Where to Eat Well for Less: Montreal’s Best Affordable Restaurants
Here’s Montreal’s best affordable restaurants where you can enjoy meals that are as tasty as they are budget-friendly!
Montreal is full of charming spots where you can enjoy an excellent meal without breaking the bank, something we truly appreciate at Tastet. Whether you’re on a student budget or just looking for a restaurant outing that won’t empty your wallet, this list is for you!
Among our suggestions of nice restaurants, delicious and affordable, we’ve intentionally included places that reflect Montreal’s outstanding culinary diversity, from here at home, to the Middle East, India, Persian delights, the Far East and beyond. However, these addresses all have one thing in common: they offer an all-round dining experience, which in our view translates to a good decent meal at an affordable price, in friendly and warm surroundings. The Tastet team includes a number of these cheap eats as “favourites” so now it’s your turn to see if you agree!
Because we never get tired of getting value for our money, Tastet offers you a list of restaurant suggestions where to eat nice, good and cheap in Montreal. Bon appétit and happy discoveries!
Mitch Deli
Mitch Deli, a beloved spot on Beaubien Street, keeps its warm, accessible and genuinely charming neighbourhood spirit. People come for generous market-driven cooking, the famous fried chicken sandwich, one of the best in Montreal, and a menu that evolves with the day’s arrivals and the kitchen’s mood. The bright, welcoming decor mixes blond wood, terrazzo and playful little touches that give the place its charm. A spot where you eat well, feel at ease quickly, and the bill stays reasonable.
Montréal
Satay Brothers
In addition to their small stand at Atwater Market, the « frères brochettes » opened a second restaurant to meet the needs of their growing number of customers. It’s an ideal place to have fun and meet people. There’s always a party atomosphere at Satay Brothers. We love their delicious buns and the impeccable Laksa soup. The dishes are full of different spices and note that everything is mostly homemade. Satay is delicious, enjoyable and always crowded!
Montréal
Il Miglio
Located in Mile-End, Il Miglio’s concept is an Italian cafeteria. We take a tray and order our meal to enjoy, on the spot or to take away. There are a few appetizers, quick pastas and a few dishes in sauce, including lasagna, meatballs and stuffed pasta. An excellent, affordable address offering simple, well-made Italian delights!
Montréal
La Belle Tonki
La Belle Tonki’s menu is surprising. It features Asian fusion cuisine: a blend of Vietnamese and Cambodian culture, also sprinkled with the flavours of Montreal. In other words, La Belle Tonki is probably the only restaurant in the world where you can eat phở soup and poutine simultaneously. Without a doubt, one of our favourites!
Montréal
Casse-Croûte MangeDansMonHood
MangeDansMonHood was initially a pop-up run by the owners of La Belle Tonki. Given its growing success and the availability of a street-side location, they decided to open their snack bar permanently. You’ll find smash burgers, poutine, fries… in short, delicious canteen classics at canteen prices.
Montréal
Lloydie's St-Viateur
Lloydie’s is a Caribbean comfort food counter-épicerie that opened its doors on rue Saint-Viateur. At this charming counter, you’ll enjoy contemporary Caribbean dishes ranging from traditional jerk chicken to plantain or oxtail poutine. We accompany it all with a good house soda, to fully immerse ourselves in the Caribbean experience! All at very affordable prices.
Montréal
Greenspot
Greenspot is a deli in Saint-Henri where you can eat great snack food in a friendly, retro setting. We come here to enjoy comforting fare in an old-school, family-friendly atmosphere. You’ll find one of the best poutines in Montreal, one of the best burgers in town, delicious milkshakes and excellent hot dogs. What more could you ask for!
Montréal
Mr. Azteca
Mr. Azteca is a great Mexican restaurant! Specialties include Montreal’s best tacos – vegetarian, fish, vegan, pork, enchiladas, burritos, quesadillas (especially the biiria quesadillas – our favourite!). A tasty and colourful address to discover on Saint-Hubert street.
Montréal
Neotokyo
Neotokyo invites you to sample its delicious Japanese menu in a neofuturistic setting. This noodle bar with a cyberpunk aesthetic offers delicious ramen soups, mazemen (ramen without broth), a few classic sides and a short list of sakes and cocktails.
Montreal
Falafel Yoni
Falafel Yoni is a counter located in the Atwater Market. You’ll find all the emblematic products of the little address we first knew in Mile-End, then in Verdun: falafel, hummus and sabich, not to mention their mint lemonade. A great place to eat on a budget on the banks of the Lachine Canal!
Montréal
Dépanneur Le Pick Up
Dépanneur le Pick-up is one of Montreal’s legendary places that epitomizes the unique, bohemian and creative side of the city. All the recipes are simple, well-made and delicious. You’ll find one of the best sandwiches in Montreal, one of the best cookies, and one of the best burgers. The Pick-up definitely one of our favourites!
Montréal
Restaurant Moccione
Moccione is one of Montreal’s finest Italian restaurants. Their cuisine is straightforward, fresh, tasty, and unpretentious. You’ll find many authentic dishes prepared with top-quality ingredients. Their wine and cocktail list is equally magnificent and varied. Fancy a pizza to go? Check out their pizza counter a block up from the restaurant.
Montréal
Restaurant Dobe & Andy
Dobe & Andy, a hidden gem in Montreal’s Chinatown, serves Chinese cuisine inspired by the best Hong Kong-style BBQ spots. With a passionate team and flavourful dishes at affordable prices, this family-run restaurant has become a must since opening in March 2019.
