Falafel, halvah, shawarma, moussaka, spanakopita, empanadas, samosas, paneer, pad thai, phò, dim sum, pastel de nata… growing up in New Brunswick in the 90ees, these words weren’t yet part of my vocabulary.

In fact, eating “ethnic” food to us was going to Pizza Hut or the Chinese buffet. In 2000 things changed suddenly when I moved to practically downtown Toronto. Let's say my culinary vocabulary grew rapidly.

Naturally, when I moved to Laval in 2004 I wanted to keep eating and discovering ethnic dishes. I wasn’t too disappointed (I repeat, not too disappointed). It’s true, Laval still has room to improve in the ethnic restaurant department but we see them popping up here and there. Just last week I tried quite a few Afgan dishes on Curé-Labelle with a 20$ bill for two: not bad!

But where ethnic restaurants are spare, there is always an alternative: cooking ethnic food at home!

So without further ado, I would like to share with you my favorite ethnic grocers in Western Laval.

Laval-Ouest

Marché Léon

2875 Sainte-Rose boulevard, Laval-Ouest

Latino ingredients, empanadas, nachos, coffee

Fabreville

Grand Marché/Colfax

3699 Autoroute 440 West, Laval, QC H7P 5P6 – Tel: (450) 688-7773 www.colfax.ca

Primarily Greek and Mediterranean food. Also bakery, produce, fresh cheeses, olive oils. I really like the fresh produce, the large bags of frozen veggies and Italian ingredients I have trouble finding elsewhere.

La Belle Pêche

4600 boulevard Sainte-Rose, Fabreville, H7R 1Z2 – Tel: 450-314-3747

Fresh fish and some prepared Moroccan meals.

Sainte-Dorothée

Marché Chaunan Brothers

241A, boul Samson, Laval, QC

Indian, Pakistani, Sri Lankan and Bengali groceries.

Chomedey

Marché Adonis Laval

2425 Boulevard Curé-Labelle, Laval, QC H7T 1R3 – Tel: (450) 978-2333 – www.groupeadonis.ca

Who doesn’t know Adonis? I love the fruit cocktail counter. Have you tried the Mr. Twister?!

Mourelatos

4919, Notre-Dame West boul. , Laval (Québec) H7W 1V3 – Tel: 450 681-4300 – mourelatos.com

We all know the jingle. Mourelatos has made a good reputation for itself in the Greek department, but also a great resource for all Mediterranean and middle-eastern ingredients.

They have a great produce section, meats, fish, bakery, fresh cheese and cold cuts.

Boulangerie & Pâtisserie S.Miguel

4385 boul St-Martin Ouest, Laval – Tel: (450) 978-9667

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BoulangeriePatisserieSMiguel/

Fresh bread every day and baked goods. A large variety of Portugese products. Pao fresco todos os dias e Pastelaria. Toda a variedade de productos Portugueses.