Le Petit Alep: Delicious Syrian/Armenian fare and great wines

Open for over 20 years now, Le Petit Alep is still one of our favorite spots in the city for its lively atmosphere, flavorful dishes, and remarkable wine list! Awarded a Bib Gourmand in spring 2025 by the Michelin Guide, Le Petit Alep is featured on one of our lists of beautiful, delicious, and affordable restaurants, with its wallet-friendly plates!

Georges Frangié, originally from Aleppo, met his Armenian wife Jacqueline Frangié when she came to study in Aleppo. They fell in love immediately. They had their daughters Chahla and Tania Frangié and decided to settle in Montreal. Upon arriving, they moved into the Villeray neighborhood. In 1976, Mr. Frangié opened the restaurant Alep on Rue Jean-Talon Est at the corner of Avenue de Gaspé. Very small at the time (four or five tables), the opportunity came to buy the building and he took it! He expanded the space and gave it the feel of the Aleppo citadel — the restaurant became very popular.

In 1995, seeing the success of restaurant Alep, Chahla and her partner — architect Jean-François Potvin — had the idea of opening with Tania “a restaurant for artists, students, for people who would like to eat well on the go at reasonable prices.” Hence the idea for Le Petit Alep! Having grown up in the neighborhood, the Frangié family genuinely wanted to bring more life back to it. “At the beginning there were lots of shows, vernissages, things were very lively!” Even though the shows are no more, Le Petit Alep is still very much alive. With a dining room seating around sixty people, the décor of Le Petit Alep is colorful and still very much in keeping with the times. The space designed by Mr. Potvin is open and built on different levels, which adds to the dynamism of the décor. The atmosphere is vibrant, and the blend of Middle Eastern cultures seasoned with Quebec’s joie de vivre gives the restaurant a charm and magnetism all its own. Note that this address is also among our suggestions for places to eat alone.

Drinking Well

When it comes to wine, Le Petit Alep is known for its remarkable list. Jeanno Gingras looked after it for a very long time, and it is now the talented Alain Paillassard who is in charge. Le Petit Alep offers a list of over 250 bottles of wine, drawn primarily from farming and winemaking methods that respect nature — a point of pride for Alain. Several wines are available by the glass, and by the bottle, it is probably the finest and most accessible cellar in the city for the quality of its offerings. Le Petit Alep was actually the first restaurant to offer natural wines from the import agency Rezin, over 20 years ago! The restaurant still works with agencies it greatly appreciates, agencies that work thoughtfully to source great bottles. “When we opened, Jeanno told me, ‘Tania, do you want to sell wine for money or for the love of wine?’ I answered, for the love of wine. And that’s always how we’ve operated.”

A Family Story

“It was my mother who came up with all the recipes. She didn’t really want to work in the restaurant, but my father had a heart attack, so she came to help in the kitchen — and she never left,” recalls Tania. Following Mr. Frangié’s passing in 2005, Mrs. Frangié remained head chef for several years, and Chahla has since taken over the kitchen while Tania now manages the dining room.

Le Petit Alep’s menu presents the sharing-style, flavor-forward cuisine typical of the Middle East. You’ll find the same carefully crafted dishes as at restaurant Alep, but in a format with smaller, more affordable portions. The menu features specialties such as stuffed pitas, shish kebab terbialy, and delicious mazzas — personal favorites include the hummus, the mouhamara, the stuffed grape leaves, and the labneh. Can’t decide? Let yourself be guided by their tasting menu in 2 or 3 courses, which offers a delicious tour of the house classics, with detailed descriptions of each dish.

The spot is among our top addresses in Mile-Ex, our favorite warm and original addresses in Montreal, and our favorite festive and affordable restaurants. This address is also featured in our guide to Montreal’s most beautiful terraces.

“We love our customers. We love the regulars and the newcomers — they bring us a unique energy. They give us the challenge of going further, of pushing ourselves, of inspiring us. We have to be able to surprise them. We have to question ourselves and always work harder — it’s motivating.” This is part of why the restaurant remains such a popular institution to this day. Le Petit Alep is one of a kind: you feel good there, you eat well, and you drink well — all at an affordable price.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Written by Élise Tastet


Updated on April 22, 2026

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