Hayat specializes in the preparation of traditional Lebanese and Syrian dishes centered on fresh ingredients and aromatic spices. The menu features a variety of mezze plates, including creamy hummus, smoky baba ghanoush, and crispy falafel that highlight the core flavors of the Levant. Grilled meat platters such as shish tawook and succulent kafta are seasoned with authentic spice blends and served alongside warm, pillowy pita bread. The kitchen emphasizes time-honored techniques to produce hearty stews and vegetable-forward offerings that reflect the regional heritage of the eastern Mediterranean. Diners encounter a space defined by straightforward functional aesthetics and a focus on essential flavors. Every component of the meal represents a commitment to the culinary traditions of Lebanon and Syria through consistent seasoning and quality sourcing in a relaxed, communal setting.
Hayat offers an elegant and authentic Mediterranean dining experience in the Old Port, frequently praised for its flavorful dishes like the lamb shank, dips, and signature baklava pancakes. While many patrons highlight the beautiful atmosphere and exceptional, attentive service provided by the staff, others have noted occasional inconsistencies in service speed or portion sizes relative to the price. Despite mixed opinions on value and wait times, the majority of visitors leave with positive impressions, often citing the warm hospitality and vibrant energy as reasons to return.
Delicious food - keeps the authentic flavour a but élevâtes the presentation of the traditional dishes - & great vibes. It was busy & we had to ask for cutlery to serve our sharing plates but otherwise very attentive with water & drinks orders
Une adresse à retenir! J'y reviens à chaque passage à Montreal. La nourriture du Chef Gabi is to die for, on sent que les plats sont faits avec amour. Le service toujours impeccable que ce soit avec Valerie ou Alycia, elles sont toujours aux petits soins & m'accommodent pour mes allergies à chaque visite. La Maitre D est toujours à l'écoute & toujours avec le sourire. On voit que l'équipe s'aime ce qui rend l'expérience d'autant plus agréable. Je recommande!!
Severe Billing Error, Hostile Service, & Unacceptable Treatment!
With over 150 million views, I have never made a review like this before!
I am writing this to document an absolutely appalling experience involving both unacceptable customer service & an unresolved double-charge.
My pregnant wife & I arrived around 9:00 PM without a reservation. Despite the restaurant being more than half empty, we were told to wait. Meanwhile, we watched other guests who also did not have reservations get seated almost immediately. My wife wears a hijab, & given the stark difference in how we were treated compared to other walk-ins, it was hard not to feel deliberately singled out.
To try & secure a table, I went online right then & there & booked the only available slot, which was for 10:00 PM. The system required my credit card & threatened a $30 no-show fee. When I showed the staff the confirmation, instead of simply seating us in the half-empty dining room, they used it against us, stating that because I made the booking, we now had to wait until our 10:00 PM slot. When I questioned why they were doing this when the restaurant was empty, the staff member became incredibly rude, slapped down the lid of his laptop to turn off the world cup match he was watching, arguing with me & literally saying,'I am a wall!' I would have walked out immediately, but my wife had been craving Lebanese food, so I stood my ground.
After 5 minutes of arguing, they finally let us in.
However, it felt like retaliation: they seated us at a table positioned directly over a metal floor drainage grate (see attached photo)!
To make matters worse, the terrible experience continued when the bill came. I attempted to pay our $126.33 bill, & their POS terminal printed a'Transaction Refused' receipt. I paid via an alternative method, but upon checking my bank statement, I saw that my bank was successfully charged the original $126.33.
I have reached out via email & phone over multiple days to resolve this administrative error & get a refund for the double charge. Management has completely ignored me.
Terrible treatment, hostile service, & they took my money twice without having the decency to respond & fix it.
My friends & I absolutely loved this place! The restaurant is beautiful, with a warm & elegant atmosphere. The food was fresh, authentic, & full of flavor! The service was friendly & attentive, & everything was beautifully presented. If you're looking for delicious Mediterranean cuisine in a gorgeous setting, I highly recommend Hayat!
What a real miss this place was. We chose to do a walk in around 7.40 pm, & it took a while before anyone came to sit us. It definitely felt abit chaotic with the servers.
Once we got seated, we ordered the dips to start - which were great. Highly recommend, however the service was poor. I had to repeatedly ask for water to be refilled, & no one came round to clear plates. Apart from the maitre D, who was excellent, the servers seemed more interested in chatting to friends. Main seemed to have been forgotten, & one server actually asked if we were ready for dessert & the cheque even though they'd just cleared the table from the Dips.
My husband & I had a wonderful saturday night at Hayat, starting with a warm welcome. Throughout the evening, our waiter was friendly & attentive, offering great recommendations from the variety of cocktails & menu options. I would also like to mention the young man who was always present, smiling, & attentive, making sure our water glasses were never empty, clearing away finished plates & promptly bringing clean plates & ustensiles for our next course. The service from both of them made our dining experience even more enjoyable. We will be back for sure!
