One of the best things about living in the city has to be the food. With multiple culinary options to choose from, eating out in Montréal can often feel like being a kid in a candy store. If you're looking to narrow down your options, look no further.
I'll be the first to embarrassingly admit that I'm a picky eater. Don't get me wrong, I love food but I don't necessarily have the most adventurous palette. While I still have my downfalls, moving to Montréal in 2016 definitely helped me to step out of my comfort zone. Living in the city has been the perfect space to fall in love with food and try new options that weren't previously available to me. Whether it be different cultural cuisines, vegan or everything-free options, I feel lucky to have access to a diverse range of food to explore.
Whether it be a lack of time during midterm season or having to get your spending habits in check, as a student living in Montréal eating out has to be worth it. Thankfully, there are a lot of affordable dining options Downtown that are worth every penny. Plus, trying out new spots in the city has become a great way to catch up with friends all while going on a mini-excursion.
While I'm not necessarily a food blogger, it's only right to include some of my favourite eats in the city. Food can be so telling and informative of a city's culture and one cannot truly experience Montréal until they've indulged in the variety of culinary options it has to offer.
Escondite
As a lover of Latin culture, Mexican food is a personal favourite of mine that always manages to hit the spot. Escondite offers its patrons the best tapas, tacos and tequila in the city. With multiple locations across Downtown, the restaurant's electrifying atmosphere is so authentic that it's easy to forget that it's ungodly freezing outside its doors. As someone who considers herself a quesadilla expert, their Quesadilla Sincronizada de Hongos is a must-have- especially, if you love black truffles. Escondite is definitely a popular spot amongst locals, so I'd definitely recommend making a reservation in advance.
SuWu
If you know me, you know that I am in love with SuWu. More importantly, I eat, breathe, sleep all things SuWu. It was one of the first places I visited in Montréal back in 2014 and it holds a very special place in my heart. A go-to whether you're in search of a delicious brunch, dinner, happy hour drinks or a simply fantastic Friday night, SuWu has an unbeatable ambiance that sucks you in for hours. If you're in search of the ultimate comfort meal, look no further than their infamous Grilled Cheese Mac & Cheese.
No. 900
Ever heard of that hypothetical question: 'if you could eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be?' Personally, I'd eat pizza for the rest of my life- and I'd be more than satisfied if it was from No. 900. They do pizza right, from the sauce to the crust and everything in between. With many locations citywide, this is one of my favourite spots to grab a bite or take friends when they visit Montréal for the first time. Good food is a given but I truly adore the little touches across their restaurants, from adorable honeycomb tiles to vibrant yellow cutlery.
Lola Rosa
As someone whose go-to on a menu is often chicken, I definitely had my reservations about Lola Rosa at first. Now, it's often the first meal that I order on my way from the airport into the city. If you're looking for excellent vegetarian food, look no further. They have many meals that they are infamous for, including their Lola's Nachos, my personal favourites are their House Curry and Red Bean Chilli. When you're there, make sure to check out the hand-written notes in the table drawers- and even add one for yourself!
Lov
As a picky eater, craving vegetarian food was a new concept - but Lov got me hooked onto vegan food. I know, I'm shook too. They describe themselves as having an 'eco-commitment' which includes using organic farming, local artisans and promoting mindfulness. It's not hard to want to support a brand like Lov that not only makes a positive impact on its environment but my appetite. With two picturesque locations in the heart of downtown, their whimsical, garden chic vibes are so comforting and relaxing and make me never want to leave.
Kampai Garden
The best way to describe Kampai is Japanese fusion; classics with a uniquely special Kampai twist. Kampai is the home of countless girls nights with my friends. We love visiting for a late night dinner and staying to dance the night away. One of the reasons why I keep coming back to Kampai is because they offer customers the full experience: great food, drinks and vibes in a gorgeous space. They constantly update and play around with their menu, which is something I love forward to whenever I visit. However, their Black Bean Udon is a staple that dreams are made of.
