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The Essential Guide to Eating in NDG

Where to get some crispy fried chicken, upscale bistro fare, and Cajun seafood goodness

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For the time being, unheralded Notre-Dame-de-Grâce (NDG) is where the mom and pop still reigns, but the secret seems to be leaking out. Stalwart family businesses dot one of two main commercial stretches — the one along Sherbrooke Street West and that on Monkland Avenue. As you make your way further west from the Décarie Expressway, expect a no-nonsense NDG built more for neighbourhood needs than destination diners. And that’s the way people like it on quiet Somerled, westward in Loyola, and up on Fielding.

Monkland Village is where considerable upheaval is taking place. The exit of a beloved long-time St-Viateur bagel outpost rankled the locals, and growing chains have planted their flags. It’s still the most presentable part of the borough though, and the foot traffic suggests it’s the place to be.

Sister borough Côte-des-Neiges is worthy of its own map, which you can find here.

Health experts consider dining out to be a low-to-moderate risk for the vaccinated. For updated information and regulations, please visit the official sites of the Quebec government and Montreal’s public health authority (Santé Montréal).

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Mr. Patty

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A handful of Caribbean food destinations line the Northwest corner of NDG, perhaps none more beloved than Mr. Patty, tucked away in a predominately residential area. This takeout spot makes the flaky, warm titular delicacy from scratch daily. On weekends, they bust out more Jamaican staples like oxtail, jerk chicken, and cow foot soup.

Ai Dumpling

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Jiayi Du’s dumplings have become the pride of the neighbourhood. Available in about two dozen varieties, this family restaurant doesn’t mess with the classics, offering dumplings the “traditional Chinese” way, served either steamed, fried, or boiled. It’s in the midst of renovations, so takeout only.

Olivia's Authentic Chicken NDG

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The former K’Bob and the original of a suddenly expanding chain. Previously a more all-encompassing Korean resto, pandemic times forced founder Eunjung Ko to pivot quickly, opting for a takeout menu centred around her crispy, but not greasy, fried bird. The restaurant was quickly deemed a success, and so too were its myriad of sauces to choose from.

Café Entre-Deux

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NDG rarely gets the hip spots, but this coffee haunt by day, wine bar by night, from Marc Flynn, Félix Poirier, and Alex Quintin has been a welcome addition to the neighbourhood. Slip inside for breakfast sandwiches in Martin’s potato rolls or return for heartier dinner fare and carefully selected wines in the evening.

East Africa Restaurant

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In an underrated culinary corner with multiple quality options, this family run Ethiopian restaurant doesn’t skimp on homemade stews brimming with berbere-seasoned chicken, lamb, beef, and veggies. Skip the utensils and scoop it all up with injera bread for the full experience.

Amaranto

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A low-key Monkland Village favourite serving home-style Mexican dishes in an unassuming environment. You can’t go wrong with red or green chilaquiles, or a rich mole poblano with chicken.

Restaurant La Louisiane

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La Louisiane has been serving Southern hospitality and Cajun specialities for over 30 years. There’s plenty of deep-fried goodness to start your meal before moving on to seafood loaded mains. Like any good cookout, there’s also fried chicken and smoked ribs on the menu.

Pasta Casareccia

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The quintessential neighbourhood family business the area is known for, this corner restaurant and deli has been making its own fresh pasta and Italian specialities since 1985. Homemade favourites include crowd pleasers like lasagna bolognese to flashier fare like ravioli norcina with black truffle and olives ascolana. 

Café Toranj

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What started as a cozy, friendly neighbourhood café with hanging greenery and Persian treats has since grown into a cultural gathering spot, with a full menu of hearty traditional Iranian dishes and multi-coloured beverages. Warm up with soups or stews, cool down with rose water and saffron, or fill up with thick eggplant or yogurt dips.

Meaning “pleasantly full” in Taiwanese, Gia Ba chef Andy Su takes care in ensuring diners leave the restaurant feeling that way. Su’s menu mixing Szechuan, Chinese, and Taiwanese cuisines will also satisfy those with a taste for spice.

Momesso

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Small, family-run and around since time immemorial (ok, 1978), this downstairs haunt on Upper Lachine Road has been drawing Montrealers making any excuse to grab an Italian sausage sub and a short espresso. Officially Momesso Caffé Sportivo, it’s a slice of Little Italy life west of Décarie.

G Sacchetti Pizza al Taglio & Boulangerie Italienne

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A takeout and delivery pizza slinger tucked away in a catering kitchen near the super hospital, Giuseppe Sacchetti’s handmade Roman round (tonda) and square (al taglio) pizzas hit the spot. Each unique crust seems to tell a story: whether you pick it up from the man himself or have it sent to your door.

Monkland Tavern

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Stephen Leslie remains the dean of Monkland Village after 26 years, and his upscale bistro is a true institution worthy of the accolades. A convivial spot where high rollers rub elbows with casual locals, expect to break bread over cocktails or a bottle of wine before moving on to oysters, AAA Black Angus burgers and steaks, and pasta.

