Kahwa Café

No wonder they call this the legendary urban sandwich spot. Nestled in the heart of Plateau Mont-Royal, La Kahwa Café has become a go-to destination for sandwich lovers, and it’s easy to see why. Over the past few years, its reputation has skyrocketed — and frankly, who can blame them when their sandwiches are straight fire? Generous portions, bold flavors, and wallet-friendly prices — it’s a winning formula that never disappoints. We had the chance to try their Tuna Sandwich, a mouthwatering creation packed with Tunisian-style tuna, a perfectly fried egg, fresh veggies, and of course, their famous Kahwa sauce that ties it all together. All of this goodness comes piled into a warm, toasted bun that’s as satisfying as it sounds. If you’re looking for a spot that delivers on flavor, portion, and price, La Kahwa Café is a must-visit. Highly recommended. Food ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Service ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ even under high pressure, they work fast Price $ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ generous portions Location ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Ambiance ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Kahwa Café never disappoints. The atmosphere is warm and inviting, making it a great place to sit down for a meal or catch up with friends. It’s one of those cafés that feels welcoming the moment you walk in, with a cozy vibe that pairs perfectly with the food. The sandwiches here are outstanding. Their freshly baked bread is the star—soft, fragrant, and the perfect base for the fresh, flavorful ingredients that fill every bite. You can really taste the quality and care that goes into the preparation. It’s rare to find a place where every sandwich feels like something special, but Kahwa pulls it off consistently. This café is easily one of the best spots in Montreal for a satisfying meal. The prices are very reasonable, the value is excellent, and the service is friendly and efficient. Whether you’re looking for a quick bite or planning to stay a while, Kahwa Café is always a reliable choice. I’ll definitely be coming back often.

Ordered both chicken and the tuna sandwich. I like both but tuna is my favourite!! Their bread is so fresh and has good crust. Have been thinking about this place after going back Toronto

I just ate maybe the best sandwich I’ve ever had in my entire life. I could eat here every day for the next 20 years and not get tired of it. A lot of the best sandwiches I’ve had are carried by the meat. This sandwich’s meat was probably the least good thing about it and even then it was absolutely delicious. The bread and sauce are unreal. I can’t recommend going here enough you won’t regret it.

One of the best sandwich cafes in Montreal. The bread is fresh and made from scratch at the cafe. The price is also very reasonable for the amount. I tried the Poulet and the tuna sandwich, which were simply delicious and I'm definitely gonna try the rest soon. Also their fries are ♥️

“Legendary” sandwich shop is not far off!! Line outside the door speaks for itself. Staff is extremely efficient and organized. Accidentally picked a vegetarian option (was hoping for meat) but still enjoyed, bread was especially good. Prices are fair! Eating on terrace was very nice.

Second time I eat at this spot. The chicken sandwich and their local cola drink are spectacular. Freshly made bread, Super high quality ingredients, authentic home-made style meals that scream culture, great service, at reasonable prices, in a great location. Can’t say many negative things about this spot. Probably the wait but I understand why it usually has long queues. And hoped the seating area would be bigger to hose more ppl.

Stumped upon this place on tiktok and looked very interesting. I must say i was actually blown away. These sandwiches were amazing! The fresh baked bread was definitely the key to everything coming together. The chicken is the way to go. Probably one the best food i had in mtl. Staff were friendly and gave us the best recommendations. Highly recommend.

Awesome place to visit while in Montreal! Came up from NY for a day trip and was looking for a lunch spot and this was definitely a hitter! Had the fried chicken sandwich and it lives up to the viral videos about it. The restaurant was supper busy inside so I had to eat at one of the local parks. Line was out the door but only waited maybe 10 minutes they are pretty efficient. Bread and chicken is made fresh and the flavors they pack in are amazing. To the US tourists as a heads up the couldn't take a US credit card so I had to go around the corner to a nearby ATM.

Stopped by this spot recently, and while the restaurant is a bit small (not sure about their other locations), the customer service was top-notch--super friendly and welcoming! We tried their famous Chicken Panko sandwich ($10.80 + tax), which was good (3.5/5), but the real winner was the Homemade Merguez sandwich ($10.80 + tax)--4.5/5, full of flavor and perfectly cooked! I'll definitely be coming back. If you're looking for fresh, delicious sandwiches, this place is worth a visit!

This is a hugely popular place, and for good reason. They make basically 5 sandwiches on FRESHLY baked bread (they are baking it in the pizza oven all day). Really good food.

This place is incredible and crave worthy. Fresh dough tossed in cornmeal and then into a wood fired oven to create the perfect puffiness and crispness, then sliced and filled with mouthwatering deliciousness. The sauce is also incredible. This place is truly one of a kind a must visit if you are in Montreal.

