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.
We went to Damas to celebrate a birthday this weekend & had such a wonderful lunch. We were lucky enough to have the incredible Tessie as our waitress. Her warm energy, beautiful personality & friendly suggestions made our first experience at Damas nothing short of amazing. We decided to go for a 3 course meal because we absolutely wanted dessert, but we would've easily been more than satisfied with 2 courses as the portions are extremely generous. We started with their akawi & lamb fatayer, as well as their lamb kibbeh nayyeh, had the ribeye with the ottoman eggs & the shish taouk for our main courses & for dessert (there's always room for dessert!) we chose the halva french toast as well as the classic halawet el jebn. The presentation of every plate was breathtaking, as you can see below. The flavours are so well thought out, the meat was seasoned & cooked to perfection & their crispy potatoes will have you pushing your limits for one more bite. The most surprising part for me was that, despite the very generous portions, we didn't even get a to go box because of how good the food was. It's one of those places you're planning your next visit before you even finish eating. It's really THAT good.
Bonne expérience au niveau de la nourriture, mais malheureusement le service a tout gâché.
Nous avons payé près de 400 $ pour un dîner à deux, donc on s'attendait à un service à la hauteur. Pourtant, le serveur m'a clairement demandé un pourboire en disant que c'était presque obligatoire & qu'il travaillait uniquement avec les tips.
J'ai laissé 10 $ pour son service, mais il a considéré que ce montant était un manque de respect & a insisté pour que je donne plus.
Je trouve ce comportement inacceptable & très malaisant, surtout compte tenu du montant déjà payé. Le pourboire doit rester un choix, & non une obligation imposée au client.
Une expérience qui se termine malheureusement sur une mauvaise note
My new favourite restaurant in MTL!
Delicious food, great service, well presented & big portion sizes. Flavours were incredible. Mocktails were tasty 👏🏼
Ambiance:
The restaurant is very large, nearly 4 whole rooms. It's beautifully decorated, quite warm & inviting. I wouldn't say it's cozy, nor would I say it's an overtly elegant vibe.
Service:
Friendly but distant. Food was explained as it came, but none of our servers seemed particularly passionate about the food. Plates were changed with each service. Nothing that added or detracted from our visit.
Food:
What can I say about the food? Damas offers elevated middle eastern cuisine that would wow those who have not had very much of it. The mezzes were good, but not better than mezzes served by any good Syrian (or Lebanese or Jordanian) restaurant, including a breakfast spot. The hot mezzes were good, but not ground breaking. Flavours were not elevated, they were just solid representations of the standard (cumin, Aleppo pepper, yogurt, etc.) Most damning was the meat - we ordered the filet mignon medium rare & received it medium, the lamb medium & received it well done. At a restaurant charging these prices, this was quite unacceptable.
Furthermore, for a restaurant charging these prices & presenting itself as being high end, the pace at which our dishes came out was overwhelming. We ordered a total of 10 dishes. We received our cold mezzes as a pair. Very quickly after we began to eat, 3 hot mezzes appeared. & very shortly after that, another 4 hot dishes! There was no pause between plates, which made us feel very rushed & anxious about the food becoming cold. We would've appreciated more thoughtful coursing of the dishes & more time to enjoy each dish, without it becoming cold.
Overall, Damas offers a decent dining experience at what feels like rather exorbitant, fine dining prices. Service & ambiance are nothing to write home about. The food is not the best representation of the true breadth & depth of Syrian cuisine, but it may wow those who are not from the region.
Very different middle eastern food, good ambience, wonderful service & great dessert.
We had the tasting menu, most of the things where kind of different, with a variety of taste.
I don't eat seafood, they were happy to accomodate my requests.
The kibbeh & the main course lamb were outstanding dishes, others were also good, but these 2 standout.
The dessert was also very different, never had something like that ! Must go place in Montreal
This is the best middle eastern restaurant I have ever eaten in North America.
I eat here every few years, whenever I come to Montreal.
I make it a point to come here.
It is absolutely worth the trip & the cost.
It is not inexpensive, but it is a dining experience worth every penny.
I would give it my very highest recommendation.
Stunning place with incredible food. Came here with my colleagues & we ordered a bit of everything - it was so delicious! We left smiling ear to ear, it was a night to remember. The atmosphere feels celebratory but also intimate & the food, omg the food, it was so good!
We had the tasting menu with the Mediterranean wine pairing & everything was perfect! The service was above & beyond anything experienced in Montreal. Every single dish was incredible & the wine paired perfectly with each dish. The atmosphere was also very pleasant!
