The 50 best cheap eats in Montreal

One trip to Lebanese-influenced Lulu Épicerie just isn’t enough. Between the flatbread sandwiches toasted in real time, the charcoal-grilled skewers and the manakeesh (Lebanese “pizza”), it’s tough to make only one choice. Run by a young dynamic duo with roots in Lebanon, their wish is simply to honour their ancestry by doing things right, and with a lot of heart.

There's a reason why Joe Jonas and Foo Fighters frontman Dave Grohl have recently frequented this Mile End spot, known for its killer cocktails (negroni, anyone?) and smash burger (one of the best burgers in town). 

There are many, many Indian restaurants in Montreal selling bang-on thali—rounded platters of food—fit for any time of day. Few compare in price to Pushap, however. Their simple yet delicious choices of either chickpea or lentil curry and fried or baked bread, plus rice and salad, all goes for a beautiful song here. It's the most substaintial option on the menu here for a single dish, but if thali isn’t your thing, no worries: Everything here is cheap and delicious, brimming in spices.

The most popular Syrian restaurant in town, Damas, has officially expanded into the space across the street now known as Folfol. The takeout counter delivers on the to-go business started by the Damas team during the pandemic by continuing to offer a wide range of dishes: shish-taouk, Aleppo kebab, hummus with shawarma or mushrooms, salads and mezzes. Don’t miss the gourmet sandwiches, like the sujok-spiced cheeseburger and the saj chicken shish-taouk.

A small shop specializing in Spanish croquetas in the Plateau-Mile End, La Croqueteria keeps things keep by serving up cheap and delicious single croquettes, but the chef here doubles down on the concept by making over three dozen varieties (and that includes sweet options) all the same price, allowing for some delicious mixing and matching. From smoked meat and tomato-basil to boudin or garlic shrimp, they're all crispy and delicious bites that sit heavy in the stomach despite their small size. Bonus: You'll be eating at Canada's first-ever croqueteria!

When warm, creamy halloumi mingles with a colourful explosion of purple cabbage, coriander, mint and a hit of spicy mayo, you've entered sandwich heaven. Oh Capitaine, my Capitaine.

From hand-rolled phyllo to traditional moussaka, tzatziki and stuffed grape leaves, Kouzina Niata has all the ingredients for a trip to Greece. The delicious, unpretentious dishes reflect the hospitality and values that the eaterie's family from Niata, a small village in southern Greece, share. Enjoy one of the tastiest (and crispiest!) spanakopita in town, Greek salad with crunch and barrel-aged Greek feta, and discover lesser-known specialties like pastitsio (Greek “lasagna”), keftedakia (meatballs simmered in a tomato and herb sauce) or karidopita, a traditional walnut cake infused with honey. 

There’s only one option here, and it’s all you need: Soft gnocchi coated in a homey red sauce and piled into a take-out container, with a handful of pecorino Romano for buck extra and shakes of red pepper flakes for a spicier touch. The result is a meal straight from nonna’s books that sticks to the ribs and hugs you tight. That's what the Calabrian family here has always done and will do, along with selling jars of highly coveted tomato sauce and imported olive oil.

This little Mile End counter proves just how much Montrealers love superior sandwiches! Nothing is left to chance here. Fresh bread is baked on-site every day, not to mention quality fillings for carnivores and vegetarians, privately imported wines, third wave filter coffee, homemade sodas, and sweets... This is the spot to load up for lunch, a picnic or happy hour snacks. Special shout-out to the roast beef sandwich, the trout gravlax sandwich and the egg and sausage breakfast sammy.

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Ronen Baruch and Saleh Seh's Mediterranean fare is the foundation which built this neighbourhood institution worth the ride out to the edge of Lachine. We've got mad love for theor equally cheap sabich with its runny egg and roasted egglplant and meatless takes on shawarma and shishtaouk by using shiitake in lieu of chicken, but the namesake falafel—crunchy chickpea balls, veg and sauce stuffed until brimming in a warm and fluffy pita bread—is our current favourite here. 

If hand-rolled, al dente pasta with silky sauce is your thing, chances are Paradiso will be your paradise. Fresh pasta in all shapes and sizes, stuffed or not, and with all kinds of sauces is the name of game thanks to the owners, who express their creativity and know-how using the best possible ingredients. Gemelli, mafaldine, triangoli, bucatini or scarpinocc? Meat sauce, pesto, hazelnut butter or caponata? For takeout, or to eat on the spot? It's just another day in paradise.

