Damas ancre son identité culinaire dans des préparations syriennes authentiques qui mettent en lumière les techniques levantines traditionnelles. Les convives découvrent une vaste sélection de mezzés incluant un houmous velouté et un baba ghanouj fumé, accompagnés de viandes grillées avec une expertise technique. La cuisine privilégie des épices de haute qualité et des produits frais pour construire des profils aromatiques complexes caractéristiques du patrimoine moyen-oriental. Des plats emblématiques comme le fattouh et le kebbé témoignent d'un engagement envers une préparation minutieuse et des herbes audacieuses. La conception intérieure reflète la vitalité culturelle de la région par des textures complexes et un éclairage ambiant chaleureux. Cet établissement représente une destination majeure pour ceux qui recherchent une exploration approfondie de plats d'inspiration méditerranéenne préparés avec une précision rigoureuse. Chaque assiette souligne la richesse du paysage culinaire syrien tout en maintenant un équilibre structurel.
Damas est largement reconnu comme une destination culinaire de premier plan à Montréal, offrant une expérience gastronomique syrienne exceptionnelle, caractérisée par des saveurs authentiques vibrantes et une présentation soignée. Les convives louent fréquemment l'ambiance magnifique et élégante, qui sert de cadre chaleureux et accueillant pour des plats à partager tels que l'hummus signature, les tendres carrés d'agneau et les mezzés savoureux. Le service est constamment souligné comme une force majeure, avec un personnel professionnel et compétent qui se surpasse souvent pour garantir une visite mémorable grâce à des conseils avisés sur le menu et une attention constante. Bien que certains clients expriment des avis partagés concernant les prix et la taille des portions, beaucoup considèrent que le coût élevé est justifié par la grande qualité des ingrédients, la complexité du savoir-faire culinaire et l'expérience immersive globale qui incite les habitués à revenir pour des occasions spéciales.
Our recent dining experience at Damas, a renowned Syrian restaurant in Montreal, was nothing short of outstanding. From the moment we stepped inside, we were transported to the Middle East through the restaurant's stunning ambiance, rich aromas, & a symphony of flavors that left an unforgettable impression. Food & Drinks The quality of the food at Damas is simply exceptional. Each dish was a masterpiece, showcasing the perfect balance of spices, fresh ingredients, & authentic Syrian flavors. The taste & aromas were exquisite, & we found ourselves savoring every bite. It was impossible to pick a favorite dish as each one seemed to outshine the last. The non-alcoholic beverages were equally delightful, crafted with care & offering unique flavor profiles that complemented the meal perfectly. Service The service at Damas was equally impressive. Our waiter was approachable, welcoming, & genuinely kind, making us feel right at home. What stood out most was the attentiveness of the entire staff. They circled the tables frequently, ensuring our glasses of water were always refilled & our bread basket was constantly replenished. The hosts were also lovely & attentive, escorting us to our table with warmth & professionalism. Atmosphere The atmosphere at Damas is vibrant, spacious, & beautifully decorated. Each section of the restaurant has its own unique vibe, allowing guests to find the perfect setting to match their mood. This thoughtful design added to the overall experience, making it even more memorable. Room for Improvement While our experience inside the restaurant was flawless, the surrounding area felt a bit off-putting. The streets outside were noticeably dirty, & we felt slightly unsafe as we arrived. It's surprising that such a beautiful & well-run establishment is situated in this particular location, as it feels out of place. That said, once inside, all concerns melted away, & the restaurant provided a stunning escape. Overall Damas is a culinary gem that offers an authentic & unforgettable Syrian dining experience. The exceptional food, attentive service, & vibrant ambiance are unmatched. Despite the challenges with the surrounding area, we will undoubtedly be returning to this fantastic restaurant. Absolutely delicious from start to finish!
Here's a refined & polished version: --- We came here to celebrate our 4-year anniversary after it was highly recommended by some friends who visit regularly. & it did not disappoint! We booked online a couple of weeks in advance without any issues. From the moment we arrived, we were warmly greeted by several staff members & promptly shown to our table. The décor was exquisite, just like in the photos, creating a charming ambiance that was sophisticated yet unpretentious. The seating was comfortable, & we had the choice of still or sparkling water as we browsed the cocktail menu. I tried the Aleppo gin sour-a vibrant green cocktail with strong coriander notes (a word of warning if you're not a coriander fan!). It was fantastic; I ended up having two. My girlfriend enjoyed two different gin-based cocktails & loved each one. Being our first time, we decided to try the tasting menu, & it was outstanding. While I'm not deeply familiar with Syrian or even Lebanese cuisine, I was blown away by each of the 12 dishes, each offering unique textures, an abundance of nuts, pomegranate seeds, & complex spice blends. Our server was exceptional (blond woman, didn't get her name, MERCI BEAUCOUP !) - attentive & personable, asking if we had any food preferences or intolerances. My girlfriend isn't a fan of raw meat, like tartare (which I personally love), & our server graciously provided her with an alternative dish. The rest of the staff was equally attentive, efficiently clearing plates & replacing our utensils throughout the evening. In short, an unforgettable experience. We'll definitely be back! It is on the pricier side, but for a unique, top-tier dining experience in the city, it's worth every penny. Bravo to the entire team! Gros merci encore.
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 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 is an absolute gem! From the moment you walk in, the warm ambiance & elegant decor set the tone for an exceptional dining experience. The food is simply outstanding - each dish bursts with authentic Syrian flavors, perfectly seasoned & beautifully presented. The mezze are a must-try, especially kebbh nayeh & falafel The service is top-notch, with attentive staff who are more than happy to guide you through the menu & make excellent recommendations. Whether you're looking for a romantic night out or a special gathering, Damas will exceed your expectations. A true culinary masterpiece - I can't wait to return!
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 had an exceptional experience at the restaurant; I have to say the entire evening was delightful. Our servers were remarkably quick, friendly, & attentive. As first-timers, the server explained the food ingredients amazingly. The food we chose was bursting with flavor, & the side dishes were outstanding. With its fantastic atmosphere, I wholeheartedly recommend this place.
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.
The vibe & food were so beautiful & despite being busy, the servers were so attentive & kind. Made us feel like we were the only customers there. I live near LGA & would strongly consider a day trip to Montreal just for this restaurant (if the plane tickets are cheap lol) Might be my favorite restaurant ever.
