Cafe Aunja

The food was fresh, simple and not overly greasy or oily. You have to order and pay at the register before sitting down and getting your food which I thought was convenient so you don’t wait on someone to attend to you as often. It had a good, chill vibe inside. I would go back to try the pastries as well since they looked really good and we had a great first experience.

Nestled in the heart of Montreal lies a hidden gem, Cafe Aunja, a cozy basement-level sanctuary that transports patrons to the bustling streets of Persia with its aromatic teas, rich coffees, delectable sweets, captivating art, and soulful live music. As you descend the stairs into this enchanting space, you are greeted by the warm scent of Persian spices mingling with the aroma of freshly brewed teas and coffees. The ambiance is inviting, with dim lighting casting a soft glow on the intricate Persian rugs adorning the floor, and the walls adorned with captivating art pieces that tell stories of distant lands and ancient traditions. Cafe Aunja offers an impressive selection of Persian teas and coffees, each brewed to perfection and served with care. From fragrant saffron-infused chai to robust Turkish coffee, there is something to tantalize every palate. Pair your beverage of choice with one of their indulgent sweets, such as delicate baklava or rosewater-infused pastries, for a truly indulgent experience. But it's not just the food and drink that make Cafe Aunja a standout destination. The live music performances, featuring talented local musicians playing traditional Persian instruments, add a soulful ambiance to the space, transporting guests to a world of melody and rhythm. Whether you come for a quiet afternoon tea or a lively evening of music and conversation, Cafe Aunja offers an unforgettable experience that celebrates the rich culture and hospitality of Persia. The service at Cafe Aunja is attentive and friendly, with knowledgeable staff eager to guide you through the menu and make recommendations based on your preferences. Whether you're a seasoned tea connoisseur or a coffee aficionado, you'll find something to delight your senses at this charming Montreal establishment. So, step into Cafe Aunja and let yourself be transported on a sensory journey to the heart of Persia.

Hubby and I visiting Montreal and this cafe is the best one we had here. The ginger tea and London fog are unreal that we came back twice for the drinks and had to have the food! A hidden gem with amazing drinks, food, atmosphere and service. Such friendly, amazing staff too! Highly recommend it! Wish we had a place like this back home ❤️

I love this restaurant! The vibe was great, the waitresses were all lovely, and I enjoyed the music, design, and decoration. Even the dishes on the table were nice. The food was good too, but the rose water was a bit too strong for us.

Ordered hot chocolate and a cake to go; the hot chocolate was hot, thick and delicious; wasn’t expecting it to be that good at a cafe seemed specialized in tea! The cake was fresh and moisture, every bite was a treat! Cool decoration and plenty seats in the cafe. Pleasant service.

Cafe was cute and cozy. However it’s really packed and tables aren’t always available. Great cafe for brunch. Love the aesthetics and the food was great! Close to the Art Gallery as well.

Such a great hidden gem! Fell in love with the place at first sight. It’s tiny and quite crammed but it’s a part of the vibe. Food is otherworldly, sandwiches are absolutely delicious (their house sauce is finger-licking good, I need to steal the recipe). Desserts and drink menu consists of options you won’t find anywhere else. For a roast beef sandwich, dessert, and a Persian fog (highly recommend) it came to be $26, very filling and good quantity of food for the price.

The avocado and chicken sandwiches were tasty. The Persian fog and iced latte were also good. I tried their breakfast menu this weekend, we loooooooooved it. Honestly, it's the best cafe here ☺️

Lovely cafe with great cold and hot teas and desserts, friendly service, cozy ambiance.

Cozy cafe with plenty of seatings and wall plugs for those of us who wfh or are students. I got their soup of the day which was with lentils and that made me buy lentils on the my next trip to the supermarket. Their iced latte was pretty standard. Overall, a good cafe to hang out or study or work.

A very cosy, intimate cafe that makes you forget you're in the heart of the city. You'll feel like you've travelled through space and time as this traditional Iranian cafe serves incredible and delicious traditional drinks(hot and cold), pastries, and food. It seems very popular (for good reason, trust us) as it's been absolutely packed with people each time we've been. We love the comfortable eclectic decor, and the feeling of homey Persian tradition that reigns. They also have a brunch that we absolutely need to try because it seems to be an experience on its own.