The Wilensky family behind this iconic deli is so sure about their 86-year-old sandwich recipe, they’ll charge you extra if you order it sans mustard. Let the noshing begin: Saddle up at the lunch counter for the special, an all-beef salami and bologna sandwich served on a pressed Kaiser roll that’s lined with mustard. The price you're seeing here is the with-cheese options, a mere few cents extra, and that gets you a choice of either a Kraft single or a slice of Swiss; worth it for the extra flavour factor.

This is a Caribbean counter like none other. Chef Jeba Bowers Murphy piles freshly-baked cocobread with jerk-spiced chicken, fried fish or vegetables, favouring the flavors of her childhood. We like our sandwich with a mango salad on the side, a Jamaican patty (for later!) and a little something sweet.

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One the preferred hangouts of Pointe-Saint-Charles' cognoscenti, owner Frank Servedio spun his grandparents’ famed Boulangerie Clarke into this little sandwich shop on Centre Street in 2018. Hats off to their serving products of a superior quality at a reasonable price point while remaining deeply rooted in Italian tradition: Servedio's spot makes a mean panino served on house-baked bread with your choice from an array of traditional salumi as well as grilled vegetables, tuna, Montreal smoked meat and the like, but the real show stopper is the breaded chicken cutlet sandwich that hits all the right notes.

If Moccione (the original restaurant) was welcomed by the Villeray neighbourhood on day one, we can safely say the same about Moccione Pizza. It’s a delicious pivot for the team, offering Neo-Neapolitan-style pizza to go (with a few appetizers and desserts on the side). If you’re craving pizza with dough that's slightly blackened and crunchy on the outside, but still melt-in-your-mouth in the middle, Moccione Pizza is the spot. We also like the bold choice in toppings: chorizo Bellota, red onion and candied cherry tomatoes, fennel-flavoured salami, eggplant, smoked mozzarella, hot peppers, pangrattato and pecorino. And the Tiramisu? A must.

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Otto Yakitori can be credited with single-handedly introducing the city of Montreal to Japanese yakitori, single skewers that feature different parts of the chicken, and we're talking all parts of the chicken—from skin to hearts to oysters. Normally you'd drop into this restaurant to order up tons of these sticks, but if you need to keep it cheap, you can do that: Just drop in for a few sticks—we recommend the thigh and green onoin brushed in a dark soy—and you'll be good for an afternoon.

Tony Campanelli has been slinging New York style pizza by the slice in St-Henri since 2015 at Adamo, a mainstay of the neighborhood that's serving up oversized, thin crust wedges to the delight of the neighbourhood. The shop has a no bullshit policy: no delivery, none of those pesky apps, and closes down every Sunday for a well-deserved day of rest. Easy enough: grab a satisfying slice of 'za, add a shake of chili flakes and a drizzle of spicy oil and an ice cold Brio from the fridge while you're at it.

Hidden away in the food court below the Scotia Tower downtown, the team at this basement Japanese counter are equal parts easy to miss while not worth missing out on. Squeeze into its long lines during their restrictive Monday-Friday lunch hours and order any one of their made-to-order donburi bowls or Japanese curry, from beef and chicken to the fancier grilled eel option. The price we've listed is for a large portion, so go for something smaller and spend your change on an equally cheap miso soup, bento box or croquettes.

Made from 100% AAA, never frozen, Canadian beef, your choice of toppings, top secret Uniburger sauce and served on a genuine Martin’s potato roll, these bad boys pack one hell of a punch. An Impossible Foods version is also available for vegetarians (but the buns contain dairy, vegans) and the simple menu is rounded out by fries, poutines, and milkshakes. Franchises have been sprouting up all over town, but if you’re feeling particularly lazy, delivery through your preferred app is also an option. 

Trip de Bouffe—Québécois slang for usually drug-induced munchies—also happens to be one of the most vibrant oases of freshness and deliciousness on the cheap in the Plateau. Opened in 2012 by a Lebanese family, the hybrid Middle Eastern épicerie fine, caterer and takeout counter offers a wide variety of goodies with TLC always as the core ingredient. Think the absolute finest kaftas and kébbés, moussaka, tabbouleh with avocado, a Lebanese riff on Greek salad with halloumi, fattoush salad, and house-baked pitas, baba ganoush, and hummus galore. The menu's main (and cheap) attraction are over a dozen different types of manouche; just make sure to pay the extra dollars to upgrade to a wrap with garlic sauce toppings like fresh mint, green olives, pickled turnips, tomatoes, and red onions.

