The Best Restaurants Near Concordia Campus: our recommendations

Year after year, Montreal has ranked amongst the top 10 best cities for student living in the world, and number one in all of North America. There is no doubt that a great deal of this reputation comes from Concordia University and their diverse population of over 45,000 students.

The university was established in 1974 when Sir George William University and Loyola College merged into one single institution. The history of Concordia is tightly intertwined with Montreal’s evolution towards being one of North America’s most vibrant, youthful, and diverse cultural epicentres.

In celebration of a new academic year, we wanted to share our selection of the best restaurants near Concordia campus. We at Tastet are well aware of the reality of student life, so this list features the restaurants in the area that are budget friendly, convenient for students with a busy schedule, and of course, super tasty. Especially after a long day (or week… or semester) of labs, lectures, and gruelling study sessions in the library, there is no better way to treat yourself than by indulging in a delicious meal set in a fun atmosphere.

Are you in need of restaurant suggestions close to one of Montreal’s other university campuses? We have also created lists for where to eat if you are at Concordia’s Loyola Campus, as well as suggestions for McGill campus. In addition, we recommend having a look at some of our other lists that are perfect for students, such as the best “Cheap Eats” in Montreal, the best dumplings in Montreal, and the best addresses to do work at.

Back to school season is dawning (to many’s dismay), so we wanted to help bring up the mood with a list of the best addresses to grab a snack in between your classes and study sessions on McGill Campus.

For many, September is synonymous with students lugging bags of heavy textbooks across campus, sitting through longwinded classroom lectures, and substituting proper meals with a cup of coffee for the sake of convenience. In our eyes, there is never a good reason to skip a meal, so we have compiled a list of the best places to grab a bite to eat in close proximity to McGill’s campus – perfect for students and staff who are looking to stay close by!

This list features addresses to satisfy all needs, whether you are looking for a fast afternoon pick-me-up, an energizing lunch in between classes, or somewhere to celebrate the end of a long school day. Further more, we are well aware of the financial constraints of many students, so lots of the spots on this list are budget friendly.

If you are in need of some restaurant suggestions near some of Montreal’s other university campuses, keep your eye out for our lists of the best places to eat near Concordia’s downtown campus, Loyola campus, and the UQAM campus, coming soon! We also suggest having a look at some of our other lists that are perfect for students, such at the best “Cheap Eats” in Montreal, the best dumplings in Montreal, and the best addresses to do work at. 

If you are looking for cool student housing nearby, check out our friends at Chelsea House!

Kinton Ramen

Chef Aki Urata and the Kinka family (from Kinka Izakaya restaurant) have opened a series of ramen restaurants in both Toronto and Montreal, the first of which was establish on Bishop Street. Kinton serves delicious ramen bowls as well as a few other Japanese dishes. The formula is simple ; create your own perfect bowl of ramen by choosing your broth (pork or chicken),  the flavour (original, shoyu, miso, or spicy),  the noodles (thick or thin) and finally, the garnishes. The address is open until the evening, but it is usually most crowded at lunchtime. We come here to eat quickly and very well.

1211 Rue Bishop
Montréal

Ryu 

If you want somewhere special to celebrate the successful completion of an exam or essay, we suggest stopping by Ryu sushi bar which is located right on Peel street. Since the recent move from their former location only a few blocks away, Ryu now has a very festive atmosphere and a concept that focuses mainly on table service. We come here to enjoy delicious sushi as well as a great kaiseki menu (a form of traditional Japanese cuisine). This is an address to come to after school when you’re looking for a fun time and to eat some super tasty Japanese food.

1474 Rue Peel
Montréal

Parma Café

Café Parma on Bishop Street is a cute and casual Italian café that serves classic lunchtime dishes in a pleasant setting. Our favourites on the menu are the chicken cutlet sandwiches, the sausage paninis, the meatballs and the calzones. The house also offers a small dessert menu, and we all know that there is no better pick-me-up than a mid-afternoon cannoli.  Of course, like any good Italian café, you can also come here get your espresso fix in between classes.

1202 Rue Bishop
Montréal

Shaughnessy Café

Shaughnessy Café is one of our favourite cafés to do work at, thanks to it’s proximity to Concordia and the downtown centre, the super charming premises, and the high quality coffee beverages. They also offer a very good menu of baked goods and pizzas, making this spot a great address for breakfast, lunch, or an afternoon snack. They truly embody the vibe of a ‘neighbourhood cafe’, which was the owner’s original goal from the get go.

1455 Rue Lambert Closse
Montréal

Otto Yakitori

Otto Yakitori is one of the best places in the city to eat Yakitori, a famous Japanese dish of skewered meat, most commonly chicken, that is grilled over charcoal. Of course, the menu also includes some other dishes such as sashimi, Japanese style bibimbap, ramen and tataki. The simple setting creates a ‘no-frills’ atmosphere, allowing diners to focus on the tasty food in front of them. This restaurant is only open in the evening, so it is a really good option to come to if you want to cap off a busy school day with some friends.

1441 Rue Saint Mathieu
Montréal

Kazu

Kazu has been one of our all time favourite Japanese restaurants in the city since the day it opened, partly due to it’s fun atmosphere and amazing food, but also because of its very student friendly prices. Upon entering the small space, the captivating and energetic atmosphere may surprise you – it’s one of our favourite parts of having a meal at Kazu. Most importantly however, the menu offers high quality and inventive dishes that perfectly combine traditional Japanese flavours with a unique and contemporary twist. The highlights are the homemade shrimp burger, the Chirashi-zushi dish, and the BBQ Galbi Beef. Save room for dessert though, because they make ice cream in house (choices of green tea, coffee, saké, kahlúa, wasabi, caramel, plum, rum raisin and earl grey).

1844 Rue Sainte-Catherine
Montréal
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