Randall Brodeur

Chalet BBQ

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Any introductory spiel to the neighbourhood inevitably comes with effusive praise for the rotisserie chicken mainstay. Around since 1944, the wood-panelled interior and cushy booths are as inviting as ever, or there’s a back takeout window for quick getaways. There’s a reason they’re still in business: generous portions and a peppery gravy perfect for dousing on chicken, fries, and toast.

Pick Thai

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As the Vendome area rapidly changes to accommodate the super hospital, this Thai favourite remains unabated. Challenged by newer entries in the neighbourhood, Pick Thai maintains the crown in terms of authenticity.

Mr. Patty

A handful of Caribbean food destinations line the Northwest corner of NDG, perhaps none more beloved than Mr. Patty, tucked away in a predominately residential area. This takeout spot makes the flaky, warm titular delicacy from scratch daily. On weekends, they bust out more Jamaican staples like oxtail, jerk chicken, and cow foot soup.

Ai Dumpling

Jiayi Du’s dumplings have become the pride of the neighbourhood. Available in about two dozen varieties, this family restaurant doesn’t mess with the classics, offering dumplings the “traditional Chinese” way, served either steamed, fried, or boiled. It’s in the midst of renovations, so takeout only.

Olivia's Authentic Chicken NDG

The former K’Bob and the original of a suddenly expanding chain. Previously a more all-encompassing Korean resto, pandemic times forced founder Eunjung Ko to pivot quickly, opting for a takeout menu centred around her crispy, but not greasy, fried bird. The restaurant was quickly deemed a success, and so too were its myriad of sauces to choose from.

Café Entre-Deux

NDG rarely gets the hip spots, but this coffee haunt by day, wine bar by night, from Marc Flynn, Félix Poirier, and Alex Quintin has been a welcome addition to the neighbourhood. Slip inside for breakfast sandwiches in Martin’s potato rolls or return for heartier dinner fare and carefully selected wines in the evening.

East Africa Restaurant

In an underrated culinary corner with multiple quality options, this family run Ethiopian restaurant doesn’t skimp on homemade stews brimming with berbere-seasoned chicken, lamb, beef, and veggies. Skip the utensils and scoop it all up with injera bread for the full experience.

Amaranto

A low-key Monkland Village favourite serving home-style Mexican dishes in an unassuming environment. You can’t go wrong with red or green chilaquiles, or a rich mole poblano with chicken.

Restaurant La Louisiane

La Louisiane has been serving Southern hospitality and Cajun specialities for over 30 years. There’s plenty of deep-fried goodness to start your meal before moving on to seafood loaded mains. Like any good cookout, there’s also fried chicken and smoked ribs on the menu.

Pasta Casareccia

The quintessential neighbourhood family business the area is known for, this corner restaurant and deli has been making its own fresh pasta and Italian specialities since 1985. Homemade favourites include crowd pleasers like lasagna bolognese to flashier fare like ravioli norcina with black truffle and olives ascolana. 

Café Toranj

What started as a cozy, friendly neighbourhood café with hanging greenery and Persian treats has since grown into a cultural gathering spot, with a full menu of hearty traditional Iranian dishes and multi-coloured beverages. Warm up with soups or stews, cool down with rose water and saffron, or fill up with thick eggplant or yogurt dips.

Gia Ba

Meaning “pleasantly full” in Taiwanese, Gia Ba chef Andy Su takes care in ensuring diners leave the restaurant feeling that way. Su’s menu mixing Szechuan, Chinese, and Taiwanese cuisines will also satisfy those with a taste for spice.

Momesso

Small, family-run and around since time immemorial (ok, 1978), this downstairs haunt on Upper Lachine Road has been drawing Montrealers making any excuse to grab an Italian sausage sub and a short espresso. Officially Momesso Caffé Sportivo, it’s a slice of Little Italy life west of Décarie.

G Sacchetti Pizza al Taglio & Boulangerie Italienne

A takeout and delivery pizza slinger tucked away in a catering kitchen near the super hospital, Giuseppe Sacchetti’s handmade Roman round (tonda) and square (al taglio) pizzas hit the spot. Each unique crust seems to tell a story: whether you pick it up from the man himself or have it sent to your door.

Monkland Tavern

Stephen Leslie remains the dean of Monkland Village after 26 years, and his upscale bistro is a true institution worthy of the accolades. A convivial spot where high rollers rub elbows with casual locals, expect to break bread over cocktails or a bottle of wine before moving on to oysters, AAA Black Angus burgers and steaks, and pasta.

Randall Brodeur

Chalet BBQ

Any introductory spiel to the neighbourhood inevitably comes with effusive praise for the rotisserie chicken mainstay. Around since 1944, the wood-panelled interior and cushy booths are as inviting as ever, or there’s a back takeout window for quick getaways. There’s a reason they’re still in business: generous portions and a peppery gravy perfect for dousing on chicken, fries, and toast.

Pick Thai

As the Vendome area rapidly changes to accommodate the super hospital, this Thai favourite remains unabated. Challenged by newer entries in the neighbourhood, Pick Thai maintains the crown in terms of authenticity.