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Montreal’s 15 Best Cheap Eats [You’ll ABSOLUTELY Love!]
Today’s economy means we have to look for the most affordable places to eat. I know many friends who don’t dine out as much because of the rising prices.
I also know that budgeting is more important than ever, but luckily, Montreal’s vibrant food scene still serves cheap meals that are actually filling and delicious! You can have a satisfying meal without worrying about the price!
Say goodbye to stale bread and canned food! We’re about to embark on a culinary adventure that will fill your tummy without breaking the bank!
Monteiro Express
Location: 2110 Guy St
Contact: (514) 419-2667
Hours:
- Sunday – Wednesday: 11 am – 12 am
- Thursday – Saturday: 11 am – 3 am
With the rising prices of goods in Canada, it feels almost impossible to find a cheap restaurant. But Monteiro Express makes it possible with their $10 meals.
They have five different meals on the menu that will keep your tummy full (yes, all $10 each). And no, the options are not boring. You can have fries and chicken, a burger, or a poutine with chicken.
The portions are big and you basically get a full meal—these guys don’t skimp out on ingredients! Everything is cooked fresh at this Portuguese-style restaurant. The best part? Everything is halal.
Pro Tip:
If you aren’t used to spicy food, we think you should skip that here, even if it’s mildly spicy.
Picks
Media credit: picks.mtl
Location: 1407 Rue St Marc
Contact: (514) 937-1937
Hours:
- Monday – Friday: 12 pm – 9 pm
- Saturday: 1 pm – 9 pm
- Sunday: 2 pm – 9 pm
Picks is one of those cheap eats in Montreal you have to try! They serve affordable meals for under $10, and you can still get add-ons without the price going up too high!
The shop is humble, but the meals are not! The buns are soft with a little crunch outside, the patties are perfectly cooked, and the toppings are generous.
You basically build your own burger here. The Pouletburger is only $8.99, while the K-Taco Poulet is just $6.99. The add-ons are under $2, so you can get a healthy and big burger for under $10 (maybe $12 if you’re feeling fancy).
Pro Tip:
It’s a small shop, so don’t expect to find a seat inside (it’s basically a grab ‘n go). You can find a nice park to eat the burger, or go for Netflix and chill!
Falafel Yoni
Media credit: falafelyoni
Location:
Contact:
- Rue Saint-Viateur: (514) 424 -7767
- Wellington: (514) 424 – 5473
Hours: Monday – Sunday: 11 am – 9 pm
Wrap your day with affordable falafel in Montreal! Falafel Yoni serves meals under $15, perfect for budget-conscious diners who want to eat filling meals that are actually flavourful.
You can get a delicious Falafel Pita for only $11 or the Sabich, priced at $12.50. The food here is full to the brim of ingredients, and every time you bite, the toppings will come out!
Pro Tip:
If you’re adventurous with your meals, you can add a spicy kick to your falafel!
Drogheria Fine
Media credit: drogheriafine
Location: 68 Av. Fairmount O
Contact: (514) 588-7477, [email protected]
Hours:
- Monday – Friday: 11 am – 8:30 pm
- Saturday – Sunday: 11 am – 9 pm
Who knew Italian food could be so affordable in Montreal? At Drogheria Fine, you can have the best gnocchi in Mile End that tastes just like how Nonna used to make it!
This Italian take-out shop is perfect for on-the-go meals, and they serve generous portions in a small box. The $5 gnocchi has a perfect texture—it’s soft and chewy. Make it $6.50 for extra cheese!
Pro Tip:
Try not to visit late because they might sell out. They close up shop once they’re out of ingredients.
Capitaine Sandwich
Location: 4050 de, Rue De Bullion
Contact: (514) 419-3419
Hours: Monday – Sunday: 10 am – 5 pm
At Capitaine Sandwich, you can have the most delicious and filling meals because their sandwiches are packed with flavours and they don’t skimp on ingredients. It’s the perfect go-to place for a quick bite.
Their sandwiches are less than $15 (mostly just around $10 to $11). The Halloumi is a bestseller, as well as the Big Nan, which is kind of like a better, upgraded, and healthier version of a burger (but with a nan!).
Pro Tip:
If you have extra loonies, you can add the potato salad. It’s a popular side dish because it pairs well with the sandwiches and is super tasty (not bland at all!).
