Bistro Isakaya

8178 Champlain Blvd, Lasalle, Quebec H8P 1B4, Canada
+1 514-366-8808
$$$ Japanese restaurant , Asian restaurant , Izakaya restaurant , Ramen restaurant , Restaurant , Seafood restaurant , Sushi restaurant , Tapas restaurant
(337 Reviews)
Price Range $20–30

Bistro Isakaya sits quietly tucked in a LaSalle shopping strip, offering a straightforward yet thoughtful take on Japanese dining that resonates well with locals looking for authentic sushi and a range of well-executed izakaya-style dishes. This isn’t a flashy spot but rather a comfortable and unpretentious restaurant where quality and freshness take center stage.

The interior matches its modest exterior — clean, tidy, and decorated with quietly stylish touches that suggest care without overdoing it. It’s the kind of place where you can settle in for a relaxed meal, and despite being compact, it manages to feel inviting rather than cramped. Even though the kitchen is often busy, the service maintains a casual friendliness, with staff who are approachable and efficient, making this a welcoming stop for both regulars and first-timers.

The menu is a balanced mix of classic sushi rolls, fresh nigiri, and small plates that lean heavily on the izakaya tradition. Edamame and gyoza make for good starters, while highlights like the Aburi Salmon, raw shrimp nigiri variants, and inventive maki rolls showcase a skilled hand with both familiar and slightly elevated Japanese flavors. The grilled options, such as tsukune and yakitori, along with tempura and soba, offer comforting warmth — perfect for cooler evenings or when you want something hearty but not heavy.

Portion sizes strike a thoughtful balance; generous enough to share several plates between friends or family but not so large that the quality feels diluted. Many visitors make a point to call ahead for takeout, especially during peak hours, as the kitchen tends to get quite busy, reflecting steady local demand. Because of this, dining a bit earlier or on a weekday can make for a smoother, less hurried experience.

Given the location in LaSalle, away from Downtown Montreal’s bustle, Bistro Isakaya feels like a local refuge for those craving dependable Japanese food without the fuss. It appeals particularly to people who appreciate seafood-focused dishes done with care — from salmon tartare to grilled mackerel — and who want a casual but attentive atmosphere where they can linger comfortably without feeling rushed.

Evenings here lean toward a quiet buzz, with a mix of solo diners enjoying quick sushi dinners, couples sharing a slow meal of sake and skewers, and small groups digging into the shared plates that are ideal for tapas-like dining. The option to pair dishes with a glass of vin blanc adds a nice touch for those who enjoy a relaxed drink alongside their meal.

In sum, Bistro Isakaya is best for anyone in LaSalle or passing through who would like well-crafted sushi and izakaya dishes in a calm, unpretentious setting — great for casual dinners, low-key celebrations, or grabbing some fresh takeout after a busy day.

Highlights
Has great tea selection
Popular for
Popular for lunch
Popular for dinner
Good for solo dining
What they serve
Serves alcohol
Serves beer
Serves healthy options
Serves small plates
Serves spirits
Serves wine
Best for
Serves lunch
Serves dinner
Has catering
Serves dessert
Has seating
Accessibility
Has wheelchair-accessible car park
Has wheelchair-accessible entrance
Has wheelchair-accessible seating
Has wheelchair-accessible toilet
Parking
Free parking lot
Plenty of parking

Openings Hours

Checking

Monday

Closed

Tuesday

Closed

Wednesday

11:30 AM - 02:30 PM

,

05:00 PM - 08:00 PM

Thursday

11:30 AM - 02:30 PM

,

05:00 PM - 08:00 PM

Friday

11:30 AM - 02:30 PM

,

05:00 PM - 09:00 PM

Saturday

04:30 PM - 09:00 PM

Sunday

04:30 PM - 08:00 PM

337 Reviews
Jenifer Yee

03 Jan 2026

I have been a fan of Isakaya since their Parc Avenue location and never disappointed. Whenever I crave for some modest yet delicious authentic sushi, I know my craving will be well satisfied with some fresh sushi from Isakaya. Great quality-price and the perfectly seasoned rice is a much with my fresh fish. Call ahead for takeout as they get busy quickly and it could take over an hour sometimes! Family owned business by very nice people

Lauren Finan Lewis

28 Dec 2025

I love this place! Fish is always fresh, portions are generous and the prices are great! So happy to have a authentic Japanese restaurant you can dine in at in LaSalle.

Dennis W

09 Dec 2025

This is a true hidden gem in this part of Montreal. This mall used to have a Woolco and Kmart ages ago. Now times have changed and this restaurant is a great addition. It is a mom and pop local business owned by hardworking people. The food is expertly crafted and it tasted fresh and ultra delicious. I tried several dishes along with the sushi & maki and they were all excellent . I just find that the food came out just a bit slow. But the service is good and friendly. They get 5 stars Happy eats everyone

Z S

08 Dec 2025

An excellent Japanese restaurant with a great variety of dishes. We tried a lot of the menu, and everything was absolutely delicious. The staff are very friendly, the kitchen appears very clean, and the restaurant is stylishly decorated. Considering the portion sizes, the quality and the taste of the food, the prices are quite reasonable. Truly a great experience – highly recommended without any reservation.

Christelle Wanko

15 Nov 2025

Best sushi place It has been a while when I had a beautiful meal like the one I enjoyed last night at this bistrot. They are closing at 8pm. We showed up at 7:35pm and she welcome us with a big smile We ended up eating for an hour and they did not pressured us to leave The food was delicious, very tasty , not too salty and very well presented I enjoy the shrimp tempura I have tried the ramen noddle too And the sauces were so tasty Recommend for large group Parking in front is free Far away from the chaotic parking in downtown If you want a cozy comfortable place to eat and discuss with family and friends This is the place to be! I really enjoy my 1st visit I will définitely put this restaurant in my favourites to go indulge into Japanese cuisine

Shui Yee Kuan

07 Nov 2025

Really good price for lunch. Took the udon soup and it came with mix tempura and 5 piece sushi. One of the nigiri, the fish was a bit tough but otherwise really good value for the price.

Anna Maria D.

02 Nov 2025

First time I went for lunch and loved every bit of my assorted platter. Everything was delicious, superior quality and extremely reasonable price. Second time for supper and we were not disappointed. Each and every sushi was rolled to perfection, fresh and very good as well as the shrimp tempura. We explained that we had a time constraint because we hoped to catch a movie and our waitress did everything possible to work within our timeframe. Can't wait to go back!

Helene

17 Sep 2025

I think this is truly a hidden gem in Lasalle, the portions are generous and the quality of it is amazing and completely worth the price. We are big fans of their hot dishes especially. Our favourite dish was the grilled calamari, so soft and and tasty. The unadon (unagi and rice) was big and flavourful. Not many restaurants offer soba and bistro isakaya’s soba is just this cozy comforting dish when you want a simple hot meal. And also their karaage is so worth the price you pay. There’s a lot of thought out behind each hot dish, really respect to the Japanese family running the bistro

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