You aren’t a real Concordia University student until you’ve pulled an all-nighter in the LB Building, probably the night before your assignment is due or before an exam. If you’ve done so, you’re probably familiar with the feeling of being hangry at 3am with no idea what’s even open at this time. With all of the restaurants on Saint-Catherine street so close to campus, ordering UberEats might not be the best use of your money (although we won’t judge you for it, we’ve been there). You can rely on one of the 24-hour chain restaurants like A&W, McDonald’s, or Dominos to satisfy your hunger, or you can try something new! This is the ultimate guide on where to get cheap eats around Concordia University, most of which are open late.
Mad Hatter
Mad Hatter is one of the classic bars that Concordia University students love to go to. They have amazing drink specials, a pool and ping-pong table, and huge Jenga blocks. What you might not have known is that they have an insanely cheap menu! They’ve divided up their menu into three price points. They serve table snacks such as an assortment of cereals and Kraft dinner for $3. Their $5 menu is long and extensive, including bar classics like poutine, burgers, and wings. The $8 menu is where things start to get a little funky. Their signature item, the “Homer Simpson”, is a cheeseburger in a glazed donut with bacon jam. Another classic is their “My Cousin Vinny”, which is lasagna in a grilled cheese. Regardless of what you’re craving, Mad Hatter will satisfy your hunger in a budget-friendly way.
Nilufar
Nilufar claims to have the best falafels in Montreal, and we can attest that it’s true. For $1.69, you can have an entire falafel wrap, which makes this place super budget-friendly for Concordia University students. Nilufar is also a great option if you have any dietary restrictions. They offer gluten-free options, are 100% halal, and almost everything on their menu is vegan-friendly.
Joe’s Panini
Joe’s Panini is a sandwich shop near the Concordia University campus that’s open 24-hours. All of their panini are only $6.75, and they also offer a wide variety of vegetarian options. Other than panini, they also offer pasta dishes such as mac and cheese and lasagna, salads, and desserts. Fun fact: Did you know that panini is the plural of panino? So if you’re saying paninis, you’re probably offending an Italian grandmother somewhere.
Garage Beirut
While Garage Beirut is on the pricier side of this list, they still have some great cheap eats. They serve authentic Lebanese cuisine, five minutes away from the downtown Concordia University campus. They offer a variety of dips for under $10, including hummus, baba gannouj, and muhammara. If you’re looking for something cheaper but still filling, go for one of their pastries! For $5, you have the option to get either four spinach or minced meat pastries. Garage Beirut closes at 10pm, so while this might not be your 3am go-to, it’s definitely an affordable and delicious option for dinner before studying.
Qing Hua Dumplings
Qing Hua is a great place for cheap eats around Concordia University. Their main specialty is steamed and fried dumplings. Each order comes with 15 stuffed dumplings, which is more than enough to fill you up. We recommend grabbing a few friends and ordering different dumplings to share. If you’re in an adventurous mood, try their “pork and oyster with pickled cabbage” dumpling!
