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
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.
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..
Had the best South Indian (Tamil) experience. Tried their idiyappam & Goat curry (Diwali special) which was recommended by their staff itself & we loved it.. soft & rich curry .. Do try it out… you never regret it.
Oct 20, 2025
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True, classic South Indian fare. A wide variety of flavors & options to choose from. The family operating the business is helpful & kind if you have questions about the menu.
This is ojr families go to for South Indian cuisine. Always delicious & super tasty! Highly recommended for all. Heavy vegetarian & vegan choices. Give them a shot!
Thanjai on Van Horne isn't just one of the best South Indian restaurants in Montreal - it's one of the best restaurants in the city, full stop.
It's unassuming, BYOB, perhaps a tad over lit, but the food is simply terrific. Unfailingly so. Fresh ingredients, expertly prepared, & served by warm, professional staff.
Highly recommended.
Aug 3, 2025
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Hit or miss place. Used to love it as the masalas dosa & idlis were so fresh, but after two less than lovely experiences separated by one good one in 2 years, that's it, not returning. If consistency is so varied, I don't want to risk taking anyone there. The only thing worth having the last visit was the South Indian coffee. The food was basically chilies & we'd asked for mild - not all desis want their taste buds burnt off & we had kids with us. Service is also hit or miss, depending on who is on shift & the time of day.
Great place to have south Indian in Montreal, Qc.
Their service & food was awesome
Must try their maisoor Masala & Chilli Idli.
ROHIT you are the best , thank you so much for helping us out in what we can have .
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.
If you have not eaten South Indian food , this is the best place.
Due to different climatic condition Indian food is different in North south east & west food. as in Bengal it is different than Punjab & in south it is different than north. It is different in Chinnai than Bombay. The street foods too even are different. As you can not digest North Indian food in South India .
You will get all kinds of South Indian food here.
They are mostly made from fermented flower if lentil & rice flour batte crapes filled with different kinds of vegetables . Lentil soup & chain ( sauce) which helps the kidney to mentain the water balance due to perspiration
