Supermarché Akhavan

Great place with amazing diversity. Prices are very reasonable. Their small restaurant offers great persian plates that must be tested! I fully recommend.

Akhavan is quite possibly the top Persian/​middle Eastern grocery store in Montréal. Everything is available and when I say everything they have a full selection of dry goods, fresh vegetables, meats, breads, pastries, nuts, fresh cheese, prepared food and take out. It’s got everything and then some. Also noticed their tea selection is pretty much out of this world.
For those that don’t know or are unaware Persian tea is considered some of the best in the world. It’s base is a long leaf black tea. But those who know the trade right add a bit of rose water, cardamom and a few sticks of cinnamon. The smell is pretty much out of this world. I was first introduced as my uncle was dating an Armenian-​Iranian woman who explained the contraption they use. It’s called an Samavar. They were brought to Iran by Russians in the 18^th century. They even sell ornate Samavar tea machines at Akhavan. I saw a sign on one for $ 300 behind the cash registers on the wall. It’s an electric contraption that you plug in and run all day if you lived in a Persian household. The one at my Uncles house sort of sounded like an off kilter old skool water radiator which hisses and steam sounds come out of. I had know clue what was going on until explained and think it would be great for Canadians especially in our long winters.
Sorry for the diversion back to the review:
I took some amazing photos on my visit as I was über impressed with the offering here. I’m not the most familiar with Persian food but for what I’ve eaten it’s been exquisite, fragrant and holy freaking moley! Amazingly good. There is a mouth watering bakery and also a restaurant — kitchen preparing lots of takeaway food.
Produce was extremely reasonable and looked pretty fresh.
This morning I visited there was some interesting what sounded like prayer music playing on the speakers which helped me feel the vibe like I was in a market in Tehran which was pretty cool. I’ll most def be back to sample more items and enjoy their cuisine.

Akhavan’s is our go-​to grocery store when we’re looking for great brochettes, lamb, beef, Kafka, nuts, olives, rice, superb baklava and even certain Mexican goods!
Especially of note is that Akhavan’s stock SPROUTS of many varieties– something the big chains are loathe to do.
Their (other) vegetables sadly are not as enticing to me as they often look a little peaked. That’s okay if you’re going to use them the day of, but it’s not so good if you shop for the entire week like we do.
Counter staff are consistently courteous and friendly. Stock boys are sometimes less knowledgeable than they could be, but it’s never been an impediment to my continuing to shop there.

After living for many years on the plateau and enjoying grocery shopping in that area… we moved to ndg where we discovered sadly there is a serious deficit of good shopping… until I stumbled upon akhavan. It is wonderfully clean and has a great array of produce meats cheeses breads dips middle eastern and imported goods etc etc etc etc ETC… and don’t get me started on the nut and olive bar… woo woo!!! Fabulous selection, super fresh (because of turn over) and reasonably priced. Dried fruits are also reasonable.
Their in house akhavan brand has been consistently reasonable price wise and often superior in quality.
The staff have always been pleasant and helpful — willing to help in any way they can… even on super busy days… and I love seeing the range of people who shop here … it is a bright spot in this area of big chains with mediocre over priced products. It is a happy place that helps me deal with being so far away from the markets and specialty shops of the plateau area.
I am happy to make the trip down here than to shop at the provigo that is much closer to me. The prices are better for everything than the provigo… it is cleaner, more fun and worth repeated visits.

Superb selection of cheeses and meats.
I can go there just for the kebabs, the best price around for Persian food.
Super friendly staff and top notch in all aspects (fruits, pastries, breads)
They have a ready-​made section too and some stuff runs out quick (Ash Soup).
Parking nearby is available.
Sherbrooke West is a bit traffic-​prone but worth a shot when in the area.

I don’t like this place. Been five or so times and recently said I never would again.
Everything is overpriced, and very cheap branded Middle Eastern food is sold as exotic produce for sometimes 8x the price. Al Amana down the road has much better Middle Eastern stuff.
And then even the local produce is overpriced, just so clients can feel exotic and interesting walking around Hommos and Ta3meya. I find this kind of establishment quite rude, honestly. Rather than openly wanting people to experience and enjoy, basic working class food is turned into some kind of elitist endeavor.

J’y vais pour les noix, dattes, olives, viandes et pâtisseries. Très abordable, la différence de prix est impressionnante

Best market I have been to, hands down! Ever! Even better than my Armenian markets here! Akhavan is fairly large, they carry everything you need from fresh produce, to flat breads, to fresh meats and prepared foods.
I spent about the same that I would normally spend at my Armenian places here in the states which included some prepared Boregs and such. Also, I have never once in my life seen a jar of grape leaves for less than $ 4. Akhavan had a few brands which were $ 1.99 per jar. WHAT?!
Oh can I also express how fricken huge their nuts are? They have a whole wall of nuts. Infront of that wall is a long table of bins filled with nuts. I had no idea there were so many nuts to be had!
Anyway.if I ever live here this will be one of my top places to shop! Oh and they have a parking lot!

Marché Akhavan est dans cette catégorie de marché où l’on trouve beaucoup de produit d’importation, surtout du Moyen-​Orient. Dans cette catégorie, Akhavan est certainement mon favori. Produits frais, de bonne qualité, connu, mais pas trop alors on peut y faire son marché sans se sentir claustrophobe dû à l’entassement public.
Akhavan n’est pas près de mon secteur, alors ça prends un peu de motivation pour y venir, cependant leurs arguments pour moi sont de taille!
Premièrement, je suis un grand consommateur de noix et ils ont le plus grand comptoir de noix que je connaisse à Montréal. Les noix sont toujours fraîches et de bonne qualité. La variété est également au rendez-​vous avec de quoi vous satisfaire, que vous préfériez les noix salée, rôties ou naturelles, avec ou sans écales.
Vous pouvez également trouver un bar à olives, une grande sélection de fromage féta, de l’hummus frais et une grande sélection de thés.
Si la faim vous terrasse, Akhavan a un petit coin restauration avec un choix appétissant de spécialisées orientales, dont les brochettes de viande grillées.
Allez-​y, mais pas trop, je né veux pas que l’endroit soit envahi et qu’il devienne impossible d’y circuler librement!

The reason I come here when I’m in town is for the amazing samosas! Great price and great taste!!!