Lloyd Tull, founder of Lloydie’s, always dreamt of bringing Carribean food to the Montreal masses, so in 1987, he put together a small catering operation which eventually grew into a full-fledged production facility, primarily pumping out tasty Jamaican patties. Lloydie’s now counts three locations throughout the city with some of the finest Carribean grub on the island, but you can never go wrong with a hot, flaky, perfectly seasoned, and a tad spicy, patty in your choice of beef, chicken, or veggie.

Build-your-own-burger spots have never been so delicious or cheap. What makes these burgers a step up—hell, two or three steps up—from your average fast food joint is because of the patties. Made from an exceptional marinated beef recipe, they get sandwiched between buns that are glazed on the outside and crisp on the inside (they won't tell us where they get them from) and it makes for a irreplicable package. While the cheese will only put you back an extra few cents, the basics of sauces, tomato, lettuce, pickles, onions and slaw are on the house.

If you’re in Chinatown on a budget, Epicerie A. Lam Kee is where it’s at with no-frills, takeout only, top-notch Chinese BBQ. The sweet, savory and fatty Char Siu pork is our go-to—you can also opt for duck if that’s more your thing—but what truly differentiates Lam Kee from the competition is their other, less common, meat offerings ranging from ribs by the rackful to crispy roast pork. Trade secret: The glazed chicken wings are mind-blowing too. 

They're a saving grace for downtown sandwiches on the cheap for students looking for studyin' fuel, and that goes double for when they've been out all night and looking for a snack after pounding back rounds of beer nearby on Crescent. Joe's keeps things consistent, making as many as 18 different kinds of paninis for takeout for all preferences, from the Philly Cheese Steak to the BLT and tuna options. Best of all, they've always kept it cheap, and you could easily sub (no pun intended) out your grocery bill for three square meals here a day for a week and still save cash.

Sandwiches, burgers, salads and breakfasts are the name of the game at this convenience store-turned-diner. Among those choices at bohemian-friendly prices like grilled halloumi and a breakfast sando; meanwhile, only fifty cents more gets you the vegetarian pulled 'pork' with BBQ sauce, pickles and chipotle mayo that's all fit between a halved Portuguese bread roll and topped with a colourful slaw and hot peppers. If that doesn’t grab you, grab any one of their other sandwiches for a buck or two over the $10 mark, but it's always worth it.

Found in several locations across the island, Sue has been making bahn mi sandwiches that knock the usual hangs you're used to out of the park. Every sandwich is worth a try—ginger or curry chicken and lemongrass tofu have received shout-outs before—but the classic char siu with Chinese five spice and topped with cucumber, daikon, carrot and cilantro is rich, filling and worth the trip. There's just something about their bread—a big 'n' fluffy take on typical baguette—that really makes it stand out.

You know what they say: Breakfast is the most important meal of the day: A perfectly cooked fried egg with melty American cheese, posh Boston lettuce, tomato, house mayo and mustard, savory smoked ham, and proper pickles on a warm and pillowy brioche bun. If you’re looking for a compelling reason to get out of bed in the morning, then you’ve just been served. The joint also boasts one of the city’s strongest coffee games.

The only thing more popular than Nilufar’s bargain falafel pitas might be the woman behind the counter. Nilufar Al-Shourbaji, the restaurant’s namesake and co-owner, is a Shaughnessy Village icon thanks to her benevolent presence and her vegan, halal, and budget-friendly Middle Eastern fare that's got students flocking there on the reg. For a savory twist on a Quebec classic, order the “falafeltine,” fries dressed with falafels, hot sauce, and Nilufar’s popular tahini sauce. Heck, pick up a bunch of stuff—it's easy to put together a meal for a steal here.

What began as a hole in the wall using little more than George Foreman grills has grown into a Oaxacan family institution in the neighbourhood of Saint-Henri. Their arrival heralded a renewed interest in tacos in Montreal, and they're proof that tacos on the cheap were not only in demand but could be irresistible. We can vouch for any one of Tacos Frida’s nine taco varieties, and that being said, you really should just order three at a time and enjoy.

Earning its street cred by selling damn fine shawarmas every day and (late) night, this shawarma shop makes some of the best chicken and beef wraps in the city despite their massive increase in locations on and off the island. Above all, it’s the jampacked Creation that you should order, a one-with-everything sandwich that tops beef with tahini and garlic sauces, every vegetable they can provide and a spoonful of garlic potatoes wrapped up tight in a pita and baked.

