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 regarded as an exceptional destination for Syrian and Levantine cuisine in Montreal, frequently praised for its vibrant, expertly spiced dishes and refined atmosphere. Many diners highlight the tasting menu as a memorable way to experience a variety of authentic flavors, from signature fattoush and hummus to succulent grilled meats, all served within a beautifully decorated, upscale setting. While a majority of guests describe the service as impeccable, warm, and highly professional, there are occasional reports of inconsistent pacing or dissatisfaction regarding value versus cost. Despite some differing opinions on pricing and portion sizes, the restaurant remains a top recommendation for special occasions, with numerous visitors commending the staff for their attentiveness and deep knowledge of the menu.
The experience at Damas was immaculate. Food was perfect, service was really great & the place is simply beautiful. Can't wait to come back the next time I'm in Montreal!
Had a wonderful time at Damas celebrating a birthday. This was our second time & exceptional in comparison. The staff is on top of their game, know the menu & are quick with cleaning the table & replacing cutlery & plates in between courses. We opted for the tasting menu. Only negative is the pricing at $160 per person. We've dined at Michelin star restraunts in Toronto that cost less. Rest assured, the quality & quantity of food is just perfect. All the dishes were mindblowing. Olives were decent. Fattoush salad was fresh. The appetizers (Kibbe, fish, shrimp) & kebabs (lamb chops, skewer) were too good & flavorful. Shish tawouk could be a little more juicy. It was a bit dry but also white meat. We're glad we opted for the tasting menu. The ambiance is very beautiful & cozy. We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves.
Sep 30, 2024
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Food was amazing, so many wonderful choices, we tried most of the menu. Service was 5 star, so attentive, friendly & helpful. Ambiance was inviting & comfortable. We will be back every time we're in Montreal!!
I recently had the pleasure of dining at Damas Restaurant with my family, & I can confidently say it exceeded my expectations. From the moment we walked in, the ambiance was so unique, elegant yet welcoming, setting the perfect tone for our evening. One of the standout features of this restaurant is the generous portion sizes. Each dish was beautifully presented & packed with flavor, making it a delightful experience for the palate. I ordered the rack of lamb, & I was pleasantly surprised by how hearty the serving was-definitely enough to share (though I didn't want to!). The service was impeccable, with attentive staff who were knowledgeable about the menu & eager to make recommendations. They truly elevated our dining experience without being intrusive. Overall, Damas is a fantastic choice for anyone looking to indulge in high-quality cuisine without leaving hungry. It's perfect for families, groups, & date nights, showcasing its versatility & welcoming atmosphere. I can't recommend it enough & can't wait to return for another memorable meal!
I'm originally from Syria, but I live in the States. I wish we had a Damas in Southern California. I highly recommend this restaurant. The food was delicious & gorgeously presented. The staff was so nice & welcoming. Our server, Morgan was so lovely. I'm definitely coming back next time I'm in Montréal.
I realize that this review will not make a dent in the overwhelmingly positive reviews, but I wanted to share our experience to add another perspective. We arrived with very high expectations due to the hype & went for the tasting menu with the premium wine package. In total we spent around $750 for two persons, a price level which obviously comes with expectations. The meal was completely fine, but underwhelming. The highlights were the amouse bouche, shrimp, & the "kiwi" dish. The rest was quite average. We never got to taste the dessert. Wine is, of course, a subjective matter, but while the sommelier seemed knowledgeable, many of the wines were too untraditional & special for our taste. Perhaps the regular wine pairing would have been a safer choice. The restaurant itself was nicely decorated, but the noise level where we were seated was very high. It was a struggle to keep a conversation going, requiring us to lean in & often repeat ourselves, which is not what we expect when spending that much on a couples dinner. We saw multiple other groups of customers getting moved to other parts of the restaurant, & assume they might have asked for that, to escape the noise. In hindsight, we should have done the same. While highly praised in other reviews, unfortunately the worst part of our experience was the service. Every single employee we were in contact with seemed nice & friendly, but while the waiter on water duty was attentive, unfortunately our main waiter was not. He excused himself after the first serving, assuring us that he had not forgotten us, but as the night wore on, it seems that he did. After finishing the servings of grilled meats, we sat for 40 minutes with no one approaching us or making any attempts to move on to the dessert. When we finally managed to get the attention of our main server, we had spent more than three hours on the meal & were more than ready to leave, so we ended up forgoing the dessert as we simply did not have the patience or energy to spend more time in the restaurant. Other customers that arrived much later than us, had finished their desserts, before we decided not to wait for ours. I am convinced that most other customers do not have the same experience that we do, but unfortunately it feels like we just threw a lot of money at something very disappointing.
Damas offers incredible Syrian cuisine with flavors that truly stand out. The grilled meats were perfectly seasoned, & the mezze were fresh & delicious. The atmosphere was cozy & inviting, & the service was top-notch. I can't recommend it enough, definitely one of the best dining experiences in Montreal!
