I'll update this review for O Cantinho based on a recent enough visit. It's hard for me to find Portuguese restaurants I like since I prefer the mid-range ones that cook a little bit of everything. That means you have to discard the few high end ones with small portions, the authentic ones with gruff personnel on the Plateau, and the Portuguese grilled chicken places that hipsters might frequent. I came in and it mostly looked the same, but a little different. Maybe it's that there was more focus on the pick-up counter area in front than on the restaurant, which wasn't that crowded. I was going to get a cut of meat, but then looked at the menu and they had a nice platter of chicken with salad, small potatoes, and started you out with some bread and olives. I was assured it wasn't spicy, so that's what I ordered. I like that they carry Sumol, a citrus flavored Portuguese soft drink that comes in 3 flavors, so I also got a can of Sumol. There were no complaints about the meal because it was good. The chicken had a mild glaze on it, the potatoes tasted "interesting," and the salad is always the simple kind with only a few additional ingredients. The service was sort of stale. They got things done, but it wasn't like the service of my first visit here. However, the prices were fair. The interior is airy and clean and, in time, more people were showing up for a sit down dinner. They really pissed me off between this time and the last time at which I actually ate here and, while I should factor this into its rating, I won't. O Cantinho is not that close to the center of Montreal. It is out by the 40, the Autoroute Metropolitaine, which sits in the middle of the Ile de Montreal and the restaurant is in the Villeray - St.-Michel area. On 2 past visits in different years, I drove all the way up to the restaurant, only to find all their windows covered with paper. There was no written indication of what was going on. Again, that was on 2 visits! This time, I called them before heading over there, for which I used the Metro to St.-Michel, and asked, "Are ... you ... open?" They were, so it's still a viable business. I asked with normal inflection and not a testy one as inferred above, and they seemed bothered that I was even calling for this. If you went to Portugal, Brazil, another Lusophone location, or simply on vacation, you need to display it prominently on your website, write something on the exterior of the restaurant, and add a recording to your business phone telling people of a temporary closure ... in three languages. Not doing so is inconsiderate. O Cantinho is authentic. If I ever return, I will again call before going over there. Because they fill a niche I like, have respectable food, and the pricing is fair, I will hold their rating at 4 stars. read more

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Good place for Portuguese chicken. They have a spicy sauce to go with it. Plates come with soft greasy fries. Which I enjoy. Quick service. Fully licensed bar. They got cheapy shooters btw. I enjoyed the chicken but last time I was here I had a great paella. I changed things up this time. Busy neighbourhood with limited parking. Friendly staff. Great for lunch. Its a change from the "other Portuguese chicken places". Easier access from the Plateau. Enjoy!! read more

The restaurant is pretty casual and family style with moderate prices. The food was okay and the service was Mediocre as it was super crowded and there didn't seem to be enough wait staff around. Mixed meat plate, included quail, chicken, ribs and sausage, served with potatoes and a salad. Not a bad option if you're undecided. I really liked the potatoes but found the meat dry and the side salad was covered in too much dressing. read more

Restaurant O Cantinho - Mixed meat plate, included quail, chicken, ribs and sausage, served with potatoes and a salad. - Portuguese Near Me - Montreal, Quebec

While in Montreal we planned to visit at least one Portuguese restaurant for our anniversary, so we ended up deciding to try out Restaurant O Cantinho. This restaurant was about a thirty minute bus ride from our flat, but is seemed to be more authentic than some of the other in the area and we were willing to give it a shot. When we entered the restaurant it was bustling with patrons but we were seated quickly. The wait staff here isn't the most friendly in the world (limited conversation and very brief interactions) but they were quick at providing us the traditional bread, butter and olives. The prices at this restaurant were reasonable, especially for their seafood, which can be one of the biggest drawbacks for dining at a Portuguese restaurant. We ended up buying the lulas grelhadas (grilled squid) for an appetizer which was delicious. The squid was cooked to perfection and the salad that accompanied it was good as well. For our main course my wife got a steak and I got polvo grelhado (grilled octopus) which were also both delicious. The fries that came with the steak were the best we have had in the city, and the rest of the food was perfectly prepared. In the end, this restaurant is five stars worthy in my book, but the wait staff again wasn't the most receptive and on a few occasions a bit off putting. We would definetly dine here again and encourage others to do the same, but be prepared for a lackluster experience when it comes to service. read more

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great food the only concerns i have is when i picked up my food the chef's were not wearing masks while cooking. During the pandemic they should know better. read more

I like this resto! I came here for the first with my family to celebrate our birthday. I admit I did not have high hopes for this place because I honestly found it a bit ghetto, the neighborhood isn't that great and it's far but the food is quite good! I brought my boyfriend here because we wanted something fairly inexpensive with big portions. I recommend the grilled octopus. It's so huge and it's so tender! I also recommend the fried calamari. I've had the chicken before and although its good I rather go to ma poule mouillée for chicken. The lamb is good but there's better stuff on the menu. The house wine is pretty good too! read more