Excellent grilled lamb feta cucumber sandwich with tasty seasoning; appreciated the quality of the homemade bread

This was one of my favorite things I had in Montreal! I had the poulet panko and the thôn tunisian and they were both so delicious. The bread is incredible. I've never had anything like it. The texture is kind of like a mix between ciabatta and pita. It's crispy, but soft. I loved the patio seating in the Mont Royal pedestrian only area. Super cute. If I'm ever in Montreal again, I'll definitely go back. Wish they'd open a spot in LA!

Look, I am not an expert by any means, whether that be on Montreal or sandwiches. But... I do know a DAMN good sandwich when I have one. I was recommended to check out this little spot by a local and I am eternally grateful to them for putting me on to this spot. I got the merguez maison and it was excellent, some spicy-ish sausage, veg, and yummy sauce on a really good house made pita. While it was busy the service was streamlined in a deli counter type fashion while I got to wait outside and enjoy the beautiful Montreal summer. I don't speak any French but my needs were easily understood and met. To anyone looking for a quick bite around the area, could not recommend more.

OMG, many other reviews said this was the best sandwich they have ever had and it was not an exaggeration. We had the chicken sandwich. Watching the cooking staff whip these sandwiches out was a treat. Better than Lucy and Ethel at the chocolate conveyor belt! We scored a small table in the window and felt that they were friendly even among a huge crowd.

Right on the money. Basically, it's like pizza with a sandwich inside it (and not necessarily cheese, though some of the sandwiches have that as well. Totally badass, totally priced right. We're regulars for good reason, keep it up!

Among the best sandwiches I've ever had. I've had the thon tunisien, the le kebab libre, and the poulet, and I have to say that my favourite is the tuna- the addition of a fried egg is too good. But every sandwich has been incredible. It partly because of that BREAD. It's reminiscent of a ciabatta but it's thinner so it almost is like a pita. But it's not a pita... point is, these little beauties are baked in house and always blisteringly fresh. This is an incredibly special place.

I've only had the chicken panko sandwich but it was great! Great flavours and a great place to grab and go walk around the area. You pay at the window and in no time your sandwich is ready and warm. I can't wait to try the rest!

One of the best sandwiches I've ever had. Got the chicken and the merguez. Both were amazing, but chicken was definitely the favorite. Go here!

Just had this and it's one of the best sandwiches I've ever had. The whole is greater than the sum of its parts. Sublime sandwich perfection.

Do not miss this hidden gem in Mont Royal, very close to the metro stop. This place is seriously legit with only five sandwiches, but each one executed to perfection (which you get to see as you stand in line with everyone else who has discovered this spot!). 60% of the awesomeness of the sandwich, comes from the fluffy bread, sort of like a marriage between a pita bread and ciabatta, piping hot from the oven. The rest of the magic comes from the fillings - - we had the tuna with a fried egg as well as the lamb kebab. Both had this amazing Kahwa sauce, which was like a grown-up version of Sriracha mayo and all kinds of awesome veggies. At $10 a pop, it's hard to find a more satisfying (and filling) sandwich with this type of bang for the Canadian buck. Make sure to ask for lots of napkins as that juicy goodness finds its way all around your face! Staff were awesome, they really know how to please a crowd.

The Tunisian Tuna sandwich is the most delicious sandwich I've ever had. Seriously, they make each pita fresh to order, the spicy sauce on it is to die for, and it has a freshly made egg on top. The sandwich is perfect for lunch and not too heavy at all. The coffee here is also very good. Vibes are also super chill, perfect for sitting with friends or dining alone.

This is a really great local spot for amazing sandwiches and friendly people. As others have mentioned they make the sandwich bread fresh to order and it's so tasty. I had the tuna sandwich and my husband had merguez. Both were great with just a bit of kick in the spiciness. We'll be back for sure.

Excellent I had the fried chicken sandwich and the lamb both delicious. Frsh baked bread for each order. AMAZING

The food is actually top tier, I ate the chicken sandwich and honestly it was one of the greatest sandwich I've ever eaten. Service was impeccable, they're very friendly and make sure you're having a great time, I regret not tipping them. Would go back anytime

While we were munching on our delicious Kouignn Aman from across the street, we spotted this bright orange establishment with a flying rhinoceros on its window. As the curious beings we are, we decided to take a stroll across the street and into café Kahwa. Even with my congested sinus, I could smell the aromas of spices mixed with the warm roasted coffee. As we were looking through the menu, our faces shot up with excitement when we saw the merguez couscous but were quickly saddened when the owner told us that it wasn't available yet. However, the chicken couscous was far from a let down. The couscous was as fluffy as a cloud while the chicken and vegetables were flavoured to perfection. The portion sizes are very generous for a reasonable price. This hip spot also has various paintings for purchase or simply to admire while you eat - everything from mannequins to photographs to wild animals painted on birch. Looking for a place to fill your appetite and TOUCH your very SOUL? Look no further, Café Kahwa is it ! Note: contrary to other reviews, we found the service exceptionally kind!

