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 exceptionnelle pour la cuisine syrienne et levantine à Montréal, souvent loué pour ses plats vibrants aux épices maîtrisées et son atmosphère raffinée. De nombreux convives soulignent que le menu dégustation est une façon mémorable de découvrir une variété de saveurs authentiques, du fattouch signature au houmous en passant par les succulentes grillades, le tout servi dans un cadre haut de gamme magnifiquement décoré. Bien qu'une majorité de clients décrive le service comme impeccable, chaleureux et hautement professionnel, il existe des mentions occasionnelles de rythme inconstant ou d'insatisfaction concernant le rapport qualité-prix. Malgré des avis divergents sur les prix et la taille des portions, le restaurant demeure une recommandation de premier plan pour les grandes occasions, de nombreux visiteurs saluant l'attention et les connaissances approfondies du personnel.
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.
I had heard about this place for a long time from people & damn was the food good! As a top guide in mtl ive tried a lot of restos everywhere & this was my first Syrian one. I absolutely loved it, the flavors good, drinks were awesome, service great. Bravo 👏
Damas is hands-down my favorite restaurant in Montreal. From the moment you walk into the gorgeous dining room on Van Horne, the experience is just unmatched. The service is always incredibly warm & attentive, & the atmosphere feels so special without being stuffy.
But the food is the real reason I keep coming back. The Syrian flavors are so rich, vibrant, & perfectly balanced. Everything is incredibly fresh from the cold mezzes right down to the charcoal-grilled meats. Whether you go all out on the tasting menu or just share a bunch of plates, you honestly can't go wrong. Yes, it's on the pricier side, but it is absolutely worth every single penny for the quality & the overall experience. A true 10/10.
27 mars 2026
sur Google
🍽️
Sachez où manger à Montréal avant tout le monde.
Découvrez en primeur les ouvertures les plus branchées, des menus secrets et les coups de cœur de RestoMontreal.ca. Rejoignez plus de 50 000 foodies.
Damas is definitely a Montreal institution. It's an upscale Syrian restaurant in Outremont that gets a lot of buzz, & I can see why people are drawn to it. The ambiance is stunning, the staff are genuinely warm & welcoming, & the service is attentive throughout the whole evening. No complaints there. That said, I left feeling like the hype doesn't quite hold up. The food is good & decent, but for the price point, I expected to be blown away & I simply wasn't. When you're paying fine dining prices,'decent' just doesn't cut it. It feels more like you're paying a premium for the atmosphere & the name than for truly exceptional cuisine. Worth visiting once if only to say you've been, but it's not the kind of place that leaves you counting the days until your next reservation. A memorable first visit, but not somewhere I'd rush back to.
The food itself, is a far cry for me, from fine dining. Everything tastes decent but it was neither better nor more innovative than a really high quality Syrian restaurant that is 1/4 of the price. It was $400 for 3 people without alcohol. The only standout dish was the octopus. The lamb kebab from the charcoal grill was the only dish that was actually bad. The sauces & accompaniments were good but it was cooked poorly.
Admittedly, this is my cuisine so I am more critical, but in Toronto there is Byblos which elevates regular Mediterranean & I was hoping for a similar experience. Even the desserts were run of the mill, nothing innovative or interesting. They need to be elevated at a place like this.
Unfortunately I would not come again despite good service.
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.
Just visiting Montreal & enjoyed my stay at Damas. I wanted to support Syrian fine dining cuisine experience as I have not experienced something like this in Toronto.
Pricey restaurant but honestly flavors & textures were incredible. My favorite was the lamb dumplings. Great fantastic service as well. Everything went very well together it was very intentional when preparing the meal & menus. Will definitely return when back in the city God willing!
This restaurant is a scam to be honest. We shared a hummus & a plate of grilled meats. The food was good, no problem, but really overpriced (come on $35 for 4 very small cups of hummus as appetizers???). Nothing amazing for a $125 meal… the portions were very small compared to the price we paid. It's just normal Syrian food, in a restaurant trying to be fancy… for the price paid, you better go somewhere else.
