Chef Istanbul in downtown Montreal near Concordia is widely praised for authentic Turkish flavors, generous portions, and homemade bread at good value. Reviewers highlight kebab, lamb and chicken shawarma, doner, and falafel, with the lentil soup and labneh often called standout items and fries noted as excellent. The staff are frequently described as friendly and attentive, with guests recalling thoughtful hospitality such as complimentary bread or tea and a welcoming owner. The atmosphere is cozy and suitable for students and families alike, and the food is consistently fresh and well prepared. Some notes mention occasional service inconsistencies, a few dishes not meeting a diner's taste, and variability depending on who is working, plus practical details like self service, upstairs seating, and accessibility concerns. There is also mention of a temporary closure and requests for updated hours. Overall, it is regarded as one of the city's best Turkish options, with many recommending the kebab and chicken sandwiches and praising the fresh bread and flavorful dips.
Really the best chicken sandwich I've had in Montreal. Great service & very affordable, the labneh & the chicken are the stars of the sandwich. truly recommend this spot if your looking for a great sandwich & crispy fries.
Love the fresh bread & tasty sandwiches here-always made with care. Their tea is my favorite; it's the perfect cozy companion. Great spot for a simple, satisfying meal!
Aug 10, 2025
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J'ai pris un sandwich Chawarma au poulet, la vérité c'est très délicieux même le pain est trop bon & frais mais je connais très bien le Chawarma j'ai visité beaucoup des pays au Moyen-Orient y compris la Turquie & malheureusement ce que j'ai mangé c'est pas du Chawarma c'est du poulet grillé normalement, mais j'aime c'est un bon endroit pour manger.. Courage
absolute banger i got the kebab sandwich with tzatziki sauce it tastes like the doner kebabs from austria & my friend told me the fries are incredibly good
Jun 24, 2025
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As a vegan, finding flavorful, satisfying options can sometimes be a challenge-but Chef Istanbul absolutely nails it! Their falafel sandwich is hands down the best in Montreal. It's a go-to comfort food that never disappoints. The bread is freshly baked & the best bread I have ever had.
The staff are incredibly friendly & welcoming, always making you feel at home. They're happy to accommodate dietary needs & clearly take pride in what they serve. The atmosphere is relaxed & inviting, making it a great spot whether you're grabbing a quick bite or sitting down to enjoy your meal.
We got the chicken/beef shawarma plate & the filet mignon sandwich trio. All was fresh & really tasty, although be careful if u don't like dill as they put it as the part of the sauce in the sandwich. But other than that, I believe they have the best fries & dip in Montreal!
The prices are a bit higher than in other similar places in Montreal (40$ for both, excl. tip) but overall it was a very nice place for lunch!!
The reason why I'm giving this establishment a three star review is due its lack of accessibility, however the food was great! I had the Beef Sharwarma Sandwich. Was served hot & it tasted very fresh!
The restaurant is located in a new building but there is no door opener, so if you are in a wheelchair or other use any other mobility device & do not have a lot of strength, you will need someone to be with you to open the door for you. A customer living with a disability mostly like can't come into the restaurant by themselves. There are many possible solutions such as installing a door bell or a ring camera that would allow customers with disabilities access to the restaurant that respect their independence & autonomy. Please do better & try to make your establishment more accessible for as many people as possible.
Was excited to see a new Turkish grillhouse pop up in the neighbourhood as I am very fond of Turkish food. The prices seemed a bit high for a casual, takeout restaurant. So I opted for a sandwich. There were no customization options. The sandwich I received was overly toasted, burnt at the edges with a sad amount of toppings. Really was not worth the dollars. I might have had a better experience if I went for the platter which was about twice the price.
2025 update: I've come back a couple times since & my experience was much better the second time. Third time was better than first time but not as good as the 2nd time. Seems like experience here varies depending on who is working.
