Buboy specializes in authentic Filipino comfort food defined by deep, savory flavor profiles and traditional preparation techniques. The menu centers on heart-warming soups and slow-cooked classics that emphasize the rich heritage of the archipelago. Every dish showcases a deliberate balance of acidity, saltiness, and sweetness characteristic of the region. Patrons encounter a straightforward culinary environment focused entirely on the execution of these time-honored recipes. The kitchen maintains rigorous standards for quality, ensuring that every bowl of broth and portion of meat delivers a consistent experience. This establishment serves as a focused destination for those seeking genuine, unpretentious Filipino cooking served in a simple, practical setting. The culinary approach prioritizes depth of flavor over elaborate presentation, allowing the bold ingredients to define the character of every meal served within this space.
Buboy is widely regarded as a hidden gem in Montreal, offering authentic and comforting Filipino cuisine that leaves many visitors impressed by the bold flavors and creative twists on traditional dishes. While the atmosphere is often described as cozy and welcoming, with many guests praising the friendly and helpful service, the restaurant is located in a small, tucked-away space that can be tricky to find. Experiences regarding consistency are mixed, as some patrons find the portion sizes and food temperatures to be variable, and others have noted occasional challenges with service flow or order accuracy. Despite these occasional inconsistencies, the majority of diners are enthusiastic about their meals, frequently highlighting the crab rangoon, pancit, and lechon as standout items, and many express a strong desire to return to explore more of the menu.
Good, thought missing some veggie in the dishes. I enjoyed the food though I'm not sure enough to go out of my way to go back. The meat was delicious. The lechon baboy had too much rice for the meat if I recall right. & the bulalo was good, meat was good though. Tender.
We're rooting for this place because the menu & concept have a lot of potential. The flavours were genuinely great, but the service & overall dining experience left us a bit disappointed.
Service-wise, it would really help if the process was explained more clearly when customers arrive. For example, that you pay first, seat yourself, & grab your own utensils. We felt a little unsure throughout the experience. When our food arrived, we also didn't receive water or utensils, which added to the confusion.
For the food itself, the flavours were excellent, but the portion sizes felt inconsistent for the pricing. The $4 rice portion was nearly the same size as the $16 pancit, & the sisig portion was much smaller than expected based on photos from other reviews. We finished it in just a few bites. We also later noticed that the menu on Uber Eats mention garlic rice included with the sisig, but we were charged extra for it. It was $65 for 2 people after tip, & left still a but hungry.
Hoping they continue improving because there's definitely something special here & we'd love to see them succeed!
May 18, 2026
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Food was so freaking good! It was very homey, I loved how cozy the kitchen & seating area felt. We got the pork sisig, tinapa rice, & the crab rangoons. Definitely recommend the crab rangoons!!!
I visited twice on the same Montreal trip, which I think says something. Either about Buboy's potential, or my own optimism. Possibly both.
First visit, I ordered the bulalo. At Buboy they serve it with noodles, which is their prerogative. I asked for rice on the side because I'm Filipino, & also the grandchild of a rice farmer, so this is something I take personally. The rice was dry enough that not even the bulalo broth could rescue it, which is a sentence I genuinely did not expect to write about a Filipino restaurant. The beef in the bulalo was also quite lean, which made me reconsider whether the noodles would have even helped. The broth itself was decent. I could see the vision. I just couldn't fully live in it.
The music situation: the staff were changing songs constantly, which is a pet peeve of mine both as a customer & as someone who has worked in food service.'Folded' by Kehlani came on. They changed it immediately. I am not over this.
Second visit, different friend, different order. I got the tinapa fried rice, which was genuinely good. I also paid extra for an additional egg, somewhere in the $2-3 range, & received half an egg. So I paid to complete the egg that came with the dish.
Buboy has real ideas. The menu has personality. Our friends who live in Montreal love it, & I wanted to love it too. I just think the execution stumbles on the things that should be the easiest to get right. Rice. Beef. The egg math (I know there's eggflation, but still.)
I'll probably try the ube crinkle cookie next time I'm in town. There will probably be a next time.
I ordered lechon & crab rangoons to go & paid $2 extra to replace rice with noodles +the tip. Unfortunately, I was given rice instead of noodles, tried calling but the number is disconnected. Pretty disappointed since I was the only customer there.
We tried the Kamayan Christmas dinner special-a collaboration with Dobe & Andy-& wow. If you're a meat lover, this will absolutely blow your socks off. The spread was loaded with BBQ pork, crispy pork, chicken, duck skewers, veggies, cream cheese & crab dumplings, plus a generous portion of fried rice packed with even more meat.
Reservations are required since it's a group-style meal, & it's well worth planning ahead. Other standouts for us were the coconut soup with crispy pork & the bone broth-both comforting & deeply flavorful.
Buboy is truly a rare gem in Montreal. Huge thanks to Chef Eric for consistently offering such unique, delicious dishes at prices that remain accessible.
If you like Crab Rangoon, Oxtail Kare-Kare & Bulalo Pares this is the place for you.
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I've had a bunch of Philippino style food before but here at @buboymtl it's like comfort & wholesome cooking had a baby. It's definitely on the heavy, put you in a coma, style vibe & I love it.
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Really nice traditional spot that has been serving up the NDG area of Montreal all summer & giving people a delicious take on amazing Philippino Cooking.
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They also have this amazing Cantaloupe Juice that is super refreshing & at times they even are known to do a collab or 2 with other great individuals like the master behind the Halo Halo Donut I had from @deuxbecs, really the master of donut making himself!
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If your in the area you guys are lucky because coming into the winter season, these guys are Gunna keep you feed & fat all winter long 😅.
Laing: Roast Pork Belly, Taro Leaves In Coconut Milk over Rice 🐷🍚🥥
Lechon kare kare : Roast Pork Belly, Peanut Butter Gravy over Rice 🐷🍚🥜
Pancit Canton : House Noodles , Toyomansi sauce ( soy-Calamansi) , Chili Jam , 6 minute egg 🐔🥚🍜
I have to honestly & say I love the new & improved menu at @buboymtl & especially the new location. It really fits them better & to have a set menu with a hand full of bangers is all they needed!
Its just simple comfort philipinos food done ohhh so well me & my buddy couldn't get over how delicious everything really was! If your going through Chinatown & you need a recommendation, go here!
Food tastes great. I do think the quantity can be slightly more, we left not fully feeling full. 2/3 of my bowl was rice which I couldn't possibly have finished so slightly more meat would be highly appreciated.
A small sanitary suggestion would to have the employee handling food to be wearing gloves. It's a sore sight to be seeing someone pulling on noodles with their bare hands for the next order as you're eating right in front of them.