I came to Café Aunja twice, the first time getting the hot Persian Fog, mostly because I didn't know that I could ask for it iced. While it was a very warm afternoon, I truly enjoyed my tea and wanted to return to try it cold. The second visit, my sister and I both got the iced version of the Iranian tea with milk, saffron syrup, and crushed pistachios. In addition, she got the Falafel sandwich and I got the trio with the Chicken Koukou Sandwich, lentil soup (soup of the day), and the house lemonade (the drink for my kiddo). Rather than the front of the café, which is where we sat the first time, we got a table to the back. We discovered that there's where the air conditioner is running, so if you're particularly hot (and let's be honest, sweaty), you may find it easier to cool and dry off in the back. The sandwiches were delicious, served on Persian flatbread. The soup was served in a bowl and was a very generous portion. My son loved his lemonade (with mint leaves) and my sister and I thoroughly enjoyed our iced Persian Fogs. The ambiance is quite lively, with some people there to catch up and drink coffee or tea with their conversation mate. There are others studying, so the space isn't obnoxiously loud. Service is friendly and efficient. You can tell the employees working there are used to high traffic, and even in the tight space behind the register, they move with harmonious fluidity. I'll be back!

The place is BUMPING and with good reason. Delicious meals and even more delicious drinks. I dream of the Persian Fog. It is both delicate and utterly drinkable by the gallon. I highly recommend stopping here on the way to/from the Montréal Musée de Beaux Arts. It is so much more delicious than the museum café.

Definitely recommend the place. The Persian fog tea and the saffron cake were mind blowing. The grilled vegetable sandwich, broad bean koukou and the lentil soup were also good. Very vegetarian friendly place. The line for ordering was really long and had to wait over 20min to just order food. However the food itself was super quick. Beautiful cafe and the decor was really pretty

Iced persian fog latte was the highlight--very aromatic and creamy at the same time. Breakfast platter was also great, liked the beans especially! Would've loved to try the olive cake as well (but I was full). Great cafe with unique drinks + standard coffees

Terrible food. I'm confused about the rating of this place and where it came from. I visited for breakfast with a friend. I ordered the sausage omelette, I would like to emphasize the word omelette, I don't know if this means scrambled eggs in Montreal, but I got a couple of cheap hot dogs sausages scrambled with eggs and a like a full can of tomatoes that my 7 years old nephew could have made. It was so bad I couldn't finish it. My friend got a classic breakfast and he also got cheap hot dogs sausages. His potatoes were not totally cooked. Coffee was fine, the service was good and the place looks great. Clearly never going back.

Wonderful cozy ambiance. Self seating but can reserve ahead of time. Delicious food, very friendly staff. Brunch food was my favorite. Teas are delicious and fragrant- a little hot for the mason mugs they come in

This is the real deal Persian place. Not watered down and serious about their food. We stayed in Montreal for 3 days and came here 4X's!!

In terms of aesthetic, this place is undeniably cute but in terms of covid protocol and customer care they get a low ranking. I go there often, and was saddened by bad customer service. Firstly, the waitresses do remove their mask when at the cash register. The place is overflowing with people and has no air movement. That made me feel uncomfortable. Secondly, and what was even more upsetting to me, they have bad customer service. Generally they don't greet you and really take themselves very highly. I get it, again the location and aesthetic is cute. When I was served a drink that was essentially all orange syrup, they were outraged by me not liking it and claimed no one ever in the history of the shop had complained. When I said that it was 75% sugar, it was truly not drinkable. I asked for something else in exchange ... they didn't even offer to dilute it. Instead and they gave me a reallly tough time and were very rude. In the end the woman agreed, after a really unpleasant back and forth to give me tiny bottle of water in exchange for the $6 drink that was just not drinkable. It could have been something as simple as the person who made the order went too heavy on some of the ingredients... Basically... go there to get a drink but don't expect good customer care and go there to get something you know you will like, not to try something different. I find that they rely mostly on the aesthetic and location which is unfortunate (but expected). During Covid, I would never stay inside of their shop and therefore it is not the place I would recommend most in the area for a good drink to go.

The is place was popping when my friend and I came here. It's such a cute, cozy, cafe that's great for doing some work or just hanging out with friends. I tried the persian fog and it was just what I was looking for -- a warm, lightly sweet drink with a nice aroma

No matcha latte. But the rest is very good ! Love the decor, food and the hot drinks.

Delicious lunch. Lentil soup, grilled veggie sandwich on Persian flatbread. Really cute space. Highly recommend

This Persian cafe is a hidden gem! The atmosphere is warm and cozy. On the wall, they have all these jars of herbs and flowers used for their teas. The Persian fragrance tea comes in a glass jar. The flower pink petals of roses and green leaves are so beautiful! The roses may have a slight bitterness. I couldn't decide which cake to choose. After my cousin ordered the saffron cake, I decided to order the orange cake so that we could taste both of them. When the cakes arrived at the table, wow! The portions are generous! The saffron & rosewater cake is what you need if you love sweet desserts. Soaked in rosewater syrup, this cake is moist with a nice aroma of roses. On the other side, the orange & almond cake is less sweet with a fruity side from the slices of oranges. I loved this cafe so much, I will definitely be back again!

