Affordable Lunches in Montreal

affordable lunch Dunya

Eating well, even on a tight budget, is a goal shared by many in Montreal. And here’s the good news: the city excels at offering delicious and affordable lunches.

In Montreal, eating well without breaking the bank is almost a way of life. The city is brimming with spots where you can enjoy a delicious, generous, and budget-friendly meal without compromising on quality or taste. Whether you’re a student watching your expenses, a worker looking for a quick break, or simply a lover of great deals, there are countless options for a satisfying lunch that won’t empty your wallet. Every neighborhood is home to hidden culinary gems that prove you can eat well for less.

Montreal has a unique ability to blend conviviality with culinary diversity. Whether you’re craving a flavor-packed sandwich, a comforting bowl of soup, or a slow-cooked dish with international inspiration, you’ll find an address where value meets quality. Many of these restaurants also pride themselves on using fresh, local ingredients, ensuring an affordable yet sustainable dining experience.

With this in mind, we’ve put together a list of the best places to grab a budget-friendly lunch – affordable lunches. Whether you’re downtown or a little further out, these spots guarantee a satisfying meal that respects your budget. So, go ahead—treat yourself and explore the city’s flavors without breaking the bank with our guide to where to lunch on a budget.

We also recommend our list of nice, delicious, and affordable restaurants in Montreal and our list of affordable restaurants in Montreal.

Bon appétit!

Capitaine Sandwich

Capitaine Sandwich is a great sandwich counter on Duluth Avenue, offering — you guessed it — sandwiches to take out or eat in. While they only have a few seats, it’s a great place to grab a sandwich at lunchtime and take it away.  

Rue De Bullion
Montréal

Sammi & Soupe Dumpling - (Ste-Catherine St. O)

Just a stone’s throw from Concordia University, Sammi & Soup Dumpling is a destination of choice for students looking for a tasty and affordable meal, namely, soup dumplings. Sammi & Soup Dumpling’s offer is even more appealing when you consider that the bill rarely comes to more than around fifteen dollars.  

1909 Rue Sainte-Catherine
Montréal

Patati Patata Jean-Talon Friterie Deluxe

Patati Patata is an unpretentious casse-croûte shop that has been serving up delicious snack bar classics for over 20 years! Patati Patata is one of those places you love to return to for breakfast or lunch without breaking the bank, and to satisfy your appetite or craving for a delicious poutine, among many things!  

170 Rue Jean-Talon Est
Montréal

Café chez Téta

Café Chez Teta welcomes you in their warm, inviting, modern space, where you can sample traditional Lebanese cuisine with a touch of local flavours. The charming owners in love and in business, Antoun and Mélodie, have created a charming establishment where they could combine two things they love – good third-wave coffee and traditional Lebanese dishes.  

227 Rue Rachel Est
Montréal

Pho Tay Ho

Pho Tay Ho represents everything we love about Vietnamese food: flavour, comfort, consistency and, of course, phô soups. The restaurant stands out for its North Vietnamese cuisine, which is warm, full of flavour and affordable.  

6414 Rue Saint-Denis
Montréal

Bombay Mahal Indian Food Restaurant

Bombay Mahal is a very popular restaurant in Parc Extension, and for good reason: they offer delicious, affordable Indian cuisine with a bring-your-own-wine option! People come to Bombay Mahal to enjoy a good meal for very little money. It’s unpretentious and almost always packed!  

1001 Rue Jean-Talon Ouest
Montréal

Café Santropol

For almost 50 years, Café Santropol has been serving up delicious food on the corner of Duluth and Saint-Urbain. Delightful in many ways, because whether you’re a hard-core vegan or a reasonable omnivore, you’ll find what you’re looking for here. Nothing too complicated, just lovingly prepared soups, salads, sandwiches and other treats for big appetites.  

3990 Rue Saint-Urbain
Montréal

Au 14

This Vietnamese restaurant charms us with its consistency. And leaving a restaurant after paying a very small bill and eating a very large meal is always a source of delight. For these two reasons, Au 14 is on our list of the best Vietnamese restaurants in Montreal.  

14 Rue Prince Arthur Ouest
Montréal

Serrano Bar-B-Q

The sandwiches at Rôtisserie Serrano have been a favourite of Mile End residents for decades. As if the establishment were frozen in time, the recipes and staff have remained the same for years, which is exactly what gives this place its charm, and why it deserves to be discovered by everyone.  

161 Rue Saint-Viateur Ouest
Montréal

Dispensa Épicerie Italienne

Tucked away on William Street in Old Montreal, Dispensa is a well-kept secret among local lovers of good food and Italian culture. Dispensa is really known for its tasty sandwiches – breaded chicken, porchetta, burrata – to which you can add a whole range of condiments, including succulent marinated aubergines and several choices of tasty sauces, such as the famous basil mayonnaise.  

696 William Street
Montreal

Campo

Campo opened in September 2016 and offers excellent healthy Portuguese chicken and a well-made fast food menu! The Ferreira Group’s fourth establishment is a great success. Le Campo’s menu features Portuguese-influenced fast food recipes thought up by the Ferreira Group’s executive chef, João Dias. It’s all tasty, and above all affordable, especially for downtown dining.  

