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.
Online reservations are not currently offered through this listing for Escondite. However, you can call them directly at (514) 543-7484 to inquire about table availability.
Escondite is widely celebrated for its vibrant atmosphere, creative decor, and flavorful Mexican fusion cuisine. Many visitors rave about the diverse taco selection, particularly the Baja and al pastor varieties, as well as the fresh guacamole, zesty margaritas, and unique cocktails. The setting in the Old Port of Montreal is frequently highlighted as a charming and lively spot perfect for social gatherings. While service experiences can vary, many guests appreciate the friendly and attentive staff who contribute to a fun and welcoming dining environment.
The food had a lot of flavor, but the portions are bite size. Short staffed, staff in a panic. After you get your first serving you are forgotten about.
Came to have some food & cocktails with my mother, great service from Camille & the whole crew, he was friendly & had attention to detail with a great attitude. Wonderful service will def come back.
The food was good, the tacos were pretty small but tasty. Our main complaint here was the service, especially in terms of their dietary restriction accommodations - we wanted to share the Alambre & Birria tacos between two people but one of us is lactose intolerant, so we asked to have one taco from each portion without the cheese & they said it is not possible to do so, so we either remove the cheese from both or we keep the order as is. Our server was unfortunately not very friendly
First bad review I've ever left. Possibly the most off putting service I've ever had. It wasn't slow, but it did make me want to flee that place asap. Our server must have spoken 6 words all night, none of which included'are you ready to order?' To take our order, she simply leaned over our table with the POs machine & stared at me. The ambience made me think twice about whether or not to get the food. The tacos were not the worst I've had, but certainly below average. Pro tip: if the bartender looks 17, don't order a mojito.. it will be 70% booze (& somehow both tequila & rum)
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!
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.