This place is just such a cozy and warm cafe. They have a beautiful selection of teas and their presentation is very dreamy. I love their natural, wood, mix matched furniture. The ambiance is sombre inside but you have the option of sitting outside as well. They have a food menu as well. It is not halal as per the staff. The staff is very welcoming. Parking is difficult because it's downtown.

One of the cutest cafe in the town. We loved the atmosphere and the vibe. We tried couple sandwiches and couple drinks and it was difficult to pick the favorite! My only recommendation is to have napkin on the tables or with the orders. We noticed beside us some other table was looking for the napkins. And had to ask the servers again for that.

Very nice place, food is light with really good flavor, very special house tea, love it!

My favorite Persian cafe! You must get the Persian fog and the Saffron cake :) it's a great place to study or work, but it can get busy with students. They even sell Persian teas in case you have a hard time finding something in another shop.

Cozy, seating was a bit small but it was homey. Loved the Iran style food, teas and flavours! Love the interior decorz

Cute and cosy Persian café. Lovely service. Happy to see they have vegan options. My only complaint is that it can get very full sometimes and there is no air circulation. I wish they would invest in fans or some other solution.

In the last 4 months I tried this place 4-5 times. The first time I was super impressed with the interior design and vibe of the cafe. I guess I was tired of 6 years of Starbucks and Peet's and their cousins in Palo Alto. Anyway, coming back to the café itself, they have nice collection of different drinks. I tried latte and Persian fog here. The Persian fog is kinda fancy but it's way too sweet for my taste (disclaimer: I don't use any sugar in my coffee/tea in general). The problem is one of the main ingredients of this Persian fog is saffron syrup and that's the source of sweetness. I tried ordering it with less amount of saffron syrup but it was still sweet with less amount of saffron flavor - which kills the whole purpose. They have pretty awesome cake collections. I tried the almond one. In terms of study place, I have mixed feelings. Due to the compactness inside, it can get pretty loud and noisy. Also there is no guarantee that you would get seats to study in one table if you go in 2+ size of group. Overall it's a nice little cafe for socializing but I would be hesitant to go there to take sip on the coffee while studying something deep.

I'm not a tea lover but thanks to this sweet little coffee shop, because I can say that I changed my mind for ever. Like first impression, the place is cozy, very well decorated and warm. They offer coffee, tea, sandwiches and desert. In the begging I was confused between the tutti frutti tea & the persian tea and finally I opted for the last one !! the mixe of persian rose, orange blossom, lemon and honey is just perfect. I'm happy that a friend of mine invited me to discover this place and I'll definitley return for another cup of tea and sure I'll recommand it to my friends.

The tea and desserts are Really DELICIOUS You will feel Love in each bite Iranian traditional saffron rice pudding flavoured with rose water, saffron, sugar and cardamom. (4.35$) Iranian fog, Black tea with milk, saffron syrup and pistachios (4.35$)

The food is Ok. I like the Iranian bread, but the rest of the plate(eggs, saussage, tomato slices are just something you can get from anywhere else at lower price). In general, it's a bit overpriced for the food offerred.

Nice little cafe. Ordered a latte which was very good and half an avocado sandwich which was pretty healthy but a little bland. A sprinkle of salt would have helped. Wanted to order soup but they don't start serving it until 12

One of my favourite cafes around McGill/concordia area to study or chill, especially when you're longing for somewhere cozy and homelike. Whenever I crave some Persian tea or goodies, Cafe Aunja is my go-to. While the drinks and food are somewhat pricy, every drink I've had has always been delicious. My favourite drink is the Persian Fog and their saffron cake infused with rose water is an absolute must-try. I get it every time. Even when I'm not hungry. I've never heard a disappointed review. Try it!! It's typically pretty full so I recommend going earlier if you want a good seat!

Cafe Aunja is little cozy cafe in the middle of Sherbrooke Street close to many museums and attractions in Montreal. You can find a lot of Persian pastry, herbal fusions, teas and sandwiches. There are vegetarian and vegan options in the menu. In the middle of cold winter evenings you can trust their suggestion for a good warming Persian herbal tea which makes the rest of your evening. Their sandwices come with Persian bread and they are delicious. There are two options for the soup, the lentil soup is vegan and energetic (ask for Barbaro bread with that). If you go there in summer, you can try smoothie or cold drinks. Don't forget to try shole zard (rice saffron dessert, it is vegan and very healthy).

