KAWSAY reinvents Ecuadorian cuisine with a contemporary twist. Each dish is a creation that blends ancestral traditions with modernity, each cocktail an invitation to travel, and each visit a moment where people connect through authentic flavors.
Here, we celebrate culture, authenticity, and shared moments. You're not simply discovering a new cuisine, you're entering the vibrant world of Ecuador, where every detail is designed to awaken your senses and create unforgettable memories.
Details
Our Specialties
Empanada, Ceviche & Chicharron
Amenities, services & more
We accept: Master Card, Visa, AMEX, Interac, Mobile Payment, Contactless Payment
Kawsay offers an authentic and flavorful journey through Ecuadorian cuisine, marked by beautifully presented dishes and a warm, welcoming atmosphere. Many guests appreciate the thoughtful preparation of traditional favorites like ceviche, empanadas, and unique signature plates, often noting the high quality of both the food and the craft cocktails. The service is consistently described as kind, attentive, and passionate, making it a standout destination for both those familiar with the culture and newcomers looking to explore something new in a cozy, comfortable setting.
As fellow Ecuadorians & Mexicans from NYC, we admittedly had high expectations for this restaurant. Our waiter was kind & attentive, & the atmosphere was calm & inviting.
We ordered the empanda verde, sopa de bola, & encebollado. We were not fans of the cheese empanadas, feeling it lacked salt & overall seasoning, but the shrimp empanada was flavorful & overall good. However, both types of empanadas were too greasy for our liking.
The Sopa de Bola was good. The broth was tasteful & the ball of meat tender. The encebollados, though, were disappointing. While the presentation looked authentic, the food itself did not meet standards. It did not taste like encebollado - it had an off-putting ramen taste; but if you like that, then you might be a fan.
As a whole, the restaurant has potential. Drinks were solid, but the food needs work.
Kawsay is the best Ecuadorian food I've ever had in Canada! 🇪🇨❤? They truly pay attention to every detail & bring the authentic flavors of Ecuador to life. Everything tastes so genuine & delicious, it honestly feels like a little piece of home. Highly recommend!
Last week, I visited Montreal for a few days, & a friend recommended that I try Kawsay. I honestly didn't expect it to become one of the highlights of my trip.
The food was absolutely incredible. Every dish was bursting with flavor, & I had the chance to experience tastes I had never tried before. The presentation was beautiful & showed how much care goes into every plate.
The restaurant itself has such a warm & inviting atmosphere. It's decorated in a traditional style that gives it a unique charm & makes you feel like you're experiencing a piece of Ecuadorian culture.
I actually came back a second time during my trip, & it wasn't just because of the amazing food. The service was exceptional-everyone was kind, welcoming, & genuinely cared about making our experience special. One of my favorite things was the open kitchen. Being able to watch the chefs prepare every dish right in front of us, with such precision, organization, & cleanliness, made the experience even more impressive.
The restaurant is also very easy to get to, which is another plus.
People say that food is a window into discovering new cultures, & Kawsay truly made me feel that. This experience sparked my curiosity about Ecuadorian culture & even inspired me to plan a trip to Ecuador someday.
Thank you to the entire Kawsay team for such a memorable experience. I can't wait to come back the next time I'm in Montreal!
Jul 25, 2026
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As an Ecuadorian living abroad, eating at Kawsay truly made me feel closer to home. Every dish captured the authentic flavors of Ecuador, especially the rich & unforgettable taste of Manabí. You can tell that each meal is prepared with love, tradition, & respect for our culture. Thank you for bringing a little piece of Ecuador to Montreal 🍁 , it was a beautiful & heartwarming experience. I can't wait to come back. 🇪🇨❤?
This is one of the best restaurants I've ever been to. If you enjoy friendly service & food that is bursting with flavor, I cannot recommend it enough.
I first wandered in for their happy hour special - two craft cocktails for the price of one. I also ordered the ceviche, which was incredible. It was full of delicious seafood & the leche de tigre was incredible. The staff all speak perfect French, English, & Spanish & were incredibly friendly.
The ceviche was so good that I went back the next night for dinner, & I was wowed again. On the bartender's recommendation, I ordered the pork tonga, & it was one of the best things I've ever eaten. It was full of complex flavor, fall apart tender, & a perfect portion. It is served with plantains that are by far the best I've ever had.
Any time I'm back in Montreal, I'll make it a priority to return to Kawsay.
I honestly didn't know what to expect, but Kawsay Brunch completely surprised me! From the drinks to the mains, everything was amazing. The flavors were fresh, well-balanced, & beautifully presented. Every dish felt thoughtfully crafted, & the service made the experience even better. Definitely a spot I'll be coming back to! ❤??🔥
We stopped by for happy hour & everything was delicious. Our server Adam was super helpful! We got a blackberry & guanábana juice as well as the Mahi Mahi ceviche. I love the little popped corn snacks they give you at the beginning. Highly recommend the naranjilla & oat drink as well as the tomate de árbol juice. Really unique flavors & great environment
Phenomenal restaurant all around! Went on a Sunday afternoon for lunch. The service was warm, welcoming, & informative. The food was exceptional in taste, flavor, portion size, & price. Will be going back again & again!
I love the food. There were really ecuadorian flavors. I traveled home in every bite. A Canadian friend who joined me also enjoyed it very much.
The servers are very kind & accomodated.
Definitely, I will be back.
The food was absolutely delicious. I particularly enjoyed the entrées. The corviche was delicious. For the mains, I enjoyed the caldo de bolas.
Service was excellent. The menu definitely reflects Ecuadorian food & flavors. In addition, it has a lot of diversity for different moods & diets. The pricing of the food is fair considering its good quality.
I will definitely be coming again.
