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    Cantine Emilia

    3.4 (15 reviews)
    Open 11:00 am - 9:00 pm

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    Not nearly the quality as the sister resto, Poule Mouillée. Fries were soggy and greasy, chicken cold.
    Cat D.

    Absolutely no for me. Went here about a month ago and I'm still smarting from the experience! I had this place on my radar since I read of its opening and that it's from tbe owner of Poule Mouillée, which is my favorite Portuguese chicken spot by far. I saw the menu online and noticed that they had several items that were not on offer at Poule (more sandwich options, crazy nata flavor combos etc). I did also notice that the prices were higher than that of Poule and also that there was no mention on the menu of the taxes being included in the price (as is the case at Poule Mouillée). I still figured I'd make it up there one day, even if it was further out than I usually venture. Well, the day came this January when we were hankering for that salty, juicy, smokey chicken and Poule was down and out due to a fire. So we made the trek near to Jarry park. First observation was that the location seems odd to me. It's one or two streets in off the main road, and is in a totally residential area. That makes parking easy, but it's definitely not a destination spot in terms of dining or things to do. The resto seems a bit out of place with its bright white and blue theme in a sea of brown brick, rather dull buildings. Place is basically self-serve (so yeah, don't ask me for a tip on your Interac machine) and self cleanup with those carts a la Ikea for you to slide your tray into once finished. So the more spiffy interior (which, I admit, is super cute and nice) is a bit lost on me, since the service is super casual and kinda non-existent. Cashier was not very helpful in recommending items from the menu. The shockers: the prices and subpar food! First, the prices don't include taxes and are significantly higher than the mother ship, Poule. For example, their half chicken plate with fries and salad (called Le Maria du Ciel) is $15.95 plus tax. That same plate (with much better chicken) is now (albeit, after several price increases from the original $10) $13, tax included. Why, oh why, are they asking approx $5.50 more for the "same" item in the middle of bumF*** nowhere (no offense to anyone living there, but it's not an area I would consider a destination of its own like the neighborhood where Poule is located). I'm upset about this because, clearly, the owner picked this area to put his Cantine due to lower rental prices, yet he's charging approx 40% more for his food?? It's an insult to the people who live there, who, IMO, generally don't have the same financial means as the overall population in the Plateau, and who now have to deal with foodies and hipsters (myself included here as a foodie) taking up the free parking spots. Portuguese chicken, while amazing, is not gourmet chichi poupou food, so Emilia's price points seem a bit removed from reality IMO. I can only assume the owner kept his prices lower in the Plateau at Poule due to the competition from the original source of Portuguese chicken, Romados, which is in close proximity. Now to the last and most egregious point: the chicken sucked! On both my chicken sandwich and on the chicken poutine, the chicken was COLD and not fresh. I couldn't believe I was actually eating in a place related to Poule and paying significantly more for it lol. I should have realized something was off when I first entered and didn't smell even a whiff of chicken from the semi-open kitchen. I'm almost under the assumption the chicken is grilled elsewhere and simply reheated. As well, for the poutine, the gravy was different and just not as tasty as that of Poule Mouillée. The poutine, which is usually a big hit, was really just not good. My dining companion didn't even bother to finish it, which is unheard of generally lol. And ok, another mention here of the price to quantity and quality ratio: Since I wasn't very hungry, I ordered the chicken sandwich, which automatically comes with fries OR salad (no chance of just getting the sandwich alone like at Poule Mouillée, which is $7). This sandwich combo is $12.95 plus tax. I figured, ok, must be a big sandwich. Well, yeah, no. It's the same $7 sandwich as Poule, the round palm-sized one, and to add insult, cold chicken inside this one, with an uninspired, small cup of salad on the side. So $15 for that. Those are Old Montreal prices people. In fact, this place gives me exactly that vibe. A tourist trap perfectly suited to Old Montreal, which otherwise wouldn't survive elsewhere in the city. I have never predicted the demise of an establishment before this, but I'll do so now: once the novelty of this place wears off (I mean, do we really need to mess with a nata and add Oreos to it people??), I don't see how this place will stay in business. Even if I had never tasted the chicken from Poule (and the less perfect but still very good, Romados) and didn't know any better, I would not return to Cantine Emilia, due to the blah chicken and ridiculous price point for such basic food. As you can see, I take my chicken to heart :)

    Jackie S.

