DonDonYa is described as a cozy, welcoming spot with very reasonable prices and a menu that delivers fresh, flavorful Japanese and Asian fusion comfort food. Dishes like tonkatsu, chicken and beef bowls, gyoza and onigiri are praised for crisp textures and balanced flavors, with desserts such as panna cotta and hojicha tiramisu also catching praise. The atmosphere and decor are repeatedly noted as cute and comforting, making it a good place to relax or enjoy a casual meal, with staff described as friendly and attentive. Service quality varies across visits, with some praising quick, attentive service and others noting slower pacing or occasional misses, but the pricing remains fair and the food consistently tasty. There is positive feedback on catering for events, with guests saying the food was a hit and helped make occasions extra special.
Last Saturday, I went to this place with my friend because we we're craving for some Japanese food. I really like the fact that they have a lots of varieties on the menu. Unfortunately on that day, I feel like service was not the best if you read all the reviews from this restaurant. Even if it was not busy , the waiter took his time to come & take our order. He never come & ask us if everything was okay & he didn't refill my friend water... Although it was not the best service, the price is reasonable & the food & dessert was delicious.
Idk if I would give another chance for this place.
Although the place looked very cozy & pleasant to dine in, the overall experience was mid for me.
I came here to eat on a Saturday night. The place was very quiet & only had two customers when I arrived with my friend. The atmosphere was really relaxed, the decorations nicely put together, & the ambiance very warm & cozy.
The menu was also excellent, & I liked that they were able to offer customers a wide variety of selections, ranging from appetizers to cold & hot dishes, from rice to noodles, to desserts & drinks. The prices were also reasonable & fairly priced in this economy. We especially liked our desserts, which were the panna cotta flan & the hojicha tiramisu, not too sweet & a perfect balance for people who have a sweet tooth.
However, I'd like to say that the service was quite disappointing & really slow for a Saturday night. The server never came once to our table to ask how we were feeling, if the food was delicious, or even to fill up our cups. He even mixed up our bill for our meal when it was time to pay. I disliked the fact that he took way too much time to notice (eight minutes) that we were finished & wanted to pay to leave. Also, minus one point for the bathroom because it stank a little bit, though it was clean (might consider purchasing an air freshener).
Awesome place!! I had the tomato curry & it tasted different than other curries I've had, in the best way!! The flavor is deeper & super balanced with the pork & veggies. I was so hungry, I also got their sandwich & altought it is simple, it really surprises you with the amount of flavor packed in it. Finally, the cocktails are fairly priced. As far as the service & atmosphere, those are great as well :) The decor especially is really cozy!!
DonDonYa is such a fun spot to eat! The atmosphere, location, & staff all add to the charm. The menu is full of comforting, stick-to-your-ribs dishes at very fair prices. Absolute must-try: the tuna onigiri- so good you'll want seconds. A great place to enjoy flavorful Japanese comfort food without breaking the bank.
Sep 23, 2025
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We live nearby & had been wanting to give this place a try for a few months. We didn't expect much, but we were pleasantly surprised! The gyozas, the lemon chicken, & the breaded pork were full of flavor - & the breaded pork was super crunchy! The portion sizes were just right. The decor adds a lot of personality to the place.
The prices are fair & definitely worth it. We'll definitely come back!
I was craving a good tonkatsu after my japan trip. This place delivered a pretty good product for Montréal's standards. They have good rice, the pork is not overcooked & it has an okay crisp, & the price is good. It is far behind the Japanese standards however. The veggies are a bit too basic & random, the breading is not fluffy, tasty, & crispy enough & most importantly the sauces are very basic & were a big disappointment to me. That being said, I'm really demanding. Taking the low price into account & the Montréal standards, it is pretty good.
Charming Japanese restaurant with a cozy vibe. Service is super friendly, food is delicious & served quickly, & it's a warm welcoming environment. The food is priced fairly I highly recommend trying this spot out!
Very cozy japanese food spot. The decor is wondeful & the location is ideal (close to the university). The food was fresh & the service was very friendly. The prices are not too bad.