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I have become a bit tighter with giving out 5 stars lately but this place deserves 5 stars hands down. If I could give it 6 star I would. I knew it was going to be a good night when I entered the restaurant and all I could smell was meat cooking on the charcoal grill. For all of you that are familiar with that smell you know how pleasurable it is. The menu only comes in French or Portuguese but I made do by asking questions and taking the odd glance at other tables. I came to the conclusion that I wanted everything lol. It all looked so good but how much can I really order. When the waiter came over I told him that I wanted everything. He was nice enough to point out that they had a mix grill. It had small pieces of all the different meats that they serve. I was in instant heaven. The service was great and our orders and out food came out in a decent amount of time. When my mix grill arrived I started salivating instantly. It has chicken, quail, ribs, sausage, steak, lamb, rice and salad. All seasoned differently but all cooked on a charcoal grill. The portion was insane. Everything was cooked to perfection and was full of flavor that is beyond explanation. By the end of my plate I was super full and super satisfied. Montreal is a city that I frequently visit so saying that 1 day of my visits will include my visit to Restaurant O Cantinho. Great job and keep pumping out great flavors. read more

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Got to say this is one of my top 3 chicken places. If you like spicy Portuguese chicken this is a great spot. My only disappointment is their vegetable and potato side dishes. Potatoes are boiled and vegetables are steamed with no spices or flavour. All else is wonderful!! read more

We order take out from them since we live nearby. Huge portions! The chicken tastes the most like northern Portugal. (My husband is portuguese so I am quite familiar) the bifana is also very good. Only recommendation I have is that their pasteis de bacalhau should have less green onions. And it was overcooked. Still, I recommend this place to everyone in the east end. read more

This is my go to place for charcoal grill. Love the pork and chicken. One of the cheapest chicken in town, beside their express counter on Henri Bourassa. Service has always been great for me. They have a liquor license, unlike the express counter. If you go during prime hours, there will be a lineup, so be prepared to wait. I love this restaurant, very inexpensive, less than a large pizza. read more

A great place on the east end for Portuguese chicken! Their spicy sauce is really tasty and the prices are pretty decent for the plate they serve. It's quite a big restaurant and does get busy on weekends. They have a good variety of chicken, fish and meat. read more

The service was really long and the food was okay. You can find a Portuguese restaurant somewhere else that is better.

Cool Place (in the back room if you are too hot, or terrace i summer) Very warm place (in front, close to the grill). So, depending on your mood, this place will warm your soul. Awesome fish! Delicious ribs. Good veggies and fries. Decent wine list. Fair prices. GO there! Worth a try. read more

cute little resto on Jarry street. i had the chicken thigh and fries and my boyfriend got the calamari entree, with two portuguese beers. the food was good but the service felt rushed and weird. we did not eat the bread they brought but they covered it with napkins for maybe serving it again? what if someone sneezed or touched the bread? maybe i am wrong but otherwise good food and good beer. read more

Having lived in the Azores as a teenager, I'm always interested in trying Portuguese food when I have the chance. We made a day trip to Montreal and when looking at restaurants near our last stop of the day, this one popped up. The reviews were so positive that we decided to give it a go, and we weren't disappointed. But we definitely have to remember to order less food in the future! We got 2 appetizers, the seafood (octopus/squid) salad and grilled chorizo. The salad was a standout and huge! Then we decided to order the mixed meat and mixed seafood plates for our entrees. This way, we each get to eat half and then trade so we get a good variety of food. Everything was delicious and we came home with enough leftovers for another meal. I had read reviews criticizing the service, but we had a great server, who paid just enough attention without being annoying and was interested to hear that we were from the US. All in all, I'd definitely go back, but next time, I think we'll just order 4 appetizers, which will certainly be enough food for the 2 of us to share! The portions are large and with the bread & olives waiting for you on the table, it would be perfect. read more

Was recommended by a friend, best surprise in Montreal. Good price for a huge plate. Had the half chicken and it came on a huge plate. Shows to you the best restaurants aren't on MTL Blog! read more

We ended up there with a whole hockey team of teenagers and their parents on a busy Valentine's Day . I cannot rave more about the place and their hospitality. The food was amazing and their house wine was great. It made our tournament trip to Montreal much better. read more

I've been here twice before several years ago and it was a delicious restaurant with excellent service. I went there tonight and it was terrible. It took an hour to be served our meal. After an hour I had to ask what was happening with our entree, all the waiter had to say was it was busy. We had a plate of various meats and one with fish. Honestly. Nothing to write home about. The chicken had no meat, the sausage and fish were almost burned. The rice and potatoes were average. Even after it had died down, we waited 30 minutes before getting served our coffee. The table was dirty and we asked to change the short paper table cloth before having coffee and cake, this disturbed the waiter. He was rude. The number of waiters versus tables is too small. There are dozens of portugese chicken restaurants, this has been my worse in food and service. Too bad, it was once a tasty place. read more

Had the mixes seafood plater the shrimp really stood out. Next will go for the giant shrimps dish.

ate there on Oct.27, had the half chicken spicy and it was delicious, one of the best I've ever had. Service was friendly however very slow

Owner is a moron. We waited for over 40 mns for our chicken. Spoke to the owner about it but he didnt do a thing about it. When we left, in front of our 6 yrs old, he told me "so was it worth it bitching about your chicken?" amongst other thing. He was very rude and blaming his staff (our waitress went 3 times to check with the kitchen!) for it being so long. My husband told him to be polite and he then insulted my husband and wanted to fix it with a fight and said he was lucky his son was there read more

First time patron .... The seafood platter was delightful and perfectly roasted. The staff were all colorful characters with Megan trumping all . What a place to eat Mediterranean style with family and friends . read more

Amazing food great service what more is there to say than 5 stars. The staff is friendly its not too expensive but that depends on what expensive is for you. The chicken is fantastic. read more