Restaurant
Schwartz’s Deli
Montreal's best-known smoked meat deli, serving its cured and smoked brisket sandwiches on Saint-Laurent Boulevard since 1928.
Le Petit Alep
Bib Gourmand restaurant on rue Jean-Talon Est run by sisters Chahla and Tania Frangié, serving Syrian and Armenian-inspired mezze, kebabs and desserts.
At a glance
- Type
- Syrian and Armenian
- Area
- Petite-Patrie, Montreal, Canada
- Price
- $$ · Mid-range
- Opening
- Open 4 days a week (closed Monday, Tuesday, Sunday)
Good to know
- Bib Gourmand
- Terrace
- Wheelchair access
- Counter dining
- Family friendly
Why we recommend it
Le Petit Alep is on rue Jean-Talon Est, north of the city centre, and it is one of the Montreal restaurants recognised with a Michelin Bib Gourmand, the guide's award for good quality, good value cooking. It is run by the sisters Chahla and Tania Frangié, and the cooking draws on Syrian and Armenian traditions, with the name a nod to the Syrian city of Aleppo.
The menu is built for sharing. Begin with mezze such as labneh, hummus and fattoush, served with grilled pita, then move on to the beef kebabs. The Michelin inspectors highlight their seasoning with fléflé, a Syrian condiment of puréed red pepper, sesame and black cumin. For dessert, try mehalabié, a rosewater and orange blossom pudding topped with pistachios and cinnamon. The guide also describes the wine list as extensive, so the restaurant is as good for a relaxed evening as for a quick meal.
The restaurant opens for dinner from 5pm to 10.30pm on Wednesday and Saturday, and from 11.30am to 10.30pm on Thursday and Friday. It is closed on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday, so plan around those days, especially on a short trip. There is a terrace for warm weather, counter seating and wheelchair access, and the guide lists it as good for families.
It suits couples, friends and families looking for generous, moderately priced cooking in a casual setting. Ordering several mezze and a main course to share is the best way to eat here and to taste the range of the kitchen. Michelin places it at two on its four-step price scale.
The restaurant is on the same street as Jean-Talon Market, the city's largest public market, so a Thursday or Friday visit can combine shopping in the morning with a late lunch here. The neighbourhood of Little Italy is also close by, with Rôtisserie La Lune, another Bib Gourmand address, on rue Saint-Zotique Est.
To check availability, call the restaurant on 514-270-9361, particularly for Friday and Saturday evenings, when a table is hardest to find on a short visit. The inspectors' recommended dishes make a good starting point if the menu is unfamiliar.
Le Petit Alep FAQs
When is it open?
Wednesday and Saturday from 5pm to 10.30pm, Thursday and Friday from 11.30am to 10.30pm. It is closed Sunday to Tuesday.
What kind of food does it serve?
Syrian and Armenian-inspired Middle Eastern cooking.
What should you order?
Mezze such as labneh, hummus and fattoush, then beef kebabs with fléflé, and mehalabié for dessert.
Is it in the Michelin Guide?
Yes. It has a Bib Gourmand for good quality, good value cooking.
Is there outdoor seating?
Yes. There is a terrace.
Is it accessible?
Yes. Michelin lists wheelchair access.
Who runs it?
The sisters Chahla and Tania Frangié.
What is the phone number?
514-270-9361.