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.
Whenever I miss my loved ones & crave that authentic desi taste, Dera is the place I turn to. I've tried food from many Indian, Pakistani, & Bangladeshi restaurants, but nothing comes close to the quality & hygiene they maintain here.
It's not just about taste - it's about the feeling of comfort their food brings. You can truly sense the high-quality ingredients in every bite.What also impressed me is their staff - many have been working there for a long time, which is rare in this industry. It shows how well the place is managed & how much people enjoy working there.
My all-time favorites: Nihari, Biryani, & Naan. Highly recommended for anyone looking for real desi flavors.
Hello Montreal worst Iftar buffet in town do go there better option also available in less price & better food quality like Pakwan Express an stealton restaurant
Mar 13, 2026
on Google
🍽️
Know where to eat in Montreal before everyone else.
Get the first look at the hottest openings, secret menus, and RestoMontreal.ca's weekly top picks. Join 50,000+ foodies.
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!
This is the worst food I have ever had-completely unacceptable. The food tasted rotten, & all you could taste were overpowering spices. The haleem was really bad, & the nihari was extremely spicy with no proper flavor balance. Nothing tasted fresh or enjoyable.
Every time we go to Desi Mandi to pick up meat, we end up going to Dera, & every single time we regret it. The quality is consistently terrible, the taste is awful, & it's a total waste of money. We keep giving it chances, & it disappoints us every time. Definitely not recommended.
Mon expérience avec la nourriture a été très décevante. La viande avait mauvais goût & ne semblait pas propre à la consommation. J'ai informé le propriétaire du restaurant, mais il n'a montré aucun intérêt pour ma plainte ni pour la qualité des plats.
Je déconseille fortement cet établissement. La nourriture ne me paraît pas saine & ne respecte pas les standards attendus.
My experience with the food was very disappointing. The meat tasted bad & did not seem safe for consumption. I informed the restaurant owner, but he showed no interest in my complaint or in maintaining food quality.
I strongly advise against this establishment. The food does not appear healthy & does not meet acceptable standards.
Quality & taste of food has went down over the years, not sure if the owner or chefs changed. But notice there are serious lack in quality for my last 3 visits. & everytime, i tell myself. Maybe it's just this time. Now it's confirmed, this location isn't being run properly by the kitchen staff. Will not be going back for sure.
- Chicken Tikka Masala : Ok 👍
- Beef Haleem : Good 👍
- Butter chicken : Seemed old, stale & reheated from yesterday or before...
- Chicken byriani : Old, stale, dry, tasteless & reheated from yesterday or before...
- Pani Puri: Water & spice mix, completely off, something is seriously wrong here.
Unfortunately, our experience was very bad. We ordered plater & the quality was poor, & when it was replaced after a complaint, it seemed to contain the same meat. Upon raising the concern again, the staff hesitated to address it properly after that they only adjusted the bill for that kebab. So Not recommended at all🥵🥵
This restaurant has been a stable for the past decade the food , the quality,etc . I can confidently say that they have the best naan bread in all of Montreal . Strongly recommend
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
on Google
🍽️
Know where to eat in Montreal before everyone else.
Get the first look at the hottest openings, secret menus, and RestoMontreal.ca's weekly top picks. Join 50,000+ foodies.
The iftar buffet food was extremely spicy! Most of the curries tasted the same (same base). Dessert was good but that's it. & not much variety. They really need to up their game. I've been going there for 15 years & the quality keeps declining.
We went for the Iftar dinner buffet, & it was an amazing experience. The menu had a great variety, with fresh, flavorful meat. The highlights were the juicy chicken kebabs & the rich, creamy sheer kurma. Their biryani, paired with the delicious chicken korma, was also a standout. For $25 plus tax, the quantity & quality made it absolutely worth it. A great spot for a satisfying Iftar meal!
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.
The Halwa poori we had enjoyed at the time of breakfast. It was really delicious taste with great quality, everything had unique taste which we had ordered, nice arrangement & services...
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 :(
