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Restaurant

Chennai Express

Downtown
4.4$
OPEN11:30 am - 10 pm
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
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Friday
Saturday
Sunday
Chennai Express Montreal Restaurant: Menu, Reviews & Reserve (2026)
IndianBoutique-CounterBrunch
Snug, basic counter serve in a food court preparing dosas, idli & other South Indian specialties.

Amenities, services & more

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Reviews for Chennai Express

Food
Service
on Google4.2 (1100+)
*as of 2026-05-15
5★
70%
4★
8%
3★
8%
2★
11%
1★
1%

Review Summary

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.
Page 1 of 1 - 6 Reviews

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.👍

Jun 11, 2025
on Google

We were visiting & came across this South Indian spot in a shared space with two other fast food choices (pizza & wok). This place is the real deal - authentic South Indian flavours at an affordable price. We had the idlis which were freshly steamed & served with tasty chutney & sambar. The masala dosa was excellent - perfectly crispy with a well spiced potato masala. Finally, the chicken biryani was marinated, fragrant & delicious. Highly recommend!

Ps - seating wise, there's a long table with high chairs, but because these are shared between the three restaurants, there may not always be availability (it is first come first serve). The takeout option worked best for us!

Mar 25, 2025
on Google

The masala dosa was absolutely excellent - crispy, flaky, & served with delicious coconut chutney & sambar. The chicken biryani was good, with flavorful spices that satisfied my craving for traditional South Indian cuisine.

Jan 19, 2025
on Google

This is a nice little place in the center of downtown on st Catherine Street . This place has been my usual now for several years . My usual orders are chicken curry , lamb curry & chicken biryani for takeways . I always call in advance & schedule my pickup as its very crowded on busy hours . When I have dine in , I usually order plain dosa & idlis . Idlis are usually served in the evening & fresh so I recommend to call & place an order for them in advance .

Oct 22, 2024
on Google

Decent Veg Biryani, felt like mixed veg with rice.

Aug 17, 2024
on Google

A small kiosk amidst hustle & bustle of Montreal downtown. Delicious food & courteous owner. Excellent pricing. We ordered masala dosa & chicken biryani. Masala in the dosa was well prepared (perfectly boiled & mashed potatoes with perfect combination of south Indian spices). Chicken pieces in the biryani were well cooked & soaked in spices to a perfect measure. If you are looking to sit down & enjoy the food, you have to pick your time of visiting this place wisely. We visited at lunch hour, so the place was jam packed as it has two other food joints there. Overall, 5/5 in my book.

Aug 15, 2024
on Google