Liam TrudeauThe 10 best African restaurants in Montreal for bold flavours you won’t forget
Many particular cuisines are famous worldwide. There’s Asian cuisine, American cuisine, and Spanish cuisine. But if you’re craving bold spices, rich stews, and soulful flavours, African cuisine is the way to go.
I still remember the first time I went into an Ethiopian restaurant on a street in Montreal. I was hungry and curious. Within minutes of sitting down, I was tearing into warm injera with my hands, savouring bold spices I couldn’t pronounce but instantly loved.
That meal felt like a passport stamp to a place I’d never been. It sparked a personal mission to explore the best African restaurants in Montreal.
Whether you’re a longtime African cuisine lover or just starting to explore its diverse tastes, you’re in for a treat. Read on and discover the gems I found!
1. Cuisine Farafina
Address: 716 Decarie Blvd, Saint-Laurent
Contact Details: +1 514 419 2193 and [email protected]
Operating Hours:
- Monday – 11:30 AM to 5 PM
- Tuesday – 9 AM to 8 PM
- Wednesday – 10 AM to 8 PM
- Thursday to Sunday – 10 AM to 9 PM
Pricing: $$
Cuisine Farafina is the place to be for those who want to experience the rich culinary traditions of West Africa. But what’s even better is that they reimagined the dishes they serve, putting personal touches to give them a fresh perspective.
I highly recommend trying their chicken meatballs. It has a perfect balance of savoury, spicy, and aromatic flavours. It’s slightly crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside, making a crunchy sound in every bite.
For drinks, the tangy flavour of bissap juice will surely hook you. It has a slightly sweet taste that’s comparable to cranberry juice.
| Pro Tip: Consider visiting on Friday, Saturday, or Sunday from 11:30 AM to 8:30 PM, as they offer a buffet for only $34 per person ($13.99 per child). |
2. Mbia Grill
Media credit: mbiagrill
Address: 2303 Rue des Ormeaux
Contact Details: +1 438 990 2000 and [email protected]
Operating Hours:
- Monday and Wednesday – 11 AM to 8 PM
- Thursday to Saturday – 11 AM to 9 PM
- Sunday – 11 AM to 8 PM
Pricing: $
Mbia Grill is for people who are specifically hungry for Congolese-inspired dishes. All their dishes are prepared with fresh, organic ingredients, effectively enhancing the flavours of already delicious food.
Their chikwangue (also known as cassava stick) has a slightly sour, earthy flavour and a firm yet mildly sticky texture. The banana leaves that wrap it add a subtle aroma that makes the dish a joy to feast on.
However, what I love most are their affordable combo meals. You have 10 options, including a combination of African-style pork chops, fries, and salad. With this, you can eat several African dishes without going over your budget.
| Pro Tip: For people having an upcoming party, they offer a catering service with a personalised menu according to the theme of your event. |
3. Le Virunga
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Address: 851 Rue Rachel E
Contact Details: +1 514 504 8642 and [email protected]
Operating Hours:
- Wednesday and Thursday – 6 AM to 10 PM
- Friday and Saturday – 6 AM to 11 PM
Pricing: $$
I’m very impressed with the skills of the cooks of Le Virunga, who combine the sub-Saharan African dishes with local products from Quebec. Because of this, they successfully revisited traditional recipes without even trying too hard.
Many people, including me, love how they present food to guests. All their dishes are served creatively, satisfying people’s eyes before their bellies. It’s such a culinary experience when you dine here.
Of course, I shouldn’t forget to mention something about their actual food. Their mayombe is served with a Congolese-style mbika, which I super love. It has a well-rounded taste, where no single ingredient overpowers the others.
| Pro Tip: If you’re planning a romantic date with someone, consider visiting here, as it’s popular for its intimate atmosphere. |
4. Pomadata Cuisine
Media credit: pomadatacuisine
Address: 2275 St Catherine St E
Contact Details: +1 514 368 3260
Operating Hours:
- Tuesday to Thursday – 12 PM to 9 PM
- Friday – 12 PM to 11 PM
- Saturday – 2 PM to 11 PM
- Sunday – 12 PM to 9 PM
Pricing: $
Pomadata Cuisine serves the rich heritage of African cuisine with contemporary flavours, offering unique Afro-fusion dishes. I highly recommend this restaurant for foodies who want to taste food that’s not usually available anywhere.
I suggest trying one of their fufu meals, as they’re the most loved dishes in this restaurant. They serve four kinds, and all of them are protein-free. You can either have fufu with vegetable, egusi, or ogbono soup.
When it comes to drinks, I usually go for Zobo. It’s made from the dried hibiscus petals of the hibiscus sabdariffa plant, a native flower plant in West Africa. It’s refreshing, slightly tangy taste never fails to hit the spot for me.
| Pro Tip: Pomadata is a popular spot, so I highly suggest booking a table in advance, especially during evenings and weekends. |
5. Le Bled Resto Lounge
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Address: 2112 Saint Denis St
Contact Details: +1 514 282 3334 and [email protected]
Operating Hours:
- Tuesday to Thursday – 5 PM to 11 PM
- Friday and Saturday – 5 PM to 3 AM
- Sunday – 5 PM to 11 PM
Pricing: $$
You and your friends will hit two birds with one stone with Le Bled Resto Lounge’s African cuisine and music offerings. It’s not a bad idea to stretch your arms and legs to some DJ music after a satisfying meal.
Speaking of meals, they serve many very traditional African dishes. One that I like most is foutou banane, a West African dish made from boiled and pounded plantains and cassava. The exact ripeness of the plantains gave the dish a very delicious taste.