Forget your boring breakfast sandwich and come to Cafe Aunja for a beautifully presented dish of eggs. olives, tomatoes, and delicious barbari bread, all topped off with a hot cup of full-bodied black tea flavored with rosewater and garnished with tiny flowers. Wow! They also offer other breakfast plates with sausage, feta and walnuts, as well as a full lunch menu. Cafe Aunja is a warm and conformable spot with equally warm service. Near the Museum of Fine Art and short walk from metro. I look forward to getting back there for lunch!

You'd love the ambiance, the cute furniture and the pretty tea sets. The price is only decent. We ordered a big tea pot which came with some biscuits. A variety of teas to choose from. After consuming our big pot of tea, we asked to add boiled water to the remaining mix of teas and herbs! Cool, wasn't it?! So we had more tea (well a bit less tasty but fine) to sip while enjoying the company.

I just love the food here. Everytime I come to Montreal, this is one of the first places that I make sure to visit. The food is savory, delicious and authentic. It does take a little time (10-20 min) but it is definitly worth it. From their rice pudding to the saffran cake, Cafe Aunja has made it certain that I experienced a Persian culinary experience in the best way possible. I actually get annoyed because I don't know whether I should order my favorite items or try new things. Most of the time, I end up doing both. The location is very convenient: downtown Montreal. The cafe is quiet and peaceful, and has a nice atmosphere to it, although I do wish the chairs were a little more comfortable. :) Merci Food: 4.9 Service: 4.5 Ambiance: 4.2 Overall: 4.625

The coffee was probably the worst I've ever had. I ordered a cappuccino and it was sooo gross I had to toss it. It was also pretty overpriced. The lady working at the counter was rude to the customers. A lady had been waiting for her tea and when she asked about it the employee was sooo rude. I do not recommend

Cafes like this are just one of the many reasons I miss Montreal so much. This places manages to hit a perfect checklist of things I want in a coffee shop, and I'll run through some of them. A: Good working environment. Despite being in a fairly small place, there is a lot of seating, it is fully economized (no wasted space here), and it still doesn't feel like everybody's elbow to elbow. There's also wifi. B: Solid tea and coffee options. The tea latte was a favorite of mine, and you get a shocking amount of beverage out of that little teapot. But some of their non-caffeinated options are just as good: water flavored with lemon and a variety of spices is surprisingly good at waking you up without leaving you jittery. C: The orienting theme is Persian, which comes across in the decor. It's not overly stylized, but it doesn't feel sterile like so many other cafes. D: The baked goods are seriously on point. I had a rosewater and saffron cake that was perfectly balanced in terms of flavor, with nothing too overwhelming or at risk of smothering the other flavors, and that is a difficult combination to pull off. E: Having sandwiches available for purchase. Much as I love baked goods and coffee, eventually the human body needs something more substantial to function. And the sandwiches aren't like the bland crap you find in so many other places, but are actually well-made, with appropriate levels of condiments. Even the bread is good. Maybe I'll move back here.

Last minute invite to this Persian cafe. Cozy vibe that filled the space with tables, benches and couches. Pretty busy with the hustle and bustle of students passing through.Soft music in background as I ordered a cappuccino with dessert. I consider myself somewhat of a javaphile so I will give this a thumbs up. The bigger selection is with their Iranian teas which is interesting. The food is not something I would order with a visit here. I found it to be over priced but considering the location it's expected!

Had a nice tea latte here with my friend. I loved that our drinks came in their own individual teapots, but I thought the tea itself was a little bland. Pricey, too. Still, it was a great place to escape from the cold in for an hour.

Nice cozy place , good place to chill and hang out , good music many choices for tea and Tisanes

A quaint coffee shop with a warm atmosphere. It is decorated with random pieces of furniture that contribute to its cozy/warm vibes. Personally, I ordered a latte (which was delicious) but it seems that the tea is what you must get here. The tea is served in mason jar-like containers that hold various tea leaves and whatever else will make the tea (fresh ginger, lemon wedges, honey etc). There was a Persian tea of some sort that looked particularly enticing. The sandwiches here look amazing as well. Evidently made with fresh ingredients, they appeared generous in size and fulfilling in content. Beware that the spot is busy, and thus quite noisy with the chatter of patrons within. The place seems short-staffed, so I think it was hard to keep up with the number of orders. Consequently, it took longer for tables and spaces to be cleared out if customers didn't do it themselves. For those unfamiliar with the shop, it's worth noting the unusual payment system. You wait in line to place your order, and once you're ready to pay, you get back in line to pay. A bit inefficient to the American consumer (such as myself) but it works, I guess!

