Dera Restaurant is praised for authentic Pakistani and Indian flavors with fresh naan, flavorful curries and standout dishes such as paya, haleem, nihari, biryani and tandoor items, while the service is described as friendly and the family friendly atmosphere and good value for money for both dining in and catering. Reviewers frequently note generous portions and spices that appeal to desi cuisine lovers, and many say the restaurant is a reliable go to for meals with family or groups. At the same time experiences are mixed, with a few dishes described as bland or overly heavy on masala, some meals arriving cold or lacking freshness, and concerns raised about cleanliness and ambiance. Dessert options are hit or miss, though several diners highlight kheer and halwa puri as highlights on other visits. The paya and haleem are repeatedly singled out as among the best in the area. Overall the restaurant is seen as a solid, approachable choice for authentic desi cuisine in Montreal, popular for lunch and dinner and for events, with room to improve presentation and consistency to elevate the dining experience.
Very disappointing buffet. The food was tasteless, cold & way too spicy. Trays were not refilled & Lamb dishes without meat only gravy left & dirty plates piled up on the table while waiters didn't even come to clear them. For $30.99 + tx per person, it is seriously overpriced. This buffet should cost around $9.99 at most. I would not go back & do not recommend it.
The service here was amazing & the staff definitely try to create this sense of home through the restaurant & food.
The taste of the food was good according to my family's palate, but if you're someone who likes heavy masala & oil, this place is not for you. The food is a bit bland &, in some instances, warm but not cold. They don't ask for mild or hot preferences for food, but there is little to no spice in all of their dishes. However, their naan were clearly hot off the oven & tasted like traditional naan - quite good.
This restaurant attempts to portray itself as a high end restaurant & they offer catering for all types of occasions. However, their atmosphere needs work. Staff were all dressed in sweats & were given a Dera Restaurant baseball cap to wear - in my opinion, staff should have a clear uniform. This doesn't mean they need business attire…just not sweats.
Additionally, while cleaning off tables, staff were not provided gloves & were instead cleaning & picking up used dishes, cups, tissue, etc. with their bare hands. Additionally, the lighting at night was terrible & reminiscent of a run down hospital. The bathrooms were relatively clean but the toilet seat in the women's bathroom had been removed & dumped to the side in one of the stalls & the garbage was overflowing. So cleanliness needs some work.
Overall, for the price we paid to eat, you're literally getting what you pay for. We paid $50 with tips for a family of four, which isn't even close to what we would pay in the GTA. If you look at this in a monetary context, then this place is actually perfect.
Dec 29, 2025
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Best food if you like meat & bone type dishes (ex- nehari, paya). Really good service. There was 2 ladies as a server both were really sweet , specially the serve we got the slime & tall one . Dessert was awesome (kheer)
I bought take out containers of dishes to go for a trip. One week they gave it to me in big containers & then I told my brother to get the same for a longer trip & they charged me 124 dollars for smaller containers. Didn't realize it until I got to my trip. These guys are scammers & this is unacceptable.
Delicious & fresh food
They have great variety Dishes are unique
Great service
Theres a nice hall on the second floor For corporate events or weddings etc..
Give them a try
We've been here a few times now & will definitely be back!! The food is delicious(lamb is our fav) & the staff is kind! Shivani is a very good host, she's served us a few times now & is always welcoming! definitely give the place a try for some good authentic dishes!
Some of the dishes in Dera restaurant are good.
They need to improve the quality of the food & service. One of the server is rude makes you feel she is gonna punch you in the face.
Mix bbq isn't bad but I find to be expensive at 45$
Rus malai feels like plastic
Apr 7, 2025
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I went to iftar buffet in ramadan 10 March 2025.
Main dishes were
Biryani
Chicken qorma
Mutton qorma
Haleem
Chana Salan
Some orange color kebab
In iftar there was
Chana chart,
Fruit chart,
Dahi baray
Roll
Samousa
Pakora
In dessert there was Sher korma.
It was first time I went to Dera Restaurant with family. Everything was too much spicy 🌶🌶🌶. Almost going to have smoke coming out from ears 🤯🥺😵
Also In chicken 🐔🐓 & mutton 🐑🥩 there were mostly just bonnes. It was hard to find boti within qorma.
I don't know may be it is the taste & standard of Dera Restaurant
Dera Restaurant in Montreal is well-regarded for its authentic Pakistani & Indian cuisine, with flavorful dishes & generous portions. The service is friendly, & the food quality is consistently praised, making it a popular spot for those seeking traditional South Asian flavors.
However, the restaurant's decor & ambiance could use an update to create a more inviting dining experience. Additionally, improving seating comfort & refining presentation could enhance the overall appeal. With these improvements, Dera Restaurant could elevate its reputation & attract an even wider audience.
Excellente nourriture Pakistanaise! La cuisine est savoureuse & la grande salle de réception à l'étage est magnifique & idéale pour des événements. Une adresse absolument à découvrir!
Excellent Pakistani food! The dishes are flavorful, & the large reception hall upstairs is beautiful & perfect for events. A must-visit!
Had supper here recently & while the service & ambiance was pretty ok, we were quite disappointed in the food & its quality. We had chicken korma, beef biryani, khari pakora, nihari & naan. The meat was tough in all dishes & seemed unfresh. The pakoras in the khari were also very hard. Best item was naan but that's not saying much :(
