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.
EDIT: The owner reached out to me after I posted this, & was very apologetic & just wanted me to come back & give Damas another chance. I'm increasing the service rating as this was entirely surprising & made me feel that the ownership genuinely cares about the guest experience. I really wish I could rate Damas in line with the quality of its cuisine-if I could, it would easily earn five stars. However, high prices come with high expectations, many of which were unmet during our visit. A particularly notable issue was our water glasses being refilled only once over a two-hour tasting menu. My partner & I had eagerly anticipated this visit for months, considering Damas the highlight of our trip. Unfortunately, after our initial order was taken, our waiter seemed to vanish, & my partner's attempts to flag down another staff member were necessary just to get another drink. This incident exemplifies the overall lack of attentiveness we experienced. Despite these service shortcomings, the food at Damas is truly exceptional & stands out markedly from its competitors. The lamb in particular was the best bit of meat, I have ever had. For those who don't mind a struggle for basic customer service, Damas could still be a fair choice. For future patrons, I might recommend visiting during less busy times or for occasions where the pace of service isn't of consequence.
So me & my partner really wanted to go somewhere special but different for our one year anniversary. We're from Vermont so we thought that the cuisine would be a wonderful detour from what we usually have available. Our experience however, was not very good, & I don't think we'd come back again. To start, we got seated & we knew we wanted the tasting menu, which is 7 courses, so we ordered that & we each had a cocktail. They whisked the menus away & we were excited. Then the first course came, then the second, by the third we were both finished with our cocktails & were politely waiting for our server to come back to ask for a refill. I was facing the restaurant & I watched him stop by other tables except ours. I tried to make eye contact with him, to no avail, it seems he was uninterested in helping us anymore, as he refused to even look our direction. At the point of the fourth course my partner had been waiting on a water refill for 15 minutes. 15! I finally just started staring & trying to flag waiters down until one (very nice) man came over & asked if we needed something. We asked for a wine menu, ordered. & then were promptly left alone again. Then when dessert came around, (we made this reservation 3 months in advance & put in the notes it was our anniversary) the person who came said "its somebodys birthday" Which while it would be fine if that was the only blunder, but when you've been dismissed the entire night & had to fight for a water refill it Definitely feels on purpose & rude. & then we had to fight again to get the check. I just felt like if you're spending $500 on a dinner youd think they could keep the water refilled. Let alone notice that your cocktail is empty & ask if youd like another. Or at least CHECK IN & make sure everything is going fine. I don't know if it was because we looked younger than their usual clientele, or if that is policy to leave you to your devices after ordering a 7 course meal. But we will not go there again. & it's so disappointing because the food was phenomenal!! But I would never recommend anyone go there. It felt like we weren't their target clientele, & I got the impression that we weren't welcome.
I've eaten here three times so far, & hope to return again! It is also currently my favourite restaurant of all time. The food is delicious, unique, & iconic. I have not had the pleasure of trying the tasting menus, but there are some regular menu items on it that I have loved. A shoutout for the cocktails is needed, & I recommend either the Aleppo Gin Sour or Damascus Blinker. As far as food goes the hummus is remarkable, & the option with the shawarma is a meal on its own. I also recommend the Sour Cherry Kebab & the Samke Harra. The food service is organized around sharing plates, & they run a tight ship replacing platters & utensils. Staff have always been helpful & kind. Not to mention the restaurant itself is gorgeous & has an intimate atmosphere despite its density. Overall, it's worth the price to try at least once. You will probably find yourself wanting to come back!
It's okay. On the menu it said one thing, but on the plate something was missing. Once to try, but there's better places - better tasting & less pricey.
Beautiful restaurant! We got the tasting menu & it was so delicious with great variety. One of my favourite things was the fried shrimp with labneh. The tasting menu is a little pricey in my opinion but it is filling & very well made. I would love to come back & just order dishes from the menu though!
The food was amazing, service was incredible & the decor inside is so cute! My friend & I got the tasting menus & was NOT expecting the amount of food we got. There's a lot of items on the menu so we thought it would be small portions but we were stuffed halfway through, not complaining though! Food was great with lots of various flavours & spices. Would come again!
We had the tasting menu, it was good, mediocre at most l, some items stood out more than others. DEFINITELY NOT WORTH 400 for 2. Just not worth it, will most likely not come back.
We had the standard tasting menu. The best imo are the seafood dishes -seabass & fish cake. They had nice texture & good natural flavors. If I had to go back, I would solely order the seafood. The rest of the menu, while loaded with variety, wasn't very memorable. For example, the yogurt marinated chicken lacked punch & the lamb, while good, can be found at tons of restaurants. I also don't find the sauces complement the main elements. That being said, it was still fun to try out the sheer variety of quality offerings. I just won't be considering the tasting menu ever again.
Could not recommend this restaurant more. My husband & I have never had Syrian food before but decided to try Dana's while we were in Montreal on vacation & it was both of our favorite restaurant we visited while we were there. We did the tasting menu & my husband did the wine pairing with his meal. The waitress was really knowledgeable about the menu & recommended substitutions where necessary for me since I am pregnant. It was excellent service, all the food we had was amazing (we left very full) & the sommelier was very friendly & professional. I definitely recommend anyone give this place a try, it was incredible!
