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.
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.
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.
May 11, 2026
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I accompanied my sister to this restaurant for her birthday. I've never been to a Mediterranean/ Lebanese place before & DID NOT DISAPPOINT. Our server, Otis, brought so much life to our experience! His knowledge of the plates & drink were impressive & made great recommendations. We really enjoyed our time. SHOUT OUT TO OTIS!!!!!
We came to celebrate my husband's birthday & called ahead about a high chair for our baby. When we arrived early around 6:20pm, the restaurant wasn't busy, but there wasn't a high chair available, which was stressful. The food was surprisingly bland for a Lebanese restaurant, portion sizes were very small for the high price, & the service from our server Sam felt rushed. I had mentioned it was a birthday, but no dessert decorations or birthday acknowledgement were offered, unlike another table nearby who received sparkles & a song. At the end, I didn't tip because I felt the service did not match the experience I expected, & I later noticed Sam seemed visibly upset when showing our bill to the host. Overall, the evening didn't feel special & fell short for a birthday celebration.
amazing Lebanese food. we ordered the lamb shank & the braised beef, the meat was very tender & delicious. Portions are pretty demure, but the quality of the food makes up for it. lively Arabic music added to the atmosphere.
Oct 27, 2025
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Our waiter Nathaniel was the best! My wife & I never had Lebanese food so we let him pick out dishes & he didn't disappoint. Food was excellent, must try! The vibe is awesome too!
One of my favorite restaurants! The food is delicious (love their humus shawarma, sishtaouk & fatouch) & the staff is amazing!! They also have great Lebanese wine selection. Shoutout to Nathaniel for the outstanding service & everyone on the team. If I had on constructive criticism, I wish they played some Middle Eastern music with Afro house. Everything else is on theme. I will be back!! 💞
Food is not really worth the price & not close to actual Lebanese food. Service really slow & particular service person Nat mentioned 15% tip is mandatory even if we didn't like the service, that was quite rude.
Dining location & ambience is only the good part.
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!
The food was amazing. Really tasty Lebanese plates. Even the service was amazing. Camila ensured that the service was top for my birthday. We created an amazing shared menu.
Jun 1, 2025
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Wow, impressed! The food was EXCELLENT. Authentically Lebanese & Syrian, while having a little smart twist. The presentation of the food & the place is great, & the service was 5-star. Honestly can't wait to be back. One of these places where you enjoy the whole experience of dining out.
Food was good but not great, for the price I would expect more flavors & a sense of creativity from the chef. If you want gourmet Lebanese just go to Sumac & spend 1/4 of the price. Service & atmosphere are great.
The food was fantastic. Definitely recommend the labneh toast & fattoush salad. The servers were so friendly & they were very accommodating to our dietary restrictions & allergies. It's very pretty & clean on the inside & outside. One of the best Lebanese places we've dined at.
