Dondonya comes across in reviews as a tiny, cozy, affordable spot that consistently delivers delicious Japanese and Asian fusion dishes with generous portions and solid value. The atmosphere is described as intimate and cute, with a warm, friendly service, though the space is very small and can get crowded at dinner, sometimes leading to a wait. The menu wins praise for favorites like gyudon, tonkatsu, okonomiyaki, donburi, gyoza, and inventive fusion options, with many diners noting the quality, freshness and flavorful sauces, and standout items such as yam fries and popcorn chicken. A few notes mention not wheelchair accessible and occasional concerns about cleanliness or dust in certain corners, but these do not strongly distract most people. Overall, Dondonya is seen as a reliable, affordable, and cozy choice that brings repeat visits from locals and visitors alike, valued for consistent food quality, generous portions, and a welcoming vibe for a casual lunch or intimate dinner.
The bathroom is kinda hard to access to but or else everything else is great. The food is the best cozy, & homemade feel! My fav is the Menchikatsu. It is 3 big slices of pork croquettes, with tons of cabbage & rice on the side. It fills you up like crazy. The place is well decorated & very clean too! 10/10
Delicious. Didn't have a single mediocre dish. Cannot recommend enough. It is small, so choose your time carefully. The size does contribute to the cozy Montreal atmosphere.
Oct 20, 2024
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Small & cozy space to enjoy very solid japanese staples. Had such a serene time on a wednesday evening chilling with friends in an intimate space. Don't get me wrong though, the place could be severely packed from the limited space, but as long as you pick a calmer time, it's great or they'll try to accomodate you as soon as possible anyway. Food was good, fairly pricy, but not as much as Mai Sri's next door if you're looking for the same quality, just not the same cuisine. Just quality comfy japanese experience. 02/10/2024 Got chicken katsu; 19.84$ with taxes & tips.
I've tried katsus at several restaurants, & this one is really bland. It's crispy with a large amount of rice & a nice portion of vegetables, but it really needs salt as an optional add-on, especially for the curry sauce & the bland beef. The atmosphere is cozy & nice, despite the heavy smell of fumes.
Small, cozy restaurant with home-made vibes. Food is delicious: flavors are perfectly balanced & portions are copious. Bonus: 5-star service. The meat is perfectly cooked & the ingredients feel so fresh. Also the sauces go so well with the rice & the vegetables. It gives you the sensation of eating at someone's house (someone that cooks amazingly well, of course). How small the place is, the old-fashioned menu, & the warm service is the perfect mix that makes you feel that you are eating home-made dishes. Don't miss the opportunity to try this little jewel in downtown!
Cozy, bonne atmosphère, excellente cuisine. Les plats sont bons, avec une grande variété. Parfait pour un déjeuner. Les portions sont généreuses, ce qui rend le prix plus justifiable (attention, ça reste au-dessus de 15 dollars !) En somme, un bon restaurant bien placé dans la ville.
Cute & cozy spot with tasty food! Took a group of six here for a friends' meetup & was looking for a casual place with delicious food that's not bougie or expensive. Our group tried a number of different dishes including the katsu & a number of appies including miso soups, gyozas, spicy cucumbers, & the deep fried yam. Everyone had a great time while eating a tasty meal. Thank you for accommodating us in your small space! The staff stayed late for us to finish our meal too 🙏🏻 Do note that a lot of the items on the menu are fried; if you're not okay with that, maybe take a second look at the menu.
Had a great experience here. The atmosphere was very cozy & the service super friendly. The food was good (not bad but also not exceptional) & priced really well. The only downside here is that the restaurant is pretty small so seating is limited. Would definitely visit again!
Jul 20, 2024
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Best japanese restaurant I've been so far. Great, friendly service, amazing food & cozy atmosphere. I'll definitely recommend the Miso Cucumber, it was truly amazing. The Tonkatsu & Citrus Chicken are also very very delicious. Great Place!!
Cozy Japanese restaurant with some amazing dishes! I had the curry tonkatsu along with a miso soup, popcorn chicken, & a grapefruit oolong tea. It was all fantastic! Easily the best tonkatsu I've ever had!
Nice little spot in downtown Montreal, food was amazing & there was so much to choose from, I would suggest to tidy up a bit the place since the space available is not a lot it's easy to go from cozy to messy but like the vibe.
Cozy & homey atmosphere with some great services. Pricing is fair & they make some really good Japanese food. Ironically run by chinese people, its one of my top food spots in Montreal.
Cozy spot for an excellent casual meal. Menu has a good selection of options. The gyoza were excellent & the yam fries were unexpected. They coat them in sugar before frying, which leans into the sweetness yet somehow it works. I had the Tom Yum soup with tofu. I've never had it with rice noodles (vermicelli but it's the fat kind) & seaweed. It struck me as fusion feeling but it was good & pretty light, which is what I was looking for. I considered the udon but those noodles can be a lot. Everybody was happy with their meals. On the ambience, I'll say it has a quirky back of the house feel--they store supplies kind of in the open & the walls partially expose pipes. They use a lot of white paint on wooden strips with live plants in planters for an exposed-yet-homey vibe. The tables are tiny--it's not a place for lingering--& there aren't a ton of seats. We'll definitely be back again!
Very nice & cozy atmosphere. The yam fries were bussin bussin on god (crispy sweet & hot (just like me 😘)). The torikatsu was mad gyuuu, bouncy, succulent juicy strips of fresh poultry made me cry a single tear of joy. The balance with the rice & the veggies was very yummy yummy in my tummy (no upset tummy tonight 😊)i'm finally happy again. Never got chance to meet the older gentleman in the kitchen but he seemed like a swell fella. Overall some very menoum menoum miam miam 🤤 PS: Some cushions would be nice cuz my booty ache (straight up blud)
