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.
Chef Istanbul is located at downtown Montreal & right next to Concordia University. This place is accessible easily through public transport by metro & bus.
The food here is delicious - they have a good amount of variety in their menu & all the items we tried were well cooked & tasty.
They bake their own bread which is super soft & goes amazing with the lentil soup.
The meat & the kebab were tender.
The staff are friendly & service is quick. Although this place is self service. Seating is plenty.
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!!
Apr 1, 2025
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LOVED the joyous & cozy atmosphere of this place, we went in during a snowstorm while visiting Montreal for the first time & the owner gave us some tea for free (it was freezing outside so this really made our night!). Highly recommended + the food was DELICIOUS!!!
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.
I can't say enough good things about this place! 🤩 I wanted to end my winter vacation in Canada on a high note, & after passing by a few times, I finally decided to give it a try. Let me tell you-I'm so glad I did!
🔥 A First-Time Turkish Food Experience to Remember 🔥
I had never tried Turkish food before, & this was my first experience. But after tasting these incredible flavors, I now want to book a trip to Istanbul just to relive this meal again! (Though first, I have a flight back to L.A. at 12 PM 🛫).
🥩 What I Ordered:
• Filet Mignon Plate - Cooked to perfection, so tender & flavorful!
• Turkish Tea ☕? - Smooth, aromatic, & deeply comforting.
• Kunafa 🧀🍯 - I saw it on a nearby table & couldn't resist. It was crispy, cheesy, & soaked in syrupy goodness!
💫 Beyond the Food - Exceptional Hospitality 💫
What truly made this visit special was the warm & inviting service. The staff here are incredibly kind, welcoming, & friendly-the kind of hospitality that makes you feel at home.
Even after our meal, the cashier went out of their way to recommend a nearby market so I could buy some of that amazing Turkish tea to take home with me. That level of thoughtfulness goes a long way!
🥲 Only One Regret…
The only thing that made me sad? They don't open early enough for me to grab one last meal before my flight! I wish I had more time to enjoy another plate before heading back home.
💯 Final Thoughts:
This meal reignited my love for Montréal, & while I'm excited to go back to L.A., I'm already missing this place! If you've read this far-do yourself a favor & try this spot! You won't regret it! 😍🔥
Chef Istanbul serves authentic Turkish food in downtown Montreal. Their freshly baked bread & juicy grilled meats, like the flavorful Adana kebab, are even better than what experienced in Turkey & Germany! The lentil soup is a comforting classic, & everything is served fresh & fast. With friendly service, delicious menus, & large portions at reasonable prices, it's the perfect go-to for a casual yet satisfying meals.
