Indian vindaloo curry at Restaurant Dévi
1450 Crescent Street | Website
Vindaloo is one of the spiciest Indian curries on Restaurant Dévi’s menu, but the complex and interesting flavour make it worth the tears and is guaranteed to keep you warm for hours.
© Restaurant La Raclette
Cheese fondue at Restaurant La Raclette
1059 Gilford Street | Website
Who doesn’t crave a cheese-laden extravaganza when the temperature plummets? Dive into Restaurant La Raclette’s Swiss cheese fondue or the Swiss and Québec combo raclette, with a side of tartiflette to share, of course!
© Two Food Photographers
South East Asian laksa lemak soup at Satay Brothers
3721 Notre Dame Street West | Website
The Satay Brothers have garnered a cult following among Montrealers. Their Saint-Henri restaurant is like no other in Montréal and is a must-visit, especially for their laksa lemak soup, an Indonesian specialty made with coconut milk, lending it some sweet and spicy flavours.
Vietnamese Pho at Pho Tay Ho
6414 Saint-Denis Street | Website
Any pho you choose at popular no-frills restaurant Pho Tay Ho will have a rich broth and a generous helping of toppings. Squeeze in some sriracha for an extra kick.
© Alison Slattery
Japanese ramen soup at Yokato Yokabai
4185, Drolet Street | Website
Rich tonkutsu ramen with a pork bone broth that’s simmered for 12 hours is the specialty at Yokato Yokabai. Top it with any pork, chicken, veggies and any extras that you like.
Mexican pozole at La Tamalera
226 Fairmount Avenue West | Website
Traditional Mexican pozole soup is made with maize and a choice of meat and topped with cabbage, radish and other choice vegetables. It’s so hearty that it’s guaranteed to warm you up! Get it at La Tamalera.
© Alison Slattery
Curry at Pumpui
83, St-Zotique Street East | Website
This Petite-Patrie fuss-free, Thai-inspired curry counter is the perfect remedy to any cold day. A handful of curries and specialty dishes are available every day, but the Thai green curry is one of our favourites. Pumpui is also vegetarian friendly.
Onion soup at Gus
38, Beaubien Street East | Website
The epic onion soup at this beloved neighbourhood restaurant is made with guajillo pepper, red beer, pork hock, cheddar, ancho powder and avocado and is on the menu only if the Montréal Canadiens season is in full swing. It’s a hearty, stick-to-your-ribs soup that you will be more than happy to dig into when it’s freezing out.
© Alison Slattery
Bibimbap at Omma
51 Ontario West Street | Website
Nothing beats a steaming (literally) serving of Korean bibimbap to soothe the cold-weather blues. Omma, one of the best Korean restaurants in Montréal, has a loyal following of food lovers who crave their traditional cuisine. Their bibimbaps are the very definition of comfort food. Top yours with beef, chicken, octopus, tofu, spicy shrimp or beef tartare and don’t forget to order extra kimchi.
© Two Food Photographers - Alison Slattery
Weekly thali at Le Super Qualité
1211, Bélanger Street | Website
This colourful Indian snack bar is one of the most adorable restaurants in town. Order the generous thali of the week and tuck into a heaping serving of rice accompanied by a series of wonderfully flavoured and perfectly spiced dishes to nibble on. Le Super Qualité also serves a vegetarian version of the weekly thali.
Szechuan noodles at J’ai Feng
43, Beaubien East Street | Website
Chef Anita Feng’s Chinese grocery store and ready-to-eat counter on Beaubien Street specializes in authentic Szechuan cuisine. J’ai Feng’s steaming bowls of noodles are infused with Szechuan peppers that will definitely warm you up on a cold day and leave your tongue tingling with joy.
Matzo ball soup at Snowdon Deli
5265, Décarie Boulevard | Website
The bowl of golden-hued broth with one oversized matzoh ball may not look very sexy but it is one of the most comforting and soul warming meal on a cold winter’s night. Snowdon Deli has been the place to go for Jewish specialties since 1946. Their matzoh ball soup is legendary, with a rich chicken broth and a homemade matzoh ball that’s both delicate and filling.
Maultasche at Butterblume
5836, Saint-Laurent Boulevard | Website
This sweet Mile End address has been a hit since day one. Butterblume’s minimalist décor, light filled dining room, market fresh cuisine (don’t skipt their sourdough bread!) and wonderful wine list are absolutely delightful. So is their pork & spinach “maultasche” ravioli, a German meat filled dumpling inspired by the chef’s origin. It’s served in a comforting, aromatic chicken dashi with confit onion & parsley oil.
Mayssam Samaha
Mayssam Samaha is a food and travel writer and blogger and the founder behind the blog Will Travel for Food. She travels the world in search of the next culinary discovery. From Iceland to South Africa, she’s already visited over 30 countries and there’s nothing she enjoys more than wandering around a farmers’ market in a foreign city. She is also the founder of the SAISONS intimate dinner series highlighting Québec products and chefs.
