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.
Our waiter Nathaniel was excellent & very helpful. Food was excellent as one would expect based on the price. Serving size was appropriate. Would definitely recommend.
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!
Oct 2, 2025
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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!! 💞
The food is amazing, but above all we enjoyed the service & care provided to us! We were served by Nathaniel & we are so pleased- will definitely come again 💕
The service was great, specially Nathaniel was very courteous & friendly! Helped us in choosing our preferences ! However I wasn't impressed with the food specially with shish touk as the chicken was dry & didn't have much flavor !
Restaurant vraiment à essayer. Service impeccable ( merci Nathaniel) . Belle diversité & de la qualité. Viandes cuites à la perfection & fondantes en bouche . Le bon endroit pour découvrir la cuisine & l'hospitalité du Liban , je recommande .👍😋🤩👏🏼
Un plaisir gustatif accompagné d'un excellent staff qui vous font rapidement sentir membre de la famille. Un merci particulier pour Nathaniel. Au plaisir de tous vous revoir bientôt.
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!
Oct 16, 2024
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D'abord, excellent accueil de la part du serveur Nathaniel qui avait à coeur de nous faire découvrir le menu & nous guider vers les meilleurs choix pour nous. Les plats étaient savoureux, équilibrés & variés en goût & texture. Nous étions à l'extérieur & la musique nous permettait de discuter sans crier ☺️. Bref, c'était excellent du début à la fin, même au moment de payer! Merci!
Les plats que nous avons dégustés étaient délicieux & rafraîchissants. Une belle expérience de cuisine Libanaise traditionnelle en plus du service amical & chaleureux de Nathaniel. J'y retournerais volontiers.
How first experience tonight. We sampled a variety of dishes, which were very good but the most amazing thing? The service! From the moment you step a foot in there, you're taken care of! Nathaniel was amazing at guiding us through the menu & the different people bringing us the dishes were simply excellent, describing everything & paying extra attention on the timing for everything, truly we were impressed! Thank you for this wonderful evening, we will pay you another visit soon!
My husband & I dropped in for a late dinner, & we're so glad we did. Everything-from the atmosphere to the service, food, & drinks-was simply perfect. Nathaniel was our server, & he ensured we had an exceptional experience. He strongly recommended we save room for the baklava pancakes for dessert, & we're thrilled we took his advice. It's easily one of the best desserts we've ever had. This was our final dinner during our weekend in Montreal, & it was probably one of the best meals we had here (which says a lot, considering how much incredible food we've had). We'll definitely be returning on our next visit!
