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.
El Meson is one of those super cozy family owned restaurants you must visit. This little place is worth the drive from far away. The staff are really interested in making you enjoy your meal with amazing hospitality & quality food dishes that will satisfy those looking for very good Mexican cuisine. The atmosphere is exceptionally cozy & you might find yourself not in a rush to leave👍👍👍👍👍
This is a great mexican gem in front of lachine canal! It is small, cozy & it offers delicious mexican dishes! Service is excellent! Gracias amigos! ✨?🌷😎
Sep 19, 2025
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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.
We have been multiple times for their excellent lunch menu. Great value & great food in a cozy setting (can be a little cramped but makes it feel more homey!).
Some very minor service issues. They often bring the food out very fast so as soon as one course is finished, or even before everyone has finished, the next plate arrives. I realise this could be a positive for a lot of people but I like a bit more space. Also one of the waiters called me'lady' for the whole meal. Perhaps a miss-translation but comes across a little rude in English.
But overall excellent, have been three times & will keep going back.
El Meson in Montreal is perfect for anyone craving true Mexican flavors in the city. The cozy atmosphere & friendly service create a welcoming vibe. The mole is a must-try! As a Mexican myself, I highly recommend it.
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
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 ;)
El Meson is an amazing Mexican cuisine restaurant. We simply LOVE the homey feel of the place, the great terrace view during the summer season &, most importantly, the food. What can we say but, DELICIOUS!! Having lived in Mexico for 7 years, the food was a great reminder of how much we miss living there, & how much we enjoy the wonderful authentic cuisine of Mexico. El Meson should definitely be on your list of great authentic Mexican dining. & the drinks are super as well. Great food, amazing service by friendly staff & a comfy-cozy place to relax & enjoy yourself. Muchas Graicias! Petersito
Food: I tried the guacamole & the queso fundido as apps, & I had the Napolitos con carne as a main. Everything tasted authentic & was very well seasoned. Excellent food. Strangely, my only negative feedback is regarding the nachos served with the guacamole. They seemed packaged & not fresh. But this is minor compared to the taste of everything else.
Environment: small & cozy. Felt like home. We loved it.
Note: we were a group of 9 who got together for a 25-year high school reunion. We want to apologize to the staff & other clients for how loud we probably were. It was such a special night for us & the staff was so polite & courteous with us. Thank you!!!
Aug 15, 2018
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