Whether you're looking for a hearty snack or a light meal, we've got you covered with a list of the best inexpensive food options.
Some are classics, beloved by Montreal foodies, while others are hidden gems — either way, they'll make your taste buds as happy as your wallet, filling your belly without draining your paycheque.
Keep in mind that you should assume all prices are before tax, unless otherwise stated.
Empanada from La Chilenita, La Casa de las Empanadas
Price: $4.95 each, tax included ($4.50 when you get more than six; $4 when you get more than 12)
Cuisine: Chilean
Address: La Chilenita, 130, rue Roy E.
Why You Need To Go: This hidden gem is known to have some of the best empanadas in town. And with a variety of types to choose from, it's a good thing they're under $5 each because you'll surely be tempted to come back for more (and more and more and more). Stuffed with ingredients like beef, chicken, sausage and veggies, they're also fairly filling.
"I tried their Chilean Empanada that had meat and boiled eggs inside. I also tried their chorizo empanada. Both were delicious and very addicting. Best part is that everything is cheap. A must try for any food enthusiast," wrote Google reviewer Victor Lee.
Victor Lee is right. Listen to Victor Lee.
Onigiri from the Onigiri Shop
Price: Starting at $3.99 each
Cuisine: Japanese
Address: Onigiri Shop, 5600, av. Monkland
Why You Need To Go: This (mostly) take-out joint, specializing in onigiri — triangle-shaped rice balls stuffed with sushi-grade fish or meat and other complementary ingredients — has seen lineups out the door since opening in Notre-Dame-de-Grâce a couple of months ago. That's largely due to the quality of the food. Montrealers are likely used to mass-produced onigiri from Japanese grocery stores; whereas, having it made for you on the spot takes the freshness and flavour to new heights. But it's hard to believe the wallet-friendly prices aren't also playing a part in this place's popularity. In other words, it's a win win.
Gnocchi from Drogheria Fine
Price: $5
Cuisine: Italian
Address: Drogheria Fine, 68, av. Fairmount O.
Why You Need To Go: The gnocchi from this tiny family-owned pasta counter in the heart of the Mile End is a quintessential Montreal cheap eat — and for good reason. A Chinese take-out container sized portion of pillowy gnocchi, served hot off the stove and slathered in nonna's homemade tomato sauce for just five bucks? What could be a more delicious deal?
If you feel like splurging, you can add extra Pecorino Romano for $1... and don't forget to ask for a dash of chili flakes if you're into a little spice (those come free).
Noodles from Chez Mein
Price: $2 (cash only)
Cuisine: Chinese-style noodles
Address: Chez Mein, 3671, boul. Saint-Laurent
Why You Need To Go: A late night visit to Chez Mein — aka $2 chow or $2 noodles — is basically a right of passage in Montreal, and one of the cheapest meals you can find in the city. That is, if you consider a container of chow mein noodles mixed with peanut butter sauce a meal. No, the portions aren't huge. And we're not sure we could recommend this dish sober (most Montrealers have only dared to try it between the hours of 2 a.m. and 4 a.m.). But it's cheaper than a large McDonald's coffee and always seems to hit the spot. Plus, you can even add spring rolls and still come in at under $5.
Wilensky Special from Wilensky's Light Lunch
Price: $4.57
Cuisine: Jewish deli
Address: Wilensky's, 34, av. Fairmount O.
Why You Need To Go: Named one of the world's best sandwiches by Travel and Leisure magazine, the Wilensky Special proves that best does not always equal most expensive. Created by the restaurant's founder, Moe Wilensky, in 1932, the sandwich is a simple yet perfectly satisfying combination of grilled salami, bologna and mustard served on a roll.
While this sandwich is a priceless Montreal icon — having been featured in everything from The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz to Anthony Bourdain's Parts Unknown — it'll cost you under $5 to try ($5.01 if you add cheese). Be careful when you order though: the owners have a history of charging customers an extra 40 cents if they ask for no mustard. And under no circumstances should this sandwich ever be cut in two. Sorry, I don't make the rules.
Two Tacos from NextDoor Pub on a Tuesday
Price: $5 ($2.50 per taco) with the purchase of an alcoholic beverage
Cuisine: The tacos are Mexican, obviously. But the rest of the menu is mainly pub food.
Address: NextDoor Pub & Grill, 5175-A, rue Sherbrooke O.
Why You Need To Go: On Tuesday nights, dinner at NextDoor really does feel like dinner at your next door neighbour's house — in that it will cost you next to nothing. With the purchase of an alcoholic beverage (which are generally pretty affordable here in their own right), you can get two decently-sized tacos for a total of $5.
You get the choice between beef, pork or veggie, all for $2.50 a pop, so if you're willing to go a little over budget, you could always spring for one of each.
B.L.T. from Patati Patata
Price: $5
Cuisine: Friterie Deluxe
Address: Patati Patata, 4177, boul. Saint-Laurent & 170, rue Jean-Talon E.
