Located one floor above street level and with minimal signage, this place is the definition of hidden gem. The restaurant side did recently cut back its offerings to focus more on small bites in the form of classic Spanish tapas (and less paella), but still with plenty of flavour. There’s also outstanding sangria.

This taqueria is straight out of Mexico City: walk in and the first thing you’ll see is the al pastor pork turning on its trompo, and it tastes as good as it looks. Order a queso fundido to start and then order some tacos or a torta.

Family-owned and operated for nearly 20 years, this restaurant serves big portions of Thai and Vietnamese dishes that are super-flavourful and perfect for sharing. It’s also BYOB.

Widely known as VSL, this is a perfect diner and brunch spot. The eggs benedict are a common favourite, the bacon is always crisp but not burnt, and the coffee flows endlessly. You can order a massive pancake on the side if you need a little bit of sweet to go with your salty breakfast.

Tucked away on the corner of Rachel St. and Drolet, this gorgeous ramen place stands out among the dozens that have cropped up in Montreal in the past few years. The tonkotsu broth is savoury and fatty, and each table has a few fresh garnishes for you to use. Get the japanese fried chicken (kara age) to start. For something more formal, or for alcohol, there’s also Ichigo Ichie on the other side of the building, operated by the same people.

It may look like a bookstore or a Spanish gift shop (and it is, partly), but inside, there’s a deli counter where you can get a traditional Spanish bocata. It’s a baguette sandwich where the bread is drizzled with olive oil, rubbed with garlic, and finished with tomato and the paper-thin sausage or ham of your choosing.

This Italian grocery store has a small seating area where you can enjoy an incredible bowl of fresh pasta. You pick your pasta shape (including a choice of various fillings for ravioli and agnolotti) and then select one of six different sauces, and it’s ready to eat a few minutes later. They also make truly perfect pizzas.

This tiny bakery serves every French baked good you can imagine, from lemon tarts and croissants to sandwiches, quiches, and loaves of perfect bread. They have two locations in the Plateau (the other is on Rachel, near St-Denis), and one in Rosemont, on Masson.