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    La Tamalera

    4.5 (60 reviews)
    ModerateMexican
    Closed 11:00 am - 9:00 pm

    Order La Tamalera Takeout or Delivery

    La Tamalera Photos

    LA TAMALERA ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Quiet
    Good for groups
    Good for kids

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    Recommended Reviews - La Tamalera

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    Rey J.

    I ordered chilaquiles and pozole on a -10c morning in Montreal. A very tasty breakfast. Montreal doesn't mess around with this cold weather.

    Courtney K.

    Hands down the best Mexican restaurant I've been to in the city. My boyfriend is from San Antonio and he says that this restaurant is on par with the restaurants at home! Will be returning again soon - and often!

    Vivian S.

    I'm sure this food is better not order as take out but it's hard to judge that so please keep this in mind when reviewing. We ordered from Ubereats and the driver got lost so we were pretty famished. Mole tamales wete the thing I was looking forward to most having had some in Mexico and having fond memories. Flavour was great but tamale was a little dry in texture. The tacos were yum and the salad was okay..a little high prices I thought. The spicy sauce was HOT but flavorful. The horchata tasted goid but I've never had pink horchata so was a little confused by that. Watermelon juice really refreshing. Really great flavours all around..we need to try them innperson to give them a fair taste test.

    September 2017- Veggie lovers
    Amber H.

    Happy we finally got to try this place out I'm not usually in this location but it was great! It's very authentic and extremely well priced. I had the gringa which was a large taco with cheese pineapple and chicken, served with onions and coriander on top. The two wedges of lime that came with it was all it needed it was wonderful !! There own hot sauce comes with each plate pretty much so don't you worry spice lovers. Next up we shared the veal sandwich, we weren't exactly sure if it was going to be chicken or veal as it only said melianese on the board but it was okay. The meat wasn't very crispy but the guacamole and fried beans with lettuce and mayo inside made the flavours pop. We tried the corn on the cob stick with mayo and ketchup seasoning, it wasn't fresh the corn and we didn't really like the mayo combination. To be fair it was my first time having it so I'm not sure what it's supposed to taste like.Last but not least the crispy little tacos with pork guacamole pineapple and onions, it was really good. Our waitress was very nice and came right up to us as soon as we got in. I was really impressed with all the little pictures and signs and decorations it made you feel like you were at home eating. Would definitely go back

    Orxata
    Herve E.

    My favorite Mexican restaurant in Montreal so far! With all the right colors, friendly smiles and quirky decorative elements. The horchata of the day is invariably fabulous and my favorite may forever remain their Sincronizada Poblana. They also make excellent Tamales. This place truly makes me happy. Do try it!

    Tamales!!
    Jenviev A.

    Cuteness overload! This place is such a nice little Mexican restaurant, fun for a family night outing or casual friend hangout. I'll confess, I was weary that such an adorable Mexican joint, might mean the food wouldn't be up to par (I'm used to the Saint Hubert street Mexican dives that offer super delicious and authentic food). Although I only had the chance to try the tamales, they were fantastic!! In fact all the food I saw seemed to be the real deal. The only catch is you'll definitely pay more than on Saint Hubert, but it seems worth it to me if you're looking for a slightly more upscale Mexican experience.

    Tamale with pork, tacos al pastor and horchata. Delicious!
    Chelsea R.

    What a beautiful little restaurant nestled near the Mile End district of Montreal-- my friends and I had an amazing experience here. We came an hour before closing, so it was very relaxed and quiet. It was just the four of us who decided to sit down and eat, but near closing a ton of people showed up to get take-out. None of us are fluent in French (traveling) but our waiter was happy to accommodate us in English and Spanish and was especially friendly. I ordered horchata, the tacos al pastor and a pork tamale. The horchata came in a big mason jar which was plenty enough to share with all of my friends and super smooth with just the right amount of mixture. My friend's hibiscus drink also came the same way. The tacos were so good I finished the whole damn thing (this is an accomplishment for someone who gets made fun of for getting full too easily), and the slightly caramelized (or roasted?) pineapple combo with the tender pieces of pork are still something I'm thinking about a week later. All of the salsa I tried was very flavorful with a decent bit of heat, and the tamale was also really well made! I really enjoyed the atmosphere of this place, it truly felt like we took a little detour from Canada to experience a family's homemade Mexican meal. The decorations were all very cute and colorful, with photos of Mexican history and culture spread throughout. There was also a little grocery by the register selling various Mexican ingredients for food, candy (Mazapan!) and even a jar full of luchador action figures if you wanted.

