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.
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.
I wish I didn't tip you 20$.
Mar 30, 2026
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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).
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!
Mar 20, 2026
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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.
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.
Food was amazing! Definitely try their lamb karahi, chicken tikka boti, kebab platter, & chai! Tried so much more, everything was delicious! Definitely will be coming back.
Jan 12, 2026
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Absolutely perfect restaurant!
Since we're in Montreal, Canada, we ordered Chicken Shandaar Karahi & it truly tasted like home-no extra oil, just authentic flavor. The chicken samosas are made in-house & were fresh & delicious. We also had naan, garlic naan, & Lahori channa-everything was cooked fresh & full of taste.
I've never had such a perfect desi meal in Montreal. The guy musa who served us really knows how to deal with customers-polite, professional, & very welcoming. The service was awesomeeeee.
A perfect place to sit, relax, & enjoy amazing food. Highly recommended! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
We had a great experience at Shandar Karahi. We ordered white karahi, lamb biryani, & chicken tikka, & everything was delicious. The white karahi was rich & creamy, the lamb biryani was flavorful & perfectly cooked, & the chicken tikka was juicy & well seasoned. Portions were good & the food was served hot & fresh. Overall, very tasty food & worth visiting. Highly recommend for anyone who loves Pakistani/Indian cuisine! 😊
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!
Amazing food & hospitality at Shandaar cuisine that's run by a beautiful family. It was lovely meeting Uzma & needless to say the food was so delicious. Never found any taste so close to Karachi! We ordered chicken Karahi, chicken tikka, beef kebab, biryani, mint margarita & lassi. We ended up overeating as niyat nahi bhar rahi thi. Must must visit if you're in Montreal! The warmth would feel like home!
We tried the boneless karahi, Lahori channay, & tea, & everything was outstanding. The boneless karahi was rich, perfectly spiced, & cooked just right - full of authentic flavour & not greasy at all. The Lahori channay were delicious, hearty, & tasted just like traditional home-style cooking.
To finish, we had their tea, which was strong, aromatic, & the perfect ending to a satisfying meal.
Great food, authentic taste, & a warm atmosphere. Definitely a place I'll be visiting again & highly recommend to anyone looking for real Pakistani flavours in Montréal
