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.
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.
Mar 16, 2026
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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.
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🥵🥵
Dec 16, 2025
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I heard the news that this restaurant is serving Halwa Puri. In my excitement I go check it out on a Sunday. Unfortunately, it did not start well.
1st whatever they have playing on their sound system is so depressing & LOUD it ruins any good mood & causes a headache!
2nd Halwa Puri in taste was below average. You would think a Pakistani restaurant known for its originality would have made the Channa with some spices but no. It was bland. Halwa itself had no flavour no sweetness or taste of desi ghee. The only good thing was the freshness of puri.
3rd I know ordering Halwa Puri is not the biggest order but the server looked annoyed by me dinning in for it. I still left $10 tip on a $20 bill. Because I know server/hostess work very hard.
I do not recommend wasting your trip. I hope the team at the restaurant takes this feedback with a grain of salt. I know you work hard but for Halwa Puri & ambiance you didn't deliver.
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
Had a fantastic experience at Dera Restaurant! The food was absolutely fabulous. I had the Chicken Tikka, which was cooked to perfection-tender, juicy, & full of flavour. The Lamb Chops were equally impressive, & the Bhuna Gosht was rich & delicious. We finished off with Ras Malai, which was light, creamy, & satisfying. Finally, the Kashmiri Tea just made our day-aromatic, warm, & the perfect end to a great meal. Special shout-out to the manager, Ali Murtaza Shah a fab guy who made us feel very welcome. The atmosphere was average, but the food & service more than made up for it. Highly recommend for authentic, well-prepared desi cuisine!
The experience, the food & the service was really good. It was my first time trying Pakistani food & I was amazed by how good it was!! Definitely recommend to anyone looking to try something new.
Never seen such delicious food at this competitive price. we had chicken thali. Incredible. Will recommend. Service was not the best. They lacked some knowledge.
Edit: Went there for iftaar buffet. Iftaar items were fresh & tasty . Loved the fish & shrimps. Main course were okayish.
Edit: So we tried daal channa today & tandoor naan & omg the dal was super tasty , authentic pakistani taste & their naans are always a hit!!! 🥘
Edit: visited again & tried Haleem!! Wow best beef haleem in Montreal. Authentic pakistani taste 😋 their garlic naans are also fluffy & tasty! must try
Tried their Nihari & Paya , loved both. The taste was authentic pakistani desi . Perfect amount of spice . Best halal desi restaurant. Recommended
Mar 7, 2025
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I love this restaurant! The food has so much flavour & there is a lot of options for everyone on the menu to choose from. It's my go to restaurant for Indian & pakistani food. 100% recommend
It's my first time tasting pakistani food & I loved it ! Moreover, the atmosphere of the restaurant is so welcoming. I really enjoyed my experience at Dera & really recommend it for anyone who wants to enjoy a delicious meal in a welcoming place !
