10 great Montréal casual restaurants

Pumpui

Not many people would think of opening a curry counter / grocery store on one of Little Italy’s most popular streets. Chef Jesse Mulder, who trained in Thailand and came back with his knowledge, took a chance and the results are great. This casual twelve-seater offers various curry dishes that are changed and updated regularly.

Falafel Yoni

Montréal’s Mile End has greeted vegetarian and vegan-friendly Falafel Yoni with open arms. The menu is short, but every item is perfection. Go any time of day and the restaurant is filled with locals who can’t get enough of the falafels or the sabich (pita with fried eggplant, a hardboiled egg and all the fixings).

Pho Tay Ho

This is where you’ll find one of the best pho in Montréal. The busy restaurant is always buzzing and is a favourite among the Vietnamese community, so you know this is a good spot. Indulge in a comforting and generous pho or try the Bun Cha, a grilled pork dish served with vermicelli and a heap of fresh herbs.

Le Super Qualité

This colourful Petite Patrie snack bar is a great spot to get an authentic taste of the entire Indian peninsula. From generous thalis to the addictive spiced fried okras and dahi batata puri, Le Super Qualité has quickly become a favourite among locals for lunch or dinner. Sip on a cocktail on their summer terrasse or warm up indoors in the winter months.

Hà Restaurant

Hà Restaurant is an homage to Vietnam’s Bia Hoi, modest corner restaurants where diners share casual yet flavourful food in a laidback ambiance. The Mont-Royal Avenue and Old Montréal locations have similar menus adapted to each clientele. Mr. Hà’s classic coco Tom Yum salmon is always a good choice and has a permanent spot on both menus.

Satay Brothers

The Satay Brothers specialize in Singaporean, Malaysian and South East Asian street food. You can get a taste of their delicious laksa soup, papaya salad or steamed buns at their Atwater Market stall during the summer months or indulge in the fantastical ambiance of their colourful and loud Saint-Henri restaurant any time of year.

Panama Rotisserie

Panama Rotisserie is a family-style, Park Extension Greek eatery that’s been around for years. The friendly welcome, excellent grilled lamb chops and Greek-style roast potatoes are some of the reasons why fans keep going back to this unpretentious and friendly establishment.

Chez Doval

Portuguese cuisine is a much-loved one in Montréal. Chez Doval is a casual and welcoming Portuguese restaurant located in Plateau-Mont-Royal. It specializes in charcoal grilled meats and fish, from the famous Portuguese style chicken to more delicate whole grilled fish.

Le Red Tiger

Located in the Village, Le Red Tiger is a Vietnamese pub specializing in street food with a menu consisting of small plates to share. Try the fried chicken wings with Nuoc Mam sauce or the mini Vietnamese pancakes with pork and shrimp (or tofu). The cocktail menu created by the in-house bartenders is also worth mentioning for its excellent libations inspired by Asian ingredients.

Yokato Yokabai

A much-loved address in Montréal, Yokato Yokabai is where throngs of people line up for a taste of the best ramen soup in town. The menu is short and consists of ramen soups with different broths and toppings and a handful of side dishes. The soups can be personalized with extra orders of noodles, a list of toppings and thick or thin noodles. The Cha-shu-don side dish, a delicate mix of grilled pork belly, rice and pickled ginger, is always a nice addition.