Just figured I would solicit the opinions of Fodorites on your favorite places (preferably non-chain) for lunches and dinners under $15 in Montreal.
I enjoy most all kinds of food except Indian (the heat is usually too much for me, although I like the flavors - Thai can be tough as well, but it seems easier to find mild Thai dishes). Vegetarian is OK for a meal or two, but not the whole time. "Breakfast for lunch/dinner" is good as well - no need to recommend a breakfast place for breakfast, though, as I have that covered.
I don't drink alcohol or coffee at all and try to avoid sodas (although I have read that a black cherry soda is "traditional" when having smoked meat), so that gives a little more "bang" for the target price of the meal. Unless I will need to buy bottled water at mealtimes, of course.
If a thread like this has been posted recently, I missed it. I have seen the postings on vegetarian places and have been reading guidebooks and websites for suggestions (including the markets). But I figured it couldn't hurt to ask here, especially as there are Montrealers who post frequently.
Area of the city is not a big concern, as I will be trying to see the main sights and will have a car. But FWIW I will be staying in the area my city map calls Notre-Dame-de-Grace, across the A-15 from Westmount.
Thanks!
Cheap Eats in Montreal
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We like a book called Montreal Resto-A-Go-Go: 200 Cheap and Fun Places to Eat and Drink in Montreal by Sarah Musgrave--lots of good suggestions.
Good for sandwiches
Olive and Gourmando 351 Rue St-Paul O in Old Montreal
Cafe Santropol 3990 Rue St-Urbain
Schwartz's (famous smoked meat) 3895 St-Laurent Blvd
some others we have liked:
Le Grand Comptoir, French bistro 1225 Rue Du Square-Phillips
Lola Rosa vegetarian McGill ghetto downtown
Place Milton--breakfast, brunch in McGill ghetto downtown
Restaurant Senzala (Brazilian, also good brunch) 177 Rue Bernard Ouest in Outremont
Cafe Presto 1244 Rue Stanley downtown (Italian)
La Petite Marche 5035 Rue Saint-Denis, Plateau (Italian and French, brunch)
Le Commensal --vegetarian buffet, 1204 McGill College Street (corner of Ste-Catherine) and 1720 St-Denis
Bankok Thai restaurant in food court in Le Faubourg shopping center on Ste-Catherine
There are lots of inexpensive choices in Chinatown on/near La Gauchetière . In addition to Chinese restaurants, there are a lot of Vietnamese restaurants on Saint-Laurent
For Montreal bagels, the St. Viateur or Fairmont bakeries
Someone else can probably recommend a good place for poutine if that appeals to you.
You shouldn't have any problem finding inexpensive places to eat anywhere in the city. I'm not too familiar with Notre-Dame-de-Grace, which is at the far western end of the city.
Here are some recommendations in the plateau area:
Le Jardan de Panos - Duluth St. - Greek (very fun place)
Kybler Pass - Duluth St. - Afghanistan
Cafe Cherrier - Cherrier - French bistro
Amir - St. Denis (and other places) - Middle Eastern fast food
Spaggios - Duluth St. - Italian
I realize that you don't do wine, but many of the above are byob.
Downtown try the Grand Comptior a French Bistro on Square Phillipe.
You're actually staying in a great place for cheap eats (NDG)
In NDG:
Hwang Kum is a wonderful Korean place, but quite spicey.
Bofinger is a barbeque place that has become quite popular. Can eat for 10-15$.
There is a rotisserie chicken place on Decarie and Sherbrooke (Chalet something or other) that is also very good.
Sushi Soba further east on sherbrooke is also a decent, cheap, sushi place.
Schwartz's is definitely a must, but if the line up is too long, walk up to Rachel street to Patati Patata for a neat little diner place, or keep going and turn right to Romado's: a portugese bakery that makes a *great* grilled chicken in the back.
If you hit the Jean Talon Market, theres a place I like for a nice plate of fried calamari at the north-east corner.
Downtown, around the concordia area, there are two very popular new casual choices:
Kazu is our first real izakaya and constantly has a huge line out. Go for lunch, as it is cheaper. Definitely a place I wouldn't miss.
Maison du Nord (on MacKay just above maisonneuve) is a hole-in-the-wall, family-run chinese joint that makes an amazing pork sandwhich, homemade noodles, and is a real favourite of mine.
Enjoy!!!
Oh, and skip Amir! If you want falafel/shawarma, Basha is better, especially the one at mansfield and st catharines
Mmmmmmm! You guys are making me hungry! I have heard of some of these places, so it is nice to get positive feedback from people who have been or know of them personally. Thanks!
It sounds like a great bunch of suggestions so far. I have heard that there are a number of Portuguese places and am hoping to try one. Afghan looks interesting, too. I don't think I have ever had it.
And I do like Korean, as long as I can avoid too much heat. I think most Korean food I have had has been home-made by Koreans rather than eaten out (so easier to regulate). In fact, I like most anything Asian (from the Middle East to the Far East), except sushi. And I would eat spicy-hot food if I could, but my stomach (and mouth) can't take it.
I am planning to go to Schwartz's as well, and I'll have to do the bagel comparison.
Definitely need to go to Jean-Talon, as I love ice cream/gelato/etc. I have to try Havres-aux-Glaces and probably Bilboquet too. Any other suggestions in that department?
Again, thanks for the fantastic list. I can't wait to try some of them!
The Atwater Market is great, too. It is near the Lachine Canal and closer to where you will be staying than Jean Talon.
I am glad you asked for the "cheap eats" suggestions; it has given us good ideas for the future.
For smoked meat in the central shopping core, there are two Reubens within a couple of blocks of each other: 1116 Ste-Catherine and 888 Ste-Catherine. They suggest what restaurant dining was like 50 years ago, a cross between a steak house and a deli staffed by waitresses who have seen it all. The smoked meat portions are immense but you can specify how much fat you want, not that your heart has any real hope of escaping the experience undamaged.