Mr. Victor Lopez and his wife Elena Garcia welcomes you at El Meson! This authentic Mexican restaurant located just across the Lachine Canal, in an old brick house in Old Lachine welcomes you in a warm and friendly atmosphere. It is already several years that this Mexican gem serves its secret family recipes. They started timidly years ago in Dorval for those who remember, and it is through satisfied customers that this Mexican restaurant has made a name for itself and today El Meson ranks among the best Latin restaurants in Montreal.
Don't be fooled! You are here to enjoy and savor the fine foods from Mexico. So forget about other so called Mexican restaurants that offer the same Americanized dishes over and over again. Here you'll taste real delicious Mexican specialties such as Carne Asada, the Nopalitos con carne (Cactus with beef), and many more... Indulge yourself, it is not every day you can travel to Mexico for so little. Everything is a matter of imagination, let yourself be surprised, there are so many flavors to discover...
To enjoy the sunny weather, El Meson offers two pretty terraces (front and back) where you can relax with the magnificent view of the beautiful Lachine Canal, an experience that your eyes will never forget. During the winter, once you step inside El Meson, you will never want to leave.
Our Specialties
Nopalitos con carne (Cactus with beef), Pescados Yucatan, Carne Asada, Pechuga con mole, Cazuela Mexicana (Seafood platter)
Reviews highlight El Meson as a cozy, family-run spot offering authentic Mexican cuisine with bold flavors, where items like mole, ceviche, perfectly seasoned seafood, and hearty fajitas are praised for depth and balance, and portions are described as generous with fair prices. Diners often mention friendly, attentive service and a warm, welcoming atmosphere, with a charming terrace by the water adding to the experience. The menu's variety receives frequent kudos, from ceviche and tacos to fish dishes and carnitas, along with well-paired drinks such as margaritas and sangria, and the presentation and freshness of dishes are repeatedly noted. The setting, including the canal view and colorful decor, contributes to a memorable visit, and many reviewers say they plan to return, sometimes after traveling a distance. Overall, the combination of flavorful food, comfortable vibe, and good value makes El Meson a destination that tends to satisfy a broad range of tastes and occasions.
In my opinion, El Meson is the best Mexican restaurant in Canada,full stop. It's the kind of place that deserves recognition in the Michelin Guide. Despite being a small, family-run restaurant, the level of quality, care, & authenticity in the food is exceptional.
I regularly travel from Toronto & make it a point to stop here every single time, whether for lunch or dinner. I was first introduced to El Meson by a friend whose mother lives nearby, & since then, it has become a must-visit.
What truly sets this place apart are the sauces they are absolutely outstanding. Each one is layered, rich, & clearly made with deep knowledge of traditional Mexican flavors. You can taste the craftsmanship in every bite.
I would 100% recommend everything on the menu, but my personal favourite has to be the enchiladas with the house mole sauce absolutely incredible.
The service is equally memorable. There is a lady server who is always there unfortunately, I never caught her name but she consistently elevates the entire experience. She is warm, attentive, & genuinely kind, & she has a way of making everyone feel welcome & taken care of.
El Meson is more than just a restaurant it's an experience. If you're serious about authentic Mexican cuisine, this place is not optional.
Absolutely superb authentic Mexican cuisine prepared with ❤?
Muchas gracias to our phenomenal server Alexandra & to the wonderful team at this amaaaaaazing authentic Mexican restaurant. It's been a personal favorite of mine for years. Located on St. Joseph in the heart of the beautiful Lachine Canal, everything here is so delicious & so beautifully presented. The ambiance is classic Mexican ❤?, providing such warmth & comfort. If you haven't been here before, you don't know what you've been missing! 🇲🇽
absolutely amazing! i love ceviche but felt terrible because i couldnt finish the whole thing 🥲 very large portion! portions were very large & delicious. my boyfriend got fajitas, while i carne asada but really wish i got the whole fish as I saw others order it & it looked delicious. wait wasnt very long, atmosphere was warm & colourful although definitely a little stuffy. cant wait to go back! super good & authentic food. meals were reasonably priced (burrito bowls at a fast food place cost the same or more)
This has always been one of my favorite restaurants as it is small, cozy & intimate along with an outdoor terasse. The owner offers authentic Mexican food & it is way better than those mexican americanized competitors. Great lime marguaritas & fajitas.
Aug 22, 2025
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This food is to die for!! It is absolutely delicious. I eat there often because the food is authentic & also delicious. I highly recommend this restaurant for any occasion & I recommend the shrimp dinner meal. So good!!
It'ss small place but oh! So so delicious! Authentic Mexican like you never had in montreal. The place is super busy & they find the time to serve you with a great smile! Icing on the cake or the enchilada, if you will. Perfect 10!
Jul 20, 2024
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We were looking for an authentic Mexican restaurant while a quaint atmosphere. We got exactly that!! So good!! We were 2 couples & ironically we each ordered the same two dishes., Chicken Tacos & the Carne Asada (?)- Steak & Cactis! The Steak & Catcus I had no choice as a friend had said" You have To Try It!" & no regrets, the Steak was cooked perfectly, medium rare & the cactus & sauce was delicious. The meal was deceiving large, I managed to eat it all! The tacos were not severed how you know the/open face if you will but rather came closed on top, the ladies loved them! We had several drinks with the meal, Margaritas & a tequila Sunrise, these too were excellent! We even managed to share some dessert, a three milk cake & a flan & once again, no regrets! The staff were super attentive & per couple were in for under $100 before tip! The restaurant is a converted house, which adds to the charm, it is cozy but not intimate. If you decide to go, make a reservation to avoid disappointment as there are not that many gables available. Cheers
Amazing fish & seafood dishes. Not your typical Mexican restaurant, very authentic & original selections with fair prices, perfectly sized portions in a great location.
Loved loved loved our dine-in experience at El Meson. It was recommended by my brother & he did not disappoint. The food was delicious & authentic. The drinks were refreshing. Everything tasted amazing from soup to main meals to drinks. Oh, & the servings were generous! I also appreciated that they weren't big on the rice, but more on the proteins & veggies. Would go back!
Reservations highly recommended - it's super busy. I wouldn't bring a party more than 4, it's tiny & cozy which is its charm. Simple menu with great choices. It's a family-owned business & its mexican family-type food. Don't expect the traditional "touristy" mexican parade of dishes. It's authentic as it gets. No wonder this place has been around for more than 30 years! Gracias por llevarnos en el último minuto, todo estuvo delicioso. Bonus if you speak spanish ;)