Like the name implies, this Indian counter service restaurant makes a point of thalis being their go-to dish, but a closer look at the menu reveals something else worthwhile: Naan wraps of spicy kebabs of savory meat—or chicken, or our favourite with slices of paneer and potatoes—covered in raita and iceberg lettuce. It’s a burrito-like choice that, frankly, we don’t understand why it isn’t more of a thing anywhere else.

An NDG-based institution that's been running for over 35 years, neighbours love it and farflung locals fall in love with a single bite. You can grab subs here for even cheaper than the above-listed price, but we like to go all out on the 6-inch supreme, a miz of sausage, steak, pepper, tomato, lettuce, onion, mushroom, cheese & hot sauce. It's a study in the classic Quebec submarine style where they like to lay on the fresh topping on top, making the whole dish this try-to-fit-it-in-your-mouth challenge, and if that's not a sign it makes for a filling meal, we don't know what is.

Locals have known for decades that if you want some of the best the Caribbean has to offer in this city, you come here for the roti, packed to the brim with aromatic curries and stewed meats. Among the cheapest options is the chickpea curry option, filled to brim until it's practically bursting. One is more than enough to keep you satisfied, and if you like your cheap eats spicy, this is definitely the place for you: They'll pack in as much heat as you like.

Find fresh foot-long baguettes filled with pork liver pâté or grilled chicken, a house mayo, cilantro and pickled daikon and carrot here, and don't let anyone tell you they know a better place. This Vietnamese grocer and sandwich shop based in Villeray is the leader of the pack in town, and if that's not proof enough, remember that folks from outside of town—as far away as Vermont and Nunavut, they say—will order in and have them shipped out by the box. Lucky you, you have easy access to them right here in the 514.

One of the finest French pastry shops in Montreal, Nicholas Henri’s traditional Breton cake is a stack of blissful bites encapsulated within layer after layer of butter and dough that's coated on all side with with caramelized sugar. One bite immediately gives newcomers and returning Montrealers the idea of buying up a whole pie of the stuff. “Vive la France”? More like “Vive la Bretagne, Vive les Bretons”! (Pro tip: Their croissants are also a serious competitor in both price and quality; you can grab one and still keep the price tag low)

Folks looking for Greektown delights will argue that Panama or Village Grec have they goods they need for garlicky tzatziki and meat wraps with tomato, lettuce, red onion and a dusting of Greek oregano. Our money’s on Ligne Rouge, a casse-croûte by all appearances slightly off the Greek beaten track, over on Jean-Talon corner Saint-Denis, but also the purveyor of fantastic souvlakis and gyro pitas at much more reasonable prices. (Do try their burgers and fries too—they’re bomb.)

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The adapted rotisserie chicken tradition in Quebec gets no more down-to-earth and delicious than this spot in NDG. What began in 1944 continues to deliver to this very day: A cut of chicken—leg or breast—comes with a heap of fries, brown gravy on the side, a toasted roll and a cup of slaw. It was an old standby back in the day, and it’s a standby now in—apart from the quality—they've kept their prices ridiculously low while keeping portions consistently big.

Smack dab in the middle of the Mile End, surrounded by some of the city’s fiercest culinary competition, a quaint and unassuming Greek cafe has been humbly dishing out delectable, crispy, and flaky phyllo treats for ten years now. The spinach and feta Spanakopita is as classic as can be, but we highly recommend opting for the feta and ricotta Tyropita. Vegans and sweet tooths can rest assured that the leek and potato—as well as vanilla custard with cinnamon sugar—is also up for grabs, and worth it to boot. The portions are generous and one pie should keep you satiated until your next meal.

For Montrealers seeking a Philly cheesesteak experience in the 514, look no further than this Old Montreal spot. Showing up on the scene just as the pandemic began picking up speed in 2020, the establishment weathered the ensuing storm with warm rolls in your choice of 5 or 10 inches filled with juicy rib eye (or Beyond Meat), caramelized onions, melted provolone, and the customary hefty drizzle of Whiz sauce. They’re miles off from anything you can find in Philadelphia, but still filling, ever-so-satisfying, calorie-laden, and full of stick-to-your-ribs goodness.

