Come and join us for an enchanted Syrian evening located Montreal’s chic and gastronomic heart of Outremont, on Van Horne Avenue. At Restaurant Damas, a uniquely comfortable microcosm will greet you with warm colours, velours, carved wood, and multicoloured lights.
Damas earns widespread praise for its refined Syrian and Middle Eastern cuisine, with a wide mezze spread, standout lamb dishes, octopus, and a balanced mix of bold and subtle flavors that many describe as deeply satisfying. The presentations are often praised as beautiful, ingredients high quality, and the open kitchen and warm ambiance add to a special night out. Service is repeatedly lauded as professional, attentive, and knowledgeable, with staff guiding guests through the menu and wine or cocktails, though a few experiences mention slow pacing during busy times or inconsistent timing. The tasting menu and wine pairing are a highlight for many, offering generous portions and a cohesive culinary journey, while others feel the price point is high for the portions or that some dishes do not justify the cost. Brunch is also highlighted as a good value and a way to sample the kitchen, while some reviews note that the atmosphere can be loud or the room crowded. Overall, Damas is regarded as a top Montreal dining destination for rich flavors, elegant service, and a memorable, if premium, dining experience.
I had heard about this place for a long time from people & damn was the food good! As a top guide in mtl ive tried a lot of restos everywhere & this was my first Syrian one. I absolutely loved it, the flavors good, drinks were awesome, service great. Bravo 👏
Damas is hands-down my favorite restaurant in Montreal. From the moment you walk into the gorgeous dining room on Van Horne, the experience is just unmatched. The service is always incredibly warm & attentive, & the atmosphere feels so special without being stuffy.
But the food is the real reason I keep coming back. The Syrian flavors are so rich, vibrant, & perfectly balanced. Everything is incredibly fresh from the cold mezzes right down to the charcoal-grilled meats. Whether you go all out on the tasting menu or just share a bunch of plates, you honestly can't go wrong. Yes, it's on the pricier side, but it is absolutely worth every single penny for the quality & the overall experience. A true 10/10.
Mar 27, 2026
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Damas is definitely a Montreal institution. It's an upscale Syrian restaurant in Outremont that gets a lot of buzz, & I can see why people are drawn to it. The ambiance is stunning, the staff are genuinely warm & welcoming, & the service is attentive throughout the whole evening. No complaints there. That said, I left feeling like the hype doesn't quite hold up. The food is good & decent, but for the price point, I expected to be blown away & I simply wasn't. When you're paying fine dining prices,'decent' just doesn't cut it. It feels more like you're paying a premium for the atmosphere & the name than for truly exceptional cuisine. Worth visiting once if only to say you've been, but it's not the kind of place that leaves you counting the days until your next reservation. A memorable first visit, but not somewhere I'd rush back to.
The food itself, is a far cry for me, from fine dining. Everything tastes decent but it was neither better nor more innovative than a really high quality Syrian restaurant that is 1/4 of the price. It was $400 for 3 people without alcohol. The only standout dish was the octopus. The lamb kebab from the charcoal grill was the only dish that was actually bad. The sauces & accompaniments were good but it was cooked poorly.
Admittedly, this is my cuisine so I am more critical, but in Toronto there is Byblos which elevates regular Mediterranean & I was hoping for a similar experience. Even the desserts were run of the mill, nothing innovative or interesting. They need to be elevated at a place like this.
Unfortunately I would not come again despite good service.
Damas offers a brunch experience that is as curated as it is flavorful, blending influences from both Eastern & Western cultures for a unique culinary adventure. The restaurant operates on a set-price menu, starting at $55, with additional charges depending on your selections. While it would be nice to see an a la carte option, the structured menu ensures each dish is thoughtfully prepared & cohesive.
The coffee is a standout, beautifully brewed & aromatic, setting the stage for the meal ahead. The dishes themselves are vibrant, richly spiced, & layered with flavor, making for a wonderful introduction to Syrian cuisine. Each bite is carefully balanced, showcasing both boldness & nuance without ever feeling overwhelming.
The ambiance enhances the experience: warm wood tones, magical lighting, & cozy decor create a welcoming & almost enchanting atmosphere that complements the food beautifully.
Overall, Damas delivers a brunch that is flavorful, memorable, & culturally immersive. For those seeking a thoughtful introduction to Syrian cuisine with a touch of cross-cultural flair, it's a satisfying & elevated way to spend the morning.
Just visiting Montreal & enjoyed my stay at Damas. I wanted to support Syrian fine dining cuisine experience as I have not experienced something like this in Toronto.
Pricey restaurant but honestly flavors & textures were incredible. My favorite was the lamb dumplings. Great fantastic service as well. Everything went very well together it was very intentional when preparing the meal & menus. Will definitely return when back in the city God willing!
This restaurant is a scam to be honest. We shared a hummus & a plate of grilled meats. The food was good, no problem, but really overpriced (come on $35 for 4 very small cups of hummus as appetizers???). Nothing amazing for a $125 meal… the portions were very small compared to the price we paid. It's just normal Syrian food, in a restaurant trying to be fancy… for the price paid, you better go somewhere else.
