Chennai Express feels like a comforting throwback to home for many diners, with crispy ghee dosa, a highly praised masala dosa, and idli served with tasty chutney and sambar. The setting is a small corner spot inside a shared food court with limited seating, making it more of a takeout or quick-serve option than a dine-in destination. The menu earns compliments for whole-spice flavors and affordable prices, while service is described as friendly and the owner as pleasant. Opinions on authenticity vary, with some finding the chutney and sambar very authentic and others noting that the sambhar can resemble dal and the ambience is not the focus. Dishes like chicken masala dosa and biryani receive high praise, with some reviewers calling it the best dosa in town or a reliable cheap lunch, and several mention good value and consistency. A few reviews note room for improvement in freshness and that the dining space is limited; overall, Chennai Express is seen as a flavorful, dependable south Indian option in downtown Montreal.
A hidden heaven for South Indian food. Fantasic crispy podi masala dosas! & if you give Venki a call before you arrive he'll make you a batch of steaming hot idlis. Delicious food which I keep coming back for ✨
Probably the best dosa in town!
The masala dosa was very good. & the chutney & sambar were very delicious.
You have 3 restaurants in the building (kind of small food court) very good service.
Dec 18, 2025
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Food is great - made with whole spices, really flavourful. Owner is a sweetheart. It's a hole in the wall (basically a food court with three different takeout restaurants with a few stools) but well worth going.
He's a really sweet host, but if you're looking for authentic taste - neither the chutney, nor the texture of the dosa are close. The sambhar is more like dal, but ok.
As someone who's spent a considerable amount of time in Chennai, I feel like I'm qualified to review this place. The masala dosa was probably the best I've had anywhere. Period. The sandbar & chutney were super authentic. I cannot recommend this place enough!
Jun 24, 2025
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I used to work a few doors down from this place. One day I decided to try the food & I've been hooked since then. Now when I am in the area I never fail to stop by. The owner/waiter/chef is such a pleasant gentleman. I rate him a 10 out of 10 for customer service. My go-to dish is the Biryani. I find it spicy & would tear up eating but will keep coming back tearing up😂.
The restaurant is not a sit down establishment. There is counter space which is shared amongst 3 restaurants so first come first sit down.
Overall good experience & will be back when I am in the area.👍
Very decent dosa, chutney & sambhar was very good, dosa was Krispy & nice. Freshly prepared. Masala wasn't very great though. It was a quick dinner & a good one.
Located next to footlocker store. Ordered idly & masala dosa, take away, nicely packed. Not enough space or conducive environment for dine in. Food was nice, came with sambhar & coconut chutney..idly were soft. Hope to eat again if visiting Montreal again.
Found this place closer to our hotel. The briyani was good(not spicy) & chicken pieces were very soft. I wanted to have their masala tea, though it was not readily available, the owner prepared it for me as per my preference. Appreciate the service👏🏻👌🏻
