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.
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.
May 31, 2025
on Google
🍽️
Know where to eat in Montreal before everyone else.
Get the first look at the hottest openings, secret menus, and RestoMontreal.ca's weekly top picks. Join 50,000+ foodies.
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👏🏻👌🏻
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
🍽️
Know where to eat in Montreal before everyone else.
Get the first look at the hottest openings, secret menus, and RestoMontreal.ca's weekly top picks. Join 50,000+ foodies.
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.
The food here is absolutely amazing-fresh, flavorful, & cooked to perfection. It's a small, cozy spot, making it ideal for takeout. The highlight, though, is the sweet man who's both the waiter & the chef. His warmth & care really shine through in both the service & the food. Must try if you crave Indian style breakfast in a budget!
The service was excellent, & the staff member/owner whoever served us was incredibly kind & humble. I would highly recommend the idly sambhar-it was exceptionally fresh, much better than at other places. The dosa was perfectly crisp, with a crust that didn't get soggy, which was impressive. Overall, a great experience with delicious food & hardworking, courteous staff.
This is a small restaurant in a shared space with one pizza place & a Chinese noodle place. The staff is kind & humble. I tried sambhar idly & chicken dosa here. The cost was nominal & the taste was so good. Had an authentic sambhar here with fluffy idlys. Recommended place for South Indian food in Montreal.
Food is really really good, top notch. Restaurant is small & shared with some other restaurants but we really liked the food. Authentic South Indian good with a great taste.
Nov 24, 2024
on Google
🍽️
Know where to eat in Montreal before everyone else.
Get the first look at the hottest openings, secret menus, and RestoMontreal.ca's weekly top picks. Join 50,000+ foodies.
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 .
Got the masala dosa from here & it was great! Did not expect authentic south Indian food in Montreal. I am from Hyderabad & am very particular about dosa but this place really came through. It was just one gentleman taking orders & cooking when I went on a Friday evening. I wish him & his business well.