You'll read a lot of mixed opinions about this restaurant, but honestly-aside from the price-don't pay attention to the noise. This is a high-end restaurant, & the quality & execution of the food are truly unique. I've tried many Lebanese & Syrian restaurants, & to this day, nothing beats Damas. The food is outstanding; it's one of the best restaurants in Montreal. The fact that reservations are so hard to get isn't hype-people genuinely love the food here.
If you're wondering what to wear, opt for something nice & elegant. I've been there on Mondays & even then you'll see corporate guests in suits & ties.
For first-timers, I highly recommend the tasting menu. You get a little bit of everything, & it's very filling. I've tried almost the entire menu, & honestly, every single dish is excellent.
Street parking is available, but there's no valet.
beautiful syrian restaurant with excellent service! we took the omnivore & pescatarian tasting menu. it was very filling & delicious but nothing extraordinary from the flavors (maybe to someone who is not at all familiar to this palette tho!). a lot of the dishes were lacking salt & one was heavily oversalted. i would recommend this restaurant but not necessarily the tasting menu. my favorite drink was the aleppo sour & my favorite dish - very simple but delicious - the fattouch salad. thank you for the fun birthday experience!
Nov 11, 2025
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Absolutely fantastic experience, my group had picky people & everybody LOVED every meal. Have the nectar instead of the cocktails, the cocktails are good but the nectars are unique to Damas. Would definitely recommend to anyone who wants some fine dining & is interested in Syrian cuisine. There are other cheaper places, but Damas is a different level in terms of quality.
We love Syrian cuisine, so we thought we'd give this place a try. We went for the full Decouverte menu (11 servings). We are far from picky eaters, but I'm surprised why this restaurant got 4.7 stars. Service & atmosphere was great, the food though, very poor. I didn't finish most of my plates & left with a $450 bill with no alcohol. Unfortunately a no-go for me.
Food is not as I've imagined, maybe I'm not used to it, but I love their fattouch & bread including their dips (hummus, baba ghanoush, etc.) are amazing. I didn't love the meat because Syrian or arabic meat usually season it with something distinct to the culture that I'm not a fan of, maybe it's cummmin or something else. The fish though is superb! & their ice cream pistachio is heaven.
Been wanting to come for years but there was never any resos available when I was in town. Finally tried it & must say, super tasty. Syrian food is packed with flavour & delicious. Even for a high end resto I was a bit surprised by some of the prices versus what I received but kind of used to it from living in Toronto. I would still go again to try more items.
Aug 11, 2025
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Finally trying Damas, the famous upscale Syrian restaurant in Montreal! I've heard about this place since I was still at McGill, but unfortunately never had the chance to try. I was surprised to see how big the restaurant was; it seemed to span the entire block, & seemed like it took up the space of three restaurants.
While the taste was good, I didn't think it was anything spectacular; nothing tasted elevated or luxurious. It was overpriced & tasting menu items were simply olives or salads or just something small. I wouldn't recommend this place simply because of the price.
From the moment we walked into Damas, we knew we were about to embark on something special-but nothing could have prepared us for just how exceptional the experience would be. We have tried the tasting menu & it was absolutely the perfect choice!
The ambiance is warm & enchanting, beautifully combining elegance with the rich cultural essence of Syria. The soft lighting, the detailed décor, & the welcoming atmosphere set the perfect stage for an evening to remember.
But let's talk about the food-because this is where Damas truly shines. Every single dish was a masterpiece, crafted with such depth, authenticity, & care that we felt transported to the heart of Damascus. From the tender, aromatic lamb dishes to the vibrant & perfectly balanced mezze, every bite told a story. The flavors were bold yet refined, traditional yet elevated, & undeniably delicious. You could taste the passion & heritage in every element of the meal.
Special thanks to Alexander who guided us through the menu & made us feel at home throughout the evening. His hospitality added a personal touch that elevated the experience from amazing to unforgettable.
Damas has truly mastered the art of Syrian cuisine, blending tradition with fine dining in a way that few can. We left feeling full, grateful, & already planning our next visit.
Thank you, Damas, for an extraordinary night of food, culture, & warmth. You've set the gold standard for Middle Eastern dining in Montreal.
First time trying Syrian food, & it was an interesting experience to see an elevated take on the cuisine. The flavors were good & enjoyable, though it felt like something was missing. Maybe we just needed to order more dishes to get the full experience. Definitely try the mushroom hummus; it's fantastic!
Damas is an outstanding restaurant offering a refined & flavorful Syrian culinary experience. Every dish is beautifully presented & full of rich, authentic taste. The ambiance is elegant & inviting, & the service is excellent. A must-visit in Montreal for anyone who loves Middle Eastern cuisine!
My dinner at Damas was the best fine dining experience I've had in recent memory. I visited on a trip from NYC. The service was attentive & knowledgeable. It was at the quality of Michelin-starred restaurants that I've been to. The Syrian cuisine was delicious & hearty. Our server recommended a prix-fixe CA$ 120 option, which in hindsight would have been ample for 2 people. But we had à la carte options. The salad & moudjarra was especially memorable as was the lamb main course. I hope to come back the next time I'm in town.