Dumplings Imagine
Media credit: roxycato_
Location: 16 Rue Rachel E
Contact: (514) 903-2886
Hours:
- Monday – Friday: 11 am – 10 pm
- Saturday – Sunday: 5 pm – 10 pm
There are many Chinese restaurants in Montreal, but Dumplings Imagine makes it super affordable for everyone. Their prices are budget-friendly, especially if you consider the taste and servings.
Imagine this: you get 15 pieces of dumplings for only $13.49. And if you go for fried dumplings, 12 pieces will only cost $11.49 to $12.49!
There’s a wide variety of flavours too, from pork to chicken to lamb! With the generous portions, you can get a filling meal for an affordable price!
Pro Tip:
If you don’t have time to cook, you can order dumplings and just microwave them at home. Pair it with rice and you can divide the dumplings into two meals.
La Ligne Rouge
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Location: 414 Rue Jean-Talon E
Contact: (514) 277-2222
Hours:
- Sunday – Monday: Closed
- Tuesday – Thursday: 10 am – 1:30 am
- Friday – Saturday: 10 am – 2 am
One of the best gyro places in town is La Ligne Rouge. The best part is they’re a solid choice for cheap eats!
This neighbourhood gem is the place you visit for the food—not the ambience and definitely not for luxury Greek dining. But that’s okay because the main stars are their meals, which are so delicious, you’ll forget you didn’t spend a lot of money!
For under $15, you get generous servings. You can have two gyros for $13.99 and a trio souvlaki for only $12.75. They have a burger for less than $10!
Pro Tips:
Before dropping by, make sure you have cash because they don’t accept card payments.
If you plan on dining in, better take the Metro because parking is hard to find. During peak hours, there may be a line, so expect to wait a while.
Ma Poule Mouillée
Media credit: mapoulemouillee
Location: 969 Rachel St E
Contact: (514) 522-5175, [email protected]
Hours:
- Monday: Closed
- Tuesday – Saturday: 10 am – 9 pm
With Ma Poule Mouillée on our side, I think we already won the best poutine in Canada! Situated in the heart of the plateau, this Portuguese restaurant serves jampacked poutine for under $15!
Their servings are generous, but the spotlight is on their flavours. Their poutine will make your tastebuds dance because of the perfectly cooked fries and rich gravy.
If you’re ready to try something else other than classic poutine, this is the place to go. The chicken and chorizo poutine is super flavourful (with really rich sauce!) and their chicken sandwich is ridiculously yummy if you don’t want something too intense.
Pro Tip:
The menu will be in French. Don’t worry if you don’t speak the language, just use Google Translate and tell the employee the number of the meal on the menu.
Antep Kabab
Media credit: antep_kebab_mtl
Location: 1626 Maisonneuve Blvd W
Contact: (514) 903-7979
Hours:
- Sunday – Thursday: 11 am – 10 pm
- Friday – Saturday: 11 am – 11 pm
Antep Kabab is one of our top Turkish places because the chicken is juicy, the bread is fresh, the rice is flavourful, and the servings are generous. It’s one of the best-kept secrets in the area, especially for the students at the nearby Concordia University.
The famous Sandwich Antep Kabab is only $11.50, while the Sandwich Poulet is just $10! The rice meals are a tad pricier (the cheapest is $19), but if you look at the portions, they’re definitely worth it!
Pro Tip:
There’s usually a line at peak hours. So if you can, avoid those times. Better yet, just line up and order takeout because the food is worth lining up!
Pushap
Media credit: pushaprestaurant
Location: 5195 Pare St
Contact: (514) 737-4527
Hours: Monday – Sunday: 11 am – 9 pm
For $10, you can have a filling, delicious meal at Pushap. It’s a vegetarian restaurant that serves incredible Indian cuisine and also has vegan options for our plant-based friends.
The food is fresh and authentic—very flavourful that you can taste the quality spices, but not too overwhelming and intense.
You can enjoy two pieces of big vegetable samosas for only $2 (that’s ten for ten!). The regular thali is less than $10 and already includes two curries, rice, salad, and bread.
Actually, the whole menu is super affordable! You can get bread for only a loonie, soup for $3, and light meals (bread served with curry) for $7.
Pro Tip:
Try to stick to a weekday visit if you can since weekends tend to be busy, especially during lunch and dinner times. Rush hour service may be slower than usual, so avoid going in if you’re already hungry.