Love this place! The Saffron cake is to die for. The chicken koukou tastes great. Actually pretty much anything I've tried here has been super tasty.

Nice spot in the city center of Montreal on Sherbrooke St near Metro Peel. Had a cortado, was pretty good and the place is nice. Big even if full of customers on a rainy Sunday afternoon, I would go back there and try different drinks and food for the next time. Price range is normal for a nice coffee shop in Montreal.

This place has a chill and comfy vibe of a local cafe but still nails their decorations with globe lights, paintings and antique wooden furniture. It feels very relaxing to be there, especially because they specialize in teas in mason jars. Although a little overpriced, it's nothing too different from other overpriced cafes and their drinks are very unique so I say it's worth it. I love their London Fog because they serve it with dried lavender on top, which adds a nice touch.

Such a good vibe in this cute cafe in the heart of Montreal's downtown. Background music is kept at a low volume so it's easy to have a conversation and the decor is so cute! Coffee was a tad expensive ($10 for two iced lattes) but quite good. Didn't try any of their food but they had some beautiful looking baked goods lines up by the cash register. Definitely check this place out if you're in the area!

I used to come study here a lot, very quiet and cozy little coffee shop tucked in on Sherbrooke. Their tea mixes are absolutely delectable, i love their ginger tea that come with honey as well as the persian summer drink with cucumbers (I forget the name) and the jujube tea! The warm teas are a tad too sweet so I just keep asking them for more and more hot water and it still tastes good after the third cup! They have amazing pastries as well, my favourite is definitely the almond pear cake, just the right amount of sweetness. I've tried their brunch as well, very very good, it comes with many side dishes (baked grapefruit, cheese) but it is quite pricy ($20). Overall very cute place to study, do work, meet friends, date, etc.

This is a cozy cafe with the best tea latte I've had in a long while. The last amazing tea I had was in Italy, but this pot of tea is much better and more flavorful. The service is extremely friendly and courteous. I highly recommend this place for the tea alone. The icing on the cake would be the service and ambiance. It's very clean and charming. A definite must visit!

I'm so happy a friend brought me to this tea joint. It smells amazing and it's lovely to see a tea place thriving. I'm usually stuck drinking tea in cafes so, it's a welcome change of pace. There's a myriad of selection plus! cute tasty desserts. A must stop for all tea lovers, especially if you want to try something straight from the Middle East rather than the tired English Breakfast. Herbal tea drinkers are very well catered too so, don't hesitate to drop by for a warm tea pot.

This Persian cafe is a delight to visit and get some work done (if required). With gentle music, good food, and fantastic tea; Cafe Aunja left little to be desired. The ambiance was great, but the food was pricy considering my vegetable sandwich was mediocre. However, with all factors accounted for, (free and quick WiFi), I recommend visiting for their tea and coffee.

Lots of tea selection here, and lovely decor as well. One or my favorite study spots - good wifi (passwords gingertea), outlets available, and they have both savoury food (sandwiches or soup) and great pastries as well! Also a great spot for catching up with friends.

A little loud during the evenings, better to work in during the day. Kind and friendly staff. Would definitely recommend the classic ginger tea or mint jujube tea- their teas are definitely on the sweet side though!

Cozy refuge on a windy spring day. We darted down Sherbrooke from the MMFA and found hot drinks and elaborate teas at a fair rate. Decor is earthy and fun, and the setting is so intimate. Love!

If you're a big tea fan, you'd love this one, especially if you're a Concordia student (it's literally down the road from the HB). The prices are not super cheap, but they are well worth the price. The first time I was there, I got to sit at the window seat with really cute plants next to me, with this beautiful cup of tea. It was so nice! And the service was really great too, the cashier kindly explain the menu and recommended according to what I wanted that day. It's probably a great place to bring a date if you want it to be cutesy. I know I'd be swooning if you brought me there (especially if we get the window seat).

Cafe Aunja is one of the most beautiful cafes in Montreal, and you know there is no shortage of cafes in Montreal!! There are plants, hanging lights, communal tables, comfy chairs, art work on display, antique looking chairs & tables, bookshelves, persian pottery & tiles, exposed brick, and more! Even their dishes are cute! I've come here to work or study and despite being a popular spot, it's pretty quiet & cozy! Their prices are slightly higher than the average independent cafe in Montreal but it's honestly marginal. They have tons of different types of tea so definitely check it out if you're a tea snob. I really like their tea latte. Good service, too! Cafe Aunja also hosts many events and they set up a hafseen in March for Persian new year. If you're visiting Montreal and staying downtown or visiting the Montreal Fine Arts Museum (Musee de Beaux Arts), I definitely recommend checking out Cafe Aunja. It's also a good place to study!