Escondite delivers a vibrant exploration of contemporary Mexican street food culture through an extensive selection of artisanal tacos and curated Latin American small plates. The menu emphasizes bold flavor profiles by pairing premium proteins like slow-cooked carnitas and crispy baja fish with house-made salsas and fresh, zesty garnishes. Diners encounter a high-energy environment characterized by eclectic decor and a prominent focus on agave-based spirits. The kitchen demonstrates technical precision in balancing traditional preparation methods with modern culinary flair to ensure every dish maintains structural integrity and authentic taste. Signature items like the charred corn esquites and complex mole variations highlight a commitment to regional diversity. This establishment prioritizes consistent ingredient quality across its entire taco-focused repertoire, providing a dynamic sensory experience that defines the essence of modern urban taquerias through meticulous preparation and robust seasoning.
Escondite is widely celebrated for its vibrant atmosphere, creative Mexican and Asian fusion menu, and standout cocktails, particularly the margaritas. Many guests praise the delicious food, especially the tacos, guacamole, and unique gyoza nachos, noting that the decor and overall vibe make it a fantastic destination in Old Port. While service is frequently described as exceptional and attentive, some diners report inconsistencies, citing issues with long wait times, occasionally rude staff, or challenges with dietary requests. Opinions on portion sizes and value are mixed, as several visitors feel the dishes are quite small and expensive, though the majority appreciate the quality and lively setting for social gatherings.
Absolutely loved this place! The food was fresh, flavorful, & came out quickly. The tacos were packed with flavor, the chips & salsa were delicious, & the margaritas were amazing. The staff was so friendly & attentive, & the atmosphere was fun & welcoming. I'll definitely be coming back & would highly recommend it to anyone looking for great Mexican food
I'm Mexican & today is my birthday. I couldn't have found a better place to celebrate. Karla greeted me very politely & her service was excellent, so polite & friendly. Then the tacos al pastor & alambre were delicious-kudos to the chef! & the michelada I ordered was very good. I'm delighted with the place; the food, the cleanliness, & the decor are excellent.
I rarely write reviews, but I felt compelled to share my experience after a very disappointing visit to Escondite on May 22nd.
I've been to this location many times over the years, & it has always been one of my favorite Mexican restaurants in Montreal. I've even brought friends visiting from out of town because I've consistently enjoyed the food & atmosphere. Unfortunately, this visit was disappointing on multiple levels.
We had a reservation for 7:30 PM. Upon arrival, we entered through the restaurant as we had done during previous visits & were told by the employee at the door to go back outside to the patio. When we went to the patio, the hostess told us that we should have entered through the restaurant. The conflicting directions were confusing, & the interaction itself was not particularly welcoming. Rather than making us feel like valued guests, it felt as though seating us was an inconvenience.
The most concerning issue occurred when we ordered a virgin cocktail. We specifically requested the non-alcoholic version & confirmed it with our server. However, the drink that arrived contained alcohol. As someone who has never consumed alcohol, I found this extremely disappointing & concerning. Mistakes can happen, but what was equally disappointing was the lack of a sincere apology or any effort to make the situation right. The drink was simply taken back & replaced, with little acknowledgment of the seriousness of the mistake.
Finally, the food quality was noticeably below the standard I've come to expect from Escondite. One of the reasons I've returned so many times is because of the consistently good food, but this visit felt very different. The overall quality was disappointing, & the meal simply did not reflect the level that had made this restaurant one of my favorites.
I am not a picky customer, nor am I someone who regularly leaves reviews. However, between the confusing arrival experience, the incorrect alcoholic drink, & the decline in food quality, this was by far my most disappointing visit. I'm sharing this feedback because I genuinely enjoy this restaurant & hope these issues are addressed so that future guests have a better experience.
Jun 3, 2026
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The only word to describe our dining experience at this restaurant is'bizarre.'
It started while I was waiting in line for the restroom. I noticed someone outside the back door, trying incredibly hard to open it but failing. To my surprise, this person gestured for me to go over & open the door for her. As it turned out, this person was actually a server here??? Since when do customers have to open doors for the staff??? Can you please use the front door???
