Best Japanese Restaurants in Little-Italy (2026) - Reviews & Menus

Umami Ramen & Izakaya - Japanese Restaurants in Little-Italy

Umami Ramen & Izakaya

Laid-back restaurant offering traditional noodle dishes & soups, plus dumplings & desserts.

Opens Today at 9:30 am

(1540)

Mile-Ex, Little-Italy

Vegan Options Ramen Japanese Fusion Asian Soups

Mentioned in: 16 Izakayas to Try in Montreal: a Japanese Pub Guide Guide to The Best Japanese Restaurants in Montreal View More

Review Summary

Umami Ramen & Izakaya offers a vibrant vegan friendly menu with house made ramen, gyoza, agedashi tofu, and inventive dishes that celebrate bold flavors and refined presentation. Broths are deeply umami, noodles have a satisfying bite, and each dish shows thoughtful balance. Cocktails are creative and the sake and wine list enhances the dining experience. The service is friendly, attentive, and knowledgeable about ingredients and allergies. The atmosphere blends warmth with modern design and a charming terrace for pleasant evenings. Reservations are helpful given the limited seating, and while the room can feel bustling and sometimes a touch loud, the overall experience remains consistently enjoyable. Many guests leave eager to return, praising the food variety and the welcoming staff.View restaurant profile

New

Restaurant Nozy

Opens Tomorrow at 5:30 pm

(214)

Little-Italy, Rosemont-La Petite-Patrie

Japanese Sushi Creative

Mentioned in: 16 Izakayas to Try in Montreal: a Japanese Pub Guide Guide to The Best Japanese Restaurants in Montreal View More

Review Summary

Nozy is praised as an authentic Japanese spot in Montreal with exceptionally fresh sashimi, standout uni, perfectly cooked unagi, and well balanced chirashi and dons, all served in a warm, intimate, unpretentious setting that many reviewers compare to dining in Japan. The kitchen is noted for strong technique and thoughtful preparation, with high quality ingredients and good value for the price, and the ambience is described as chic yet relaxed. A few visits mention slower or inattentive service, occasional miscommunication about omakase or uni availability, and certain dishes that don’t meet expectations, but the consensus remains that Nozy is among the best Japanese options in Montreal and well worth a visit, albeit with some variability from visit to visit.View restaurant profile

Musubi

May be temporarily closed

(34)

Rosemont-La Petite-Patrie, Little-Italy

Japanese Sushi

Mentioned in: A Guide to Montreal's Must-Try Sushi Restaurants

Review Summary

Musubi is praised for its beautifully crafted onigiri with a good balance of filling and rice, and for a friendly, attentive service at the Jean Talon Market alongside a solid beer selection; standout items mentioned include a spicy tuna onigiri, an original chicken onigiri, yuzunade, and seasonal specials like lobster and snow crab onigiri, with desserts such as daifuku and strawberry mochi also enjoyed. Opinions on value and portions are mixed, with some praising the portions as well balanced or not too heavy, while others call the prices high for the size and note fillings or fish can be dry and the seaweed a bit chewy. The atmosphere is described as a charming market stall, a hidden gem with a family-run vibe and staff who guide choices, contributing to a must-visit reputation for many. Overall Musubi stands out for authentic flavors and creative onigiri, offering both well-priced staples and seasonal specials, even as a few reviews wish for bigger fillings or lower prices.View restaurant profile

MIMINORI

Opens Today at 11 am

(41)

Little-Italy

Japanese Ramen Korean

Review Summary

MIMINORI is described as a charming, spacious spot that blends a playful Japanese konbini vibe with a DIY ramen concept, where customers choose a ramen from a library, cook it on site, and customize with toppings, while a wide array of drinks, snacks, handrolls, and groceries creates a mini market feel. The food is described as heartwarming and simple, with fresh handrolls noted as especially tasty and pandan drinks and coffee praised by many. Staff are repeatedly described as friendly, patient, and helpful, making families and kids feel welcome and the overall atmosphere warm and inviting. The concept and decor are seen as cute and appealing, ideal for a casual hangout with friends or a family. Some reviews mention higher prices compared to other spots and occasional disorganization or long lines during peak times, and there is a wish for longer hours. Overall MIMINORI is seen as a must visit for fans of Japanese Korean food culture and a little neighborhood gem worth returning to.View restaurant profile

Restaurant Makoto

Opens Today at 5 pm

(337)

Little-Italy, Rosemont-La Petite-Patrie

Japanese Korean BBQ Asian Fusion Sushi

Mentioned in: Montreal's Best Asian Soups off the Beaten Path

Review Summary

Makoto draws praise for its welcoming staff, quick service and cozy ambiance, with favorites like bibimbap, kimchi jjigae, tofu dishes and teokkochi earning frequent compliments. The food is often described as flavorful with generous portions and reasonable prices, and miso soup and a simple salad come with meals. Several reviewers express disappointment with menu changes, missing items such as sundubu jjigae, beef seafood udon, fried chicken udon and the salad with ginger vinaigrette, hoping for their return. Some diners find the new side dishes less appealing and the chicken breading crumbly. A number of guests hope the restaurant will reintroduce elements of the old menu while still offering new options. Delivery experiences have shown that old versions can be accessed through the restaurant's ordering options, which helps bridge dine in and takeout. Overall Makoto is seen as a reliable, affordable option with tasty dishes and friendly service, though menu revisions have divided opinion and left regulars hoping for a balance between nostalgia and new ideas.View restaurant profile

Sushi Nanami

Opens Today at 11:30 am

(297)

Rosemont-La Petite-Patrie, Little-Italy

Sushi Japanese Poke Bowl

Review Summary

Reviews describe Sushi Nanami as a standout spot in Montreal for fresh, beautifully prepared sushi and poke bowls, with a menu that includes vegetarian options and gluten free choices and a strong emphasis on quality ingredients. The service is consistently praised as warm and attentive, with staff who remember customers by name and occasionally offer small extras. The dining space is noted to be cozy and compact, which some find charming while others note it can be tight for dining in, and takeout is also mentioned as convenient. Many reviewers call it the best sushi in Montreal or in the Jean Talon area, highlighting the chef's craft, thoughtful plating, and good value for the price. Repeat visits are common and the overall vibe is a welcoming, professional, neighborhood friendly experience that makes it easy to recommend to friends.View restaurant profile

LeDon Donburi

Japanese comfort food

Opens Tuesday at 5 pm

(199)

Rosemont-La Petite-Patrie, Little-Italy

Japanese Comfort Food Soups Dumplings Fried Chicken

Review Summary

LeDon Donburi feels like a tiny, cozy Japanese haven in the city, a hidden treasure where the atmosphere, food and staff often come together to create a homey and welcoming dining experience. The bowls are consistently flavorful and fresh, with generous portions and a variety of donburi, takoyaki, gyoza, korokke and karaage, plus seasonal items and a selection of well crafted cocktails and mocktails, with mentions of a dessert option and umeshu as a plus. Guests note quick, friendly service and attentive staff who accommodate allergies and make guests feel at ease; reservations are advised because of the limited seating, especially for date nights. The ambiance is described as intimate and authentic, with anime inspired decor and a vibe that transports diners toward Japan, making it a place to revisit with friends or loved ones. While a few reviews point to small portions or a tonkatsu that was not perfectly fluffy and sometimes busy crowds, the overall impression is of good value, consistent quality and a genuine passion from the team, encouraging repeat visits and recommendations.View restaurant profile