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.
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
Ordered the ambur goat biryani for my party of 10 pax it was absolutely phenomenal ,
perfectly cooked, fragrant, & packed with rich flavours & right balance of spices.
The delivery on time as promised at 1130 am with the extra treats were such a thoughtful surprise! They were just as delicious & added an extra layer of joy to the whole experience. It honestly felt like a generous homemade feast rather than just a meal. Highly recommend & deeply appreciated!
Feb 22, 2026
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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.
During my trip from the US to Montreal, I stumbled upon Thanjay & had an unforgettable dinner experience. The flavors here are extraordinary-dishes like Chicken 777, Kili Paratha, Shrimp Fry, Tandoori chicken, & Hyderabadi Biryani blew me away. Every bite surpassed the last, so much so that I returned the next day for lunch. If you're in Montreal, I can't recommend this restaurant enough-it's a must-visit for any foodie.
I had an amazing experience at Thanjai! The goat biryani & Ashoka sweet were absolutely delightful, & the shrimp fry was outstanding. I'd also highly recommend trying their samosas & thattai snacks-they're a must!
We went to this restaurant via enroute to USA exceptional service . During closing time we asked for idlis & they made fresh ones for us .There ambur biryanis are the best . Thanks for your service to all staff members
Dec 29, 2024
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In my opinion, the food was marvelous & magnificent ! But the mango lassi was a bit off. The chicken biryani was on top notch. The shrimp fry was outstanding . Excellent experience !!!
Ordered Ambur goat biryani & chicken 65. They made sure its medium mild, biryani was amazing reminded me of bangalore days when i was living there😍 it was so good! Same smell☺️
Jul 19, 2024
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Nice Indian place for dine in , they had great menu like Rasam, dosa, appetizers for travellers, we have been out of home for a week & was looking for simple home cooked food, this menu totally satisfied our needs with rasam & chicken 65, we also tried their dosa it was good , the biryani was just mediocre for us & rest of the dishes we tried were really great, we could see lots of people coming & having food from locals, that shows the food is really good here!!! The chicken noodles we tried was also good.
We visited this place at a friend's recommendation. We ordered plain masala dosa, mutton biryani & veg fried rice. The dosa was the closest thing to the authentic dosa I had in Andhra. Mutton biryani has changed in taste & tasted better before is what my friend said. The veg fried rice was nice & spicy. You must try this restaurant. Service is amazing, the staff & service is very timely. The ambiance will take you to Thanjavur.
1. Rasam: Rasam is a tangy South Indian soup made with tamarind, tomatoes, & a blend of spices like coriander, cumin, & pepper. It's typically served as a starter or mixed with rice. Rasam's refreshing flavor, coupled with its health benefits from the spices, makes it a delightful appetizer or accompaniment to any meal. 2. Sambar: Sambar is a lentil-based vegetable stew or soup that originated in South India. It's made with toor dal (pigeon peas), vegetables like carrots, potatoes, & drumsticks, & flavored with a unique blend of spices such as coriander, cumin, & fenugreek seeds. Sambar is often served with rice, idli, dosa, or vada. Its rich & savory taste, along with its versatility, makes it a staple in South Indian cuisine. 3. Kothu Paratha: Kothu Paratha is a popular street food in South India, especially in Tamil Nadu. It consists of shredded paratha (Indian flatbread) mixed with a variety of ingredients like onions, tomatoes, peppers, & spices, often including eggs or meat for added flavor. The mixture is stir-fried on a griddle with spices, creating a flavorful & satisfying dish. Kothu Paratha's unique texture & blend of flavors make it a favorite among locals & visitors alike. 4. Biryani: Biryani is a fragrant & flavorful rice dish that originated in the Indian subcontinent. It's made with basmati rice, meat (such as chicken, mutton, or beef), or vegetables, & a blend of aromatic spices like cardamom, cloves, & cinnamon. Biryani is typically cooked in layers, with the rice & meat or vegetables cooked separately & then layered together before being steamed. The result is a rich & aromatic dish with tender meat & perfectly cooked rice, often garnished with fried onions, nuts, & herbs. Biryani's complex flavors & hearty nature make it a beloved dish across the Indian subcontinent & beyond.
Feb 7, 2024
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Everything tasted extremely flavourful! Chicken 65 was so soft & juicy, the biryani rice could be eaten alone by itself, the tikka was just an add on. Certainly recommend everyone to come & eat here.
Quand j'ai vu le menu, j'ai été étonnée : je ne reconnaissais rien de ce que j'avais déjà mangé dans des restaurants indiens! C'est parce qu'ils font de la cuisine du sud de l'Inde, alors qu'habituellement les restos indiens offrent de la cuisine du nord de l'Inde. Il y avait plusieurs plats qui ressemblaient à des crêpes, alors nous les avons essayés. J'ai beaucoup aimé mon utthappam à l'oignon (à mi-chemin entre une pizza & une crêpe) & mon biryani au mouton! J'ai goûté à trois sortes de dosas, & ils étaient tous délicieux! Mention spéciale au Chili Idly (visuellement, ça ressemblait à des pierogis, mais ça goûtait encore meilleur que des pierogis!), qui avaient une texture & un goût divins!
Le service était un peu étrange; la serveuse nous répondait quelquefois comme si elle aurait aimé mieux être ailleurs, mais somme toute, ça s'est bien déroulé! Je vais y retourner pour essayer d'autres plats inédits!
