Chez José Café comes across in reviews as a small, cozy, colorful neighborhood spot on Duluth where a warm, family run vibe and lively atmosphere make guests feel instantly at home. The menu blends brunch favourites with Portuguese specialties, delivering pastéis de nata praised as among the best, hearty Portuguese breakfasts and chouriço dishes, tasty crepes, and a seafood soup that many describe as outstanding, with vegan and vegetarian options noted as well. Guests repeatedly highlight the friendly, attentive service and the welcoming vibe, while acknowledging that the space is compact and can get crowded, with occasional waits or slower service during busy weekends and a few hiccups like dishes arriving a touch cold or heavy on salt for some. Prices are often described as reasonable for the quality but a bit higher than casual spots, and the overall sentiment remains that the atmosphere, decor, and consistent quality create a memorable Montreal brunch and lunch destination worth returning to for drinks, pastries, and more.
My favourite brunch spot in Montreal! Food is excellent, I would strongly recommend the Mexican omelette or the breakfast sandwiches. Coffee & drinks are good. Above all else the interior is cozy, & comforting in a way that makes every meal enjoyable. Food is on the heavier side but all the more delicious for it.
The space is limited, so it can be difficult to get seating with larger groups. Additionally, the tables are located pretty close to each other so it can be a little tight if you have a lot of bags or other stuff.
Delicious, authentic food with a cozy, charming atmosphere. The service is friendly & inviting. Whether you're looking for a good meal or just a cup of coffee & a pastel de nata Chez José Café will not disappoint!
A very comfortable atmosphere - not very big, but thoughtfully designed with lots of character. The food is delicious as well. I would definitely come back again. 😊
Feb 15, 2026
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My wife & I ate here on Thursday around 2ish or 3ish... Had the place to ourselves. The owner & staff are super nice respectful. They speak both English & French. We will definitely be going back to try more of there food. The place is family owned & operated. It could get tight if it's full. Regardless I recommend it to anyone looking for good vibes & fantastic food & service!
Feb 6, 2026
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EXPENSIVE! For not much.
Got 2 sandwich/soup combos & hot chocolates & it was $80!!! & for that insane price, there was barely any meat or other filling in the sandwich, it was 90% bread.
Nothing fancy. Decent restaurant. Heavily understaffed. If you have lots of free time, & you aren't much hungry, then you might want to consider visiting this place.
Jan 27, 2026
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Could someone please tell the server from Sunday evening that she should just pick one: sitting at a table & scrolling through TikTok on her iPad *with the volume on* OR being unhelpful & hostile to the customers? It's only because she chose to do both that I'm bothering to leave a review.
An unexpected delight. Very cozy space & just a small dinner menu but very well done. We had the seafood soup, vegetarian crepe & egg tarts for dessert. Our waitperson was very kind with our poor French!
L'accueil était chaleureux, tout comme le service.
Le déjeuner portugais était savoureux, je reviendrais !
Il y a un grand choix de plat végétarien & vegan, que je testerai une prochaine fois.
Mention spéciale pour le pasteis de nata, qui m'a réconcilié avec cette pâtisserie !
