April arrives with a supercharged energy, headlined by a true pop culture phenomenon. This week, Montreal plays host to a three-night stand from an icon, alongside a diverse roster of metal, electronic, and R&B talent that proves the city’s stages are among the most dynamic in the world. Before the lights go down, fuel your night with the bold, authentic flavours of one of the Plateau’s most beloved counters.
👉 For more nightlife and dining picks, visit MontrealNightlife.com.
🍱 Restaurant of the Week: Krapow
📍 Address: 4449 Rue de Mentana, Montréal, QC H2J 3B4
Krapow is a beautiful little story of passion, memory, and the power of simple, bold flavours. Born as a pandemic-era experiment, this tiny counter on Mont-Royal Avenue has become Montreal’s definitive destination for authentic Indo-Malaysian cuisine. Owner Kevin Larken, who lived in Southeast Asia for over 20 years, found himself stranded in Montreal when COVID-19 hit. Unable to return to the flavours he loved, he started recreating the dishes he missed most. In October 2020, out of a 600-square-foot “hole-in-the-wall,” Krapow was born. Today, it has earned its place as a beloved Plateau staple.
The name “Krapow” (or kaprao, kaphrao) refers to a variety of holy basil that is central to Thai cuisine. It is also the name of the iconic dish—minced meat stir-fried with this sacred basil, garlic, and chili, traditionally served with a fried egg and rice. Unsurprisingly, it is the star of the menu.
Atmosphere & Décor
Krapow is a small, no-frills counter with a handful of seats for those who prefer to enjoy their meal in-house, though it is best known for its exceptional takeout. The focus here is entirely on the food—vibrant, aromatic, and authentic. In 2023, Krapow moved to a larger space on rue Mentana (formerly the home of the famed Tampopo), but the spirit remains the same: simple, freshly cooked, easily packed meals at the heart of Southeast Asian street food culture.
🍽️ What to Order: A Small Menu with Big Flavours
Chef Sami Abou Nassar and Kevin have intentionally created a limited menu of signature dishes they can perfect. As Kevin puts it, “When people crave a restaurant, they only want one or two things.” All dishes are gluten-free and served with their signature coconut-lemongrass rice (except the soup).
The Menu:
- Beef Krapow (Thailand): The signature street-food staple, made with ground beef, holy basil, garlic, chili, and gluten-free sauces. Marinated in its juices before searing and served with a crispy, runny fried egg on top. Allergens: Egg, Oyster (extract)
- Beyond Meat™ Krapow (Thailand/Montreal): The same iconic dish, made plant-based. Note: This dish is not vegan (contains fish and oyster sauce). Allergens: Egg, Oyster (extract)
- Sambal Belacan Chicken (Malaysia): A distinctive and aromatic Malaysian dish featuring the powerful, savoury punch of belacan (shrimp paste). Marinated in a special blend of chili, belacan, garlic, and Thai basil, it is stir-fried, seared, and served with toasted ground coconut and fried shallots. Allergens: Shrimp (paste), Oyster (extract), Sesame (oil)
- Beef Rendang (Indonesia): An Indonesian-style beef stew, slow-cooked for over six hours with shallots, lemongrass, garlic, chili, tamarind, and a special spice blend in rich coconut milk. This sweet, savoury, deeply flavourful stew is served with pickled daikon and fried shallots. Allergens: Soy
- Tom Kha Gai Soup (Northern Thailand): A rich, comforting coconut soup made with chicken, galangal, lemongrass, oyster mushrooms, and chili. It’s a savoury, sweet, umami delight that warms from the inside. Note: Does not come with rice.
- Vegetarian Special: A rotating, often vegan special. Recent offerings have included Lodeh, an Indonesian turmeric and cumin-infused stew with mushrooms, Thai eggplants, green beans, fried tofu, and tempeh, served with deep-fried cauliflower on coconut-lemongrass rice. Allergens: Soy (optional), eggplant
Why You Should Go
Because Krapow delivers the authentic, vibrant, and deeply satisfying flavours of Southeast Asian street food with a commitment to quality and simplicity that is rare to find. For those who crave big, bold tastes—from the spicy punch of a proper krapow to the rich complexity of a slow-cooked rendang—this little counter is a true gem. Kevin and his team have built something special, and every dish is a testament to their love for the cuisine and their craft.
🔗 Visit Krapow’s website
📝 Read the Tastet review
🎤 Performances of the Week
Presented by MontrealNightlife.com
🕸️ Lady Gaga at Bell Centre
Global icon Lady Gaga brings her spectacular MAYHEM Ball to Montreal for three unforgettable nights. The 14-time GRAMMY, Oscar, and Emmy Award winner has expanded the sold-out tour, presenting a show that builds on the conceptual world introduced at Coachella. Expect a masterclass in pop performance—jaw-dropping visuals, theatrical choreography, and the powerhouse vocals that have made her one of the most celebrated artists of her generation.
📍 Venue: Bell Centre
🗓️ Dates & Times:
- Thursday, April 2, 2026 — 8:00 PM
- Friday, April 3, 2026 — 8:00 PM
- Monday, April 6, 2026 — 8:00 PM
🎟️ For tickets click here (Evenko)
🤘 Bleed From Within at Théâtre Beanfield
Presented by Heavy MTL, Scottish metal powerhouse Bleed From Within brings “The Zenith Tour” to North America. Known for their crushing riffs, relentless energy, and technical precision, they are joined by a devastating support package: Sylosis, Great American Ghost, and Life Cycles. A must for fans of modern heavy metal.
📍 Venue: Théâtre Beanfield, 2490 Notre-Dame Ouest
🗓️ Date & Time: Friday, April 3, 2026 — 7:00 PM (Doors: 6:00 PM)
🎟️ For tickets click here (Evenko)
🎸 Two Feet at Théâtre Beanfield
The sultry, blues-drenched electronic sound of Two Feet returns to Montreal for “The Next Steps Tour.” Known for his gritty guitar riffs, deep basslines, and smoky vocals, his live show is an intimate, hypnotic experience. With support from The Darcys and Brothel, this is a night for fans of moody, atmospheric R&B and electronic fusion.
📍 Venue: Théâtre Beanfield, 2490 Notre-Dame Ouest
🗓️ Date & Time: Saturday, April 4, 2026 — 8:00 PM (Doors: 7:00 PM)
🎟️ For tickets click here (Evenko)
(Note: Two Feet also performs a second show on Sunday, April 5, 2026 — 8:00 PM.)
🎵 Kai at MTELUS
Kai, the rising star of Haitian-Canadian R&B and kompa, takes the MTELUS stage for an 18+ late-night performance. With his smooth vocals, infectious rhythms, and heartfelt songwriting, Kai has quickly become a beloved figure in Montreal’s diverse music scene. This is a prime opportunity to catch a charismatic performer on the rise.
📍 Venue: MTELUS, 59 St Catherine Est
🗓️ Date & Time: Sunday, April 5, 2026 — 10:30 PM (Doors: 9:00 PM)
🔞 Age: 18+
🎟️ For tickets click here (Evenko)
🧠 Infected Mushroom & Blastoyz at New City Gas
Prepare for a mind-bending night of psychedelic trance as Israeli legends Infected Mushroom join forces with Blastoyz at New City Gas. Known for their genre-defying sound, virtuosic live performances, and groundbreaking production, this is a journey into the outer reaches of electronic music. The venue is offering full bottle service packages for those seeking an elevated experience.
📍 Venue: New City Gas, 950 rue Ottawa
🗓️ Date: (Please check the venue’s official site for the confirmed date)
🎟️ For tickets and bottle service packages: Visit New City Gas
📚 Sources