1108 Boulevard De Maisonneuve Ouest
Montreal

Boucherie et Grillades Farhat (Cote Des Neiges)

Opened in 1989, Farhat has quickly established itself as an excellent sandwich-butchery-grocery store in Côte-des-Neiges. The reason is simple: you can enjoy delicious sandwiches for very little money! While the address may not look like much, you come here especially to enjoy the house’s famous grilled meats to-go.  

5785 Chemin de la Côte-des-Neiges
Montréal

Pho Lien

Pho Lien is a famous restaurant in Côte des Neiges: packed from opening to closing, it offers some of the best pho soup in Montreal! Plus, the restaurant offers a number of specials throughout the day. Their prices have earned them a place on our list of affordable restaurants in Montreal.  

5703 Chemin de la Côte-des-Neiges
Montréal

Serrano Bar-B-Q

Les sandwichs de la Rôtisserie Serrano ont bercé la jeunesse de plusieurs résidents du Mile End. Comme si l’établissement était figé dans le temps, les recettes et employés restent les mêmes depuis des années… et c’est justement ce qui fait le charme de cette adresse qui mérite d’être découverte ou redécouverte.

161 Rue Saint-Viateur Ouest
Montréal

Dispensa Épicerie Italienne

Caché sur la rue William, dans le Vieux-Montréal, Dispensa est un secret bien gardé des amateurs de bonne cuisine et de culture italienne du quartier. Dispensa est vraiment connu pour ses savoureux sandwichs – poulet pané, porchetta, burrata – auxquels on peut ajouter toute une série de condiments, notamment les succulentes aubergines marinées et plusieurs choix de sauces savoureuses, comme la fameuse mayonnaise au basilic.

696 William Street
Montreal

Campo

Le Campo a ouvert ses portes en septembre 2016 et propose un excellent poulet portugais santé et un menu de fast-food très bien fait! Le quatrième établissement du Groupe Ferreira est une grande réussite. Le menu du Campo propose des recettes de fast food d’influence portugaise, pensées par le chef exécutif du groupe Ferreira, João Dias. Le tout est goûteux et abordable, surtout pour le centre-ville.

1108 Boulevard De Maisonneuve Ouest
Montreal

Boucherie et Grillades Farhat (Cote Des Neiges)

Ouvert en 1989, Farhat grillades s’est rapidement imposé comme très bonne sandwicherie-boucherie-épicerie dans le quartier Côte-des-Neiges. La raison est simple : on y mange de délicieux sandwichs peu chers. Même si l’endroit ne paie pas de mine, on ne fait pas le détour pour venir ici pour le décor, mais bien pour déguster les fameuses grillades sur le pouce préparées par la maison.

5785 Chemin de la Côte-des-Neiges
Montréal

Mexico Restaurant

Entrer dans un restaurant proposant une cuisine de tel ou tel pays et y trouver plein de tables occupées par des gens originaires de ces pays-là est déjà un signe rassurant. Chez ce Mexico installé discrètement sur Jean-Talon Est, la plupart des tables sont exactement comme ça. Quand arrive le menu, on comprend pourquoi ; propositions appétissantes et prix tout aussi invitants et à voir les très généreuses portions de tacos les doutes sont définitivement lés. Mexico Restaurant est à placer dans votre petit calepin de bonnes adresses, bonnes, pas chères et chaleureuses.

2474 Rue Jean-Talon Est
Montréal
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Épicerie Mange-Tout

In addition to its grocery offerings, Mange-Tout serves absolutely decadent sandwiches that have earned a spot on our list of the best sandwiches in the city. Their creations highlight the quality of their products.

5854 Rue Sherbrooke Ouest
Montréal

ChomChom - Griffintown

The Lucky Belly Group (Red Tiger, Blossom, Tiramisu, Terrasse Carla) opened Chomchom two years ago at Le Central, and it has since become a favorite among fans of modern Vietnamese cuisine. To our delight, Chomchom’s delicious offerings are now also available in Griffintown.

994 Rue Ottawa
Montréal

Dunya

The recently opened Dunya restaurant in Montreal is already establishing itself as a must-visit spot for lovers of Lebanese cuisine. The young and dynamic team reimagines Lebanese flavors by focusing on simple dishes executed with remarkable finesse.

2 Rue Sherbrooke Est
Montréal

Krapow

While Krapow is best known for its takeout dishes, the cozy space does offer a few seats for those who prefer to enjoy these delicious Southeast Asian dishes on-site.

4449 Rue de Mentana
Montréal

Restaurant El Chalateco

We have heard about the restaurant El Chalateco multiple times, through the grapevine, from many members of the Montreal culinary scene. They serve traditional Salvadoran dishes with unique flavors at very affordable prices, along with the best pupusas in the city.

520 Rue Beaubien Est
Montréal

Marché Hung Phat

Since its opening in 2006, Marché Hung Phat has become one of the go-to spots for bánh mì lovers in Montreal. Fresh, flavorful, and authentic, the Vietnamese creations at this establishment have been attracting crowds for many years.

7099 Rue Saint-Denis
Montréal
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Photography by Alison Slattery



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