Why You Need To Go: Patati Patata is a fan-favourite among both tourists and locals who are seeking some solid poutine or a burger, particularly late at night (the Plateau location stays open until 2 a.m.). But did you know you can get a B.L.T. there for $5? Bacon, lettuce, tomato — what more do you need than that to satisfy your rumbling stomach? Well, perhaps some cheese or egg, which you can add for $0.50 or $1, respectively.
Though technically a breakfast sandwich, it's served all day long, making it the perfect snack or meal whenever the craving strikes.
Michigan Steamie from Chez Ma Tante
Price: $3.95
Cuisine: Hot dogs
Address: Chez Ma Tante, 3180, rue Fleury E.
Why You Need To Go: Montreal hot dogs are a go-to cheap eat. While a steamie from any one of the city's numerous casse-croûtes would be a tasty and low-cost option, we chose Chez Ma Tante's Michigan because it's great bang for your buck. As one of Montreal's oldest restaurants, not only does Chez Ma Tante have a stellar reputation, the Michigan is also a double beef hot dog topped with meat sauce and onions so it's more likely to leave your belly nice and full.
Slice from Pizza Bouquet
Price: $4.75 per vegetarian slice, tax included
Cuisine: Pizza
Address: Pizza Bouquet, 45, rue Beaubien E.
Why You Need To Go: Sometimes you just want a big ol' slice of 'za. If that's what you're after, Pizza Bouquet does not disappoint. Along with the classics, you'll find an interesting assortment of unique offerings, such as potato pizza, anchovy pizza and — at certain times of the year — corn pizza, all in sizeable servings.
Only vegetarian slices are $4.75 but it won't cost you much more for a meat slice at $5.25. Plus, these prices include tax, giving you a little extra wiggle room in terms of budget.
Menu
Two Lamb or Veggie Samosas from Thali Montreal
Price: $1.75 each (vegetarian) or $2 each (lamb)
Cuisine: Indian
Address: Thali Cuisine Indienne, 1409, rue Saint-Marc
Why You Need To Go: Samosas are the ideal cheap eat — portable, filling and delicious. Priced at just $1.75 to $2 each at Thali, a Concordia student hotspot, you can enjoy multiple samosas (vegetarian or lamb) without going over budget.
Za'atar Manakish from Al-Taib
Price: $4.30, tax included
Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Address: Al-Taib Boulangerie, 2125, rue Guy
Why You Need To Go: Al-Taib has been serving up fairly priced Middle-Eastern eats to students and locals alike for more than 20 years.
Although baked goods like manakish, spinach pie and cheese pie are Al-Taib specialities — the cheapest of which are $5 or less — you can also get your veggies in there. The salad bar is priced by weight, meaning you could fill your container with 200 grams of veggies for $4.50.
The best part? Al-Taib is open almost 24 hours a day, closing only between 5 a.m. and 8 a.m., so chances are you'll never go hungry.
BBQ Pork Bun from Coco bun
Savoury pastries in a warmer at Montreal's Cocobun.
Price: $3.50
Cuisine: Hong Kong-style bakery
Address: Pâtisserie Cocobun has three Montreal-area locations, all inside metro stations.
- 1550, boul. de Maisonneuve O. S-32 (Metro Guy-Concordia)
- 505, rue Ste-Catherine E. #729 (Metro Berri-UQÀM)
- 1500, av. Atwater S-04 (Metro Atwater)
Why You Need To Go: When you're on the go, riding the metro, there's nothing more convenient than grabbing a quick bite from one of the restaurants inside or adjacent to the metro station. If you're looking for something inexpensive and yummy that will actually curb your hunger pangs (oh, how easy it is to implode when you're hangry on the STM), Coco Bun is an excellent choice.
There are several kinds of savoury pastries available straight out of the warmer for $3.50 a piece, including BBQ pork buns, hot dog buns, ham & sausage buns, sausage & relish buns, chicken teriyaki buns and egg & cheese buns.
And saving money isn't the only fun you'll have there — serving yourself using tongs and a mini cafeteria tray, as is common in Asian bakeries, adds to the charm.
 Six Eggplant Pakoras or Chaat Papri or Dal Soup or Lentil Curry from Pushap
Price:
- 6 Eggplant Pakoras: $5
- Chaat Papri: $4.50
- Dal Soup: $3
- Lentil Curry: $4 to $4.50 depending on the type
Cuisine: Indian, Vegetarian
Address: Pushap, 5195, rue Pare
Why You Need To Go: Pushap has one of the most budget-friendly menus in the city right now. In fact, while we highlighted our top picks in the headline, there are more options than those for $5 and under.
Whether you're in the mood for an order of six eggplant pakoras, chaat papri (flour crisps topped with chickpeas, potatoes, yogurt and tamarind sauce), dal soup or one of four types of lentil curries, Pushap will make your broke foodie dreams come true.
Bring cash because they don't take cards.
These prices are confirmed at the time of publishing, but they can change at any time. Taxes and fees may not be included.
This article has been updated since it was originally published on April 11, 2024.
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