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.
I had the pleasure of eating here during a trip to Montreal & when I come here again I will be sure to visit again. The food was delicious & the atmosphere was extremely cozy & the staff were very friendly as well. Chez José Café shows love in the food & wears its heart on the walls.
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.
Mar 2, 2026
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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!
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!
The place is a little cozy, but the food is outstanding! The staff was very friendly & attentive to our needs! The seafood soup was the best I've ever had, & the Mexican omelet & Mexican crepe were just as impressive!
Loved it! went there for a quick coffee break but spent much more admiring how good & cozy it looks. It may be small but the overall experience was amazing
Dec 14, 2025
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Adorable little spot with lots of personality & charm. Very cozy! Feels like you're having breakfast at your friends house. Excellent service by William: he's quick, funny & knows how to help an indecisive customer. The food is amazing. I had the classic omelette with chorizo & it's probably the best omelette I've ever had.
There was a bit of waiting time, but they're very organized by using Yelp Waitlist.
Great experience overall & will definitely come back :)
This is a amazing cute cafe with really good cozy interior & absolutely delicious food!! We loved everything we tried here & the service was good too, it was the simply the absolute best...♥?
Love this place, & open on a Monday! The environment inside is cozy, interesting to look at, & the server was lovely. The food is a good price & the portions were awesome, we were full by the end. Great taste too. Will definitely return when visiting Montreal again.
Not worth visiting past 9pm, they close before advertised hours. I come here regularly & Chez Jose is an amazing place with super cozy & homey ambiance which has an incredible amount of charm & character. Most of the time the staff & service is absolutely excellent & I recommend this spot as a must visit Montreal gem.
I did however visit this Monday for a coffee & was directly & coldly told I should leave at 9:30 (30 mins before closing time). Not that I should stop ordering at 9:30, but that I should leave. I get that the staff wanted to close early & go home after a long day but the way this was done made it feel wrong even being there (bear in mind I got there around 8:45, over an hour before closing). There were also still plenty of customers there. Quite a shame & a shock to get this very tense unwelcoming vibe in a place where it's usually the complete opposite.
I will continue coming here because like I said, it's a Montreal gem. Just won't be visiting later in the evening anymore.
The food melts in your mouth with every bite. The sandwiches are fresh & pleasing to bite down on. The staff is super friendly & makes sure you feel cozy in your seat.
The music throws you back to old Caribbean times. Even if you have never lived it. The area in which this place is located is friendly to walk about. You can tell by the worn out murals & colorful pastels on every wall that this Avenue has a rich history that remains unknown to outsiders. Nevertheless, you feel right at home. These elements combined will give you a lovely morning to remember. I definitely recommend this place. I would visit again if I lived in Montreal . Ingredients are locally sourced as well, It's good to support local businesses by default. I'd say more. But I don't want to leave an essay. Easy 10/10 place.
Tucked away on Duluth, Café Chez José feels like a little oasis of joy. The vibe is eclectic & cozy, filled with character & color. The food? Humble, honest, & surprisingly delightful. It's the kind of place where every bite feels like it was made with care. Even though the hostess was running around non-stop, she never lost her grace. A beautiful place to slow down, eat well, & feel the soul of avenue Duluth.
J'ai adoré mon expérience chez José!
Le personnel est très gentil, accueillant & attentionné.
Notre accueil était super agréable par un jeune homme super gentil & très patient qui à l'air passionné par son travail, & qui aidait de gauche à droite. Il avait de l'attente, mais tout le staff étaient organisé & ça paraissait dans le service & la vibe du restaurant!
Pour la nourriture j'ai ADORÉ!
J'ai pris pour ma part un crêpe repas avec dinde & fromage bleu, c'était super bon!
Je recommande fortement leurs mimosas fait avec jus fraîchement pressé WOW-
L'ambiance du restaurant est vraiment cozy, familiale, vintage, il a du vécu & ça se voit que c'est un restaurant qui est pris soin avec amour.
Il n'avait pas d'air climatisé, avec la température de 31°C je me sentais mal pour les employés, je n'osais pas penser au cuisinier... courage à vous les employés!!!
Je serai de retour, coup de coeur de Montréal, vraiment ce que je recherchais!
Jul 1, 2025
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I truly enjoyed my experience here. Had a small bite late in the afternoon & was craving for some sweet treat. I had their pastel de nata & a cup of latte, which were s great pairing.
I find the place very artsy & cozy, & the staff is very friendly. Overall, it's a wonderful place to be.
I tried the Portuguese breakfast with an Americano! The dish comes with a salad, mediocre buttered bread, two eggs, sausages, & potatoes. It was really delicious & filling, but I probably wouldn't order it again. The Americano, however, was fantastic, easily one of the best I've had so far! The place has a cozy atmosphere with a charming Montreal vibe, & it's definitely worth a visit. That said, a couple of things could be improved: the bathroom was cluttered with their supplies, & I wish there were hangers or coat racks. They would be especially helpful during the winter in such a small space.
I had a wonderful experience at Chez Jose Cafe! The cozy atmosphere, friendly staff, & fresh, delicious food made it a perfect spot to unwind. Their menu offers a great variety of options, including vegetarian & healthy choices, which was exactly what I was looking for. The coffee was also on point, rich & flavorful. Plus, the service was fast despite it being a busy time. Overall, Chez Jose is a gem! Whether you're looking for a quick bite, a relaxed brunch, or just a good cup of coffee, this place won't disappoint.
Overall: Cozy cafe with lots of vegetarian & vegan options. Pros: The food & drinks we ordered tasted great (went for breakfast)! Eclectic decorations make this a cozy & unique cafe. Cons: 1) Wi-Fi information wasn't visible. Waitress provided me with the information upon asking, it was handwritten on a piece of paper, the information was hard to read & I couldn't connect to the internet. 2) No kids menu though the waitress had suggestions.
