The Best 15 Places to Eat and Drink Around McGill University
There are tons of restaurants in the area surrounding McGill University, so we wanted to highlight some of the best.
McGill is the best university in Canada for students in terms of quality of education, and a great place to enjoy yourself while studying.
There are a lot of bars and restaurants located around the campus, and I decided to compile a list of the best. I’ll be updating the list as new locations open up.
15 Places to Eat and Drink Around McGill University
1. Benelux
Address: 245 Rue Sherbrooke Ouest, Montréal, QC H2X 1X8, Canada
Phone: (514) 543-9750
Website: Visit Website
Gert’s, a campus pub, and Bar des Pins, a dive bar, are popular among McGill students, but for a little finer option, there’s Benelux.
Near McGill University, this brewery produces a wide variety of Belgian and Belgian-inspired house beers.
The nachos, pulled pork sandwiches, and hot dogs with sauerkraut are all delicious, and the expansive terrace is a terrific place to hang out any time of day (though it may become crowded in the evenings).
2. Pikolo Espresso Bar
Address: 3418b Av du Parc, Montréal, QC H2X 2H5, Canada
Phone: (514) 508-6800
Website: Visit Website
If you’re looking for a caffeine fix, Pikolo isn’t your cheapest bet, but neither is any other good, independent coffee shop. The delicious pastries and the lovely two-story, wood-heavy interior are just icing on the cake.
3. Boucherie Dans La Côte
Address: 2123 Rue de Bleury, Montréal, QC H3A 2K2, Canada
Phone: (514) 439-9222
Website: Visit Website
While it is primarily known as a butcher store for the surrounding neighborhood, Dans La Côte also serves up some of the city’s finest sandwiches, including both traditional fare like roast beef and more out-there creations like headcheese sandwiches on bread from renowned local bakery Arhoma.
A little more pricey than the standard student sandwich, but well worth it due to the exceptional quality of the local meat.
4. Kantapia
Address: 364 Rue Sherbrooke Ouest, Montréal, QC H3A 1B5, Canada
Phone: (514) 508-2585
The vast menu, including many items under $10, is likely the reason why this Korean restaurant on the corner of Parc and Sherbrooke is often filled at lunch and evening.
Some dishes do better than others due to the menu’s extensiveness, but old standbys like bibimbap and tteok bokki always seem to be popular.
5. Lola Rosa
Address: 545 Rue Milton, Montréal, QC H2X 1W5, Canada
Phone: (514) 287-9337
Website: Visit Website
From its humble beginnings on Milton Street, vegetarian restaurant Lola Rosa has grown into a modest local success story, with two more locations serving up the same substantial vegetarian fare as the original, which is a McGill Ghetto favorite.
6. Dispatch Coffee
Address: 3480 Rue University, Montréal, QC H3A 0E9, Canada
Phone: (514) 437-1327
Website: Visit Website
Dispatch Coffee, which began as a coffee van, has expanded to three sites around Montreal, including its own roastery in the St-Zotique neighborhood.
The McConnell Engineering Building is home to McGill’s greatest cup of joe and is where you’ll find the McGill location. Breakfast items such as pastries and toast are available.
7. Café Parvis
Address: 433 Rue Mayor, Montréal, QC H3A 1N9, Canada
Phone: (514) 764-3589
Website: Visit Website
Even though it seems like an expensive place to hang out, one of the most attractive coffee shops in town offers great lunch deals, such as flat-bread pizzas that don’t break the $10 barrier.
Also worth your attention are salads, available in various quantity sizes. If you come before or after lunch, you should be able to find a seat and remain for a while.
8. Vua
Address: Tour Intact, 2020 Boulevard Robert-Bourassa, Montréal, QC H3A 2A5, Canada
Phone: (514) 312-7660
Website: Visit Website
At this chic Vietnamese restaurant, sandwiches are the way to go (although sushi is inexplicably offered, too).
They’re not the greatest in town (for that, you’ll need to travel further to places like Hung Phat), but they’ll do, and the price is right.
9. Falafel Avenue
Address: 2020 Boulevard Robert-Bourassa, Montréal, QC H3A 2A5, Canada
Phone: (514) 842-9494
Website: Visit Website
Falafel Avenue, which serves not just the traditional pita option but also salads and pizza shapes with a choice of five different tahini sauces, is possibly the most fascinating purveyor of fried chickpea patties in town.
10. Nouilles Zhonghua
Address: 908 Rue Sherbrooke Ouest, Montréal, QC H3A 1G3, Canada
Phone: (514) 574-6188
Website: Visit Website
This recent addition to the dining scene on Sherbrooke West is known for its reasonably priced and speedily prepared Chinese noodle meals and soups.
Just because it doesn’t have flashy trimmings doesn’t mean it isn’t amazing (and affordable).