    Tammy M.

    Hunger managed! Baja Tacos rockin my taste bud tissues happy place. Salsa, perfecto! Ambiance delightful. Food is clean, fresh! No cerveza but that dont get in the way. The lemonade was quenching. Will be back. Have been back. Will be back again. Tune du soir: https://youtu.be/h3z8DnS_0eg Angelly and I each have a different treatment to pork tacos. Both excellent! Definitely an in-the-hood regular "happy place" provider.

    Koji S.

    Perhaps ironically, it was the tamales that we were least impressed by - the other things we ordered were very tasty. The rice-based drink (whose name escapes me) turned out to be the perfect amount of sweet. It's a very petite location, and the decor is delightful; service was a bit slow, but it's clear that they're a bit understaffed/it's a small-scale operation. Price was reasonable! They offer a selection of Mexican ingredients/groceries in the back.

    Chicken tamale
    Megan P.

    Tasty Mexican food is always on the menu. La Tamalera did not disappoint. We had a chicken tamale, Tacos de cochinita, and Tacos al pastor. The tamale was ok. A little heavy on the dough and light on the chicken. I don't have a lot of tamale experience though. Maybe it's meant to be that way? The spicy sauce served with the tamale was green with red pepper flecks throughout. Spicy and good! The cochinita was swimming in an amazing braised broth as topped with pickled onions. We were fighting over this one. The al pastor tacos were a little dry but had a great flavor and were topped with cilantro and fresh cut pineapple. No canned pineapple here! At the end of the meal I inquired about desert and, lucky me, a decadent Tres leche cake was on the menu. It was beautifully plated, fresh, and not too sweet. I am one happy customer!

    Agua de sandía...otherwise known as the world's most generous serving of watermelon juice!
    Beatrice L.

    People are always complaining about overpriced Mexican food. This place is not cheap, but the bang is totally worth your buck here. Portions are generous--I innocently ordered a watermelon juice which came in a glass jar so large, it could have lasted me (and a small family) all day. Then I kind of went overboard and ordered two different taco dishes which were both excellent and came out in record time, piping hot and fresh from the kitchen. Flavourful and plentiful in its ingredients. The waitress was a sweetheart too. It's kitschy inside, with all the Frida Kahlo and Dia de Los Muertos paraphernalia that Mexico's neighbours to the north have grown to obsess over in popular culture, but somehow--it all works. Good music, good vibes, good food, good service, all for a good price. Highly recommended!

    Delicious tacos for brunch!
    Geneviève F.

    Excellent Tacos and Tamales! I especially recommend the baja shrimp tacos, they make me go back to this place almost weekly. Service is fast and staff is amicable, great recommendations by them on what to order. The price is fair and the atmosphere/decor is memorable and lovely. I highly recommend it, cheers!

    Bajas tacos y Sandia agua fresca!!
    Isabelle V.

    I just have to say that it's a great colorful place, good music, best bajas tacos and awesome service! I'll come back to taste the whole menu!! Thank you La Tamalera!!

    Rice horchata.

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    3 years ago

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    3 years ago

    Delish. Amazing. Cochinitas tacos are a must. And the horchata is pink! So barbie so yummy

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    8 years ago

    I have tried a lot of guacamolé. This is the best. Also the sauce of their braised porc tacos...

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    8 years ago

    Awesome tamales, home made by a very friendly mexican family. A must try if you want to taste the real deal

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    8 years ago

    I really enjoyed the corn vegetarian tacos with habanero sauce and fresh cheese...also liked the fresh homemade Sandia

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    La Tamalera Reviews in Other Languages

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    Le Petit Mexico - Bar interior

    Le Petit Mexico

    4.0(1 review)
    2.5 kmVille-Marie

    Very vibey place if you're looking for a night out with your friends. The house dj is great and…read moreplays tons of different music from r&b to hip-hop to reggaeton to reggae and afrobeat. The music has something for everyone. The inside is a little small so it gets packed fast but there is also outdoor seating. Their speciality seems to be the margarita but i've had better (mine was too limey which i hate so it made them okay) My friend really enjoyed her flavored one so it's prob best to opt for one with a flavor. The margs are prices at $15 a class and then you can get liters/pitchers if you're in that kind of mood. They have a huuuge mezcal and tequila selection & wide range of beers on tap to choose from. Happy i found a decent bar for the next time i'm in Montréal!

