Located in the heart of Montreal, Shandaar Cuisine offers authentic South Asian food, also known as desi food. From your favourite Karahi to the ever-loved biryani and the famous doodh patti to the refreshing mango lassi, Shandaar Cuisine's menu has the best desi food in town. Your go-to desi restaurant with a breezy and vibrant ambience, Shandaar Cuisine is the perfect destination for an unforgettable dining experience.
Shandaar Cuisine is described as a warm, inviting spot delivering authentic Pakistani and South Asian flavors with consistent excellence across karahi, biryani, butter chicken, naan and chai. Diners praise the welcoming ambience, attentive service, and meals that feel like home cooked; dishes are fresh, richly spiced, and generously portioned, with favorites including Karahi, chicken tikka, lamb biryani, fish pakora, and a strong chai and mango lassi. A recurring theme is hospitality and attention to detail, with staff going above and beyond to ensure a memorable visit, and the option to host events in a private space. While a few notes mention value for money and occasional longer wait times, overall the restaurant is seen as a standout in Montreal for true desi flavors, where the food, warmth, and atmosphere invite repeat visits.
Total Disappointment - Fake Ratings & Pathetic Service
'I was completely misled by the high ratings. Visiting Shandaar Cuisine for their Iftar buffet was a terrible mistake. Despite the $30+ per person cost, there was no actual buffet spread. We were told food would be served at the table, but it took 30 minutes just for two naans to arrive. The Karahi chicken followed 20 minutes later & was just a tasteless bowl of tiny, bony pieces. When we asked about the rest of the meal, they begrudgingly brought small, unappetizing portions of biryani, chole, butter chicken, kebab & pakora. The food quality was so poor it literally caused nausea. Worst of all, when we called ahead, they urged us to'hurry up,' yet when everyone complained, the owner simply blamed a lack of staff. If I could give zero stars, I would. Beware-do not trust the hype.'
Mar 9, 2026
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I was trying a new place for my birthday, & I was surprised by the place.
The Best Best Best for :
Kababs & butter chicken, aalo tikki
What I liked :
It is Private & reserve
Meals were served warm & well seasoned with steam coming out.
The staff is not to overally friendly, they check on you randomly & came accross genuine.
I felt welcome.
The bill at the end , was less than we expected.
Nice place for birthday & date .
9/10 experience.
Could be better:
Wish the lighting was a bit brighter.
More juice option.
Music would have been addition
I don't understand how this restaurant is highly rated, we ordered butter chicken & naan, there was literally 5 pieces of small chicken thighs, not even brest, it's mostly the sauce, for the price we paid it's extremely disappointing... As for the naan it was half cooked, horrible, just waste of money & food... During Ramadan... One would argue because they were fasting & were tired by end of day, but the guy who gave us our order to pick-up was actually eating about 30 minutes before Maghrib, for a Halal restaurant this is kind of unprofessional!
This was truly a one of kind dining experience, from start to finish we were greeted with such warmth & hospitality by the owners son . The owner herself even came out throughout the meal to check in on us & make sure everything was to our liking.
The butter chicken, & lamb Karahi was top notch & left everyone in our party of four craving for more & we left with full bellies & smiling faces.
As well there was another amazing brother from Tanzania , that works there, super welcoming & insightful regarding the food itself & the overall dynamic of how south Asian cuisine has transformed throughout the GTA.
Service was quick , friendly & everyone was full of smiles. A meal at Shandaar felt like eating a genuine home cooked meal at your favourite relatives house. They treat you like a part of the family!
J'ai passé une soirée incroyable dans ce restaurant. Dans une ville où l'on peut parfois être déçu par le rapport qualité-prix, cet endroit est un véritable souffle d'air frais. On sent immédiatement la chaleur d'un restaurant familial, où chaque plat est préparé avec soin & amour.
J'ai été particulièrement impressionné par la qualité des produits, notamment le blanc de poulet dans le Butter Chicken, qui était fondant & savoureux. C'est ce genre d'attention qui transforme un bon repas en une expérience mémorable. L'agneau, les naans... tout était un régal.
C'est exactement le genre de petit restaurant que j'aime encourager & que je souhaite voir réussir. Le service est excellent, la nourriture est divine & les prix sont très corrects pour la qualité offerte. Merci pour ce moment, je reviendrai très vite & je le recommande à 100% !
