Finding a decent meal at a Montreal restaurant for under ten bucks feels almost mythical these days.
Rent is up, grocery prices are up, and even your standard street pizza slice is creeping past the $5 mark. But the city still has a handful of places where a ten-dollar bill actually gets you fed (and satisfied).
From neighbourhood casse-croûtes and diner counters to tiny windows serving gnocchi in a paper box, these are the cheap eats that have somehow resisted inflation. They’re also living proof that Montreal’s food scene still has room for the everyday wallet.
Wilensky’s Light Lunch
Since 1932, Wilensky’s has been serving its namesake Special: a pressed roll with beef salami, bologna, cheese, and mustard. The price is famously low, and the rules are famously strict — no substitutions, and no cutting the sandwich in half. The tiny Mile End counter still feels like a time capsule, with original stools and the kind of service that makes you part of the story.
- What to get: Wilensky Special (You can get two for under $10)
- Price (before tax / tip): $4.57 with cheese
- Address: 34 Av. Fairmount O, Montreal, QC
Chez Ma Tante
An Ahuntsic landmark, this casse-croûte has been serving simple plates for decades. The poutine here proves you don’t need fancy toppings to get the basics right — golden fries, squeaky curds, and dark gravy, all for under $9. It’s the definition of a neighbourhood classic.
- What to get: Poutine
- Price (before tax / tip): $8.75
- Address: 3180 Rue Fleury E, Montreal, QC
Burger de Ville
Burger de Ville technically doesn’t qualify for our under-$10 list since its base hamburger is a little over the line at $10.50. But it’s close enough, and the burger itself is strong enough, that it deserves a mention.
What makes it stand out? Their beef is never frozen and minced in-house, plus you get your choice of 15+ free toppings, so you can customize it exactly how you like without paying more. The patty is juicy, the bun is solid, and the overall flavour makes it worth the extra 50 cents
- What to get: Hamburger (classic) with your choice of free toppings
- Price (before tax / tip): $10.50 for the basic burger, with no extra charge for toppings
- Address: 59 Westminster Ave N, Montreal-Ouest, QC
Antep Kabab
This downtown Turkish grill is known for its smoky, juicy meats. Their chicken sandwich, wrapped in fresh Turkish bread with veggies, goes for a little over $10 and is packed with flavour.
- What to get: Chicken sandwich
- Price (before tax / tip): $10.50
- Address: 1626 Boul. Maisonneuve O, Montreal, QC
Drogheria Fine
The gnocchi at this beloved Mile End takeout counter is the definition of comfort food. Soft handmade pasta is tossed in a rich tomato sauce and handed over in a paper box straight from the window. Add cheese if you like, but even plain, it’s filling, flavourful, and one of the best bargains in the city.
- What to get: Gnocchi with cheese
- Price (before tax / tip): $5.00 (option for extras like cheese or chilli flakes for +$1)
- Address: 68 Av. Fairmount O, Montreal, QC
Pho Cristal
If you’re looking for Vietnamese sandwiches that are quick, delicious, and cheap, look no further. The banh mi from this Chinatown gem comes stuffed with meat, pickled veggies, and cilantro — all for under $8.
- What to get: Classic banh mi
- Price (before tax / tip): $7.25
- Address: 1068 Boul. St Laurent, Montreal, QC
Boucherie Marchigiani
Tucked into LaSalle, Marchigiani is both a butcher shop and a neighbourhood sandwich counter. The menu sticks to Italian classics, like porchetta, roast veal, sausage, or chicken cutlets, all served on fresh ciabatta bread with toppings like lettuce, tomato, eggplant, or their spicy bomba sauce. The 7-inch sandwiches are the sweet spot since they’re generous enough to count as a full meal, but still under $10.
- What to get: 7″ cutlet, sausage, or roast veal sandwich
- Price (before tax / tip): $8
- Address: 7790 Rue Juliette, LaSalle, QC
Fameux Gyros Elatos
In Parc-Ex, everyone has their favourite Greek spot, but when it comes to gyros, Elatos usually wins the debate. The place doesn’t look like much from the outside, but step in and you’ll see why it’s been a local standby for years. The gyro pitas are loaded with tender meat, crisp veggies, and tangy tzatziki. If you’ve got a few extra bucks, the souvlaki is also a strong choice, but a single pita is enough to leave you full without going over $10.
- What to get: Gyro pita (or souvlaki if you’re stretching the budget)
- Price (before tax / tip): ~$7.50 – $9 for a pita
- Address: 550 Rue Jarry O, Montreal, QC
Lloydie’s
Lloydie’s has become a go-to Caribbean spot in both the Mile-End and Saint-Henri. The menu is packed with jerk chicken, plantains, and oxtail plates, but you don’t have to spend a fortune to get a taste. Their flaky beef and chicken patties are the perfect spicy and savoury cheap eat. Grab two for under $10 and you’ll understand why people keep coming back.
- What to get: Beef or chicken patties
- Price (before tax / tip): 2 for $8.00
- Address: 4601 Rue Notre-Dame O, Montreal, QC
