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.
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.
Escondite is a beautiful place at the old city! Highly recommended for its amazing atmosphere, cool ambience & yummy food! Service was great, Carla is so sweet & accommodating! A must place to enjoy!
May 15, 2026
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Escondite was a true hidden gem within the streets of Old Montreal. The music was great, the baja tacos to die for, & the service excellent. Carla's attention was great. 100% recommended.
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.
