Amaranto serves an authentic selection of Mexican street food staples centered on high-quality corn tortillas. The kitchen focuses on traditional techniques to prepare protein-rich fillings like al pastor, carnitas, and barbacoa that prioritize depth of flavor over unnecessary complexity. Each taco arrives garnished with fresh cilantro, white onion, and house-made salsas that balance acidity with heat. The interior space reflects a functional and straightforward approach to casual dining, emphasizing speed and accessibility for those seeking genuine culinary craftsmanship. Diners encounter a menu that celebrates the versatility of regional Mexican ingredients while maintaining a focus on core preparations. Every element on the plate functions to provide a direct expression of classic culinary heritage without extraneous flair. This establishment offers a concise journey through essential flavor profiles rooted firmly in Mexican tradition.
Amaranto is widely celebrated as an authentic Mexican gem in the Monkland Village area, consistently earning praise for its high-quality, homemade dishes. The birria tacos, served with a rich and flavorful broth, are frequently highlighted as a standout menu item, while other offerings like the al pastor, suadero, and fish tacos receive significant acclaim for their fresh ingredients and traditional preparation. Guests generally enjoy the warm, welcoming atmosphere and the friendly, attentive service, which contributes to an overall positive dining experience. Although some reviewers find the portion sizes small relative to the price or occasionally note that the staff can feel overwhelmed when the restaurant is busy, the consensus remains that the food is exceptionally tasty. The establishment offers excellent cocktails, including notable margaritas, and a popular lunch special that provides a comprehensive sampling of their menu. Prospective visitors should be aware that the restaurant primarily accepts cash or electronic transfers for payment, and due to its popularity, reservations are often recommended.
We went to this restaurant at 1pm, a groupe of 6. They brought the salsa & tomatillo salsa to the table, then brought the nachos to nibble on before ordering. The waitress took our orders & they had a lunch special which consists of either Guacamole or pico de gallo with nachos as an entrée with our meal, in addition to 1 Churro at the end for dessert. The ambiance is good, not noisy. The food was very good, typical of good quality food as in Mexico. The Birria tacos was so delicious! 3 tacos & I could only eat 2, very filling & lots of meat, slightly good spicy. The Tacos al pastor & the fish tacos were very good also. Tacos with cactus leaves also good. The horchata was good & refreshing. The pico de gallo was delicious with plenty fresh cilantro. The churro was good, but not fully fried, the inside was still not fully cooked. We will definitely return soon to try other choices. Good typical Mexican food. The only thing I have to mention is the black door, the entrance from the street to the restaurant. There is a black door & on it is written 5626 which is the address of the restaurant. It is very hard to pull & open that door! When I arrived, I tried to open it, there is no good grip on it to pull. For an instant, I thought this is not the entrance & I was going to leave. I waited till someone came out of that door so I entered. My friends had the same experience trying to open that door. I had to go myself to the door & opened it so they could enter!
To the Owner: please fix that door handle or change the handle to have a good grip to be able to pull it open to enter the restaurant.
A super authentic Mexican gem. Everyone working was warm & welcoming. The food is excellent. No matter what you get, you won't be disappointed. We had the shrimp quesadilla, the birria tacos, fish tacos, & the chicken tacos. Everything was a 10/10.
Amazing! The best Mexican restaurant in town. The food is amazing. My husband & I had the chicken enchiladas, the birria tacos, & the refried beans & they were delicious. The staff & owners are super kind & welcoming. The restaurant is clean, comfortable with a vibrant decor. We are so happy that they came back to Monkland!!!
Dec 23, 2025
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Super authentic Mexican spot, with lovely owners & amazing food. They are so hospitable & are experts at what they do. Star of the show are the birria tacos, but nothing you get will disappoint.
Great New Mexican restaurant in the heart of NDG (Monkland Village). The food is amazing (both times we ordered the guacamole, soft Tacos Suadero & the Fish Tacos. The fired plantains are also very good!! The food is fresh & authentic!! From the moment you walk in, the warmth of the staff & the rich aromas from the kitchen make it clear that you are in for something special. This place is a local gem!!
ALERT: Amaranto has moved. Their new address is 5626 Monkland. The food & uplifting ambiance is better than ever! Authentic Mexican dishes (I love the tacos Al Pastor,) friendly service, & awesome guacamole with homemade tortilla chips! If you want the best Mexican food in Montreal, Ameranto's is the place to be.
Food is very normal, I wouldn't say the restaurant is bad, but food lacks a bit of flavor & the portions are very small for the cost of the dishes. Not a bad option for people who want to explore Mexican food in Montreal, but not my favorite.
