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.
Great experience with both the food & the ambiance. Everything was on point from start to finish. A special thank you to Shawn Galego for the outstanding hospitality!
Superbe expérience au Hayatte dans le Vieux-Port ! La bouffe était vraiment bonne, les verres aussi, mais ce qui m'a vraiment marqué c'est le service. La manager, Ceyla, est quelqu'un d'exceptionnel souriante, attentionnée, elle s'assure que tout le monde passe une belle soirée & ça se voit qu'elle tient à son équipe autant qu'à ses clients.
On sent que c'est elle qui donne le ton dans la salle, & c'est un bon ton. Ce genre de présence fait toute la différence dans un resto. Je reviendrai avec plaisir ! 🙌
Celia provided us with excellent recommendations & the food was incredible....our dinner was a highlight of our visit to Montreal...we will be back next visit!
Very delicious dishes specially the lamb dishes. The souce with each food is special with unique taste.
Respectful service & helpful.
Great place for date, special family gatherings & formal meetings.
Fair price.
We had a wonderful experience at Hayat. The place is beautiful & very classy, the food was excellent, & the service truly stood out. Hajar took great care of us, she was friendly, professional, & made our visit even more enjoyable.
Mar 29, 2026
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Had a lovely time at Hayat last Saturday evening. I was showing a prospective student around the city & chose this restaurant as our final spot to end our tour. We were sat at the bar where the very engaging Otis took great care of us. We ordered dips as starters, which we shared, & honestly I had to cancel my main dish because there was more than enough food to fill us both up. We chose the baba ghanoush & the shawarma & hummus, which was served with two types of fresh bread, & the portions were plentiful. Our cocktails were also delicious. We both stated we would love to come back & try the mains, but we would need to work up a bigger appetite!
The design of the restaurant is lovely & the atmosphere was good. The only hiccup was that when I made our reservation, we only had the bar as an option, however when we arrived the restaurant was almost empty & it did not fill up by the time we left 2.5 hours later. Although our corner seats at the bar were cozy, we would have appreciated the option of booking a table.
Je suis venue manger avec mes amies & les plats étaient juste délicieux !
Le service également était tout simplement parfait. Un grand merci à Maxim qui était au petit soins avec nous.
Je recommande, l'expérience était plus que satisfaisante
Excellent service grâce à Maxime ! Souriant, professionnel & de très bon conseil. Il a rendu notre expérience encore plus agréable. On reviendra sans hésiter 👌
