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.
Mar 2, 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.
Very vegan friendly. They do have some meats on the menu as well. Besides the quality ingredients, & the delicious food, the service is so kind.
To our surprise, it is reservation only. It's a tight space, but somehow they make it work. The table turnovers are pretty quick. On a Sunday at noon we showed up with no reservation. But they explained how to scan & set up a reservation. 20 minutes later we were seated. Ten to 15 minutes later our meals were served.
That's not to mention the ambiance. Very laid back. Some might call it bohemian, but to me it just felt authentic. Classic RNB from the late 90's & early 2000's. The servers & hosts were so polite. They all speak English, of course. So don't be afraid to show up if you don't speak the local dialect.
My vegan friend was beyond happy with his tofu breakfast burrito. My non vegan friend was super happy with his omelette & salad. & I was in love with the simplicity, but complexity, of the churrasco chicken sandwich, the Psychedelic juice, & the dirty chai.
We walked away from the meal refreshed & full of peace & good vibes.
So yeah, come for the food. But don't forget to take in the quality of the environment.
Much love to everyone who contributed to our experience. Easy 5 stars. Well deserved.
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.
Accueil extraordinairement sympathique qui a fait oublier le temps d'attente (salle pleine), repas vegan absolument divin (qui explique... la salle pleine !). Soupe Guantánamo, burritos au tofu, végé-pâté en sandwich au pain portugais, vin rouge, smoothy au lait d'avoine etc. TOUT ÉTAIT EXQUIS !
We discovered this unique restaurant our last day visiting Montreal, which was a terrific overall experience & great way to end our stay. Our two meals (the Portuguese chicken sandwich, fresh squeezed orange juice, plus the asparagus, spinach, feta omelette, which included a green salad & Portuguese bread) were absolutely delicious & plen, the service friendly & quick, & we were totally engaged with the decor & atmosphere.
Prendre la déjeunette au café Chez José. La pensée née d'une promenade sur la rue Duluth avec mon grand frère il y a deux semaines s'est épanouie en plan en bonne & due forme. C'est un petit restaurant portugais aux airs rustiques & sans prétention sur le coin d'une rue que l'on remarquerait à peine si ce n'était pas pour la terrasse d'une vingtaine de mètres bondée de gens allègres précédés de sandwichs appétissants. & mon frère de m'expliquer que la présence de tant de convives bonifie l'impression que nous cause le repas & que l'absence de personnes renforce les sensations négatives, tandis que je piquais, par principe de finir tout ce qu'il a à manger, les quelques dernières feuilles de laitue d'une salade dans sa plus simple expression.
- « C'est de la laitue. Oh, du chou ! », fit mon frère, en en soulignant la modestie. (En effet. C'est à peine si on percevait la vinaigrette)
Bref, non, la salade de base n'avait pas meilleur goût parce que j'étais entouré de 40 joyeuses personnes. Le sandwich au poulet churrasco non plus, d'ailleurs. À 15,50 $, on peut avoir plus tendre & plus consistant à meilleur marché. Ou bien le frappé « psychadelic blast » (sic) (8,75 $ avec le sandwich) dont le nom laissait entendre un tout autre effet en bouche. Tout ça pour dire que je ne suis pas d'accord avec lui. Moi, personnellement, je pense que je n'ai jamais été du genre à me laisser influencer trop trop…
Mais à la fin de tout ça, j'en suis sorti très satisfait. Je pense que l'expérience du José se situe moins dans le « quoi » que dans le « comment », le « où » & le « avec qui ».
Le comment, c'est le chaleureux, c'est l'accueillant, c'est le se sentir chez soi, sans dépaysement, & l'être traité dignement, avec attention.
Le où, c'est le cadre coloré, surchargé sans être accablant, ce sont les petits détails, l'attachement de son propriétaire envers son restaurant, sa famille, ses amis… Je ne connais pas José, mais je sais que c'est l'amour qui l'anime & qu'il doit être très fier de ce qu'il a produit.
Le avec qui, c'est ce moment avec mon frère à se partager l'assiette de patates, chouriços & oeufs (déjeuner portugais, 21 $) & à s'attaquer à la soupe aux fruits de mer (14,75 $), en y trempant la cuillère & en la portant à nos lèvres, en retirant les moules du bol & en essuyant nos doigts de leur enduit tomaté. Il a trouvé ça mémorable, & moi aussi je vais m'en rappeler, précisément puisqu'il m'a dit ça. Il était content d'être là, & donc moi aussi. Le « avec qui », ce sont aussi les sympathiques serveurs, les cuisiniers qui se font des accolades, les autres clients qui sont presque collés sur nous, qui nous passent derrière le dos pour aller aux toilettes… On est en famille.
En un mot, le café Chez José met de la joie sur ce petit coin de rue là.
À vous de voir si ça en vaut le prix.
Sep 7, 2025
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Excellent place for brunch. I had the breakfast sandwich & hands down one of the best sandwiches I've had in a while. I added the salad & potato's & they were excellent. Don't skip on it.
TIP: You can get on the waitlist on Yelp so you're already in the queue when you arrive to cutdown on the waiting
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.
Jul 28, 2025
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Mega slow service but food was good. Better tasting than other touristy places. Not a lot of options. Mainly sandwich & crepe. Not worth a detour but good if you're in the area.
Sitting under a black tented patio was extra HOT!
I feel as though this place is a bit of a hit or miss. My first experience was a little underwhelming, as we paid a lot for a meager sandwich & lackluster breakfast plate.
But I decided to give it another chance for dinner a year later & was blown away with how good the food was! The crepe meals were MASSIVE & delicious. Big plus for the atmosphere, their decor is cute & the patio is lovely in the summer to eat outside.
I knock one star though because the prices are very high for it being a casual restaurant, & we did wait over 40min to receive our food, but the waitstaff was very apologetic & nice about that. The food is also quite greasy.
Finally got to get their chicken sandwich! & they have
gluten free option!!! It was really to die for! loved all the flavours I have been marinating in!
We loved this cafe. We had a wonderful breakfast: espresso, omelet sandwiches, & delicious pasteis de natas (just like Lisbon). Service was excellent. Really love the warm colors & eclectic vibe. Can't wait to return.