Nov 2, 2025
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We tried the butter chicken & the naan. They were amazing
The butter chicken was so creamy & flavourful & the naan was so fresh & comforting.
The guy was so nice & kind & he offered us a free Mango Lassi as a gift 😍
It was super tasty & fresh !
We highly recommend this place
Definitely going back!
This is the best restaurant I have ever been to! You must try this. If you try this you will will not regret this. You must try the butter chicken. I love this so much.
The food was delicious. The service was great. Had chicken & lamb biriyani. Also ordered paneer tikka masala. They gave us butter naan as a complimentary. Overall the experience was amazing!
My family & I had an amazing lunch at this restaurant today. We had been away from home for over a week & were craving good Pakistani food. This place hit the spot.
We ordered fish pakora, butter chicken, Shandaar karhai, butter naan, & garlic naan. Everything was cooked fresh & made to perfection!
The restaurant is very clean, with a welcoming & hospitable atmosphere. I will definitely recommend this place to friends & family traveling to Montreal.
Jul 11, 2025
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Butter chicken was amazing , the samosa unfortunately was cold i like their food but their competition gives 10% discount on first order if i scan a qr code ive been seeing that alot lately
A Memorable Anniversary Celebration at an Exceptional Pakistani Restaurant
We recently had the pleasure of celebrating a special anniversary at this outstanding Pakistani restaurant, & the experience exceeded all expectations. From the moment we stepped in, we were warmly welcomed by Mr. Atif & his colleague, whose hospitality set the tone for a truly delightful evening. Their kindness, attentiveness, & genuine passion for great service made us feel like honored guests rather than just customers.
The ambiance was cozy yet elegant, creating the perfect setting for a memorable night. But what truly stole the show was the phenomenal food. Each dish was a masterpiece of rich flavors, fragrant spices, & impeccable presentation.
We started with the Shandaar Lamb Agneau Karahi, a dish that lived up to its name-bold, flavorful, & cooked to perfection. The tender lamb pieces were immersed in a thick, aromatic gravy with just the right balance of spice, making every bite a delight.
Next came the Butter Chicken, a true classic, & this restaurant's version was nothing short of exceptional. The velvety, creamy tomato-based sauce had the perfect blend of sweetness & spice, coating succulent pieces of chicken that simply melted in the mouth.
The Lamb-Agneau Biryani was another highlight of the evening. Fragrant basmati rice, infused with saffron & spices, was layered with perfectly cooked lamb, resulting in a dish that was both flavorful & satisfying. The depth of the spices & the tender meat made it an absolute must-try.
To accompany these delicious mains, we enjoyed freshly baked Garlic-Ail Naan & Plain Naan-Naan, both of which were warm, soft, & perfectly charred. The garlic naan had just the right amount of garlicky richness, complementing the curries beautifully.
To round off this incredible feast, we ended with Kadak Chai, a robust, aromatic tea that provided the perfect finale to an already exquisite meal. The strong, well-spiced flavors were soothing & left us feeling completely satisfied.
From start to finish, this dining experience was truly special. The combination of outstanding food, exceptional service, & a welcoming atmosphere made our anniversary celebration unforgettable. If you're looking for authentic Pakistani cuisine served with warmth & excellence, this is the place to be. Highly recommended!
Feb 25, 2025
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A really cute & cozy restaurant! Id definitely recommend for families who are craving pakistani cuisine. A must try would be their mango lassi & butter chicken!
Honestly it was my first time looking for a restaurant in my area. & i'm very disappointed. For the first time in my life butter chicken doesn't taste like butter chicken. It wasn't creamy. Its not worth 16$.
Shandaar is a delightful restaurant that offers a vibrant culinary experience. The ambiance is warm & inviting. The staff is friendly & knowledgeable, guiding you through the extensive menu with ease. The food is where Shandaar truly shines. The flavors are bold & authentic, with a perfect balance of spices. We particularly enjoyed the butter chicken, which was creamy & rich, & the chicken biryani, which was fragrant & flavorful. The naan was soft & fluffy, the perfect accompaniment to the main courses. Overall, is a great choice for anyone craving authentic pakistanis & indian cuisine.