Great sandwiches in fresh crispy bread with tasty ingredients/sauces. We like their Panko Chicken Sandwich a lot. Cute spot for a quick bite and coffee!

Ça goûte bon mais les pratiques hygiéniques vues à la nouvelle succursale sur Rachel m'inspirent très peu. Les employés manipulent leurs téléphones cellulaires en portant les gants qu'ils utilisent pour manipuler la nourriture...Mobile phones are hazardous microbial platforms warranting robust public health and biosecurity protocols (https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-022-14118-9). Je n'y retournerai pas.

Lamb sandwich is to die for!!!! Haven't had anything else but that alone...so succulent and flavorful, perfectly fatty, beautifully crisp fresh bread. Absolutely a revelation, and enough food for two at $11+tip

Great food and fun atmosphere. Sandwiches are large and the fries are plentiful. Definitely recommend for a casual sandwich stop!

Look, the aroma at Kahwa js a combination of hip and Arab. The food is reflectife of this eclectic decor -- visually pleasing, practically disorienting. The service is like the chairs -- unstable. The man behind the counter not only acted like a 3-legged chair, but responded with such disdain I felt the obligation to convert to his hip franco elitist standards. Similar to the wobbly chairs is the simple solution: take out the broken legs and replace them with people capable of providing dignified and stable service. Will not be returning. The breads food the foods ago.

If you enjoy a nice coffee and a place to read or get some work done, I recommend this place. Good coffee, ok price, great decoration. I tried a slice of their chocolate bread, which I found yummy. I trust that their couscous is good since a couple of people ran in just to order it. Some folks were working and some were studying. Nice calm spot.

Loved the food and the interior design. I had the kebab sandwich the meat was juice and tender with lots of flavour. Also I was so happy that all their food is Halal.

Excellent. Thank you for the deliciousness. Ordered sandwiches at the window (merguez and panko chicken) for our dinner at home. It's 9am and I could probably go back and eat one right now.

Hands-down the best sandwich of my life! My friends agreed. When our train was delayed by an hour, we rushed out to buy another round of sandwiches before leaving Montreal. Sprinting for one of these sandwiches was 100% worth it.

Had a bagel here (delicious because it was from St. Viateur) toasted the usual. The overall ambiance here is quite nice and the decor on the walls are very interesting. The coffee is good. But, Will say a few things about the service, the guys upfront refused to take credit cards? It says no where in front of the store or anywhere that the shop only takes cash and debit only. On top of that the guy refused to even try to swipe our cards if they were international even if the credit card was Visa. I was a bit taken aback at how rude he was but i supposed it could just be the situation.

Delicious sandwiches at a very reasonable price. Homemade bread, baked fresh for each order. The Sloppy Joe is always a go-to, but I recommend trying out the rest of their options, you can't go wrong! The staff is also really friendly :)

Middle eastern/arab friendly coffee shop, the guy behind the counter was rude, not respectful and unfriendly, I'm sorry, I'll go elsewhere on the Plateau spend my money or in the Mile-End with the hispters! My americano was good though. Free wifi here!

Oh yum! A little taste of home with a fusion chick twist to it. You almost feel like your grandma is serving your dinner, but instead it's a super good looking Morrocan. The vegetable soup was actually lentil soup but super laden with garlic, cumin, so much yummy green leaves too. Couscous is a different color from anything I've ever seen.poulet and merguez are really nicely slow cooked and are soft. Chicken just melts off the bone. The decor is super cool. Loved hanging out here. First stop in the city turned out great.

Found this cool little joint while taking a self-guided walking tour of Montreal. Great little coffee joint on a cool street.. AND they have free wifi.. can't beat that!

Under-rated. I ordered veggie couscous and got a large portion for $8.50, topped with tagine style whole veggies (zucchini, carrot, cabbage) not small pieces. The veggies were seasoned well and easily came apart with a gentle push of my knife. I'd come back for breakfast, lunch and dinner to eat that. Ambiance: Coffee house, can be busy but I think that adds to the feel.

Pleasant ambiance, good amount of people. Couscous was very tasty---nice soft vegetables, just enough spices---but the sauce was a bit more paste and less soup than I'd hoped, and not rich enough to be really mind-blowing. I'd go again if I wanted couscous, it's less than half the price of many other nearby North African restaurants.

Absolutely loved this place from my first visit. Coffee was good, and the rustic decor really transports you to another place. The only food option is the cous cous which is amazing and comes in vegetarian option as well, totally good enough for a full meal. Im a huge fan of nice wooden tables as well and this cafe is full of it. There are outlets, fast wifi, making it a great place to study. My only gripe would be the bathroom is a bit frightening . But overall it is now one of my neighborhood favs!

