the filet mignon or cervelle sandwiches). The broth here is deep with layered flavour, the raw beef is served blue as it should, and the tendon is generous. If you know, you know.
1004 Rue du Marché Central, Montreal, H4N 1K2
You'd be right not to equate the Marché Central strip mall with fine dining, but then, life is full of surprises. This Lebanese restaurant sprouts out of nowhere near the Bulk Barn and Mr Puffs, and serves up sophisticated Middle Eastern food in a beautifully decorated large, white room. It's Damas-level delicious at a fraction of the cost, from the warm homemade breads to the delectably affordable Lebanese wines.
115 Rue St-Viateur O, Montreal, H2T 2L2
It's hard to keep ANY secrets in Mile End, but this pierogi spot on Saint-Viateur could very easily be overlooked and overshadowed by the more hyped TikTok-crack food options (we're looking at you, Drogheria Fine). Batory is a hole-in-the-wall that's been here unchanged since the mid-1980s, serving up perfect steaming platefuls of pierogies, sausages, cabbage rolls and dumplings.
1233 Rue de la Montagne, Montreal, H3G 1Z2
This place is hidden in plain sight, in the busiest area of the city and with lots of competitors in the area, but it's the best sushi spot you never hear about. Hidden Fish brings creativity to the plate with, first of all, the best veggie rolls in town (it's so hard to feel like you're not missing out with veggie sushi), plus incredible fish and seafood combos like torched albacore with miso, sea bream with plum paste, and scallop with foie gras. Try it for your next date night.
2507 Rue Notre-Dame O, Montreal, H3J 1N6
The best shawarma in town right now arguably lives at this stylish spot in Little Burgundy, where the meat is sliced fresh and rolled tightly into paper-thin markouk bread with sauces and sides (get the Batata, with fries in the sandwich) before being pressed. Swoop on it for a to-go order and pick up some goodies for later while you're there: falafel, spicy breads stuffed with goodies, imported pops and more.
709B Rue Jarry E, Montreal, H2P 1W2
Bossa, Renzo, Spedzira, Piazza Salumi… there are so many good sandwich joints in Montreal now, but here's a spot you might not know. This original location of this Italian café is tucked away on Jarry Street East in Villeray behind a back-glass door. Walk up a few steps and order an espresso and a sammy: packed high with cold cuts, cheeses, special sauces and magical condiments, there are few as satisfying. Owner Piero Ciampoli opened a beautiful second location in the no-man's-land around the Outremont campus of Université de Montréal.
1242 Rue Mackay, Montreal, H3G 2H4
You could risk writing it off as a student trap but oh gosh, is this unassuming second-floor walk-up is worth trying. Serving up Southern Indian specialties like dosa (try the multigrain version), idiyappam (rice noodle discs served with egg curry) and puttu and black channa curry (black desi chickpea curry served with a tightly packed cylinder made from rice and coconut), the whole menu brings crazy flavoursome discoveries and all at a crazy reasonable price. You'll be back for the refined spicing and flavour bombs galore.
4509 Rue Chabot, Montreal, H2H 1Y1
Nip into this Thai noodle shop on the East Plateau for a good dose of comfort and authenticity, with classic dishes you might not find elsewhere in town, like the spicy tom yum soup with egg noodles, ground pork and fish balls: full of textures, fish-sauce tang and peanutty crunch. Everything we've tried here has been scrumptious, plus the grocery section will help you replicate some of the addictive aromas at home.
1050B Rue Clark, Montreal, H2Z 1K2
There are so many hole-in-the-walls competing for attention in Chinatown, but make a bee-line for this second-floor restaurant if only for the spicy Szechuan fish… though once you're there of course you'll want to try the Hong Kong lobster (huge lobster segments encased in a deeply flavoured spicy fried rice) or the hot and sour shredded potatoes. The cue here: expect to sweat. She's a spicy one.
2215 Boulevard Marcel-Laurin, Montreal, H4R 1K4
Feast like you're Turkish royalty in Ville Saint-Laurent, where Gunaydin offers a mixed grilled brochettes platter where every bite is juicy, plus special dishes like the freekeh, the cheddar filet mignon and for dessert, the sweet, syrupy knufeh (you'll faint at the cheese pull). With a colourful decor that's casual, cute and comfy, this is a spot fit for a family feast or a brunch party with the gang.
G Pizzas & Boulangerie Italienne
5463 Rue Saint-Jacques, Montreal, H4A 2E1
A well-kept secret for NDG locals, this is the spot for pizzas and sandwiches loaded with flavour, all thought up by chef Giuseppe Sacchetti. Think rapini and sausage, capicolo and olives, spicy pesto with pepperoni and Parmesan… and on March 19 only, San Giuseppe Day, run-don't-walk to get a taste of his ricotta zeppole. Join the annual pilgrimage!
4671 Boulevard Saint-Laurent, Montreal, H2T 1R2
Are you in the Pizza Bouquet fan club? Well, rejoice: the gang has opened this bar on the cusp between the Plateau and Mile End, which serves up fresh, delectable slices (or whole pies) from a pizza counter at the back, perfect to go with the cheap beer and classic cocktails doled out in front. It's such a homey environment, complete with quiz nights and the most welcoming staff on the strip, and who can beat the smell of fresh pizza in the air?
