TESFA

Lisa

4.0

TESFA is a small, casual spot on Papineau that does Mediterranean/Middle Eastern food with a noticeable East African/Eritrean influence. The falafel is the big draw-crispy outside, fluffy inside-& the hummus, shawarma, kebabs, & eggplant dishes are also excellent. Their sauces really make the food, especially the house spicy z'hug, tahini, & tangy mango amba. Lots of great vegetarian & vegan options, & the staff are genuinely warm & welcoming.

Insider move: get the sabich or falafel pita & ask for all the sauces, especially if you like some heat. The smoked-eggplant De Maman is another sleeper hit. It's a small counter-service place, so seating can be limited & food may take a little longer when it's busy. Takeout is easy, & you can even buy their z'hug & amba to take home.

Makiyah

5.0

First trip to Montreal & this spot is a WINNER! First visit I had the falafel pita. Yum. Second visit because yes, it's that good, I had the chicken shawarma hummus bowl. Perfect mix of flavors. Warm pita. Lovely service.

TIKA

5.0

I genuinely think this may be one of the best Mediterranean meals I've had in Montreal.

I first came across TESFA after a previous order issue where my hummus & falafel never arrived, so I never actually got the chance to try the food. This time, not only did they completely honor & rectify the situation with kindness & professionalism, but the meal absolutely exceeded every expectation I had.

The hummus is hands down the best hummus I have ever tasted. Smooth, buttery, rich, & impossibly silky. It literally melted in my mouth. I've never experienced hummus with this kind of texture before.

I ordered a platter with hummus, chicken, fattoush salad, & pita, & every single element was exceptional. The chicken was unbelievably tender & moist, perfectly seasoned, & full of flavor. The fattoush was vibrant, fresh, & beautifully balanced, with the mint making the entire salad feel bright & refreshing. & the pita? Warm, thick, pillowy, & clearly made with care.

What struck me most is that everything tasted intentional. Nothing felt rushed. Nothing felt generic. Every bite felt like it was made by people who genuinely care about food.

This is the kind of place you almost don't want to tell people about because it feels like a hidden gem. But honestly, TESFA deserves every bit of recognition it gets.

Absolutely unforgettable.

Duc

4.0

Golden, crispy falafel tucked into a warm, fluffy pita, loaded with crunchy cabbage, fresh chopped salad, tangy pickles, & a generous swipe of creamy hummus & tahini. Finished with a hit of homemade spicy sauce for that perfect kick.
Served with hot, salty fries & a bright blood orange soda on the side, fresh, messy, & absolutely irresistible. #TESFA #Montreal

Dominic

5.0

J'ai seulement pris du hummus, mais il était excellent 👌

Martin

5.0

The hummus was amazing! I've never had such smooth hummus.

Said

5.0

Great experience at TESFA! My friend & I ordered two chicken shawarmas along with hummus & four falafels, & everything was excellent. Fresh, well-seasoned, & clearly made with care. The customer service was just as strong as the food. The staff & cooks were kind, hardworking, & welcoming throughout our visit. We also had the pleasure of meeting the co-founder, Efrem, who was genuinely warm & passionate about the restaurant. This is a place that values quality, hospitality, & teamwork. Looking forward to coming back again!

Laurelen

5.0

Première fois au Tesfa & ce fut une découverte incroyable. Le sandwich kebab était excellent, beaucoup de saveurs, des légumes marinés fondants, les frites de patates douces croustillantes & un Hummus à tomber par terre ! 🥙

Ilya

5.0

Worth the 2 & a half hours drive from Ottawa.
Fresh Hummus. Amazing spices. Fresh made Falafel & over all great presentation.
Very affordable prices! Our first stop every time we're in Montreal! Must must visit!

Adriana

5.0

Amazing food. I'd you want falafel & pita with an OUT OF THIS WORLD hummus, look no further. So incredibly delicious. & the staff is so friendly.