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.
First time here & already cannot wait to be back. Both food & service were outstanding. Our dishes were bursting with flavour. As for our waiter George, truly attentive & helpful with recommendations. The whole staff gave exceptional service. I highly recommend Damas, you will not be disappointed.
Here's a refined & polished version: --- We came here to celebrate our 4-year anniversary after it was highly recommended by some friends who visit regularly. & it did not disappoint! We booked online a couple of weeks in advance without any issues. From the moment we arrived, we were warmly greeted by several staff members & promptly shown to our table. The décor was exquisite, just like in the photos, creating a charming ambiance that was sophisticated yet unpretentious. The seating was comfortable, & we had the choice of still or sparkling water as we browsed the cocktail menu. I tried the Aleppo gin sour-a vibrant green cocktail with strong coriander notes (a word of warning if you're not a coriander fan!). It was fantastic; I ended up having two. My girlfriend enjoyed two different gin-based cocktails & loved each one. Being our first time, we decided to try the tasting menu, & it was outstanding. While I'm not deeply familiar with Syrian or even Lebanese cuisine, I was blown away by each of the 12 dishes, each offering unique textures, an abundance of nuts, pomegranate seeds, & complex spice blends. Our server was exceptional (blond woman, didn't get her name, MERCI BEAUCOUP !) - attentive & personable, asking if we had any food preferences or intolerances. My girlfriend isn't a fan of raw meat, like tartare (which I personally love), & our server graciously provided her with an alternative dish. The rest of the staff was equally attentive, efficiently clearing plates & replacing our utensils throughout the evening. In short, an unforgettable experience. We'll definitely be back! It is on the pricier side, but for a unique, top-tier dining experience in the city, it's worth every penny. Bravo to the entire team! Gros merci encore.
Had a wonderful time at Damas celebrating a birthday. This was our second time & exceptional in comparison. The staff is on top of their game, know the menu & are quick with cleaning the table & replacing cutlery & plates in between courses. We opted for the tasting menu. Only negative is the pricing at $160 per person. We've dined at Michelin star restraunts in Toronto that cost less. Rest assured, the quality & quantity of food is just perfect. All the dishes were mindblowing. Olives were decent. Fattoush salad was fresh. The appetizers (Kibbe, fish, shrimp) & kebabs (lamb chops, skewer) were too good & flavorful. Shish tawouk could be a little more juicy. It was a bit dry but also white meat. We're glad we opted for the tasting menu. The ambiance is very beautiful & cozy. We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves.
Had the pleasure of dining at Damas & it was an unforgettable experience. The ambiance is warm & inviting. The menu offers a delightful mix of dishes, showcasing the chef's creativity & commitment to quality. Every bite was a burst of flavor, especially the pastirma. The lamp chops & filet mignon were perfectly cooked & beautifully presented. The service was impeccable. Whether you're celebrating a special occasion or just want a great meal, Damas is a MUST!
The restaurant was beautiful. The service was incredible. & the food was absolutely amazing. Our server made a few recommendations & was very honest when he thought we might be ordering too much. He was spot on with the dishes he told us to try & with the number of plates we should get. The cocktails were fantastic - very fresh & refreshing. The desserts were super unique-you just save some space for them!
Damas is a famed Montreal restaurant that is hyped to be the best Syrian spot in town. The warm decor, beautiful lights, & upscale nature really makes this a place for special occasions. My friend was able to book us a table for a late night meal about a month in advance. They absolutely get booked up so if you want a table, be sure to plan ahead & make that reservation. Menu items are meant to be shared family style. As a vegan, it was admittedly hard for me to really justify ordering anything sharable that others would want given how pricy everything is on the menu. The two mezzes we had including the Fattoush Salad & their Hummus were already $50 for those alone, so you can imagine how high everything else would have been added up. I enjoyed the salad & its use of fresh ingredients, along with the hummus (which was by no means the best, but a solid hummus nonetheless). I really liked the circular pita that they provided with the hummus as it made for a great dipping mechanism for all of us. I don't think it's worth the price/value for someone that is plant based, despite them having options like grilled vegetables & what appeared to be a heartier legume dish. I think the price for these dishes is what get me so I can't in good faith absolutely recommend it unless you are someone that consumes animal products. With that said, the experience was great & I am very grateful to have even been a part of a meal with great company.
This restaurant is one you must go to if you're visiting Montréal. Everything about our experience here was remarkable. The ambiance, the decor, & the music do an impressive job of immersing you into your meal. Our waitress was so sweet, & made great recommendations. The restaurant is share style, so we ordered 5 dishes for the 4 of us. We started with the Pastirma & Fattouch Salad, both bursting with flavour. Our final dishes of Grilled Halloumi, Samke Harra, & Pistachio Fried Kibbeh were all delectable. We will definitely be coming back when we're in town again!
Decent restaurant. Worth the first visit to try. Upscale Syrian restaurant, with reasonably tasty dishes, somewhat overpriced, & overhyped. Menu is quite rich, with great flavors. Many of the Syrian / mediterranean dishes can be prepared with different variations, & the variations they serve are made a bit more continental / American. Restaurant feels a bit stuffy. Does not have a relaxed feel to it. They have a nice outdoor patio. They have a CAD 150 / person tasting option, that has 10-12 dishes (probably smaller versions). We ordered 6 a-la-carte options, & price was a bit lower, closer to CAD 100 / person. Some items seemed overpriced, like 5 small lamb cabob for 44. Was worth the first visit, but won't return. Too far from the hotel areas, & a bit pricey for what you get. TY
Every single thing we ordered was amazing. Incredible flavors & perfect execution. It would have been nice to have options for draft beer (I didn't see any) but that's a tiny quibble. Server was great & did a fantastic job guiding us towards dishes without gluten (Celiac situation so important to get right). The lamb chops were the star. Potentially the best chops I've ever had & the garnishes were amazing. Patio dining was really nice. Supposedly a dress code but they didn't mind my shorts & flip flops. Fantastic restaurant. 6 stars.
