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.
I unfortunately must edit this review. The quality of the dishes have dropped - the chicken I received in the torikatsu was stale. What used to be a more generous helping of vegetables is now thinly spread on top, & replaced by rice on the bottom. The rice quality has changed as well. Overall edible, but would not go back because I can make it better at home.
Original review:
I thought it was quite good. The staff are amazing & they do everything there. Cute vibes in the restaurant.. The portions are smaller so you gotta get a main & a side to be full. Rice is delicious. The only thing I would say is, the egg on the Gyudon came ice cold which was a bit unpleasant but otherwise the dish was delicious
Aug 12, 2025
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It is a small place, but the food is really good! Everything was fresh & tasty, with great portion sizes. The menu has a nice variety of Japanese dishes, & the service was friendly. It's a cozy spot in downtown Montreal worth checking out. Just keep in mind it can get busy, so there might be a bit of a wait time during rush hours.
My all-time favorite Japanese restaurant in Montreal! This spot offers the most authentic Japanese cuisine you'll find, featuring dishes that are hard to come by elsewhere-like Hamburg Steak. The portions are generous, the prices are incredibly fair, & the drinks are even better than those at most bubble tea spots!
A great hole in the wall Asian restaurant serving Japanese style dishes. Food is tasty & price is reasonable. Service is friendly & quick. Highly recommended.
Sep 14, 2024
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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!
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.
Good japanese food at a decent price! Ordered take out & got the curry katsu, katsu, & tawainese chicken nuggets. Both katsu dishes were good. The curry was on the runny side, I wished it was a bit thicker to coat the rice. The taiwanese chicken nuggets were also good, however, the portion size was small. Only half the container was filled, which was disappointing. Would go back to try the other rice donburis on the menu.
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!
May 28, 2024
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Neat little Japanese inspired restaurant but ultimately I think there are better places around. I found the portions a bit small for the same prices as ganadara or jako nearby. The okonomiyaki was 95% cabbage, & the meat wasn't even pork belly, this one was super disappointing for me. I ordered the dry curry & my wife ordered the Katsu curry. Our dishes were above average, but again, nothing incredible either.
I'm glad I tried it & I hope these kinds of places keep popping up & start open.
what a cute little spot with good service � would love to come back to try the sides + other dishes!
(some things to keep in mind : there are limited seats + it can get very hot in there, even with the fan)
