Else's comes across as a warm, cozy, and characterful spot on a charming Montreal street, with a welcoming energy and a mix of intimate tables and lively chatter that makes it feel both neighborhood and special; the menu is small but well loved, delivering comforting dishes like mac and cheese, dumplings, chicken curry, pulled pork tacos, and other crowd favorites, complemented by a house blonde beer and thoughtful cocktails; decor and atmosphere draw on Nordic roots and bookish curiosities, creating a unique sense of place that feels removed from the city grind; service is repeatedly praised for friendliness and attentiveness, though crowds can slow things down and noise levels can be high; the overall sentiment is that Else's is a must visit for a casual dinner, a date night, or a social hangout, described as a hidden gem by many and a place that invites return, with occasional notes about slower service or a wish for outdoor seating or moments of quieter conversation.
This place truly feels like a hidden gem. From the moment we walked in, the cozy & inviting vibes stood out & set the tone for a great experience. I ordered an Aperol Spritz, & it was absolutely amazing perfectly balanced, refreshing, & well made. It complemented the food really well & was a great way to start the evening.
For food, we ordered the chicken dumplings, & they were incredibly good flavorful, well-cooked, & easily one of my favorite dishes of the night. We also tried the sliders, which had a soya patty, & surprisingly, I loved them much more than I expected. They were delicious, satisfying, & packed with flavor.
My friends ordered the quesadilla with Portuguese sausage, & once again, it was amazing. It was well-seasoned, hearty, & clearly a hit at the table. Every single item we ordered stood out in its own way, & there honestly wasn't anything that disappointed us.
What impressed me the most was the consistency everything we ate was amazing. I don't often get the chance to say that almost every item on a menu feels this well done, but so far, this place has delivered. The food, drinks, & overall atmosphere worked together perfectly.
I definitely want to come back to try more items from the menu because this visit left me genuinely excited to explore what else they offer. Overall, a fantastic experience & a place I'd happily recommend.
I really like this place. Found it while wandering around Montreal on a weekend trip with a group of friends. The food is very good, & atmosphere is great. Ended up back in Montreal for work a few weeks after my initial visit & went back for lunch again, & it still measured up.
I really enjoyed it here! the ambiance is chill & casual, great for a nice meet up with friends / a chill work session / or simply to enjoy a good beer with a partner!
Very cute spot! The atmosphere is very nice, server was good but it took quite a lot to take the order & the food to be ready. I tried the mini burger, it was delicious, & the butter chicken was ok, it was missing salt. The prices are reasonable but the plates are not very big. I'd still recommend it & would like to go again & try more things!
Everything about this place is absolutely amazing. We came in on Tuesday afternoon for lunch on the recommendation of a friend, & we were not disappointed. We ordered the butter chicken & the shrimp tacos & 2 pints of blonde beer. We've been living in Montreal for 3 years & wish we had discovered this place sooner. The male bartender was absolutely AMAZING, best service we've had in Montreal. We will be back very soon!
Feb 17, 2026
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My partner had introduced me to Else's a couple of years ago & I'm sooo happy, because I love coming here now. The energy really feels so present, as if you almost weren't in the city. The dumplings are phenomenal, the mac & cheese… oooomg. The staff is always so kind & up to the beat of the crowd, & the atmosphere is really unique & cool. Very special spot!
Une belle découverte sur la rue Roy, non-loin de la rue-St-Laurent. Une ambiance sympathique, une déco où on retrouve les racines norvégiennes de la fondatrice de la place. L'art sur les tables (voir photos), rend les tables uniques. Les décors donnent un certain cachet à l'endroit. C'est relax, on s'y sent bien. Du moins, moi je me sens transporté loin de la neige & du froid de ma vie dans les bois près du Mont-Tremblant (Arundel) où j'y opère un relais de motoneiges & de paintball/airsoft 4 saisons. Else's me donne des idées de déco!! Je vais d'ailleurs rechercher des endroits aux racines norvégiennes à Montréal, une partie de mes ancêtres maternelles.
J'ai dégusté la bière blonde maison du pub, un bon goût, servi bien froide & désaltérante. Mes tacos au porc effiloché très savoureux. Les côtes levées que ma femme a choisies furent succulentes… j'ai bien aimé mes tacos, mais la prochaine fois, je vais prendre les côtes levées!! Ou peut-être découvrir autre chose? Que me recommanderiez-vous? La salade de choix, fraîche & délicieuse. Je ne vous cacherai pas que j'ai terminé les côtes levées de ma femme!! Madeleine nous a super bien servi, merci!
On reviendra à ce super pub norvégien de quartier! Merci pour ce moment!
A must go if you are visiting montreal, wishing to study in a warm cozy spot, or on a first date.
Wished they had an outdoor terrace for warm summer nights! (hence the 4 starts on atmosphere)
Jan 23, 2026
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