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.
Just got the salad for myself & it was perfectly filling with so many flavors in one place!! Loved the roasted pecans, goat cheese & crispy prosciutto... with so many tables packed into one spot you can only expect service to be so quick. Go for the vibes & community, didn't feel rushed to leave even though the place was packed!!
Nov 27, 2025
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This place is truly a hidden gem in Montreal, tucked away on one of the city's cutest & most charming streets. We stumbled upon it on Halloween night, & it turned out to be one of the best spontaneous decisions we made that evening. The atmosphere was warm, cozy, & full of life - the kind of place that immediately makes you feel welcome. Despite showing up as a group of eight without a reservation, the staff went out of their way to find us a table, which was honestly impressive on such a busy night.
The service was excellent - friendly, attentive, & relaxed in the best way. We ordered a mix of dishes, including the chicken teriyaki, mac & cheese, salad, & mini burgers. The mac & cheese definitely stood out as the highlight: creamy, flavorful, & perfectly comforting for a chilly night. The mini burgers were also tasty, though they were quite small & better suited as individual portions rather than for sharing.
Overall, this spot strikes a perfect balance between cozy & lively. It's the kind of place that works equally well for a casual night out with friends or a laid-back dinner date. I'd definitely recommend giving it a try - especially if you love finding those lesser-known Montreal spots with great vibes & solid food.
Service was truly excellent, & the staff was very welcoming & accommodating.
As for the food, it's genuinely among the best in town. We didn't book ahead, but the wait time was very reasonable. It's a fantastic place to spend quality social time with friends. It can get a bit loud, but in the best way, perfect for laughing your lungs out & enjoying the atmosphere.
We got :
Chicken curry rice - 8/10
Chicken dumplings - 10/10
Quesadilla - 10/10
Mini Bison Burgers - 8.5/10
Came back twice in the past 12 hours (dinner & drinks, & then lunch & drinks), & it hit both times. Friendly staff (who, by the way, will be very accommodating to you speaking French so that you can practice, & won't immediately default to English when they sense an Anglo trying to improve their French), amazing food, & their house (white) wine might just be the best drink in the entire establishment. Else, girl, you did your big one & your staff carries on your legacy.
Sep 27, 2025
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Excellent service, belle ambiance, rapport qualité-prix exceptionnel pour les délicieux tapas! Personnel chaleureux.
La salade de choux de Bruxelles est un incontournable
Excellent sandwich de porc effiloché. Ce sont 2 mini burgers avec une portion de salade de choux.
Trop petite portion pour moi.
Endroit bruyant qui complique les discussions.
Très bel endroit.
Je recommande
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.
