Food Abroad in Montreal

For a college student, few things are more important than food. When studying abroad, there is no Sodexo dining hall or EATS cafe. You can purchase ingredients and prepare a meal in the dorm kitchens, but sometimes, that’s just too much work. Besides, you should take advantage of the culture around you. While taking the Food Writing in Montreal course, Game Design student Brigham Boice challenged himself to visit a new restaurant every day.

Finding Restaurants

Brigham discovered his favorite restaurants by walking around the streets of Montreal. He recommends not using Google to find eateries; going off on your own or with friends is a great way to explore the city and some restaurants don’t appear on Maps. For your convenience however, the restaurants in this article will have map links. 

The EVO student dorm, where Champlain students live while in Montreal, and McGill University, where classes are held, are situated in the downtown borough of Ville-Marie, so there is plenty of access to fast food, cafes, pubs, and upscale restaurants. Utilizing the metro system, Montreal students can visit Chinatown noodle shops, Little Italy patisseries, Jewish delis, and Asian markets. The orange line runs in a U-shape surrounding EVO and the Academic Center.

Cheapest Restaurants

Although a few campus jobs are available to students studying abroad, keeping to a budget is essential. Thankfully, downtown Montreal is home to many international colleges, including McGill, Concordia, Dawson, and Kensley. Lots of restaurants in the area cater to university residents with cheap prices and student discounts. Brigham listed his favorite meals under $10 USD for his Food Writing final project.

• Drogheria Fine
  • The 20-minute train ride and stroll down Laurier Avenue is worth it for this warm gnocchi, even on a cold day. A generous amount of gnocchi dumplings, homemade gravy, and shredded parmesan are packed into a Chinese takeout box and served with chopsticks for $5 CA. Spice it up with crushed red pepper flakes for 50 cents, or add more cheese for $1. The gnocchi “could easily last you the whole day for food”, which is a great investment for the trek. This spot prefers cash but will accept card.

• Le 408
  • Take the orange line to Mont-Royal station and visit this charming hole-in-the-wall cafe that features a chef making pasta and crepes in a cowboy hat. Nestled beneath a stairwell, the cowboy serves sweet and savory crepes, cups of cheesy penne pasta, and a variety of beverages directly from the order window. The nutella crepe is only $5.99 CA, a much better deal than anywhere else in Quebec. There is no seating except for a nearby park, so it may be best to visit during the warmer months.

• Chez Main/Asahi
  • Late night? This nocturnal noodle bar, at the convergence of Plateau Mont-Royal, Quartier des Spectacles, and downtown Montreal, is open from 10pm to 5am. According to Brigham, you’ll smell the peanut butter before you see it. For $2.50 cash, get some, as they call, historian noodles in watery peanut sauce. The most expensive item on the menu is chow mein, a spring roll, and General Tso’s chicken or shrimp tempura for $6.75. This is another takeout spot, so grab some authentic Chinese food on your way back home.

Closest Restaurants

• Tejano BBQ Burrito
  • If you’re looking for some Americanized Mexican food, this Tex Mex restaurant serves flavorful burritos, bowls, salads, and tacos. Tejano is open 11am to 8pm every weekday, and does dine-in, takeout, or delivery.

• Pub Victoria
  • This pub is popular because of its lively atmosphere and cozy vibe. It is a laid back spot where you can meet with friends late at night because they’re open until 11pm. You will get a real sense of Quebecois culture here.

• Rosetti boulangerie italienne
  • Down the street from the EVO, there’s a Quebec classic. This Italian bakery chain is all over Montreal, beloved for their “consistent quality” and freshly-made goods. Rosetti offers croissants, coffee, pizza, sandwiches, and desserts. Brigham’s usual order was focaccia prosciutto for $7.75 CA, as well as a frothy cappuccino. Like most bakeries, their inventory dwindles in the evening; if you’re lucky, you can secure a meal or a sweet treat for half-off in the hour before closing.

• 49th Parallel Café & Lucky’s Doughnuts
  • Stop by this cafe before class for donuts and coffee. People come here to work and study because of the numerous outlets. The artisanal lattes are sure to impress. You have to try their perfectly crisp bacon apple fritters!

Best Places to Go with Friends

• 3 Brasseurs
  • Brigham suggests this pub for a fantastic night out with your cohort. Although there are many around the city, one location is only a block away from McGill’s metro station. You’re sure to find a favorite meal and drink at this lively sports bar.

• Antep Kabab
  • This Turkish kebab shop lives on the urban campus of Concordia University, just down the green line from McGill. Freshly baked bread and grilled meat fill the air with the sweet aroma of halal food. The cozy front-of-house seating is warmed by the open kitchen, so this is a great spot in the winter if you can get a seat! Friendly staff, fast service, and fulfilling food means this restaurant is often packed with college students and city locals. Bring cash or withdraw some from the ATM nearby. Brigham recommends the spicy sandwich poulet for $10.50 CA.

• L’Entrepôt Mont-Royal
  • Near the metro station, there is a very cool spot to gather with friends and meet new people. The well-crafted dishes set against the eclectic bar scene will have you visiting again. 
• Pub St. Pierre
  • Perfect ambience and great pub fare makes this place a local favorite, as well as one of Brigham’s top restaurants. Bring your friends to try some genuine poutine at this classic establishment.
• Poutineville
  • Love the Quebecois staple? At Poutineville, you can create your own poutine plate. This place is great for students because of the discounts, such as the weekday happy hour from 3 to 6pm. At the Bishop location, there are bookshelves of board games and card games, making it a fun night out for you and your friends.

Best Places to Explore Yourself

While traveling abroad with a group of classmates, you may need some alone time. If your comfort is Chinese, visit Restaurant Noodle Factory or Beijing Restaurant in Chinatown for consistently delicious dishes and affordable prices. Want something closer to the Academic Center? Try Harbin Dumpling. For Greek food, there’s the chain SPARTA Chicken. Some other chains worth your time are UniBurger and Frite Alors! Another great chain is Restaurant Poulet Rouge, which Brigham likened to Chipotle. Maybe you need to treat yourself to poutine and a drink at Le Saint-Bock. Bistro Tôt ou Tard is fitting for any time of day, offering breakfast, brunch, and dinner.

Most Expensive Restaurants Worth the Price

• Holder
  • Brigham was lucky enough to be treated here by his parents. Located in Old Montreal, this stylish bistro is a short walk from the EVO. The menu is broad but consistently rich, the service is prompt, and the establishment is a modern classic. If you want to experience a fancy night out, don’t forget to make a reservation!
• Takumi Sushi
  • Brigham explained that the fish in Montreal is quite fresh because of the St. Lawrence River. This all-you-can-eat sushi bar is sure to satisfy you, but it does carry a hefty price tag. This place is a short walk from McGill campus, but you should visit during their lunch hour on the weekends to get a better deal.