Hot food for cold days in Montréal
It’s the perfect time of year to be talking comfort food, whether it’s hot and spicy food or just a great big bowl of steaming goodness that will keep us warm while we go about our daily lives in this harsh and frigid weather. Here are some of our favourite hot foods to keep us cozy.
Indian vindaloo curry at Restaurant Dévi
Vindaloo is one of the spiciest Indian curries on Restaurant Dévi’s menu, but the complex and interesting flavour make it worth the tears and is guaranteed to keep you warm for hours.
1450 Crescent Street
Cheese fondue at Restaurant La Raclette
Who doesn’t crave a cheese-laden extravaganza when the temperature plummets? Dive into Restaurant La Raclette’s Swiss cheese fondue or the Swiss and Québec combo raclette, with a side of tartiflette to share, of course! It’s probably best to walk home after a meal at La Raclette.
1059 Gilford Street
South East Asian laksa lemak soup at Satay Brothers
The Satay Brothers have garnered a cult following among Montrealers. Their Saint-Henri restaurant is like no other in Montréal and is a must-visit, especially for their laksa soup, a sweet and spicy Indonesian specialty made with coconut milk and chili and served with noodles, fish cakes, shrimp and quail egg.
3721 Notre Dame Street West
Vietnamese Pho at Pho Tay Ho
Any pho you choose at popular no-frills restaurant Pho Tay Ho will have a rich broth and a generous helping of toppings. Squeeze in some sriracha for an extra kick.
6414 Saint-Denis Street
Japanese ramen soup at Yokato Yokabai
Rich tonkutsu ramen with a pork bone broth that’s simmered for 12 hours is the specialty at Yokato Yokabai. Choose your noodle thickness, add with pork, chicken, or veggies and top it with any garniches and extras that you like.
4185 Drolet Street
Mexican pozole at La Tamalera
Traditional Mexican pozole soup is made with maize and a choice of meat and topped with cabbage, radish and other choice vegetables. It’s so hearty that it’s guaranteed to warm you up! Get it at La Tamalera.
226 Fairmount Avenue West
Curry at Pumpui
This Petite-Patrie fuss-free, Thai-inspired curry counter is the perfect remedy to any cold day. A handful of curries and specialty dishes are available every day, but the Thai green curry is one of our favourites. Pumpui is also vegetarian friendly.
83 Saint-Zotique Street East
Onion soup at Gus
The epic onion soup at beloved neighbourhood Restaurant Gus is made with guajillo pepper, red beer, pork hock, cheddar, ancho powder and avocado and is on the menu only if the Montréal Canadiens season is in full swing. It’s a hearty, stick-to-your-ribs soup that you will be more than happy to dig into when it’s freezing out.
38 Beaubien Street East
Bibimbap at Omma
Nothing beats a steaming (literally) serving of Korean bibimbap to soothe the cold-weather blues. Omma, one of the best Korean restaurants in Montréal, has a loyal following of food lovers who crave their traditional cuisine. Their bibimbaps are the very definition of comfort food. Top yours with beef or chicken bulgogi, octopus, tofu, spicy shrimp or beef tartare and don’t forget to order extra kimchi.
51 Ontario Street West
Weekly thali at Le Super Qualité
This colourful Indian snack bar is one of the most adorable restaurants in town. Order the generous thali of the week and tuck into a heaping serving of rice accompanied by a series of wonderfully flavoured and perfectly spiced dishes to nibble on. Le Super Qualité also serves a vegetarian version of their weekly thali.
1211 Bélanger Street
Szechuan noodles at J’ai Feng
Chef Anita Feng’s Chinese grocery store and ready-to-eat counter on Beaubien Street specializes in authentic Szechuan cuisine. J’ai Feng’s steaming bowls of noodles are infused with Szechuan pepper that will definitely warm you up on a cold day and leave your tongue tingling with joy.
43 Beaubien East Street
Matzo ball soup at Snowdon Deli
The bowl of golden-hued broth with one oversized matzoh ball may not look very sexy but it is one of the most comforting and soul warming meal on a cold winter’s night. Snowdon Deli has been the place to go for Jewish specialties since 1946. Their matzoh ball soup is legendary, with a rich chicken broth and a homemade matzoh ball that’s both delicate and filling.
5265 Décarie Boulevard
Maultasche at Butterblume
This sweet Mile End address has been a hit since day one. Butterblume’s minimalist décor, light filled dining room, market fresh cuisine (don’t skip their sourdough bread!) and wonderful wine list are delightful. So is their pork and spinach “maultasche” ravioli, a German meat filled dumpling served in a comforting, aromatic chicken dashi with confit onion and parsley oil.
5836 Saint-Laurent Boulevard
Krapow at Krapow
Krapow, located in Montréal’s eclectic Plateau-Mont-Royal neighbhourhood, is a Southeast Asian restaurant serving spicy, 100% gluten-free dishes. Krapow is both a type of basil and a traditional street-food dish found all across Thailand. It’s made with ground beef, krapow (basil in Thai), garlic, chili, and gluten-free sauces and topped with a runny egg before serving. The dishes on the carefully curated menu are all marinated in flavourful spices, transporting guests of the restaurant deep into the heart of Asia.
4449 Mentana Street
Sizzling trio at Kyomi
Restaurant Kyomi is characterized by fresh Asian fusion cuisine, impeccable service, and an upscale, exotic atmosphere. It’s not just a place to enjoy exceptional cuisine, it is a unique destination to celebrate the big and small moments in life. Enjoy their "sizzling trio" on a cold day, which includes beef, chicken, and jumbo shrimp served on top of vegetables and rice, all topped with a teriyaki sauce.
7660 Newman Boulevard
Fattet mawzat at KazaMaza
Levantine restaurant KazaMaza has occupied the same space on Park Avenue for over a decade and has become a staple in the neighbourhood for its consistently good food and its lively ambiance. Fatté is a traditional layered dish with crispy pita, yogurt, tahini and nuts. Their fattet mawzat is served with a fall-off-the-bone lamb shank and rice on the side. Ths dish has become the star of their menu on social media for its beautiful plating.
4629 Park Avenue
Mayssam Samaha
Mayssam Samaha is a food and travel writer and blogger and the founder behind the blog Will Travel for Food. She travels the world in search of the next culinary discovery. From Iceland to South Africa, she’s already visited over 36 countries and there’s nothing she enjoys more than wandering around a farmers’ market in a foreign city. She is also the founder of the SAISONS intimate dinner series highlighting Québec products and chefs.