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.
Restaurent à recommander j'ai eu une merveilleuse expérience, le service était excellent, l'ambiance a l'aise, la nourriture était très bonne & tout le monde était très gentil & accueillant. J'y retournerais définitivement!
Les saveurs & le service font de ce lieu un moment d'évasion. Quand les saveurs rappellent le voyage, on peut dire que le pari est gagné ! Un équilibre des saveurs parfait!
Oct 17, 2024
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אכלנו במקום ארוחת ערב בספטמבר 2024. הזמנו 2 סלט פאטוש (סלט ירקות עם שברי פיתות, 22 דולר קנדי כ"א, ראו תמונה), ארטישוק ירושלמי (22 דולר), סלט חצילים (מגיע עם רימונים, שלעתי מיותרים, ראו תמונה) וסלט חומוס (14 דולר כ"א, ראו תמונה), לפני מיסים. המלצר היה מאוד חביב ושירותי. האוכל היה טעים והגיע מהר, עם פיתות טעימות. המקום גדול ומרווח. ישבנו במרפסת הפתוחה והנעימה, שעל הכביש מול הנהר.
Really great food & service! The owner & waitress were super attentive. The only issue is that its very expensive for what you get (a non-alcoholic drink was close to $20) but the portion sizes are decent & it has a nice vibe on the inside.
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!
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.
I don't usually go to Middle Eastern restaurants (to avoid getting disappointed as a Middle Eastern person). We we were heading to a different restaurant which did not accommodate us so we ended trying to Hayat & they were very welcoming & accommodated us despite being very busy. It probably was one of the best (if not the best) Middle Eastern/Syrian food we had in North America. Everything we ate was great including the eggplant kebab, shish tawook, soujouk, fattoush, shrimp, ice cream, desserts, & others. The portions are good in size. This was not your usual Middle Eastern restaurant. The food presentation was great, & the chef's amazing culinary skills & touch were very clear. The service was great & food arrived quickly, despite being busy. Highly recommended.
Oct 12, 2024
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While the service was alright & nothing out of the ordinary I was forced to pay a tip of 15% minimum as demanded by the server. I didn't even enjoy the food I received which I mentioned to the server but was reminded they have a tip policy. I have no problems tipping when I feel the service is beyond what is expected, which it was not.
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.
Oct 5, 2024
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