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!
We hosted a party at Thanjai Restaurant yesterday with a vegetarian menu, & all our guests truly enjoyed the delicious food.The party hall was perfect for small events, & the staff were very kind & helpful throughout. I highly recommend Thanjai for small celebrations!
Mar 1, 2026
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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!
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.
We visited this restaurant for the first time with high expectations. I went with my husband & brother, & the restaurant looked nice from the inside, which made us feel hopeful about the experience.
We ordered Chicken Lollipop, Chicken 777, Masala Dosa, & Chicken Curry Dosa. Our food arrived within 20-25 minutes, but unfortunately, the taste was very disappointing. None of the dishes were good, & we were extremely dissatisfied.
What made the experience worse was that from the next day onwards, all three of us had stomach issues, including vomiting & stomach pain. We usually go out for dinner once a week & enjoy exploring different restaurants, but something like this has never happened to us before.
Overall, it was a very bad experience, & I would not recommend this place.
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.
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.
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!
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!
Aug 31, 2025
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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.
I've had take out pick up a few times & dinned in tonight & I've never been disappointed. Every single dish I tried has been delicious over the past 2 years amd I highly recommend
The dosas are the best in Montreal, Coconut Chutney, Tomato chutney are very good so is the sambar. I like their Medhu Vada but I will not recommend their Idlis too hard for my liking. Service very good. Overall good experience
