Hot food for cold days in Montréal

Gastronomy Winter
Le Super Qualité
Mayssam Samaha

Mayssam Samaha

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.

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Restaurant La Raclette

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!

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Satay Brothers

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 lemak soup, an Indonesian specialty made with coconut milk, lending it some sweet and spicy flavours.

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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.

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 Yokato Yokabai - Ramen

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. Top it with any pork, chicken, veggies and any extras that you like.  

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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.

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Pumpui - Curry

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.

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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.

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Maison de Seoul - Bibimbap

Bibimbap at Omma

Nothing beats a steaming (literally) serving of Korean bibimbap to soothe the cold-weather blues. Ommaone 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, chicken, octopus, tofu, spicy shrimp or beef tartare and don’t forget to order extra kimchi.

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Le Super Qualité

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 the weekly thali.

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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.

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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. 

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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 absolutely delightful. So is their pork and spinach “maultasche” ravioli, a German meat filled dumpling inspired by the chef’s origin. It’s served in a comforting, aromatic chicken dashi with confit onion and parsley oil.

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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 dish served in Thailand and the owners of the restaurant took this traditional inspiration and applied it to the food they create and serve. The dishes on the carefully curated menu are all marinated in flavourful spices, transporting guests of the restaurant deep into the heart of Asia.

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Kyomi Restaurant

Sizzling trio at Kyomi

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.

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Mayssam Samaha

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.

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