Damas centers its culinary identity on authentic Syrian preparations that highlight traditional Levantine techniques. Diners encounter an expansive array of mezze including velvety hummus and smoky baba ghanouj alongside expertly seasoned grilled meats. The kitchen prioritizes high-quality spices and fresh produce to construct complex, layered flavor profiles characteristic of Middle Eastern heritage. Signature dishes such as fattoush and kibbeh exhibit a commitment to meticulous preparation and bold, aromatic herbs. The interior design mirrors the cultural vibrancy of the region through intricate textures and warm, ambient lighting. This establishment represents a significant destination for those seeking a comprehensive exploration of Mediterranean-inspired dishes prepared with technical precision. Each plate emphasizes the rich, diverse culinary landscape of Syria while maintaining a focus on structural balance and traditional ingredient sourcing.
Damas is widely celebrated as a premier culinary destination in Montreal, offering an exceptional Syrian dining experience defined by vibrant, authentic flavors and meticulous presentation. Guests frequently praise the stunning, elegantly designed atmosphere, which serves as a warm and inviting backdrop for shareable dishes like the signature hummus, tender lamb racks, and flavorful mezze. The service is consistently highlighted as a major strength, with professional and knowledgeable staff members often going above and beyond to ensure a memorable visit through thoughtful menu guidance and attentive care. While some diners express differing opinions regarding the pricing and portion sizes, many view the premium cost as justified by the high quality of ingredients, the complexity of the culinary craftsmanship, and the overall immersive experience that keeps patrons returning for special occasions.
As a Syrian American who lived in Syria, I've eaten a lot of Syrian food in my life, & this was genuinely some of the best I've had. The food was incredibly authentic, but also refined & thoughtfully prepared. Syrian cuisine is known for bold, powerful flavors, & the kitchen managed to preserve that intensity while adding an impressive level of subtlety & complexity. Every dish felt elevated without losing what makes Syrian food so distinctive.
We did the tasting menu, & it felt like a highlight reel of the classics I grew up eating with familiar dishes & flavors, but reimagined in a thoughtful & creative way.
George was our server & was fantastic throughout the meal. He even shared some of the history & stories behind the food & drinks, which made the experience that much more special. Highly recommend, especially if you're looking for Syrian food that feels both deeply authentic & genuinely elevated.
Dmitri gave us very good explanations of all the dishes in our tasting menu. The sommelier was very knowledgeable about the wines & the countries of their provenance. The basturma with a quail egg, both lamb dishes, Riley steak, & the cheek were amazing.
Damas isn't just a meal; it is an absolute culinary experience. From the moment you walk into the dining room, the ambiance is stunning with warm lighting & elegant Syrian motifs.
The food is extraordinary. The mezze is served with their warm pita. I loved that the dishes are shareable, which allows you to try & taste different things on the menu.
The service is just as impressive as the food. The staff is attentive & knowledgeable about the menu. The drinks are on a whole different level; unlike traditional drinks, they feature a unique twist with a Middle Eastern touch.
Whether you live in Montreal or are just visiting, this is an institution you cannot miss. Highly, highly recommended.
Have been many times in the past & had excellent memories of it. However, we were very disappointed this time. The tasting menu I cannot recommend. If that menu really showcases the best they have I would be even more disappointed A really peculiar mixture with heavy lamb dishes quite delicate fish & underwhelming salad Perhaps the thing that killed it was being kept waiting nearly an hour between courses. At some point of wondering why you are really hungry having spent a fortune & being in an apparently excellent restaurant for two hours already you start to lose interest & instead regret making the decision to come. Just as we were planning to leave without paying the food arrived, no explanation, no recognition of the fact that we had been sat there for an hour with nothing to eat since the first entrée, , but once you have started doing the mental calculation of where you will go next, & so the evening has become broken Someone came to apologise which was appreciated & they gave us a couple of drinks for free & a bottle of wine but members of our group are still swearing about being paying so much for very ok food Maybe we hyped it up too much, & our memories are somehow inaccurate. But sadly, we will never go back. We just don't have time to spend nearly $250 a head a leave feeling unsatisfied. Apparently we were just unlucky. Most people still seem to like the place & I guess if you've never been it's worth a shot but don't get the tasting menu.
We visited Damas on a Saturday evening for a double?date to celebrate our wedding anniversary, & from the moment we walked in, the staff made us feel genuinely welcomed. We ordered a range of dishes, with the cheese borek & lamb hummus standing out as clear favorites. The mixed grill is essential if you want to sample their different meats, each cooked beautifully. & don't hesitate to ask for extra bread as it arrives warm, soft, & impossible to resist. Throughout the meal, the attentive service really shone, from changing our plates between courses to keeping our water glasses filled. It made the whole evening feel thoughtful & special.
I came from Toronto specifically to visit Damas because of its reputation. The restaurant itself is beautiful, & the atmosphere is definitely one of its strongest points. Parking, however, was difficult to find.
As a Lebanese person, I was most excited about the food, but unfortunately it didn't meet my expectations. Nothing we ordered had that'wow' factor or memorable taste that would justify the prices. The portions were also quite small for what we paid.
For a table of four, without ordering any meat dishes or alcohol, our bill came to over $500. In my opinion, there are many other Lebanese & Middle Eastern restaurants that offer better food & larger portions for half the price.
It feels like Damas is selling the name & the overall experience more than the food itself. While I can appreciate the ambiance, it wasn't enough to justify the cost for me. Unfortunately, this was a $500 lesson, & I won't be returning.
First time trying Syrian food & I was completely blown away with the food. It was fresh, aromatic, healthy & absolutely delicious.
Service was absolutely amazing. Tessie our server was phenomenal. She explained the components of each dish. Made some really good recommendations. Even though it was a fixed menu, accommodations were made based on individual preferences.
The wait staff were absolutely fantastic. Every time we completed a meal, the servers came by to switch out our dishes, cutlery & clean any crumbs off our table.
Overall an amazing experience & would definitely recommend this restaurant as a must stop when visiting Montreal
We had the tasting menu & really enjoyed it. There was a generous amount of food, unique flavors, & everything tasted great. The only downside was that some parts of the culinary experience weren't explained very clearly & felt a bit rushed, especially when multiple dishes arrived at once. Overall, it was a great experience, & I'd definitely return for the food & atmosphere.
We visited Damas for a 40th birthday & it was a fantastic experience.
3 of us had the tasting menu which we all really enjoyed. The thought & detail put into each dish is really paramount & as someone who appreciates food really elevated the experience.
1 of us was pregnant & the team at Damas could not have been more accommodating without making her feel like a burden. Great care was taken in each of her dishes (non tasting menu) to ensure she was safe.
The staff were friendly & attentive without being overbearing. The team also provided a birthday card which was a really lovely touch & meant a lot.
Highly recommend this restaurant & the tasting menu.
