A popular Indian restaurant in Montreal has been hit with thousands of dollars in fines this year after Quebec’s Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAPAQ) flagged multiple food safety violations on the premises.
According to records published by MAPAQ, La Paan Villa, located at 717 Jean-Talon Ouest, received a total of $9,000 in fines in 2025 following several inspections.
- On February 23, 2024, inspectors noted problems ranging from improper food storage temperatures to unsanitary conditions. The Montreal municipal court handed down fines of $1,500, $3,500, and $1,000 in September 2025.
- On the same day, the Jean-Talon location was also fined $3,000 for failing to keep the premises free of insects, rodents, or their droppings.
These judgments were issued earlier this year, adding up to $9,000 in penalties in 2025 alone. The total puts La Paan Villa among the more heavily penalized establishments in Montreal this year. But it is not the only eatery that’s been heavily fined.
In recent months, other big-name Montreal restaurants like Chenoy’s, Escondite, St-Hubert, Nickels, and Les Enfants Terribles have also been flagged by MAPAQ for various health inspection issues.
Past fines
This is not the first time La Paan Villa has been fined. In November 2024, the restaurant was fined $2,500 for issues linked to pests and contaminants. Earlier that same year, in May 2024, it was hit with another $1,300 fine for similar violations. The chain’s Crescent Street location was also fined $2,000 in March 2025 for unclean premises.
What customers say
The Jean-Talon location has a 4.2-star average on Google reviews, but one-star reviews are among the most common ratings Many of them echo concerns seen in MAPAQ’s reports:
“The chole had a strong, unpleasant smell and clearly wasn’t fresh. … Staff admitted they had forgotten to plug in the fridge.”
“The sambar I received had a bad smell … the dal makhni seemed like it was a few days old.”
“DO NOT EAT HERE!! Was sick all night and terrible pain. Worst food ever. Disgusting!”
Is it safe to eat there?
MAPAQ notes that if a restaurant remains open, it means corrective measures have been made. Inspectors follow up to ensure standards are respected, and temporary closures are only ordered when there’s an immediate danger to public health.
La Paan Villa continues to operate, but with a history of fines tied to hygiene and food safety, it remains one of several Montreal restaurants under close watch by MAPAQ.
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