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.
Wow ,What a great place!
The first time we came here, it was for coffee ☕, the second time was today for lunch. My love 💕 & I , are return customers. I believe it's places like Chez José Café that keep Montréal alive.
If you think 🤔 about it. Please stop by here & enjoy something delicious 😋.
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.
Nov 17, 2025
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I eat out a lot, I also am not a vegetarian, I love meat. That being said the vegetarian lentil burrito at café José is arguably the best burrito in Montreal. It's so well constructed, it's so crunchy & soft. I come here all the time & eat this every time. Sometimes I sit at home & think about it & wish I was eating it. Their hot sauce really makes it mouth watering. I love this place. 10/10 a real Montreal staple.
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.
Meilleur brunch en ville. La bouffe est complètement démente & absolument délicieuse & les portions sont très généreuses. Service impeccable & chaleureux, prix raisonnables. Bref, je ne vois pas la pertinence d'aller bruncher ailleurs. Seul petit hic: l'endroit peut être un peu bruyant car très populaire & plutôt exigüe. Mais c'est pas une raison pour s'en priver!
Nov 9, 2025
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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 !
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 :)
Nov 2, 2025
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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...♥?
Great place with exceptional service, vibe, & ambiance. The coffee was excellent, however, the food could be better seasoned. Highlight: toasted bread with butter.
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.
Oct 20, 2025
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Énormément d'attente (30 minutes exterieur + 30 minutes intérieur avant d'avaoir été servis) & d'erreur sur la liste d'attente.
En plus, d'un beau verre d'eau renverser sur mon pantalon par la serveuse. C'est des choses qui arrivent mais avec les erreurs & les personnes qui ont été servis avant nous sans même avoir attendu alors qu'il y avait une file, ça m'a donné un goût amer.
Love to see a small place with a huge personality succeed! I was blown away by the beautiful decor, the unique mugs, & every detail that took me back to my Caribbean roots. The service was amazing & the food was even better! They have perfected the recipe of a great restaurant - unique flavors, great service, & a location that is so easy to get to. If I'm ever back in Montreal, I will surely be back! ¡Buen provecho!
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.
