Reviews describe Hayat as a standout for authentic Middle Eastern flavors with generous sharing portions, praising dishes such as baba ghanouj, fattoush, lamb shank, short ribs, soujouk, and muhammara, plus baklava pancakes and Syrian ice cream as highlights. The atmosphere is repeatedly praised as warm and stylish, with a lively vibe and a pleasant terrace, making it a good pick for dates, celebrations, or casual meals. Service is commonly noted as attentive and friendly, though some reviews report variability and longer waits during busy times and changes in management that affected consistency. Reservations can be necessary, as seating options vary between bar and table, and some guests would prefer to book a table in advance. Prices are sometimes described as high for the portion size, though many feel the quality justifies the cost. Overall the place is seen as a top halal fine dining option in the area, with standout drinks, hospitality, and a strong sense of care from the staff.
We had a wonderful experience at Hayat. The place is beautiful & very classy, the food was excellent, & the service truly stood out. Hajar took great care of us, she was friendly, professional, & made our visit even more enjoyable.
I just had my bridal shower at Hayat Restaurant, & everything was perfect! The food, décor, & ambiance were amazing, so elegant & beautifully done. A special shoutout to our waitress Hajar, she was absolutely the best! So kind, attentive, & made the whole experience even better. I'll definitely be coming back with my family, & I highly recommend everyone to visit Hayat Restaurant!
Nov 2, 2025
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I have to be honest here & I'm so pleasantly surprised that I found such a delicious breakfast place & not only in Montreal but in old Port of Montreal where there are so many tourist traps! @hayat.montreal I can confidently say is definitely not one of them.
This is the type of breakfast that I personally love filled with bold flavors fresh ingredients & more importantly that Middle Eastern flare I've grew up to love. Both times I was there it was nice enough to sit outside but even their indoor Decor is absolutely beautiful. They really pay an extreme attention to detail but be careful the bees there's a lot of sweet stuff & what they make so there are definitely attracted to it LOL.
The star of the show for me had to be the Chicken Fattet! A dish that I have had before but never as good filled with chickpeas rice tahini yogurt crispy Pita that was once upon on the top but I removed it to put it on the side to really show you the depth & levels of layers along with Walnut crumble & pine nuts. If this is your first time there would definitely recommend getting this dish!
Next we have the Soujouk, which is spiced Armenian sausage & a tomato sauce with some fingerling potatoes garlic aioli & parsley a dish that's a little bit spicy so if you're not used to it that would maybe steer away but if you're ready & up for the challenge this is an absolute Banger as well really flavorful eating with the pita or on its own a standout dish.
I'm happy to say this place has been now two times just isn't as consistent & I can't wait to go back for a third if I'm ever in the area again. Going to be my new breakfast Middle Eastern spot for sure!
The middle eastern cuisine in Montreal never ceases to amaze me & yet our expectations have been exceeded yet again. Thank you to Hajar for her exceptional & kind service & to Gabi the chef for curating a menu that brought back memories to having many of these delicious meals back home, right down to the authentic hand refined olive oil I've grown to love, while also adding twists to fan favourites like the delicious Beet Labneh.
A must try especially if you like exceptional service, a beautiful patio in the heart of the old port & most importantly the experience of truly authentic middle eastern food; a scarcity in Canada.
Our experience at Hayat in Montreal was exceptional. The food was delicious with generous portions, & the chef clearly knows his craft - every dish was beautifully prepared. The service was outstanding, with attentive & warm staff who made us feel welcome. The restaurant was spotlessly clean, & the atmosphere struck a perfect balance between elegance & comfort. Highly recommended!
It's my favorite Lebanese restaurant in town ! Located in the heart of the old port, both the terrace & the interior of the restaurant have a very a very beautiful design & esthetic (ideal for a date). Everything tastes fresh & authentic, & the positions are very generous. It is my second time going to this restaurant au both times the service was perfect & very efficient. I especially recommend this place for all the pistachio lovers out there, it's incorporated in many meals with great taste! I recommend trying the Muhammara, the beef eggplant appetizer & main course, along with their lamb shank!
Had a beautiful patio dinner here one evening in June. Ordered a cocktail & two appetizers, which was more than enough food for one person. They also brought out complementary breadsticks with labneh & za'atar to accompany the cocktail, which was very kind.
Servers were lovely - attentive without being overbearing.
Restaurant serves higher-end food in a touristy part of town - the prices reflect that.
Overall, a great meal & I would definitely return again.
We had a glorious meal! Our server, Sophia, was helpful & fun & gave us good advice about the food. &, the food was exquisite - beautifully prepared, layers of delicious flavors in every dish, nicely served. I wish Hayat was near to my home, but it will just have to be a beacon in Montreal!
Great halal food in the old port, great views too & the restaurant is beautiful inside & nice terrace.
However the service could definitely improve. Food took a while to arrive, water wasn't filled often despite it being a hot day.
Staff wasn't that welcoming, id suggest more training for the servers about customer relation. A simple thank you good evening at the end of the dinner goes a long way.
Jun 23, 2025
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We had the most amazing experience. Every plate of food was delicious! The flavours were perfect & there was not one thing that we ordered that wasn't loved. As a big group we ordered several plates & ate family style & it was perfect. The cocktails were also beautiful & delicious! Our server was lovely & super helpful as well.
Hayat in Montreal, overlooking the old port waterfront, offers a beautiful dining experience with both outdoor & indoor seating. The fusion of food was so delicious that I could only take two photos before it was all gobbled up. The staff were attentive, & Nathaniel's exceptional service truly stood out. He carefully listened to our preferences & recommended dishes that perfectly suited our tastes. The food quality was outstanding, with generous portions, & the dessert is an absolute must-try! Highly recommended!
My wife & I had a wonderful lunch, on the Sunday we were there. Presentation was beautiful, & the food was outstanding. Definitely coming back on my next trip to Montreal. Nathaniel was amazing & we were so happy he had us try the baklava pancakes. Sooooo good!
Sep 3, 2024
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lovely atmosphere, beautiful drinks, & delicious food! i think the portions could be a bit bigger given the price, but the taste is so incredible. attentive, friendly staff as well.
Adored Khaled, the bar manager. Made my friends & I feel so welcomed. Had such good recommendations & a shining personality. We were beyond thrilled with the food & atmosphere as well. Beautiful experience.
