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.
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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Came in after a couple two many beers at a poetry night nearby with my wife. The waiter that welcomed us was super nice as well as the one that took our order. love y'all. unfortunately the food didn't meet our post bar graillance. On est rentré avec de la earth shattering graillance & le burger (double mini burger) n'a pas satisfait ma faim & expectations mais le goût étais tout du moin impeccable. Par exemple, l'ambiance étais vraiment incroyable. Ça parait qu'on est sur le plateau #woke. Overall tout fesait une expérience exquise & service 10/10. Place recommandée pour rallumer la flamme ou éviter un divorce.
C'est quoi ce vacarme ? Nous sommes entrés, nous nous sommes assis, & nous avons dû repartir aussitôt tellement le bruit était insupportable. Je pouvais à peine entendre mon ami assis juste à côté de moi, c'était assourdissant, & je n'exagère pas. Pour les personnes malentendantes, sensibles au bruit, autistes ou ayant d'autres besoins sensoriels, ce genre d'environnement n'est pas seulement désagréable, il est excluant. Un lieu qui ne fait aucun effort pour tenir compte des différents besoins sensoriels n'est pas véritablement accessible.
What's up with the noise? We went in, sat down, & had to immediately leave because it was unbearably loud. I could barely hear my friend sitting right next to me. It was deafening, & I'm not exaggerating. For people who are hard of hearing, sensitive to noise, autistic, or have other sensory needs, this kind of environment isn't just unpleasant, it's exclusionary. A space that doesn't make an effort to accommodate different sensory needs is not truly accessible.
Came here with a few friends to have a drink. When I came at 930pm it was packed which is understandable. However, it's not reasonable for the staff to take 7 minutes to understand you are standing there at the door waiting to ask for table time. We ended up being put at the bar which was fine. Ordered a few beers & realized what I was given I've seen at the SAQ sold for $3 a can & sold for 10$ at the bar.
Beautifully decorated bar & good vibes. Drinks were good but the Mac & Cheese was very mediocre. It was more like macaroni with melted cheese on top but no actual Mac&Cheese sauce... October 2024 edit: Mac & cheese with pulled pork was excellent! Creamy & cheesy! Amazing vibes as per usual.
Incroyable! L'ambiance est tamisée, parfaite pour un rendez vous amoureux ou une rencontre discrète avec un partenaire de crime. La nourriture est à tomber par terre surtout le poulet au beurre & le macaroni au fromage. Finalement, c'est aussi le bar avec un des meilleurs espresso martini. Délicieux & généreux.
Tucked away in a typical plateau neighborhood is one of my favourite bars in Montreal. The selection of beer is great & the food has gotten a lot better recently, but sometimes the service can be neglectful.
May 19, 2024
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Hands down my favourite bar in the plateau. I haven't eaten much of their food but what I've had has been delicious! I love the vibe in here. I will always suggest this bar. It's my plan A & my plan B. It can get pretty busy towards the weekend, but if you're willing to wait a few you can usually get a table. The staff here are very good with that.
They say it themselves on their menu- this is not a restaurant, but a bar that started to serve food so as to stop getting fined/be able to stay open. Their drinks are fine (though options are limited), the bar itself is great, but the food is terrible. Service could definitely be improved as well.