It is home grown! Earthy warm and good for reading on a dirty Sunday. Healthy coffee with snacks inexpensive to your leisure.

An absolute gem! The food is simply delicious - the lentil soup is to die for, but the service is simply wonderful. The owners are sweet and attentive. The atmosphere is eclectic and warm, and it's open late! Perfect spot to grab a bite to eat and just chill. A wonderful hidden spot on Mt. Royal

Good latte and snacks. I need to try the couscous sometime, it looks good. Nice, laid-back staff and atmosphere. New location is just a few steps away from the old one, just east of Henri-Julien.

A cosy little coffee shop with eclectic decor. The coffee is decent, the vibe is relaxed, they have a nice little terrace out back, what more to ask for? Oh and they have interesting mugs. Its the details like this that make me really enjoy a place. I like it best for sitting out on the back terrace, enjoying a little sun, drinking a beverage. It's as close to a back yard as I'm getting for the moment. I find service is hit or miss depending on who is working the counter. Sometimes its super friendly, sometimes a little dry. No matter, the coffee and the vibe are why I choose to stop in.

My favorite coffee place in montreal, and this is coming from someone who's not a huge fan of coffee. I really like the atmosphere, it's very quirky and cosy. They have one the best chai latté i've ever had, and they serve all their drinks in the cutest mugs. They have a good selection of ksumi tea but I always stick to lapsang souchong. I also love the music they play, very eclectic and not too loud.

Didn't stay here long but I got the Vanilla Hot Chocolate to go! It really enjoyed it! The decor is quite unique! It's a really cozy coffee place! Staff were very friendly and engaged in conversation with us, which made me feel like we were more than customers! They also have a nice terrace in the back! Btw, "Kahwa" in Arabic means "coffee"! Just thought you should know that :) haha

It's a lovely café that provided an iced Americano when I wanted to cool down for the summer heat. There's a lot of space to sit at the wooden tables or at the window bar, whether you're solo or with a friend. It's also a great spot to sit and work as a few people had set up camp with their laptops and worked. Kahwa Café offered that friendly ambiance where one could work with ease.

Went to lunch here last week and the food was good. But they brought out the wrong dish....however it's still yummy so we just ate it. The lemonade was great and so was the date square!

Really good coffee.....dark, rich espresso....truly EXCELLENT Tunisian couscous, and friendly service. A great place to meet a friend or come as a tourist and hang in one of the best cafes on the "Plateau". Two blocks from Montroyal metro, with a view of the mountain.

We were visiting from Portland, OR and we were taken away by this great Tunisian place! Good customer service , Coffee is amazing and the CousCous is what my great great Grandma would make Amazing. The owner is hands on and strives for perfection ! Best north African food with a cultural twist of Canadian French !

Years ago this cafe was incredible it has a nice mystical energy. Great for inspiration for a project, life etc .. I appreciated how it was very different from others. Nice cultural touch. Over the years it seems to have lost that. It is not as cozy. The seating is too close and it can get very stuffy. They are not nearly as friendly as were. The do still serve nice teas and ready to go food though!

Best coffee we had in Montreal. I wish I had tried the cous cous. I saw it and it looked fabulous. Service was excellent.

Kahwa = Coffee in phonetic Arabic translation and this place certain has it. My first time in the establishment, so I took in the ambiance, and my first sense is that the owner loves this place! After settling my "office", I looked around and felt like a chess piece which, in this case meant it felt kinda cool. My other observations: - the square wooden tables, the wooden detailed chairs: all mismatching-ly matching, - the mathematical equations running down a blackboard strip on the ceiling and the pencil art on the walls gave off an energy left behind by a lab coated genius who just made a breakthrough discovery - the terrace in the back - so awesome! - Coffee aroma wafting around the length of the space Others: - An Old Boys Meeting: a trio of 50-somethings taking in espresso and conversation - Solo Macbookers toiling away at their work - bicyclists making the most of the late-morning post-ride I had a Iced Latte and using the Île sans fil so I was set. The espresso was tasty, robust, not bitter but awkward to drink from the bowl type used with a straw placed in it. I chose crispy delicious baklawa, the other desserts are all owner-made . I glanced over at the sandwiches/wraps and made a mental note to try a bit later, with their wholesome looking salad. Bonus: accepting cash, credit, debit Another mention on the decor - love the thought put into the wood framing, and the apple crate shelving, and the service counter. Alas decor, feeling all chess-piece like, and the allure of the hidden-gem of a terrace could not make me stay because of the hot day + lack of air conditioning. I was melting and very conscious of the rising temperature which blocked me from working, so I forwent the lunch and headed for the next new café with a cold front on my list of should try.