Marché Hung Phat
Media credit: marchehungphat
Location: 7099 Saint Denis St
Contact: (514) 272-1332, [email protected]
Hours:
- Monday: 10 am – 7 pm
- Tuesday: Closed
- Wednesday – Sunday: 10 am – 7 pm
If you’re craving delicious Vietnamese food, then head on over to Marché Hung Phat. They serve really cheap sandwiches that will satisfy your hunger and keep your bank account intact!
They’re the ideal spot for yummy and filling bánh mì, which are Vietnamese sandwiches on a short baguette. For $6.95, your sandwich already has daikon, carrot, coriander, mayo, hoisin sauce, and Maggi sauce (you can add additional toppings for $2 each).
The bánh mì is a delight because of the authentic taste (probably because of the sauce). If you’re feeling fancy, you can also add their delicious Vietnamese coffee for $3.50.
Pro Tip:
This place is ideal for quick bites. There’s limited seating inside, so you’ll need to order for takeout during rush hours.
Montreal Chinese Crepes & Dumplings
Media credit: montrealcrepes
Location: 37 Westminster Ave N
Contact: (514) 312-7284
Hours:
- Sunday – Monday: Closed
- Tuesday – Wednesday: 11 am – 6 pm
- Thursday – Friday: 11 am – 7 pm
- Saturday: 1 pm – 7 pm
Montreal Chinese Crepes & Dumplings is a hidden gem in Montreal. It’s the cheap spot to go to if you’re craving the authentic taste of Chinese food.
One of their bestsellers is their Chinese crepes (always served fresh), made with white flour batter, egg spread, soybean paste, and your preferred filling. They’re affordable (priced at less than $10), yummy, and perfect for a quick bite.
The crunchiness is what drew us in because of the unique, crispy texture (there’s fried wonton inside). There’s still a nice chewiness to it that goes well with the crunch.
You’ll need to add a few extra dollars for the dumplings, but they still remain within a $15 budget. Plus, you get a generous serving—honestly, you get way too much!
Pro Tip:
The place is small and feels cramped during peak hours (mainly lunchtime). Better order a takeout if you want to avoid the small space.
Phyllo Bar Melina’s
Media credit: phyllobarmelinas
Location: 5733 Park Ave
Contact: (514) 270-1675
Hours:
- Monday – Friday: 8 am – 7 pm
- Saturday – Sunday: 10 am – 7 pm
A cozy yet affordable spot in Montreal you have to visit for cheap eats is Phyllo Bar Melina’s. This place serves authentic phyllo pies that are super yummy, we’re surprised at why they’re so affordable!
They’ve perfected the savory and sweet formula, serving delicious sandwiches and tasty delights that won’t break the bank! Phyllo pastries and sandwiches are less than $10 and the yummy baklava is only $2.
Pro Tip:
On a nice sunny day, we recommend eating on the patio because it can feel too cramped inside. The outside spot is way more comfortable anyway.
Pollo Gustoso
Media credit: dwicherie
Location: 3396 Rue Beaubien E
Contact: (514) 727-8363
Hours: Monday – Sunday: 10 am – 8 pm
Time to ditch corporate giants and try Pollo Gustoso in Montreal for delicious fried chicken! But this time, you don’t have to spend too much just to have a juicy and crispy fried chicken.
There’s no need to break the bank, just bring your $11.49 and get three pieces of chicken, fries, and a small salad (that’s a full meal!). And for only $15, you can have five pieces of chicken!
Sandwiches are also affordable, priced at $5 to $6. It’s almost impossible to believe that they have poutine less than $10—but they do!
Pro Tip:
If you want to save more money, skip the combo meals and go for the morceaux de poulet. It’s basically a mix of fried chicken parts but without the sauce.
Japote
Media credit: soyabooya
Location: 1000, Rue Sherbrooke Ouest, Niveau Concourse
Contact: (514) 269-9004, [email protected]
Hours:
- Monday – Friday: 11:30 am – 2 pm
- Saturday – Sunday: Closed
Somewhere around the McGill University campus, you’ll find one of the most incredibly cheap yet delicious Japanese restaurants. Japote is the perfect place for students to dine due to their affordable meals and fast service!
You can fill your tummy with their rice meals, ranging from $6 to $8 (depending on the size). One of the bestsellers is Tori-Don, which is a bowl of rice with caramelized teriyaki on top.
Pro Tip:
They close really early (at 2 pm!). So if you’re a student who wants to buy an affordable meal, you can order one for takeout and pop it in the microwave at home.
