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.
It's a gorgeous restaurant with a beautiful atmosphere. We ordered the tasting menu & we're not disappointed! Everything tasted fresh & the flavors were great. It's alot of food so ordering your favorite at bigger portions is also a great idea! You can't really go wrong! Enjoy!
I will start by saying that we've heard nothing but rave reviews about Damas & have had this restaurant on our list for a while. However, when you're paying over $500 for a meal, we were expecting to be wowed & were not. We chose the tasting menu & although the food was very good, it was frankly not worth the price point. Some courses were extremely simple with one dimensional flavour (ex: the olives, the fattoush salad) Also, we were charged for tea during the dessert, which we found odd to not have been already included in the tasting menu at $160 per person. The most disappointing part was definitely the service. The servers seemed very out of sync, always getting in each others way & knocking things at our table on two separate occasions. They also took our plates away while we were still eating, which completely surprised me. It felt very rushed & tarnished the experience. We were also not given bread when we noticed all other tables had, & had to ask for some. Overall, there was a level of refinement & depth of flavour missing for us, especially at this price point & compared to other iconic restaurants in Montreal. We will not be returning.
Came here in April with my gf for my birthday dinner & was the best restaurant experience Ive had ! The tasting menu was extremely delicious & the sommelier who came by with our sparkling wine was also very amicable.
Back in the day, I would have given a million stars to this restaurant. In fact, it should have been almost Michelin level. We had tried the tasting menu, & every single bite was spectacular, & the prices were much more reasonable. Last night, we returned expecting that same level of deliciousness, but it was just good, not amazing, nothing special. We had 2 apps (Hummus & Mouhammara), & 2 mains (Sea bass - lacked flavor but was cooked nicely - & Lamb dumplings). The best thing was the Mouhammara, & the rum Polo. I was disappointed to find the taste extremely lacking compared to my previous experience, & the prices had skyrocketed. What you get for what you pay just doesn't add up anymore. I'm sorry to say, but that was my last experience dining at Damas.
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
We tried the tasting menu. It was expensive, but the shrimp rolled in kadaif, & lamb ribs were delicious. The baklavas were good, but not the best. The staff were polite. We'll return, but next time we'll order from the regular menu.
Been here several times. Recently, my perspective has changed dramatically about Damas. Once a top restaurant in Canada, now has turned into a cash grab. The prices here are outrageous, & nothing to justify it. The ingredients & meats are mostly all local products, not like they are importing seafood or getting wagyu beef. The food is decent, but honestly I likely would not be able to tell the difference in a blind taste test for a $30 dish at another restaurant. the menu has changed as well, & it is not as attractive as it once use to be. Only way I would go back is with a tasting menu, otherwise, just not the same... - Appetizers hummus & beet hummus were good, nothing out of this world - Meals - meat platter & chicken shish taouk, same were good, nothing out of this world. The lamb rack on the meat platter wasn't good, no one enjoyed it, same with some deep fried meat, that was extremely dry. - Had three of the desserts & they were all terrible, left a bad taste leaving the restaurant
Tasting menu is a must for first timers. I'm not a fan of lamb but they lamp chops were smoky delicious! I left a birthday note when I made the reservation & they did end the dessert with a candle 🩵 I can't get enough of the attentive service, very rare nowadays.
We chose the prix fixe pescatarian tasting menu, which came with a lot of food. Salad, babaganoush, egg/pita, falafel, octopus, stuffed grape leaves, bulgur, fish & baklava. We enjoyed this feast with a refreshing white wine from Syria. The highlights were the babaganoush (truly a surprising flavour explosion), falafel, octopus & fish entree. The food was very solid with a few surprising stand outs. The service & atmosphere was typical for such a big space (reminded me a bit of Dishoom). However, the price was very steep & would have appreciated some guidance on our tasting menu choice. (Assuming this would have knocked a couple hundred $ off our dinner for two...making it more palpable)
- 40% of the tasting menu was delicious & the rest were subpar or very disappointing today - mindful of dietary restrictions (adjusted one item on their menu as needed) - some courses were crammed together & some had huge gaps between them - water was refilled frequently, which is an improvement from before, but it was too frequent to the point where it felt disruptive several times - kind service, but they seemed to be in a rush & we could barely hear them describe each item due to how loud it is inside due to poor room acoustics probably - not as good as it used to be unfortunately, so likely won't be going back ever again