    From the owner: Le Petit Mexico est un bar à thématique mexicaine avec comme cocktail phare la margarita classique…read moreou frappée déclinée en 6 saveurs différentes. Le bar offre également une selection de Tequila importée à découvrir ainsi que du Mezcal. Il fait parti du regroupement des Petits MTL, qui inclus le Petit Cuba et le Petit Moscou. Le Petit Mexico is a mexican themed bar with a star cocktail : Margaritas. It is served either shacked or slushed and in 6 different flavor. It is part of the group of bar les Petits MTL and its sister bars are Le Petit Cuba and Le Petit Moscou.

    Photos
    Le Petit Mexico - Tequila shots

    Tequila shots

    Le Petit Mexico - Pitcher of classic margarita

    Pitcher of classic margarita

    Le Petit Mexico - Margaritas

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    Margaritas

    Tacos Victor - Nachos. Pork topping was half hot, half cold and absolutely awful.

    Tacos Victor

    3.8(5 reviews)
    2.7 kmVille-Marie

    We ordered the taco box and while they were not the best tacos we've ever had, you can't beat 12…read moretacos for $35. We got the steak, chicken, and pastor tacos. The steak tacos were pretty good but some of the steak was pretty tough. The chicken tacos were great and probably the best seasoned of the three. The pork tacos were good and the pineapple offered a good contrast. They gave a large bowl of guacamole on the side which was really good and made all the tacos a lot better. They also put fries on top of the tacos, which was a fun addition but ultimately made all the tacos taste too similar. Usually different taco flavours have red onion or cabbage or diced tomatoes as a garnish, but in this case they were just topped with fries so there wasn't enough flavour distinction and all the tacos taste the same after a while. Despite that, you really can't beat the value offered by the taco box so we would certainly be tempted to buy it again when we're craving tacos.

    Some of the worst nachos I have ever had. Pork topping was deep fried and half were hot and the…read moreother very cold. The server saw we didn't eat them and did not even bother to ask why or show any concern when she took the uneaten plate away and brought the bill. Sangria was equally bad. Way too sweet, probably from soda being added. This review really deserves one star, but the salsa selection was good, so I'll throw a star in for that. This meal was so bad we actually went to another Mexican restaurant to try and erase the experience. See my review of Lakalaka located on the other end of St Denis. It is worth the trip compared to what you will get here.

    Photos
    Tacos Victor - Pina Colada (virgin) - so yummy!

    Pina Colada (virgin) - so yummy!

    Tacos Victor - Mojito (virgin)

    Mojito (virgin)

    Tacos Victor - Menu

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    Menu

    La Toxica

    La Toxica

    3.8(5 reviews)
    3.2 kmVille-Marie

    The second location to the popular Villeray restaurant. It's still fairly under the radar so no…read moreproblem to get a table which is great on their $25 all you can eat tacos on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. You have a choice of 5 different tacos for the AYCE menu ( carnitas, steak, pastor, chorizo, and veggie). My favourites were the steak, carnitas, and pastor. You get two sauces on the side and every taco is garnished with onions and coriander with a lime wedge for each taco you order. They are so good and bite sized, my friends and I had 13-15 tacos each and we were so full by the end but so content. For all you can eat it is a great deal. The service is also very fast which is good because they keep the tacos coming. I've also been during non AYCE days and have tried the burrito (huge and flavourful and filling), and the chips and guac (good!), and the steak quesadilla (one of my favourites! so gooey and cheesy). I recommend also getting the hojicha drink! It's milky and refreshing. You can't go wrong with this place. Everything on the menu is good and staff is really friendly. The space is also very big and there's a good variety of tables and booths. Has lots of decorations on the walls and theme music playing.

