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 comes across as a warm, authentic South Asian dining experience with consistently fresh flavors of Pakistani and Indian classics. From creamy butter chicken and rich karahi to fragrant biryani and garlic naan, the dishes are described as flavorful, well spiced, and cooked to order, with generous portions and obvious care in preparation. The ambiance is cosy and family like, and the service is friendly, attentive, and welcoming, making guests feel at home. Catering options are praised, and many readers note good value for money, clean surroundings, and the ability to accommodate groups and special occasions. A few comments mention occasional language barriers or variable portion sizes, but the overall consensus is that the restaurant delivers authentic taste, hearty comfort food, and memorable hospitality that keeps diners returning.
I came here with my family for the chicken charsi karahi & it was l delicious. Easily the best Pakistani food we've had in Montreal. Everything was full of flavor, & the experience was great overall. The owner is soo friendly 🥰
Une très belle découverte ! La nourriture est authentique & pleine de saveurs. Le biryani & le Karahi étaient incroyables. Service rapide & équipe très sympathique. J'y retournerai avec plaisir.
May 13, 2026
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Amazing Karahi, took the chicken karahi shandaar.
Naans are really good, crispy but soft at the same time!
Services was really good too, all the servers & the owner are really nice!
The chicken tikka was really good too with the chutney.
The food was amazing & truly authentic. We especially enjoyed the shandar karahi, beef kabobs, & tandoori chicken. Everything was freshly prepared, which made the experience even better.
We visited over the weekend with a large family group of 14 & were welcomed very warmly. Kids friendly as well. The restaurant has a spacious setup, which made it comfortable for a big group like ours.
There were plenty of great options on the menu, & the pricing felt reasonable & standard for the quality. The only small feedback would be that the meat portions in the chicken tikka masala & nihari could have been a bit more considering the price. Everything else had good portion size.
The food overall tasted good & quite authentic. We ordered a variety of dishes including nihari, naan, chicken biryani, chicken tikka biryani, chicken tikka masala, Shandaar chicken karahi, Charsi karahi, & Bihari kebab everything was enjoyable.
Overall, Usma & Musa were wonderful hosts very welcoming & attentive. They checked on us regularly & made sure we had a great experience.
Apr 18, 2026
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I have to edit my review!!!!
You black mailed me!!!!
the goat karahi that I had for dine in was perfect but the orders that I made for pick ups are not goat karahi.
You charged me for goat charsi karahi but the meat that you used is from an old cow its like rubber, not even chewable.
J'ai adoré.
Mon ami a pris des shandaar au poulet & moi j'ai pris du boeuf kebab karahi. Tout ça agrémenté de riz basmati parfumé & de pain naan (nature & à l'ail). Attention : Le riz & le pain se commandent à part du plat. En entrée, samosa au poulet & nems végé. En boisson nous avons pris un cocktail à la mangue sans alcool (ça ressemblait plutôt à un smoothie mais c'était bon). Le plat de mon ami était très épicé & le mien un mélange de sucré salé. On en a eu pour 50 dollars par personne environ avec taxes & pourboires (pour apéro entrée plat c'est honnête). C'était très copieux, je suis reparti avec le reste de ma nourriture. Ça m'a fait deux repas. J'y retournerai clairement. La déco du restaurant est simple & épurée. Le personnel très agréable (ils changent les bouteilles d'eau sur les tables quand elles sont vides & sans qu'on le demande, c'est ce que j'appelle du service).
Mar 25, 2026
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We had a great experience at Shandar restaurant! We chose the Peshawari chicken karahi & it was absolutely delicious. The chicken was tender, full of flavor, & perfectly spiced. The service was good & the atmosphere was warm & welcoming. I definitely recommend it, especially if you love rich & flavorful food!
Shandaar Cuisine is a must-visit for authentic Pakistani comfort food. The Peshawari Karahi was spectacular, so was their Bihari kebab - pair it with their Naan, was the perfect balance
Everything tasted fresh, flavorful, & truly homemade. Highly recommended for anyone craving a high-quality meal!
Aucune fausse note dans ce restaurant. Au milieu de Cartierville, qui n'est pas vraiment un quartier reconnu pour son animation, on a une sacrée perle avec cette maison tenue par des gens très accueillants & qui nous ont reçu un midi en plein mois de ramadan.
Le Karahi, le Biryani, les naans, incroyable.
Des saveurs profondes, pas mal d'épices oui mais très efficaces.
Très bonne cuisine qui goûte vraiment familiale.
Mar 13, 2026
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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.'
If you're looking for a place in Montreal that truly lives up to its name, Shandaar Cuisine is it - shandaar meaning'magnificent' in Urdu, & that's exactly what this dining experience is.
From the moment you step inside, you're greeted with warm smiles & an inviting aroma of freshly cooked South Asian delicacies. The ambiance strikes a perfect balance between cozy & elegant, with soft lighting & tasteful décor that makes you feel right at home.
The food is nothing short of exceptional. Their Karahi bursts with rich, aromatic spices, the biryani is perfectly layered with tender meat & fragrant rice, & the doodh patti chai is the kind of comfort in a cup you'll crave long after you leave. The mango lassi is refreshingly smooth - a must-try for anyone visiting.
What truly sets Shandaar Cuisine apart is the attention to detail. Every dish feels like it's been prepared with love, & the staff go above & beyond to ensure you have a memorable experience.
Whether you're a fan of authentic desi flavors or just curious to explore them, Shandaar Cuisine is a gem that will leave your taste buds dancing & your heart full.
