They say the best meals transport you. And if you’ve ever slurped a perfectly spiced bowl of beef noodle soup on a rainy afternoon, you’ll know exactly what we mean.

Taiwanese food has a way of wrapping you up in warmth, whether it’s the comforting aroma of lu rou fan or the satisfying chew of freshly made boba. But finding the real deal in a city bursting with dining options is not easy.

So my team and I did the legwork—sampling bites, reading reviews, and listening to local foodies—to bring you a list of Montreal’s top Taiwanese spots that are actually worth your appetite.

How we chose the best Taiwanese restaurants in Montreal

1. Nos Thés台灣餐廳

Address: 1609 Saint-Catherine St W

Phone: +1 514-904-0246
Business hours:

• Monday to Thursday: 12 PM – 9:30 PM
• Friday: 12 PM – 10 PM
• Sunday: 12 PM – 9 PM

Website

Nos Thes offers a lot of good Taiwanese food from their menu, but the braised pork rice (Lu Rou Fan) and beef noodle soup are definitely the standouts for our team. They tasted like what you’d get in Taiwan.

The beef noodle soup, in particular, has homemade noodles, fresh herbs, and a broth that’s deep and savoury. We also loved that their portions are huge.

They aren’t just about food, though. A lot of Taiwanese spots either do meals or bubble tea, and this place does both. 

To highlight, their bubble tea game is strong. You can customise the sugar levels of the drink, which we appreciate.

Regulars that we talked to are obsessed with their Fresh Taro Milk, which comes with real taro paste at the bottom of the cup. It’s thick, creamy, and not too sweet. 

However, one of our researchers didn’t really like their tapioca pearls. He said it was a little stale for him.

On the brighter side, we loved that it’s bright, spacious, and not cramped in here. The staff are also friendly and patient, even when we took forever to decide what to order.

They serve authentic Taiwanese food, and their bubble tea is exceptional

“Whenever I visit Montreal, this restaurant is a must-visit for me. They serve authentic Taiwanese food, and their bubble tea is exceptional—the bubbles are truly amazing. The staff are incredibly kind; one employee even helped my little boy wash his hands when he went to the bathroom. It truly felt like a warm and homey Taiwanese experience.”

C.C. Huang, Google review

A must-try if you’re downtown

“My friend introduced me to this place, and there was no turning back. The food is delicious, its about $ 20 with tax. I tried the Bubble tea special, which was Rose oolong tea. I loved it….every day the special changes, so you get to try a variety of delicious teas. It’s a must-try if you’re downtown.”

Nicole, Google review

2. Cuisine Formosa

Address: 2230 Guy St

Phone: +1 514-931-9990
Business hours:

• Monday to Tuesday: 4:30 PM – 12 AM
• Wednesday to Sunday: 2 PM – 12 AM

Cuisine Formosa’s charm lies in the fact that they have Taiwanese dishes on their menu that we couldn’t find at other spots. They have Taiwanese sausage, pork bone herbal soup, and even fried pork cutlet.

We also tried their braised belly pork on rice. We liked that the sauce-to-rice ratio was spot on. There’s plenty of flavour without drowning the rice or turning it into a soggy mess. 

Dishes are well-portioned too. After dining here, we felt full without the usual heaviness that comes from greasy takeouts. That’s likely thanks to a flavour profile that prioritises umami depth over oil.

We think their bubble teas are still a work in progress, though. The actual tea flavours seem muted. Most drinks also run a little too sweet, even at 0% sugar. 

However, we still want to give them credit for offering unique toppings and experimenting beyond just the standard tapioca pearls. Purple rice as a topping isn’t something you find anywhere, after all.

The space is also tiny, with mostly two-person tables. It gives off an intimate vibe, but it’s not ideal for groups or anyone who wants to stay longer.

Can’t wait to try other dishes

“They have some Taiwanese dishes that are hard to find in Montreal. I’m really glad they have fried pork cutlet, braised pork chop and pork bone herbal soup…etc. The fried pork cutlet is superb with its authentic taste. Just wish the portion of vegetables was bigger and there was more sauce on the rice. The owner is really nice! Can’t wait to try other dishes.”

Evan Kuo, Google review

I will come back again every time I get homesick

“As a Taiwanese, I truly highly recommend! The popcorn chicken and deep-fried pork chop are a must-eat! The soup could be better, but overall it’s still very Taiwanese. I will come back again every time I get homesick.”

Am Chiu, Google review

3. Maison Mignon 

Address: 1440 De l’Église St, Saint-Laurent

Phone: +1 514-744-1919
Business hours:

• Monday: Closed
• Tuesday to Sunday: 11:30 AM – 8 PM

Don’t let Maison Mignon’s appearance throw you off. If you’re walking past this small, family-run spot, you might miss it entirely. It’s quiet and humble, but the food is seriously so good.

A lot of the people we spoke to recommended their beef noodle soup, so we tried it. The broth is rich but not greasy, and the beef seems like it was slow-cooked for hours. 

Their marinated vegetables were also a standout. They add brightness to every bite, especially when mixed in between spoonfuls of soup. 

Portions are generous and prices are more than fair, especially when you compare them to what you’d pay at other spots downtown. 

