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.
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.
One of the best dining experiences I've ever had. The ambiance is absolutely stunning, beautifully designed, warm, & inviting, creating the perfect atmosphere for an unforgettable meal. Our waiter, Nick, was absolutely outstanding. His knowledge, attentiveness, & genuine hospitality elevated the entire evening & made the experience truly unforgettable.
If you're visiting, I can't recommend the tasting menu enough. Every course was beautifully presented, perfectly paced, & absolutely delicious. It was the perfect way to experience everything the restaurant has to offer.
I'll be referring everyone I know who visits Montreal to come here. It's the kind of place that leaves a lasting impression, & I can't wait to come back.
Got the tasting menu (party of 4). We had a new waiter that didn't really know the menu. We had to ask for cutlery & sharing plates. Random staff were dropping off the plates with no explanations & the courses seemed disorganized & rushed. Some plates were difficult for us to divide & the portions were small (we had to cut a piece of meat into 4 & portion out sauce). Our waiter never checked up on us. Towards the end of the meal, a new staff member asked what we thought of the bread (at this points we realized they had forgotten to bring it). No one refilled our waters. Based on recommendations, I guess it was an off evening, but this is completely unacceptable given the insane price... Definitely in the bottom 0.1% of restaurant experiences...
Damas was quite the experience.
Take a look at the pictures for an impression of the ornate interior.
Lots of love in every detail.
But of course the food is the star, once you have made peace with the price tag of $160 for the six course (9 items) tasting menu, which gives you an amazing tour of Syrian flavors as interpreted by Damas.
Everyone of these comes with a thorough description by the server that gives you the details.
I discovered something I had never tasted before, a caper berry I thought was a pickled pepper.
I'm not a food expert & this was unforgettable. Try a smoked cocktail, which you can also get without alcohol.
Our server, Nick, was a local foodie who happily answered my hundred questions. At the end he gave us a list of recommendations for other places to try, for experiencing the amazing Montreal food scene.
Come & be impressed!
Life changing experience. I have been to a lot of good middle eastern places around the world but this is by far one of the best. I did the tasting menu & every dish was incredible. I heard the guy next to me say that the food reminded him of his mom's cooking, that's how you know. I think my favorite was either the fattoush or the pastirma. If you sit at the bar you definitely gotta try to strike up a conversation with Amjad (not sure if I spelled his name right) - he's a really great guy.
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.
Honestly one of the best if not THE best, novel (to me), unique, & interesting dining experiences of my entire life. If you can splurge on the tasting menu (with the classic wine pairings), DO IT. The dishes are composed of flavour combinations I don't think I'll ever come across again, but to put those flavours together in the way that they did was nothing short of incredible. So unique & so delicious.