For drinks, don’t miss out on their Passion D’Afrique. It’s a mix of ginger and hibiscus juice that offers a delightful, balanced taste of tartness and spiciness.
| Pro Tip: The restaurant turns into a lounge club every Friday and Saturday after 11 PM, so stay late for a more memorable visit. |
6. Resto Bar June 30
Media credit: restaurant30juin
Address: 1694 St Catherine St E
Contact Details: +1 514 619 9482 and [email protected]
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Friday – 4 PM to 10 PM
- Saturday – 4 PM to 9:30 PM
- Sunday – 3 PM to 9 PM
Pricing: $$
Resto Bar June 30 is a place worth visiting for all-out Congolese dishes. With their complete menu that spans from starters to main courses, it’s impossible not to have a good dining experience here. Oh, don’t forget their extensive beverages as well.
For starters, I recommend their special chef’s salad. What makes it special is the homemade vinaigrette sauce they mix with lettuce, cucumbers, and other ingredients. It will surely warm you up for whatever main course you’re about to feast on.
Aside from the food, I love the friendly servers here. They patiently answer questions from guests with a smile on their faces. They’re the ones who give the place a welcoming atmosphere.
| Pro Tip: Contact them first before visiting, as they sometimes close earlier than their operating hours. |
7. Belle Afrique
Media credit: setope
Address: 9232 Bd Lacordaire, Saint-Léonard
Contact Details: +1 514 852 1991
Operating Hours:
- Tuesday to Thursday – 10 AM to 9 PM
- Friday to Sunday – 10 AM to 10 PM
Pricing: $
Belle Afrique serves a combination of African and Haitian dishes, a perfect opportunity to enjoy two cuisines in one sitting. What you’ll experience here is worth sharing with your friends or loved ones.
One of the things I like here is that they have lunch and dinner menus. It will enhance your experience as a guest, as you know what’s ideal to eat depending on the time of day.
For lunch, their African crepe would be a good pick. It consists of ham, pancake, and other ingredients that both kids and adults would love to eat. For dinner, try dokunu, a Ghanaian dish made with chicken served with corn dough and other ingredients.
| Pro Tip: The place is small, so expect close physical contact with other guests and slow service during peak times. |
8. Restaurant Queen Sheba
Media credit: restaurantqueensheba
Address: 4525 Park Ave
Contact Details: +1 514 840 9494 and [email protected]
Operating Hours:
- Tuesday to Sunday – 5 PM to 10 PM
Pricing: $
Restaurant Queen Sheba is the ideal dining spot for those craving traditional Ethiopian dishes. Here, you can have meat, fish, or any food that suits your vegan diet.
It’s worth visiting here with a friend and trying one of the dishes from their tasting menu, which is good for two people. My friend and I tried their shared platter of Yetsom Beyaynetu, which consists of all their vegan dishes. They have six vegan dishes!
Since they only have one fish on their menu, we also gave it a try. Their assa goulash was simmered with tomato sauce, berbere spice, and other condiments. They did a good job balancing the flavours of the fish and all the ingredients.
| Pro Tip: You can have your food delivered to your doorstep by ordering their dishes on the Uber Eats app. |
9. Le Nil Bleu
Media credit: restomontreal, restaurant_nilbleu, daliarestomtl, and chandni_in_mtl
Address: 3706 Saint Denis St
Contact Details: +1 514 285 4628 and [email protected]
Operating Hours:
- Monday – 5 PM to 10:30 PM
- Tuesday to Thursday – 4:30 PM to 10:30 PM
- Friday – 4:30 PM to 11 PM
- Saturday – 12:30 PM to 11 PM
- Sunday – 12:30 PM to 10:30 PM
Pricing: $
Operating since the early 90s, Le Nil Bleu has stood the test of time and never looked back ever since. They serve authentic Ethiopian dishes that many people love for more than 30 years.
Their tasting menu is a great choice to eat a bit of almost everything they offer. Their meat and veggies tasting menu consists of five appetisers and meats, such as chicken, lamb, and more. This is good for at least two people.
For solo foodies, they have an extensive a la carte menu. I suggest trying their Yebeg Alicha, a lamb stew simmered in Alicha sauce that has a tender texture and spicy flavour.
| Pro Tip: Consider having a mid-week, early, or late dinner visit to avoid waiting for a long time. |
10. Gout D’Afrique
Media credit: goutdafriquemtl
Address: 5265 Queen Mary Rd
Contact Details: +1 514 714 4842
Operating Hours:
- Monday – 9 AM to 10 PM
- Tuesday – 9 AM to 5:30 PM
- Wednesday – 9 AM to 5 PM
- Thursday – 5 PM to 11 PM
- Friday – 5 PM to 12 AM
- Saturday – 12 PM to 12 AM and 5 PM to 12 AM
- Sunday – 12 PM to 12 AM and 5 PM to 11 PM
Pricing: $$
Gout D’Afrique not only serves African dishes but also showcases Africa’s rhythm through their djembe. If you’re not shy, the staff will happily teach you how to play the historic drums during your visit.
For fish lovers, I highly recommend trying their tilapia. Although it’s now a popular dish in many countries, it originated in Africa, and Africans know how to cook it right.
If you want to feast on all their food, visit here on a weekend and avail yourself of their buffet. What’s even better is that the place is much livelier on weekends, giving guests an unforgettable stay.
| Pro Tip: Bring your crew here on your birthday, as they offer free meals for the birthday celebrant and at least eight companions. |
