Thanjai is an authentic South Indian Restaurant which serves mostly vegetarian and some non-vegetarian food offerings. We specialize in creating the true flavors of South Indian recipes that are familiar to all who grew up with these dishes. We offer a rich blend of flavors, colours, seasoning, health values, aroma, tastes and the visual appeals of this unique cuisine. And, we are the only restaurant in the area offering you this taste experience. Many of the dishes are ‘gluten-free’ and offer low fat and low cholesterol values.
Reviews consistently praise Thanjai for authentic South Indian flavors delivered with freshness and balance, from fragrant biryani and rich goat dishes to crispy dosas and comforting sambar and avial. The banana leaf feast and a variety of thali options appear especially beloved, often described as homely and welcoming with dishes that feel prepared with care. Service is repeatedly highlighted as friendly, attentive, and efficient, with many noting staff who explain the menu and make good recommendations; some comments mention room for improvement in consistency and pacing during peak hours or lunch service. The restaurant is described as clean and well maintained, with a warm, family like vibe and a vibrant atmosphere, occasionally noted as a bit loud. Several reviewers travel long distances or visit multiple times, calling it a standout for South Indian cuisine in Montreal or in Quebec, and praising specific dishes such as chicken biryani, chicken kothu parota, dosa varieties, vatha bath kulambu, ashoka sweet, and payasam. While most experiences are positive, a few mention missing menu items or inconsistencies in service and vegan labeling, but the overall sentiment remains highly favorable and the place is often recommended and repeated as a must visit for fans of Tamil Nadu style cooking.
Excellent experience! The restaurant offers authentic South Indian taste with fantastic & delicious flavors. Every dish was fresh, well-prepared, & truly amazing.
The staff communication is very good & friendly. They take time to explain the menu & recommend the best dishes based on your preference, which makes the experience even better.
The service is fast & efficient. The restaurant is very clean & well-maintained. The presentation of the dishes is beautiful & professional, & the taste is absolutely fantastic.
Overall, amazing food, great customer service, fast service, & a clean environment. Highly recommended for anyone looking for real South Indian cuisine!
A truly satisfying South Indian meal! The sambar instantly took me back to Chennai comforting, nostalgic, & full of authentic flavour
I tried their Veg Thali, & it felt very homely. It comes with three different vegetable preparations, giving a nice balance & a good carb fibre split. Everything tasted fresh & thoughtfully prepared. Definitely a solid 4.5/5 for the Veg Thali.
The Egg Biryani was decent - I'd rate it 3/5. It lacked the depth of flavour you'd typically expect from a non-veg biryani.
However, their Chicken 777 is a must-try! It's similar to Chicken 65 but tossed in flavorful Indo-Chinese style sauces bold, slightly spicy, & very satisfying. Easily a 4/5.
They also make a wide range of South Indian snacks like murukku or chakli, thattai, ribbon pakoda, & more & they're very reasonably priced. I tried the butter murukku, thattai, & ribbon pakoda, & they were excellent. Honestly, I'd consider ordering directly from them instead of buying from a grocery store!
If you're craving authentic South Indian comfort food & snacks, this place is definitely worth a visit
Feb 27, 2026
on Google
🍽️
Know where to eat in Montreal before everyone else.
Get the first look at the hottest openings, secret menus, and RestoMontreal.ca's weekly top picks. Join 50,000+ foodies.
We visited Thanjai for dinner yesterday with our family m. This was our 4th time here, & it's officially our favorite South Indian restaurant so far! We're from Ottawa, & it's honestly hard to find authentic, satisfying South Indian food there. We've been searching in both Ottawa & Toronto, & we're so happy to have found this gem.
Our kids (6 & 10) always look forward to eating here. Our absolute favorites are the Chicken 65 Biryani & Chicken Kothu Parota both are consistently delicious. The quality of the food & the service are always top notch.
Yesterday we didn't have any plans, so we literally drove to Montreal just to enjoy Thanjai's food , it's that good! We would be thrilled if they ever opened a branch in Ottawa.
Eating at Thanjai Restaurant was more than just a meal, it felt like being welcomed into a warm, traditional home. The banana leaf feast was thoughtfully served, & every dish carried authenticity & comfort.
The vatha/bath kulambu was unforgettable rich, tangy, & deeply flavorful, exactly the way it should be. The sambar was hearty & soothing, & the rasam was light, peppery, & refreshing, bringing perfect balance to the meal. The avial was especially touching-it tasted so homely & comforting that it genuinely reminded me of my mother's cooking. Ending the meal with the rava laddu was pure happiness soft, aromatic, & just sweet enough to leave you smiling.
What truly made the experience special was the service. It was absolutely out of this world. Rohit & Shweta went above & beyond to ensure everything was perfect. Their warmth, attentiveness, & genuine care elevated the entire experience & made us feel truly valued.
From the food to the hospitality, everything came together beautifully. The whole experience was simply awesome, & Thanjai Restaurant is a place I'll happily return for the flavors, the memories, & the heartfelt service.
Authentic south indian restaurant. Just finished a scrumptious banana leaf non-veg lunch & it's completely worth the price. This is going to be one of our favourite restaurants in Montreal.
One of the best places for South Indian cuisine.. we had Gopi Manchurian dry from there & it was delicious.. Also enjoyed chettinadu chicken curry & rice.. they were perfect.. a must place to visit if you want to enjoy authentic South Indian cuisine..
When you advertise for a special meal, make sure all the dishes are ready & available. I did not want white rice & l came for Matta rice. This is not Kerala Sadhya. Sadhya Sambar, Pulinji etc nothing was authentic Kerala style.
Whenever me & my best friend crave for authentic Indian food, this is our go to place. The food is great & the place has this Indian vibe. Great service too.
Jun 28, 2025
on Google
🍽️
Know where to eat in Montreal before everyone else.
Get the first look at the hottest openings, secret menus, and RestoMontreal.ca's weekly top picks. Join 50,000+ foodies.
Loved it. They provided really a good service out there. Especially rohit, that guy is really cool. He made us feel like home. Tasting our home country dishes in an authentic restaurant is a different emotion.
Awesome food...Friendly customer service...even quantity of the food was quiet enough..most appreciated thing is their washroom was super clean..kudos for that.. authentic tamilnadu taste ...thanks for ur excellent service
Dec 25, 2024
on Google
🍽️
Know where to eat in Montreal before everyone else.
Get the first look at the hottest openings, secret menus, and RestoMontreal.ca's weekly top picks. Join 50,000+ foodies.
Amazing food ,taste & quantity is greatest! Best authentic South Indian food if you would like to try them . Mutton briyani & egg kothu was ultimate... The epic is the Thanjai periya kovil statue in entrance is spellbound.
An all 5 star might seem exaggerated for some but this extraordinary restaurant deserves it for its quality, genuineness, authenticity of its cuisine & the lovely staff make it a near unique experience.
"I had an amazing experience at Thanjai Restaurant! The food was absolutely delicious, with authentic flavors that left me wanting more. The staff were incredibly kind, attentive, & made sure we were well taken care of throughout the meal. The service was top-notch, & I really appreciated the warm & welcoming atmosphere. I highly recommend this restaurant to anyone looking for a great dining experience. A must-visit!"
