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.
Otis provided excellent service at Hayat. Friendly, attentive, & knowledgeable, they made our dining experience enjoyable. All the food options are halal.
Experience at Hayat was amazing. Otis, our server, was incredibly attentive, hospitable & charming. He made the experience above & beyond, especially with the customized drinks. The food was impeccable & had presentation was great.
Dec 27, 2024
on Google
🍽️
Know where to eat in Montreal before everyone else.
Get the first look at the hottest openings, secret menus, and RestoMontreal.ca's weekly top picks. Join 50,000+ foodies.
We went for dinner with family members. We had a great time. The service was excellent, & our waitress was very happy to help us make choices. Her recommendations were perfect! The wine list was interesting, with private imports from Lebanon. We will certainly be back!
Nous avons passés une excellente soirée entre mère & fille. Le service était impeccable. Je recommande vivement si vous voulez une bonne cuisine libanaise & passer un bon moment!
Food & service was excellent. I had lamb shawarma with humus & I liked it. I recommend you try the eggplant beef as appetizer & the Sumac smash cocktail.
C'était réellement excellent! Super ambiance, service impeccable. Je recommande à 100%, vous ne serez pas déçu!! Coup de coeur pour l'assiette Shish taouk, incroyable !!
Tried it out recently... hadn't been in years, new ownership, new management... unique cuisine. Really enjoyed my visit. Good for datenight or small groups. Very nice decor as well
I made reservations here for my friend's birthday yesterday. There was a group of 11 of us. I loved the ambiance & decor of the restaurant. I ordered the lamb shawarma & hummus for myself & I got to try the shish taouk, Jerusalem artichokes, fattoush salad, shish barak, & the short ribs. My lamb shawarma & hummus was perfectly spiced & tender, while the hummus was creamy & velvety which paired great with fresh pita. I was also surprised by the Jerusalem artichokes, they were fried, I never thought artichokes could taste so good. The seasoning used for this was absolutely impeccable. The fattoush salad was also great & tasted fresh. The chicken shish taouk was juicy with a delightful char, the side potatoes that came with this was also amazingly delicious with the spices they used. The beef dumplings were mediocre tasting, I didn't find them to be a stand out. & the short ribs mixed with a creamy sauce was also an odd pairing of flavor. I found the service good as they were attentive & quick to serve us. I did bring a birthday cake in which they charged $5/pp cutting fee. There were these large chocolate pieces that were used to decorate the cake, in which I realized the server never asked if we wanted to eat them. I wish they would have considered this because it was part of the cake & a waste of money to be just thrown out as some of the guests would have liked it. Overall, I thought the majority of the food was well prepared & flavourful. I enjoyed the vibe of the restaurant, however it felt the space was a bit tight. & lastly, the service was good.
Nov 25, 2024
on Google
🍽️
Know where to eat in Montreal before everyone else.
Get the first look at the hottest openings, secret menus, and RestoMontreal.ca's weekly top picks. Join 50,000+ foodies.
Très belle expérience ! Nourriture exceptionnelle, cadre magnifique, service professionnel, chaleureux & très agréable de la part de Celia! Une des meilleures place du vieux port !
Très belle soirée dans ce restaurant chaleureux. La nourriture est juste succulente, tout était parfait. Les portions sont très généreuses .Le chef est super gentil. Un grand merci à camélia & Sofia pour leur gentillesse... clest sûr on reviendra ... Sophia
