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.
Damas offers a brunch experience that is as curated as it is flavorful, blending influences from both Eastern & Western cultures for a unique culinary adventure. The restaurant operates on a set-price menu, starting at $55, with additional charges depending on your selections. While it would be nice to see an a la carte option, the structured menu ensures each dish is thoughtfully prepared & cohesive.
The coffee is a standout, beautifully brewed & aromatic, setting the stage for the meal ahead. The dishes themselves are vibrant, richly spiced, & layered with flavor, making for a wonderful introduction to Syrian cuisine. Each bite is carefully balanced, showcasing both boldness & nuance without ever feeling overwhelming.
The ambiance enhances the experience: warm wood tones, magical lighting, & cozy decor create a welcoming & almost enchanting atmosphere that complements the food beautifully.
Overall, Damas delivers a brunch that is flavorful, memorable, & culturally immersive. For those seeking a thoughtful introduction to Syrian cuisine with a touch of cross-cultural flair, it's a satisfying & elevated way to spend the morning.
We ordered the three most popular dishes - Fattouch salad, shish taouk (chicken) & rack of lamb. With several cocktails.
Let's start with the good. The cocktails are some of the best we've ever had before. We sat at the bar (I recommend) & were delighted by a performance of drinks on display. We had the Aleppo gin sour & the cherry sour & both were an absolute delight. Very well balanced, better than drinks at most exclusive cocktail bars in town, all using fresh juices & herbs. Truly a first class experience, much thanks to the bartender Amjad who saved the night for us for what was otherwise a very lackluster experience.
My fiancée had a reaction in her mouth to the fattouch salad where the roof of her mouth was burning but as far as she knows she has no food allergies.
The chicken was good, juicy & flavorful. I would recommend this dish. The rack of lamb was severely charred (beyond maillard reaction to pyrolysis) causing it to taste bitter & we only were able to eat a fraction of it. This is caused by cooking above 180C & the difference is instead of browning, simply burning the meat. Such a shame on such a beautiful piece of meat!
Other problems are the wait times. This is a very big restaurant with clearly a smaller kitchen that can't keep up. We were often waiting in excess of 20-30 minutes between each dish for the next to show up. Also, as many reviewers noted for the quality of the food the prices do not justify.
I would honestly only return to have their amazing cocktails. Unfortunately otherwise we were disappointed.
⭐?⭐?⭐?
I first tried Damas during COVID & ordered almost all the appetizers - they were absolutely fabulous! That's really what they do best.
Later, I went back to dine in & ordered a steak, but it was way overcooked, & I didn't enjoy the meal as much. The restaurant itself is nice, but I find it quite overpriced for what it offers - mostly rice, potatoes, & meat.
Overall, the appetizers are excellent, but the rest of the menu feels a bit average for the price. I'd still give it another try, maybe for different dishes, but it's not as impressive as it used to be.
beautiful syrian restaurant with excellent service! we took the omnivore & pescatarian tasting menu. it was very filling & delicious but nothing extraordinary from the flavors (maybe to someone who is not at all familiar to this palette tho!). a lot of the dishes were lacking salt & one was heavily oversalted. i would recommend this restaurant but not necessarily the tasting menu. my favorite drink was the aleppo sour & my favorite dish - very simple but delicious - the fattouch salad. thank you for the fun birthday experience!
From the moment we walked into Damas, we knew we were about to embark on something special-but nothing could have prepared us for just how exceptional the experience would be. We have tried the tasting menu & it was absolutely the perfect choice!
The ambiance is warm & enchanting, beautifully combining elegance with the rich cultural essence of Syria. The soft lighting, the detailed décor, & the welcoming atmosphere set the perfect stage for an evening to remember.
But let's talk about the food-because this is where Damas truly shines. Every single dish was a masterpiece, crafted with such depth, authenticity, & care that we felt transported to the heart of Damascus. From the tender, aromatic lamb dishes to the vibrant & perfectly balanced mezze, every bite told a story. The flavors were bold yet refined, traditional yet elevated, & undeniably delicious. You could taste the passion & heritage in every element of the meal.
Special thanks to Alexander who guided us through the menu & made us feel at home throughout the evening. His hospitality added a personal touch that elevated the experience from amazing to unforgettable.
Damas has truly mastered the art of Syrian cuisine, blending tradition with fine dining in a way that few can. We left feeling full, grateful, & already planning our next visit.
Thank you, Damas, for an extraordinary night of food, culture, & warmth. You've set the gold standard for Middle Eastern dining in Montreal.
First time trying Syrian food, & it was an interesting experience to see an elevated take on the cuisine. The flavors were good & enjoyable, though it felt like something was missing. Maybe we just needed to order more dishes to get the full experience. Definitely try the mushroom hummus; it's fantastic!
Absolutely fantastic. The food was amazing, the service was on point, & the atmosphere was classy yet relaxed. We split 4 mezze & two main dishes between 4 people - it was just a little more than we could eat. Everything was delicious, but the standouts were the grilled octopus, the mouhammara, & the samak meshwi.