Later on, this same server randomly approached our table & started speaking to us. I had no idea what language it was. Wee are in Quebec but also in Canada, should a restaurant really just assume every tourist or customer speaks French? When I politely told her,'I don't speak French,' she became visibly frustrated. I honestly couldn't tell what she wanted, but assuming she was doing a standard table check, I told her everything was fine & that we had already ordered.
She left our table, walked straight over to his colleague, & started talking to them with aggressive, animated gestures. She even pointed a finger at her own head. What exactly was that supposed to mean? Were you mocking a customer for not speaking French, or were you implying your guests are crazy? It was incredibly rude & made us feel extremely uncomfortable.
To top it all off, during payment, another server asked how our meal was. I honestly replied that the food was disappointing. Instead of handling feedback professionally, the server immediately became defensive, snapping that'everyone's taste is different.' I pointed out that we had ordered four different types of tacos, a quesadilla, & the pork rib & not a single dish was good. It tasted nothing like authentic Mexican food. The server then confidently argued,'Well, we aren't Mexican food, we are Mexican fusion food.' 😭at this point I was literally speechless. Can your staff please tone down the ignorance? The attitude here is absolutely dreadful.
The bizarre behavior, the linguistic elitism, & the defensive attitude toward terrible food & of course the terrible food! Avoid at all costs.
Went there Saturday night. Food & drink were ok. This was our first time there. Waitress was very rude from arrival. She assumed we all wanted the group package without asking anyone. Brought us chips & dip without asking if we wanted it so we assumed it was included & then she took everything away while we were eating it when when she realised we were unaware they were not included. When we inquired about the menu she got annoyed at the fact we were'ignorant' of their menu & group package. She actually took the menus away at the same time she took the chips & dip back & never brought them back.
One of the guests asked to order Nachos, her response was'were a mexican asian fusion restaurant, so ..', didn't bother actually answering the question. Just super rude.
Fun little Mexican spot in Old Montreal. We had a quick taco lunch while exploring the area. Service was very good, friendly & attentive. Food was quite yummy! Decor was very cool!
We loved the Baja Tacos here! We were looking for a Mexican restaurant after coming back late in Montreal from Quebec City. The kitchen was about to close in 5 minutes, but Daniel, our server, accommodated us still. The tacos were amazing.
If you're in the Old Port of Montreal & craving some fun, vibrant Mexican food with a creative twist, Escondite Vieux-Port is definitely worth checking out.
We stumbled upon this spot while wandering the cobblestone streets & were drawn in by the playful vibe, colorful decor, & upbeat music. The interior is eclectic & cozy, with Day of the Dead artwork, quirky details, & a lively but chill ambiance that makes it feel like a hidden gem.
Now to the food - overall, it was very good, with a few standout hits & a couple of misses depending on your palate. The tacos are the star of the show. We tried a variety (the Gobernador, Pollo Frito, & Camaron), & each one had its own distinct flavor & presentation. The shrimp tacos were my personal favorite - crispy, fresh, & packed with flavor.
The guacamole & chips were solid - not mind-blowing, but fresh & satisfying. We also ordered the queso fundido, which was ooey-gooey indulgence, especially when paired with the chips. The Mexican street corn (elotes) was delicious & charred just right.
Drinks-wise, the cocktail menu is creative, & the margaritas are well-balanced with a little flair. Great spot for a round of drinks with friends or a date night.
Service was friendly but could've been a bit more attentive. It got busy during peak hours, so there were some small delays in checking in & getting the bill, but nothing major.
Prices are fair for the area, especially given the quality & portion size. Definitely on the trendier side, but not overly pretentious.
All in all, Escondite Vieux-Port is a fun & flavorful stop in Old Montreal - a cool vibe, bold flavors, & a solid addition to the Montreal taco scene. Would definitely return to try more of the menu!
Excellent spot for Mexican food & drink, menu has an Asian fusion to it as well. Diego our host was knowledgeable, friendly & provided excellent service!
