Montreal restaurant opens doors as warming centre amid extreme cold
Posted February 7, 2026 10:37 am.
Last Updated February 7, 2026 11:17 am.
In recent weeks, Montreal and surrounding areas have faced dangerously low temperatures, with wind chill values plunging to minus-35 to minus-38 Celsius over the weekend of Jan. 24.
Environment and Climate Change Canada had warned that exposure to such temperatures could quickly lead to frostbite or hypothermia.
Amid the deep freeze, Mama Khan, a small restaurant on St-Denis Street, decided to do more than serve food — it opened its doors as a warming centre, offering hot drinks and a safe space for anyone seeking relief from the cold.
“Every week we give back to the community by providing meals to the homeless,” said Abdul Raziq Khan, owner of Mama Khan. “Thursday night, when I checked the weather, I seen it as a negative 25. When I woke up on Friday morning, we seen it going as low as negative 35. So I decided, you know what, let’s open up the restaurant, let people come in, warm up with some free chai.”
Free hot drinks draw crowds
Khan opened the warming space on Jan. 23 and over three days, the restaurant gave out more than 52 cups of hot chai. By the second day, demand had surged to the point that they ran out of cups entirely. “We had paramedics, we had first responders coming in and taking the free offer, and we even had teachers coming in, thanking us for including them,” Khan said. “I’m happy that the turnout was big because we need to give back to the community and take care of those that work outside for others.”
Encouraged by the response, Mama Khan has extended the warming centre program until March 1, with operating hours from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m., Tuesday through Sunday. “Just because it’s not negative 35, it doesn’t mean people aren’t still suffering. People can lose their toes at negative 10,” Khan explained. “We want to provide a place to warm up.”
Public reception
Some have praised the initiative, sharing their thoughts on the community effort.
“It seems like it could be a good idea and I think helping out the community, you know, hard times are coming on a lot of people right now,” said one man.
“It’s so cold right now and people in need, like it’s nice that they have a place that they can go and warm up for free and it’s a really nice initiative,” a woman added.
Community spirit drives the effort
During the weekend of Jan. 24, Mama Khan’s initiative sparked a ripple effect as other restaurants across Montreal followed suit. “I hope it continues moving forward,” Khan said. “We do more than just open our restaurant as a warming centre. We provide free meals every Friday.”
The response from the community has been significant, he said. “The support was overwhelming, and it means a lot because January is a very tough month for restaurants, and giving back is a beautiful thing. We’ve been doing it for a very long time, and the support was — I can never think my support is more than — it’s always overwhelming. And what’s interesting as well is that other restaurants actually saw your post, and they got inspired by it.”
While Mama Khan has not been officially recognized as a warming centre by the city, the restaurant is doing everything it can as a small business to help. “We see there’s obviously a need. People come to our restaurant to warm up. We should come together in times of need and help each other out,” Khan said.
Official guidance and collaboration
Sam Watts, CEO of Welcome Hall Mission, acknowledged the goodwill behind such initiatives while emphasizing the complexities involved in serving vulnerable populations.
“It’s important. I mean, we think it’s a great idea when businesses get involved and say they want to help. That’s huge and that’s important. But they have to work in collaboration with people who are already on the ground working. So it’s critical that that happen. And if that doesn’t happen, then it’s really not helpful. So when businesses or any individual does something that’s completely on their own, I usually refer to it as a random act of charity. And random acts of charity are seldom helpful in the context where we are in Montreal.”
The City of Montreal also outlined the official process required for businesses or organizations seeking recognition as warming centres. “Each proposal undergoes an initial assessment and is then added to our database. The sites are subsequently inspected and adapted as needed. We truly appreciate the efforts made by all stakeholders and by the community,” said a spokesperson for the City.
Authorities added that building owners interested in serving as warming centres or emergency shelters are encouraged to contact the city directly and complete a short application form providing basic information about the building and its location.
A warming space for all
Mama Khan’s doors remain open to anyone in need, offering warmth, connection, and a moment of respite from the harsh winter. “I think unity is very important,” said Khan.
In a city bracing against extreme cold, small acts of solidarity — like those at Mama Khan — are proving that compassion and community spirit can make a measurable difference, one hot cup of chai at a time.
