Hayat is often described as a standout Lebanese and Syrian restaurant in Montreal's Old Port, with elegant decor, a warm atmosphere, and a lively yet comfortable vibe. Reviews praise generous portions, fresh ingredients, and a variety of signature dishes such as baba ghanoush, shawarma, hummus, fattoush, lamb shank, and baklava pancakes. Service is repeatedly highlighted as a strength, with many noting attentive and professional staff and a welcoming front of house, though a few guests mention occasional slower moments or seating that could feel more intimate. Bar and patio options add to a flexible dining experience, suitable for dates, celebrations, and casual meals alike. While many describe consistent quality and a memorable overall experience, some reviews mention the price and portion sizes being out of balance. Overall, Hayat is seen as a top choice for authentic Middle Eastern flavors in Montreal, offering delicious food and a warm atmosphere, with room for improvement in service consistency and value.
Hier soir , je suis passée par La Commune & j'ai découvert le Hayat, où j'y ai mangé avec mes amies. J'ai adoré les saveurs, tout particulièrement le chou fleur & tarator. Il y avait un DJ, une très belle ambiance, & le service était vraiment irréprochable. Ma serveuse était très souriante & attentive à nos besoins. Comme j'ai une amie végétarienne, elle a su nous proposer des options alléchantes qui lui convenaient parfaitement. Je reviendrai sans hésiter !
Par où commencer… L'accueil de tout le personnel a été tout simplement sensationnel. La jeune femme qui nous a servis a rendu notre expérience encore plus agréable grâce à sa gentillesse & son attention. La muhammara est tout simplement incroyable ! Mon mari était ravi de pouvoir se remémorer des souvenirs d'enfance grâce au pot à café turc dans lequel on nous a offert de petites gommes libanaises à la fin de notre passage. Une attention qui a rendu l'expérience encore plus mémorable.
May 25, 2026
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I genuinely don't even know where to start because this was probably one of the best restaurant experiences I've ever had in montreal, & I've been to a LOT of restaurants. First of all, the service was absolutely incredible !! Lina, our waitress, is genuinely one of the sweetest people ever ; she made us feel so welcomed & taken care of from beginning to end. You can tell she truly cares about the clients & it honestly made the whole experience even more special !! Gabi, the chef, is just amazing ; not only is the food exceptional, fresh, flavorful, & honestly unforgettable, but the way he treats people says everything about the kind of person he is. He's so generous, attentive, & passionate about what he does ; he makes sure every single person is having the best experience possible. You can genuinely feel the love & care behind everything ! I seriously have zero complaints. The food, the atmosphere, the service, everything was perfect. This place deserves all the success in the world 🤍
Hayat was so incredibly delicious! They were so helpful & accommodating when we had a few restrictions/allergies in our group. They also reduced the amount of spice for our child's order.
To top it all off, Chef Gabriel treated our child with a delicious ice cream!
One of, if the best, meals we had on our trip :) Couldn't recommend them enough.
Excellent food inspired by syrian & lebanese, also is halal as well so it caters to a much larger crowd. Everything from their dips to their lamb shawarma was super good. Even their chef's omelette brunch item was great! So highly recommend it to anyone coming to visit montreal.
Service désagréable & cuisine décevante. Les serveuses semblaient agacées & les plats manquaient clairement de qualité & de goût. Mauvaise expérience globale.
Je ne recommande pas cet endroit.
This place is just a knockout. I've been twice now & it just keeps getting better. This is easily one of my favorite restaurants ever. The food is exquisite, the drinks are gorgeous & well made, & the service is some of the best I've had not just in Montreal but worldwide. Our waiter told us these are family recipes & you can just feel that love in the food. Our drinks were never empty & our server checked in on us enough so that we never were waiting to order something else but not so much that it was intrusive. Everyone was just so friendly, warm, & genuine. It really made us feel so comfortable. When I asked him about the espresso martini he told me there was a new recipe that was being released next week which is better & was able to let me order than even though it wasn't on the menu & it was fantastic. The ambience is top tier, the place is gorgeous. The nice soaps & towels in the bathroom are a luxurious touch.
May 11, 2026
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Hayat offers a five-star experience that immerses you in the Lebanese & Syrian food scene with true class. We visited for Mother's Day, & the service was impeccable quick, attentive, & always with a smile.
?The food was incredibly tasty, featuring a modern twist on traditional dishes from the region. If you go, the Baklava pancake is an absolute must-try. The restaurant is spotless & beautifully decorated; just a heads-up that parking can be tricky in the area, so it's best to arrive a bit early.
The food was absolutely amazing & so was the staff. Loved it !!!! The atmosphere & vibe was phenomenal, maybe just slightly lower music but still overall great !!!
May 3, 2026
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The food is overpriced for no reason! The first time I visited this place the chicken shish taok qty was decent enough to fill up my stomach! Priced at 36 plus tax
I asked the waitress for what else I can order as I was very hungry & we were two people- she asked me to order the most expensive item on the menu that was the fish with no Mediterranean flavor & not even enough potion quantity to fill anyone up. The fish is priced at 43 dollars & if you calculate taxes in it its 50 dollars. I spent over 100 dollars at this place feeling super hungry
I will never ever go again. Save yourself the horror.
The worst part is the waiter stands on your head to pay the tip
