There are lots of delicious ways to eat chickpeas. But one of our favorites has always been having it blended into the creamy spread known as hummus. Whether it’s garlicky, full of tahini, loaded with olive oil, or all three, we love eating hummus with pita, in a sandwich, or even just on its own. Here are our favorite places for hummus in Montreal.
Click here for the Best Montreal Hummus >
Art:brgr
Their burgers gave them their name, but their hummus is secretly one of the best things on the menu. The owner makes it himself in small batches, and he’s so protective of the recipe that he won’t even share it with the chefs. As tasty as it is on its own, they offer it in nine different platters, each of which is worth a try. If you still have room afterwards, indulge in one of their deep fried Mars Bars.
Alep
The Armenian and Syrian menu is so full of goodies that you might not know where to start, but you can’t really do any better than their hummus. You can get it on its own, or as part of a vegetarian platter chock full of delicious goodies like mouhamara, a slightly sweet spread that you won’t be able to stop eating.
Restaurant Daou
If velvety and smooth hummus is what you crave, this is the place for you. Their version of the chickpea spread is so rich and creamy that you’ll think it’s made with butter. It’s good enough and filling enough to be your whole meal, but you won’t want to miss out on their fantastic fattoush or tabouli.
Estiatorio Yia Sou
The name of this Greek grill means “Hello” in Greek, and you’ll want to say “Hello” to them in order to taste how delicious their hummus is. It’s injected with a healthy dose of roasted garlic for a savoury flavour you’re sure to love. Even better, they serve them in “Greek-style” large portions, so there will be plenty to go around.
Boustan
Almost as good as the hummus itself at Boustan is the variety of ways in which you can have it. For sure, it’s delicious on its own, as it’s offered on many of their platters. But for something special, try it in their legendary Creation sandwich, which contains chicken, potatoes, and coleslaw, among other things. They’re open late, so they can fulfill all your drunk hummus-eating desires.
Restaurant Chase
We’ve already talked about the best restaurants in NDG, but we didn’t mention the best hummus in NDG—and it’s here. If it’s a nice day, this is the perfect place to enjoy it, too, because they’ve got a terrace in the summer to get you some fresh air while you chow down. The service can be a bit slow, but it’s worth the wait, if only for their hummus.
Damas Restaurant
This Syrian restaurant has lots of amazing things to offer, but their hummus might be our favorite. It has a tanginess to it that hits your taste buds with just the right amount of sass. Match that with some vine leaves and a solid wine list, and you’ve got yourself the start to a deliciously classy dinner.
Omnivore Comptoir Grill
The name doesn’t lie—they’ve got something for eaters of all kinds here. Of course, vegetarians will be more than satisfied with Omnivore’s hummus, which has a distinctively smoky aroma to it. But for carnivores who are looking for a little extra, they’ve got an incredible sandwich called the Beirut that’s packed full of grilled meat.
Kaza Maza
There’s a lot of Lebanese fast food around the city, but this place delivers the cuisine in a classy sit-down setting. Not that drunk-eating at 3 AM after you’ve closed out the bar isn’t classy, but it’s not quite the same thing. It’s not like atmosphere is all they offer, either—their silky hummus is to die for.
Le Nil Bleu
If you’re looking for a change of pace from your normal hummus experience, this is the place for you. It’s an Ethiopian restaurant, so they give you a spongy bread called injeea to soak it up with rather than pita. Hummus isn’t all you’ll use the bread for, either—Ethiopian cuisine is generally served without utensils, so you pick up the rest of your food with it as well. It’s a style of eating that’s just as unique as it is delicious.
Chez Benny
Benny is a kosher restaurant, but people of any or no religious affiliation will love the hummus and everything else here. They drizzle the hummus with olive oil and top it with falafel balls, so you’ll have no shortage of oily, chickpea-y goodness. They even have Chinese food, so even if you come here because of this article but change your mind about wanting Middle Eastern, you’ll still be in good shape.
Pizza Pita
Don’t let the name fool you—the hummus is really the star here. It’s the perfect complement to their crispy falafel, and they pack both generously in a pita for a delicious sandwich. Naturally, as their name suggests, they do also have great pizza, so you can order that if you’re more in the mood for it. You don’t have to sacrifice Mediterannean cuisine entirely while you do it, either, because you can get your pizza covered in olives.
Aux Lilas
This family-run restaurant is full of authentic charm—as is their hummus. It’s fantastic on its own. But, if you really want to treat your self, you’ve got to try their Hommos al Malak, which comes garnished with sautéed ground beef, roasted almonds, and pine nuts. You wouldn’t have made it this far in the article if you didn’t love hummus already, but this dish will take your appreciation to another level.
Lallouz Cafe and Kebaberie
As the name indicates, these guys serve their hummus in a casual setting, but the spread is no less delicious than it is at their more upscale counterparts. It’s the perfect way to start off your meal at Lallouz. Follow it up with one of their meaty main dishes like cherry beef or harissa chicken kebabs for a meal that will fill you up right.
Tuck Shop
This restaurant believes in cooking with the freshest ingredients they can find, and their commitment yields them a delicious hummus. They serve it as part of a yummy Middle Eastern-themed dish that includes grilled octopus, baba ganoush, and labneh. Wash it down with one of their cocktails for a meal that you’ll love.
For more, follow Max on Twitter @mbled210
