Satay Brothers: a must-visit in Saint-Henri

Satay Brothers is a success story of brothers Alex and Mat Winnicki. Their restaurant on Notre-Dame Street West is one of the most popular in the city. Montrealers flock there to enjoy beloved classics inspired by Asian street food in a vibrant and eclectic setting.

Today, it’s a 130-seat restaurant, with a private dining room, a counter at the Atwater Market, a canteen at the McGill University Health Centre, and a catering service. Most importantly, it serves authentic Singaporean street food, like nowhere else. It’s also a must-visit institution and one of our favorite spots for both family lunches and festive group dinners. The restaurant is even featured on our list of beautiful, delicious, and affordable places to eat in Montreal. But all of this success happened gradually.

Their story is truly inspiring, so here’s our attempt to retrace it for you.

The Market Stall

The story of Satay Brothers begins in the Saint-Henri neighborhood, where Mat and Alex grew up. “We lived in a neighborhood that was pretty poor at the time, but our parents always took us to eat all around Montreal. That’s probably why we love the city’s cultural diversity in the restaurant scene [which they are now part of!],” they share.

Alex started by selling fruit at the market, while Mat studied visual arts and graphic design. In 2010, they decided to open a “hawker” style stall (the name for street food stalls in Asia) and chose to set up at the Atwater Market. “Our dad told us that ‘Winnicki Brothers’ wouldn’t be descriptive enough, but with ‘Satay Brothers,’ people would know what to expect.” They began with a simple menu: satays, buns, papaya salad, and their now-legendary Laksa soup. “These dishes will always be there, they’re our foundation, even though we’ve since expanded the menu and constantly add new items.”

The Restaurant’s Evolution

Following the success of their seasonal market stall, they opened a 20-seat restaurant on Saint-Jacques Street. However, the small space quickly became too limited to meet the growing demand, and in 2013, Satay Brothers moved to a larger 80-seat location at 3721 Notre-Dame West, complete with a small waiting area and a private room for groups. Ten years later, the neighboring business vacated its premises, providing the perfect opportunity for an expansion. This allowed them to add a second dining room for busier evenings.

Why We Love Satay Brothers

Satay Brothers’ reputation is built on the quality and authenticity of both their menu and the overall experience. Their favorite dishes? The Laksa soup (also our favorite), Rendang (a savory braised beef dish in coconut milk sauce), and Otak Otak (grilled fish wrapped in banana leaves). “Our dishes are prepared with a variety of spices, creating bold flavors. Our cuisine is inspired by several different countries and regions, which explains the use of diverse ingredients. Almost all of our products are homemade.” Let’s not forget the delicious satays, either meat or tempeh, the steamed pork belly buns, the gado gado salad, and the must-try papaya salad—everything is finger-licking good! Their desserts are based on recipes from their mother, who passed away in February 2015. She was a huge support in the creation of Satay Brothers and continues to watch over the project from above.

Beyond the food, the restaurant’s warm and festive atmosphere adds to its appeal. Why did they open a restaurant in the first place? “We love making people happy. I think it’s as simple as that.” Mat and Alex excel at this, which is why people still line up at the Atwater Market in the summer and why we meet friends to share a delicious meal at their Notre-Dame Street dining room.

Satay Brothers have always been one of our favorites, holding a special place in both our hearts and our stomachs!

Written by Jean-Philippe Tastet
Photography by Alison Slattery

Last update: October 10, 2024

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