    Cantine Emilia is such a great eatery in Villeray. Given that it was our first time there, the girl at the counter made some suggestions (we didn't ask for the help but she was friendly and looking out for us!). We ordered the Tio Antonio which includes two sides and two quarter chicken legs. The chicken was amazing; it was flavourful and moist and just a bit spicy. The house piri piri was so tasty I was dipping everything in it! I love Portuguese chicken and am excited to have this new addition in the area.

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    7 years ago

    Delicious chicken and really nice salads. Our family was very happy to lunch there and had egg tarts to go!

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    Casa Minhota - Garlic Shrimp with Rice

    Casa Minhota

    4.1(55 reviews)
    4.6 kmPlateau-Mont-Royal
    $$

    A true gem in the heart of Plateau-Mont-Royal (Portuguese Plateau)…read more We were 5 people for lunch during a busy weekend, Saint-Laurent Sidewalk Sale. Surprisingly inside, it wasn't. We showed up no reservation and they took us in right away. The waiter was super friendly and checked up on us regularly. There was a big group in the second section of the restaurant, but they weren't that loud for us to talk. The food was amazing. No issues with the chicken, pork, shrimps and steak. Everything was perfection. I would suggest anyone on a visit from anywhere, to try out this restaurant if you are in the heart of the Portugese Plateau.

    Casa Minhota is a homey Portuguese restaurant with great service, authentic food, and a relaxing…read moreatmosphere. The prices are what you would expect from a nice restaurant, a bit expensive but fair, and they have numerous selections to choose from. I hadn't tried Portuguese fried sardines before and they were quite delicious, and served with lemon and a spicy piri piri sauce that really enhanced the dish--big portion and had leftovers! The grilled Chorizo was delectable as well, with the charcoal flavor really shining through--not too spicy. My favorite dish was the Pork and Clams stew, a classic Portuguese surf and turf dish that was a little potato heavy but the flavor was perfect with hints of lemon, red pepper paste, and a salty, but not-too-salty brine on the tender pork loin. Another dish I tried was the grilled pork medallions: it was a bit average but still good. The potatoes were a little soggy/not crispy and the green salad was a touch too simple with just balsamic vinegar and olive oil; nothing special, but decent. The grilled Portuguese chicken was pretty nice and had that charbroiled/grilled flavor and the meat was quite juicy. The large serving is enough to share if you aren't too hungry and came with same sides as the pork medallions dish, which felt a bit repetitive... The waiter was very attentive and checked up on our table often. Good service. I prefer Aldea, another Portuguese restaurant a few blocks away, since they had similar prices and a bit better quality, more uniqueness of flavor...but if you are feeling a more homey, family-style energy then Casa Minhota is perfect for you.

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    Casa Minhota - View to the front

    View to the front

    Casa Minhota - Garlic snails

    Garlic snails

    Casa Minhota - Garlic Shrimp with Rice

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    Garlic Shrimp with Rice

    Restaurant Douro

    Restaurant Douro

    4.6(23 reviews)
    1.7 kmRosemont-La Petite-Patrie
    $$$

    After not having a bad meal in Montreal during our week long stay, we cancelled our reservation at…read morea top French place in the Old Town and decided to have something more fun. Portuguese food fit the bill and Douro had exactly the menu we were looking for with sardines, croquettes, caldo verde, and tons of fish and seafood choices. As fitting our last meal in Montreal, Restaurant Douro was the best meal and friendliest service we had in Montreal during our stay and we highly recommend it. We started with a salad, caldo verde (both included with our mains), two perfectly-sized bacalao croquettes, and six garlic shrimp. We had a choice of three daily fish special: Icelandic cod, branzino, and Arctic char. My wife had the char and I had the cod, both elegantly and perfectly prepared. The Portuguese wine list is extensive and I was even recommended a new favorite! It's near Little Italy and out of the way from the usual tourist routes. While you could call it a neighborhood gem, it's a big step up from that. Located a short, easy walk from the Beaubien metro station, it's perfect for the special occasion, quiet business meal, date night, or for just excellent Portugese seafood and friendly service.

    Food is superb. The place is small and quaint but very cute. I've come to this establishment twice…read moreand both times did not disappoint. Food is very good and tasty. Prices are great and the portions are large. The staff is helpful and friendly overall five stars and I will be back again.

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    Restaurant Douro
    Restaurant Douro
    Restaurant Douro

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    Cantine Emilia - portuguese - Updated May 2026

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