We also appreciated the owner and his wife’s hospitality. They’re friendly, chatty, and have a sincere warmth that goes beyond typical customer service. 

We’ve even heard some customers received surprise treats from them, like house-brewed Taiwanese coffee and tea. 

That said, the cleanliness, while not off-putting, could be improved. A few tables had crumbs when seated, and with such a small space, even minor messiness stands out.

This is one of the rare places that I actually feel deserves 20%+ tipping

“Maison Mignon is very easy to miss. This small, family-owned, humble business doesn’t look like much from the outside (or the inside), but don’t let appearances deceive you. The food is RIDICULOUSLY good. The owner is INCREDIBLY friendly, hospitable and honest. This is one of the rare places that I actually feel deserves 20%+ tipping.”

Some Random Canuck, Google review

Very friendly owners, and fast service

“Excellent homemade beef noodle soup with tender beef, chewy ramen noodles, and light soup broth. Love their marinated veggies /Sauerkraut (酸菜)! Crispy chicken was just ok, not garlicky enough nor much basil flavour for my taste for traditional Taiwanese popcorn chicken, though they are very fresh and crispy! Very friendly owners, and fast service. Look forward to trying other homemade dishes next time!”

Judy Hung, Google review

4. MajesThé Bistro Bar

Address: 2077 Blvd Robert-Bourassa

Phone: +1 514-840-5128
Business hours:

• Monday: Closed
• Tuesday to Thursday: 11:30 AM – 9 PM
• Friday: 11:30 AM – 11 PM
• Saturday: 5 PM – 11 PM
• Sunday: Closed

Website

MajesThé Bistro might be mainly a bar, but it could pass off as a restaurant because of how good their dishes are.

What stood out to us first was their fusion-forward approach to Taiwanese food. The pork belly bao, for example, isn’t just the usual braised meat and bun. It’s layered with pickled mustard, spiced mayo, and crispy onions.

Their basil fried chicken also got a lot of love from us. It’s crispy, flavourful, and pretty close to what you’d get at a street stall in Taipei. 

That said, even if they have a diverse menu, it leans heavily into fusion. If you’re looking for strictly traditional Taiwanese food without the twists, this might not fully satisfy that craving.

We were also impressed by their drinks. We found their bubble tea-inspired cocktails creative. Their lychee spritz is a good option for non-drinkers. 

I personally loved the vibe of the place. It’s located in a basement and styled like a cosy speakeasy with comfortable sofas, low lighting, and a warm atmosphere. There are karaoke nights on Fridays and live jazz on Saturdays as well. 

It’s a restaurant with great value for the price!

“Even though it’s a bar, the main dishes are surprisingly delicious! I especially love the Taiwanese Basil Fried Chicken—it’s super authentic! The new Salt & Pepper Pork Ribs with Rice is also amazing! The honey-based sauce that comes with it is really special, definitely worth a try! The egg fried rice has a great wok flavour, and the spicy option uses fresh chilli peppers, which shows how skilled the chef is. The service is also great—very friendly! Overall, it’s a restaurant with great value for the price!”

Halo W., Google review

Everything we ordered was fresh and delicious

“I had a fantastic experience at Bar Majesthé! The atmosphere was warm and inviting, making it the perfect spot to unwind. Live music was great and the menu had a great selection, and everything we ordered was fresh and delicious…”

Dominador Ibanez, Google review

5. Casse Croûte Bubble Bubble

Address: 7800 Taschereau Blvd Suite 132, Brossard

Phone: +1 514-813-9813
Business hours:

• Monday to Tuesday: 11 AM – 7 PM
• Wednesday: Closed
• Thursday to Friday: 11 AM – 7:30 PM
• Saturday: 11 AM – 6:30 PM
• Sunday: Closed

Website

Casse Croûte Bubble Bubble is a casual counter-style eatery tucked into a marketplace. It’s not the fanciest, but what it lacks in ambience, it more than makes up for in the food.

Our favourite would be their crispy yet tender General Tao chicken. The sauce strikes the perfect balance between sweet, tangy, and savoury.

The portion sizes are also very generous, which adds real value, especially considering the prices are reasonable by Montreal standards. 

Most of us loved their bubble tea. The pearls have the right chew, the tea isn’t too sweet, and the flavours are spot on.

Service is another big plus. Even though it’s just a small counter, the staff are always friendly and quick.

However, some of our researchers didn’t really like the beef noodle soup as much as the other dishes. They’re used to a more savoury or spiced broth, so Casse Croûte’s sweet broth threw them off a bit.

Also, don’t expect a full sit-down meal. The place is tiny, and seating is super limited. We’d say it’s best if you take it out.

Service is very fast, and the person at the counter is always super friendly 

“Taiwanese fast food style take-out counter. Been here on several occasions, their fried pork chop is very good, super crispy and not too oily… and the portion is very generous for the price. As for their beef noodle soup, although the portion is huge, I wouldn’t recommend it as the broth was too sweet compared to other Taiwanese places. Service is very fast, and the person at the counter is always super friendly and nice”

A Chen, Google review

They prepared the food quickly

“Last minute dinner order, they prepared the food quickly, well packaged, staff was friendly. Arrived home, food is still hot and delicious. For take out counter, it is pretty good, on the healthier side, not too salty.”

Christina Tang, Google review