Montréal
Petit Poisson Dumpling
Petit Poisson Dumpling is one of the best spots for dumplings in Montreal. The variety offered by this humble establishment is truly impressive: pork and chives, chicken and mushrooms, lamb and coriander, beef and onion, chives, egg and shrimp, to name just a few. Petit Poisson has two locations to better serve you: the first on Saint-Laurent Boulevard in the Plateau and the second downtown on Sainte-Catherine, near Saint-Mathieu.
Montréal
Gino’s Negroni & Lasagna
What we especially love about Gino’s is how at home it makes you feel. The atmosphere is convivial, the service warm. Of course, we also love the excellent lasagna, the generous portions, the prices that don’t make your heart sink, and the delicious Negronis.
Montréal
Bouillon Albert
Installed in the former Hachoir space at the corner of Rachel and Saint-Denis, Bouillon Albert, open since October 2024, is the ideal spot to enjoy traditional French dishes at affordable prices, in the spirit of the popular French bouillons.
Montréal
Rufus & Anna ⎜ Bar festif, cocktails & rôtisserie à Hochelaga
Rufus & Anna est une rôtisserie moderne et chaleureuse où l’on vient autant pour l’ambiance animée que pour l’assiette. La maison propose une cuisine réconfortante, bien pensée et accessible, du poulet rôti aux côtes levées, en passant par une carte de cocktails inspirée de la migration des colibris. Une très belle option pour bien manger et bien boire, sans trop faire grimper l’addition.
Montréal
Nili
Nili is the kind of neighbourhood restaurant that makes you want to rethink your usual references altogether. Here, Moroccan inspiration meets a more French sensibility in a personal, delicate, and deeply felt approach. You come as much for the food as for the welcome, led by Michael, who creates an experience marked by rare generosity. We strongly recommend a seat at the bar, where you can watch him at work, speak with him, and fully take in what makes the place so special.
Montréal
Réservoir - Brasseur
Le Réservoir presents itself as a microbrewery, but it is much more than that, because the food is truly excellent. The dishes at Le Réservoir are delicious, in every season.
Montréal
Bar Henrietta
Bar Henrietta is a wonderful neighbourhood bar where it is always a pleasure to stop in for a drink and a small bite. It is one of our favourite bars and one of our favourite places to go out and celebrate.
Montréal
Le Bar Darling
Owned by the Holder brothers, the team behind Holder, Majestique, Brasserie Bernard, and Bar Waverly, Darling opened in March 2017 at the corner of Saint-Laurent Boulevard and Marie-Anne Street, in an enchanting setting.
Montréal
Lulu Épicerie
This counter-grocery serves delicious Lebanese street food. Everything here is homemade, from the sauces to the salads, marinades, and breads. You can taste the freshness of the ingredients and the authenticity of the dishes in every bite. The meat is unquestionably the star of the show, especially the beef shawarma, which is as flavourful as it is juicy. For those on a budget, we recommend the Battata sandwich, a large rolled markouk bread filled with fries, or one of the delicious manakeesh, ideally the fully loaded version for a small extra charge.
Montréal
BarBara
BarBara is a lovely spot that opened on Notre-Dame West in 2021. It is a great addition to Saint-Henri and proof that you can enjoy beautiful, delicious things without spending a fortune. Stylish, tasty, and affordable, especially if you can resist the siren call of the wine list.
Montréal
Pizzeria Locali
Pizzeria Locali, on Saint-Zotique Street, is NO.900’s new spot dedicated to New York-style pizza. The menu revisits Italian-American classics with a thin crust and generous toppings. A few starters and other dishes round out the offering, all as delicious as they are affordable. The atmosphere is relaxed, making it a great place to grab a slice to go or sit down with the family for a whole pie.
Montréal
Junco – Buvette italienne & café de quartier | Rue Ontario Est
Located just steps from Frontenac metro, on the ground floor of the Mellem condo project, Junco is a charming Italian-leaning café-wine bar. Bright and colourful by day, the small twenty-seat space takes on warmer tones as evening falls, creating a more intimate, subdued atmosphere that is perfect for an apéro or an affordable dinner.
Montréal
Éléonore – buvette, bar à vin | Rue Ontario Est
Located on the ground floor of the Mellem rental condo project in Ville-Marie, Éléonore is an intimate and elegant wine bar offering a French-inspired menu that highlights seasonal ingredients. To go with it all, there is a carefully curated wine list and excellent cocktails.
Montréal
Petit Poisson Bistro
The team behind Petit Poisson Dumpling is also behind this convivial Chinese bistro on Sainte-Catherine West, with a menu built around shareable plates. Prices are affordable, the atmosphere is softly lit with red lights and lanterns, and the drinks list includes sake, beer, and wine. Open seven days a week, and until 2 a.m. from Thursday to Saturday, it is perfect for a late night out with friends.
Montréal
Le Red Tiger (Angus)
Red Tiger is on our list of Montreal’s festive and affordable restaurants. The ingredients here are fresh and flavourful; we especially like the beef carpaccio and the mini Vietnamese pancakes with pork and shrimp. Since opening, Red Tiger has been consistently packed. The reason is simple: the restaurant serves authentic, high-quality Vietnamese street food in an original setting at approachable prices. Since 2024, a second location has also opened in the Shops Angus.
Montréal
Tô dinette viet
Tô Dinette Viet is a laid-back, colourful Vietnamese canteen that transports you straight into the world of Asian street food. The menu is concise but strong, with soups, grilled dishes, and sandwiches built around bold, vibrant flavours. It is the kind of place you go with friends or on your own when you want to eat well without overthinking it, in an unpretentious setting that is very much part of its charm. As a bonus, the prices are gentle.
Montréal
