Good restaurants downtown Montreal around McGill

[cok guzel]

Would anyone know of low - mid range ($15-$20) decent lunch place around McGill University? This should ideally be within walking distance (max 10-12 minutes away).

I am a bit of Musee McCord Cafe fan but other than this, there seem to be really very few alternatives. Any suggestions would be welcome.

[knicho]

There is a dep in the Place Cartier (corner Peel and Sherbrooke) which makes really good sandwiches. That's what I always got when I was at McGill.

[tamaramontreal]

I had a sandwich there last night and they've only raised their prices by $0.25 in the last 8 years.

[knicho]

If I were to recommend one sandwich it would be the chicken salad.

[OliverB]

the downstairs cafe in ogilvys.

also decent korean at man-na on bishop.

bishoku also on bishop has great lunch specials.

nothing else around there is any good unless you move closer to concordia.

[tamaramontreal]

Restaurant Saigon on Metcalfe is a great restaurant with lunch special that fall within - and under - the range you are looking for. Many of their lunch specials are in the $10 range.

They also do takeout if you want to pick something up.

2044B Metcalfe Rue
Montreal, QC H3A 1X8
[phone]

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Restaurant Saigon
2044B Rue Metcalfe, Montreal, QC H3A1X8, CA

[cherylmtl]

I wouldn't call it good. Wouldn't even recommend it, personally. I was there once and found it so woefully bland, I have never returned.

[klagirl]

this is a depressing affair, the area directly around McGill is not so interesting food-wise, except for the mediocre pricey business lunch places...
I usually always walk further west to the concordia area (10 minute walk or a few minutes on the 24), or bus up on parc on the 80.
if I'm too lazy, there is the Korean resto on University called Atti - it's not maison bulgogi, but they have a pretty ok/sometimes rather good table d'hote for 10-11$ (you get the main plate, kimchi, 2 other appetizers and a soup). get the bulgogi on rice, or bibimap. mostly business people and korean mcgill students.
lola rosa is disappointing usually, overpriced and mediocore.
amelio's pizza (the white pizza) is good if you like that kind of pizza (thick, topping heavy).
akli, in the food court underneath the scotia bank on sherbooke has good shawarma.

mccord is clearly the best quality food next to mcgill.

but consider the walk to the concordia area, there a bunch of threads with restos around there. :)
good luck..let me know if you find out about any other places, I'm always on the lookout.

[cok guzel]

Thanks everyone. I actually ended up at Atti, the Korean restaurant, which is actually good value for money. Unfortunately, I dont know much about Korean cuisine and the waiters are too busy to explain..

[looosia]

Well, I'd say Atti is the most decent Korean restaurant in this city that I've tried (I'm tired of trying any more at this point) but it doesn't mean much since the town is sadly bereft of any good Korean restaurants. Any of the BBQ dishes (like bulgogi or kalbi) should be a good bet as are any Korean pancake appetizers (usually called Pajeon). Too bad you have to pay a pretty for edible Korean food around here and they can't even bother to give you proper service.

[SnackHappy]

I've found that most of the Korean restaurants in Montreal serve food that is edible.

[williej]

The best Korean in Montreal is on Sherbrooke West in NDG near Clifton. It has a seafood pancake to die for.

[The Chemist]

Nailed it.

This is a food wasteland (around McGill). Walk to Concordia area.

[Shattered]

Lola Rosa is brutal, that's for sure. Depressing how that place stays open from the McGill kiddies who can't be bothered leaving their ghetto, really. (What is it about vegetarians that make them allergic to seasoning and taste?)

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Lola Rosa Cafe
545 Rue Milton, Montreal, QC H2X1W5, CA

[The Chemist]

Agreed. I use this as a litmus test. If people suggest Lola Rosa to me, I make a mental note to disregard further suggestions.

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Lola Rosa Cafe
545 Rue Milton, Montreal, QC H2X1W5, CA

[Shattered]

Well taking foodie advice from any vegetarian is like looking to our Prime Minister for insight on sex and drugs (in a world full of wanna-be rock stars).

[looosia]

This is a frequent question because people figure that there must be something decent in the vicinity of McGill but sadly, there is not much.

Previous threads:
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/725202
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/708436

My suggestions:

There is a lunch buffet on Stanley, just south of Sherbrooke, at Le Taj. Decent Indian; have only had dinners there and apparently the restaurant is closed for this month of January but that hasn't been verified.

Also, I think M:Brgr on Drummond, south of Sherbrooke, has good burgers. Some disagree, but personally I like M:Brgr including their frites.

Otherwise, I like Café Gasco de Gama on Peel, south of Maisonneuve, for good sandwiches and (Illy) coffee.

Good luck!

[klagirl]

Le Taj is not so good in my opinion--- if you want indian in the city it's park ex or death haha. but downtown there is thali next to concordia's saint-mathieu exist, and an 11.95 or so generous lunch special table d'hote at devi on crescent(better than le taj, IMO, but not exceptional, some sauces are too sweet--the place takes itself seriously, and the service is good, but I would never pay the dinner prices for the food). buffets..I just can't, I honestly. but you may disagree.
M:Brgr is just OK, and the price/quality ratio is bad...I've been to too many birthday parties there, and I wouldn't personally go there for lunch. Try Buns (ste-cath), picks (next to thali), or le gourmet burger (on bishop I think). there is another burger place on mcgill college, but I haven't heard anything about it. a whole new burger joint is opening on sherbrooke in front of mcgill sometime soon, though.
Vasco de Gama is wonderful.

[looosia]

Right, I meant "Vasco" de Gama!

And agreed that Indian in this city just plain blows but I found Le Taj acceptable whereas I find 80% of the Indian restaurants in this city just don't cut it.