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.
I went with my family for iftar buffet. Although the price was reasonable $30/adult & $10/ kid under 10 years old . The samosa/ fries were good but the rest of the food was alright & the dessert were soooo dammm disappointing like fruit chaat & kher.i just know i wont be going there again, like ever again which is sad cuz i really though it would be yummy 😕
We had a wonderful family dinner at Dera Restaurant. The food was fresh, flavorful, & truly authentic. The haleem & chicken tikka were outstanding, & the staff made us feel very welcome. Murtaza is the most handsome owner & kind. If you need special spices touch go see him. The atmosphere is perfect for family gatherings. Highly recommend for anyone looking for quality Pakistani cuisine in Montreal!
Feb 14, 2026
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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.
Second & third experience (5 stars): I visited for breakfast. Halwa puri was perfect! My family enjoyed the food & service. We appreciate the experience.
I am glad that I gave them a second chance. I will be visiting for the breakfast here often.
First experience (1 star): I visited late night. Despite a decent interior, the dining experience fell short with below-average food.
The chicken kabuli pulao lacked freshness, & cold when served. The butter chicken had a stale odor. The naan, though okay, couldn't redeem the overall disappointment.
Additionally, it's worth noting that almost all of glass cutleries on our table had broken corners.
The consensus among workers (cleaning the floor around us) was a bit gloomy, except for one lady who seemed cheerful & kind to my kids.
Last week, eat buffet Iftar Party with friends. The atmosphere is excellent, & the sitting arrangement is nice. Pakora, Samosa, & roll well cooked. Specially mutton karrai is out class. Fresh Naan & sweet was good. Worth place for family & friends getting.
Mar 25, 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
Food is so so. Staff need more training on providing services. I feel like they're too much in a hurry to make people finish their food & leave. Me & my family had dinner there & in a span of 1 hour they came 4-5 times to check if everything was ok or do we need anything,,,it's too much interruption. Also when you order, they will bring the appetizer & main course all at once, & won't give you enough time to finish your meal in peace. Not professional.
