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.
A really cute spot to grab some brunch, lunch, or drinks with friends. The Portuguese breakfast was hearty & delicious & our server was very friendly. A great family business that you can tell has a lot of history as a cornerstone of the neighborhood. I certainly recommend that you come here if you are in the area.
Super cute place & incredible food! The owner was so nice, staff super friendly (thanks again for the lighter), & the decor is homey. Lots of vegetarian options too, highly recommend!
Mar 7, 2026
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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.
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!
Delicious food with fantastic service. My partner is Celiac & they took her allergy very seriously, making sure there was zero cross contamination. I highly recommend
C'était très très bon,l'omelette était délicieuse & la décoration était superbe 👍 l'ambiance était satisfaisant mais le service était un peu trop long.Je ne peux que recommander ce brunch.
La nourriture est faite avec amour ! Elle a du goût !
Tous les sandwiches que j'ai essayés avaient une saveur délicieuse !
c'est presque toujours très plein, je recommande donc d'être patient avec le personnel, car ils sont vraiment très occupés.
Ils restent toujours aimables.
Quand nous avons commandé à emporter, le service a été rapide.
Nov 12, 2025
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THE BEST PART IS WILL!!!!! Best server EVER!!! He is absolutely hilarious & caring & professional! This restaurant was recommended by a friend in NYC & we walked an hour to get here. Worth every step! The food was amazing, the drinks & atmosphere & vibe too!!! Highly recommend!!!!! Thank you
This place was one of the highlights of our visit to Montreal. The food & atmosphere were exquisite & Will was an incredible host who took great care of us the whole time. Highly recommend.
We went solely on the high reviews, knowing nothing of the menu/venue. First impressions was that place was rather small & the decor reminded us of seaside bars in the Caribbean or South America. I ordered the Portuguese Breakfast & my wife had the Mexican Crêpe. We were absolutely blown away by the food - it's truly fantastic & the servings were plentiful. We still managed to clean off our plates. We would absolutely recommend this restaurant & will definitely return to try other items. It's also worth noting that my meal was served with what I think was homemade chipotle sauce - whatever it was, it was dang good!
We came for brunch. The wait was not long at all. The food was delicious & the service was impeccable. The weekend seafood soup is a must try. Sarah, the owner, was so sweet & efficient. I highly recommend!
Aug 3, 2025
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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.
We had a great mid-afternoon hang at Chez José. They were gracious to accommodate our large party of 6, but it is a very small place & we felt bad. They assured us all was well & treated very kindly with loving vibes. The food was excellent. Crepes, Portuguese stew, full Portuguese breakfast, pastel de nata (as good or better than Lisbon's ...). All excellent! Highly recommend!
I had the Déjeuner Portugais Avec Viande for breakfast & it was absolutely delicious-so flavorful! The waitress who recommended it was super friendly, & the freshly squeezed orange juice was a perfect touch. Highly recommend this spot for a great breakfast!
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!
