Tri Express is a japanese restaurant in Plateau, Montreal.
Tri Express is chef Tri Du's cramped, joyful sushi counter on Laurier Est in Montreal, a Plateau favourite for inventive maki eaten elbow to elbow.
Editorially verified July 1, 2026 by Lewis Vaughan, TableJourney editor. Source.
Must order: Whatever the chef sends out; the omakase-style specials beat the menu.
Tip: The space is tiny and cash-friendly; go early or expect to wait for one of the few seats.
Address: 1650 Avenue Laurier Est, Montreal, QC H2J 1J4
Qing Hua fills its soup dumplings by hand in Montreal's Chinatown, a bustling counter where the pork-and-crab xiao long bao arrive by the steaming dozen.
Order: A dozen pork and crab soup dumplings, plus the coriander ones.
Tip: Order fewer dumplings than you think; a dozen each is plenty and they come out fast.
Bombay Mahal is the roaring BYOB Indian canteen of Parc-Extension in Montreal, plating fiery South Asian classics to crowds who bring their own beer.
Order: The butter chicken and a plate of pani puri, with a bottle you brought.
Tip: It is bring-your-own-wine and cash-friendly; grab beer from the depanneur next door first.
Tacos Frida grills proper Mexico City-style tacos in Saint-Henri, Montreal, its al pastor carved off the trompo onto small corn tortillas made in house.
Order: Three al pastor tacos with pineapple and a fresh agua fresca.
Tip: Order by the taco and try a few fillings; the salsas on the counter do the heavy lifting.
Pho Tay Ho is the Petite-Patrie pho specialist in Montreal, ladling deeply spiced beef broth over rice noodles that locals rank among the city's best.
Order: A large pho tai with brisket and a side of Vietnamese coffee.
Tip: Cash is easiest and the broth is the point; skip the appetisers and order the big bowl.
Pizzeria Napoletana has fed Montreal's Little Italy since 1948, a cash-only, BYOB institution on Rue Dante turning out thin-crust pizza and hearty pasta.
Order: A thin-crust pizza and a plate of pasta, with a bottle of your own wine.
Tip: It is cash-only and bring-your-own-wine, with no reservations; arrive early to beat the queue.
Deville Dinerbar is a glossy downtown Montreal diner, plating truffle-butter popcorn shrimp and spiked milkshakes under retro neon on Rue Stanley.
Order: The popcorn shrimp and a spiked milkshake to share.
Tip: It leans indulgent and photogenic; go for the milkshakes and fried starters, not restraint.