    Joile resto festif et tres colorée. Idéal pour fêter. La déco est super !…read moreLes Tacos s'achète a coup de 2 ou 4 et ils sont execellent. J'ai eu la chznce de goûter au Birria poulet et au carnitas, ils sont très savoureux et il sont venu avec un bouillon dans un bol et si ont veux. Accompagné de lime et 2 sortes de salsa. J'ai aussi gouté su El Pastor ils ont leur style. Le menu offrent beaucoup d'autres plats je vais revenir cest sûre. Cest une place tres grande il y a beaucoup d'espace idéal pour des groupes.

    Photos
    La Toxica - Pretty authentic

    Pretty authentic

    La Toxica
    La Toxica - Le bar

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    Le bar

    Escondite

    Escondite

    4.1(273 reviews)
    3.0 kmVille-Marie
    $$

    This review is a bit tough to rate. I would give 4 stars for the food, but 3 or less for service…read moreand the restaurant feels a bit rundown. We were in Montreal for several days and decided to go casual on our anniversary and we were craving Mexican food. We made a reservation as the place is crazy busy. We arrived, had to wait a few minutes before we were seated. The hostess looked up our reservation and seated us without saying anything to us. We took our seats and looked at drinks before looking at the menu. Our server took awhile to come to our table, took our drink order and an appetizer order and left. The drinks finally came out along with the chips and guacamole and we decided to make our decision on dinner. We waited, and waited, and waited about 40 minutes for our server to come back to take our dinner order. She was fairly nice, but rushed. Again, we waited and waited and waited for our dinners. We were enjoyed the food, it was flavorful, seasoned well, and really filled our craving for Mexican food. After we finished our dinner, again we waited, waited, and waited for our server to come back to our table. She never checked on us as to how we were enjoying our food. She brought the check, we paid, stood to leave and she said thank you as my husband handed the check back to her. He quickly mentioned it was our anniversary, she stopped and asked if we would want to sit back down and she would bring us a dessert. It was nice to offer, but she could have learned this if she would have taken a moment to talk to us. We didn't need a long conversation, just to feel welcome, and we felt in the way as they were busy. We thanked her, but we didn't want to spend an hour waiting for a dessert, so we graciously declined and left. It really is a shame. If the service was better, and the food came out quickly, they could turn tables quicker. I don't know if they are short staffed, but it really was disappointing.

    We stopped in for a light lunch and margaritas while exploring Old Montreal and were really glad we…read morechose Escondite. The atmosphere was fun and relaxed, and the bartender took great care of us. The drinks were excellent, and the service made it even better. Perfect little break in the middle of the day.

    Photos
    Escondite
    Escondite
    Escondite - Dans les toilettes des femmes

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    Dans les toilettes des femmes

    Arriba Burrito

    Arriba Burrito

    3.9(20 reviews)
    2.8 kmVille-Marie

    Very cute Mexican spot! I went on a Thursday night, and even though it was busy, they did their…read morebest to get us a table. The staff was friendly and super kind. I had the birria tacos with a strawberry margaritaeverything was very fresh and really good. Service can be a bit slow, but the quality of the food makes up for it. For dessert, we shared churros with ice cream. The churros were to die for so fresh,but I'd probably skip the ice cream next time since it was a bit too much. Overall, I really enjoyed this place. Just come with a bit of patience, as service may take longer than expectedbut the food is definitely worth it!

    PROS: - Delicious and beautiful food with a wide variety of…read morecolourful toppings. - Every cocktail that we had was very inventive and tasted great, with a balanced flavour profile CONS: - the food and drinks are quite expensive ($17 for a cocktail, over $30 for fajitas) - the service is slow and inattentive, food gets brought out at different times, getting the cheque took forever - one of the guests at my table ordered a tequila soda (what should be a basic order) - the waiter was brought them a can of Montpellier alongside a shot of tequila. There was an empty glass given but there wasn't even ice or a slice of lime or anything served with it. Asking for some ice for her drink took incredibly long too with how slow the service was. - the AC inside was WAY too cold, so cold that it hardened the cheese on some of the dishes as we waited for everyone's food to come out Overall this restaurant's food and drinks are great, with our experience marred by poor service. There seemed to be a ton of staff available the day we dined so there wasn't an excuse for how long it took to be served and to pay our bills.

    Photos
    Arriba Burrito
    Arriba Burrito - Churros and ice cream

    Churros and ice cream

    Arriba Burrito

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    La Tamalera - mexican - Updated May 2026

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