11. Japote
Address: 1000 Rue Sherbrooke Ouest Montréal QC H3A 3R3 Rue Sherbrooke Ouest, Montréal, QC H3A 3R3, Canada
Phone: (514) 269-9004
Website: Visit Website
The 2016 eviction of this Japanese shop from the rundown Faubourg Ste. Catherine mall was a boon for McGill students. It relocated to the tunnels underneath the 1000 Sherbrooke Ouest building, bringing with it the same ridiculously low-priced Japanese curry bowls, donburi, and bento boxes.
12. Leaves House (McGill College)
Address: 1800 Avenue McGill College RDC-A, Montreal, QC H3A 3J6, Canada
Phone: (514) 843-0888
Website: Visit Website
Leaves House, a coffee shop with two locations in the downtown region, has opened on the ground floor of a McGill College Avenue office skyscraper.
If you’re looking for a place to study for a few hours in an area of town where it used to be all chain coffee shops or bust, this one has fantastic coffee (try the cold brew), nutritious pastries, and great internet.
13. Koa Lua (McGill College)
Address: Tour Bell Média, Montréal, QC H3A 3J6, Canada
Phone: (514) 849-1000
Website: Visit Website
Koa Lua’s newest facility, which will open in August 2019, is conveniently located next to the campus’s front entrance.
Hawaiian poke bowls are available at the takeout counter, making them a good choice for a picnic on Lower Field.
14. Super Sandwich
Address: 1115 Rue Sherbrooke Ouest, Montréal, QC H3A 1H3, Canada
Phone: (514) 842-1560
Website: Visit Website
Super Sandwich is a sandwich counter in a basement grocery store, but it has saved the day for many a cash-strapped student.
For around two dollars, you can have a sandwich on a warm baguette topped with lettuce, tomato, mustard, and mayonnaise.
15. Opiano
Address: 1115 Rue Sherbrooke Ouest, Montréal, QC H3A 1H3, Canada
Phone: (438) 333-3335
Website: Visit Website
The international student community loves this hidden Korean restaurant in the condo building near Peel and Sherbrooke.
Options abound, and most importantly, they are reasonably priced. If you don’t want to wait in a lengthy queue, you should probably avoid the lunch rush.
Where To Find Cheap Food Near Montreal’s McGill University Campus
1. Zhonghua Noodles
Where: 908 rue Sherbrooke Ouest
When: Monday – Sunday, 11:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Website: More info.
If you’re in the mood for a bowl of hot, spicy noodles, you should stop by this noodle shop.
The tiny restaurant size means that it’s probably advisable if you get take away and bring it back to McLennan. Libraries stink, but coming to the library with noods makes things a bit better.
2. Vinh’s
Where: 845 Sherbrooke Ouest & 555 Sherbrooke Ouest
When: Monday – Friday, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Website: More info.
When it comes to Báhn M, students have always had Vihn’s as a reliable on-campus dining choice. As well as inexpensive sandwiches, they provide enormous bowls of soup and extremely low-priced spring rolls.
3. Yellow Door’s Rabbit Hole Café
Where: 3625 rue Aylmer
When: Every second Friday during the academic year between 12:30 pm and 2:30 pm.
Website: More info.
These nonprofits provide extremely cheap vegan meals to the people of Milton-Parc.
It’s a great location to go if you want to eat a lot for around $5, however a larger donation is always appreciated. Don’t forget your reusable water bottle!
4. Tim Horton’s
Where: 674 Sherbrooke Ouest
When: Open 24 hours.
Website: More info.
Yes, this is the most logical option because of its proximity, low prices, and extended hours.
At three in the morning, if you need coffee and food to finish that project you put off till the last minute, well, you’re out of luck anywhere else. Relax with a bagel and iced coffee while thinking about where your life is headed.
5. Samosas
Where: All over campus.
When: Whenever you need them most.
Website: More info.
Many students at McGill enjoy a samosa for lunch on a daily basis. On campus, samosas are sold often by student organizations.
It’s possible to become full for less than the cost of a decent cup of coffee thanks to the samosa special of $2 for 3. In addition, you’ll be able to help worthy charities and student groups while doing so.
6. McGill Pizza
Where: 625 rue Milton
When: Monday – Friday 9:30 a.m. – 8:00 p.m., Saturday – Sunday 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Website: More info.
Yeah, McGill’s pizza is the best. Not only does this place provide all-day breakfast, but it also has wonderful, greasy pizza.
Though it is often championed by hungover students after a night out, it’s also a wonderful spot to eat lunch or dinner on a cheap.
Conclusion
The best places to eat and drink around McGill University can be found by browsing our directory of restaurants, cafés, bars, lounges, and cafes.
If you’re looking to enjoy a meal or drink on campus, you’ll find a variety of options ranging from cheap eats to high end restaurants.
We’ve also compiled a list of the top student-run bars on campus where you can enjoy a drink and some entertainment while making friends.