A jiaozi standard both in Chinatown and beyond, the dumplings here come by the steamer-full and are made to order. Perfect for plucking one at a time, biting slightly at the edge and sucking out the broth before popping them in your mouth whole. Order them fried for a buck and a half more, and mix ‘n’ match flavours for a few cents more. Our favourite’s the pork and coriander, of which you'll get a big plate of 15. It's one of those cheap eats in town that's light on the stomach while still being filling.

Neatly tucked in the heart of NDG’s Monkland Village is one of the city’s Szechuan masters, chef Andy Su, and his homey restaurant Gia Ba. The menu features the usual suspects—General Tao chicken, beef with chinese broccoli, fried rice—but chef Su’s genius lies in his more adventurous offerings like Ma Po tofu and Yu Xiang eggplant, stir fried green beans with copious amounts of spicy chilies, or melt-in-your-mouth slow-braised pork belly. The menu’s real hidden gem? The Dan Dan noodles with a few garnishes, swimming in the most unbelievably aromatic and unapologetically spicy broth. Be prepared to sweat profusely and, as in any self-respecting Szechuan dish, numbness will ensue from the lavish amounts of Sichuan peppercorn.

It’s not technically a meal per se, but screw it, everyone does it: Drop in to order a half-dozen bag of poppy seed, sesame seed or plain bagels (mix 'n' match if you want!) that are fresh out of the oven and just chow down, right out of the bag. The quality and price of this bagel bakery that helped put Montreal-style bagels on the map will be demonstrated with just one chewy, sweet bite.

Most Montrealers would likely think of the small chain Al-Taib when looking for their manakish, but this Lebanese café on the Plateau is knocking the Middle Eastern snack staple out of the park. Using a 1.5-tonne oven they’ve sourced straight from Lebanon, they’re doing the traditional dish more than justice by making it street food style and street food prices. We love one of the priciest ones the most which is covered in ground meat, but you can easily buy two of their za’atar or cheese options for close to $10 as well. Whatever you pick, it’s delicious and filling and cheap.

The string-cut fry poutines and slider-style burgers this corner diner pumps out at breakneck speed are both delicious and overwhelmingly popular. Best of all is the patatine, a poutine topped with fresh cut veggies for a more refreshing take on the Quebecois classic that normally can weigh someone down after they eat. Either squash yourself into a spot at the counter and order up a pitcher of beer with the money you saved, or order it to go and eat in the park in seasons warmer than winter.

When you look at most price points around town, Neapolitan pizza ican seem like some fancy dinner item, but at NO. 900—named for the fiery temperatures they cook their pies at—it's possible to eat inexpensively: Their Marinara pie with tomato sauce, garlic, Sicilian oregano, fresh basil, EVOO, and pecorino romano is only $10. If you want to eat it cheap and on the go, fold it up portafoglio style, wolf it down, and stay on the move.

Venezuelan eats don’t have nearly the kind of rep they should in Montreal, but arepa joints like this one are changing that. While their top tier arepas are a bit over $10, however, it is possible to eat their plátanos con queso—baked plantains with cheese, a South American staple—for cheaper. If you want something sweet, you could also consider the quesillo or their tres leches cake, and if you want an arepa proper, it's just a few dollars more.

This supermercado in Rosemont will become a regular stop if you like cooking Latin food, with shelves packed with the exact ingredient you’ve been looking for, plus a butcher and a bakery pumping out fresh-baked breads, cakes, churros and more. Here we’re concerned with the restaurant side, packed with mountains of empanadas, chicharron, tres leches cakes and a selection of tamales from all over Central and Latin America. The Peruvian tamale comes fully loaded with pork, chicken, egg and olive—it’s a full meal deal.

Who doesn't love a deep bowl of fragrant broth loaded with rare beef, cooked beef loin, tripe and Vietnamese spiced meatballs, all on a bed of rice noodles. Not only is this one of the best of its kind in town, this east end restaurant is famous for its Tuesday special, when every second dish you order comes at 50% off. So bring a friend!

You can honestly sustain yourself on this generous appetizer that costs well under $10. A healthy serving of chickpea curry comes scooped over a couple of roughly chopped samosas, the whole shebang sprinkled with red onion and drizzled in sweet tamarind sauce and cilantro yoghurt. It’s a particular specialty of this big, comfortable Park Ex landmark.

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For a little over $10 at Boom J’s, customers can indulge in a roti packed generously with flavourful curry goat, beef, or chicken. If you're looking for delicious and budget-friendly eats, this Jamaican takeout spot is unbeatable.