HENI specializes in the vibrant culinary traditions of the Middle East, emphasizing charcoal-grilled meats and authentic Lebanese flavors. Skilled preparation centers on seasoned skewers, freshly prepared hummus, and an array of traditional mezze that highlight robust spice blends and high-quality ingredients. The kitchen maintains a focus on consistent execution, delivering plates that prioritize the smoky profiles inherent in open-flame cooking. Patrons experience a direct reflection of regional staples through meticulously assembled platters and hand-stretched breads. This establishment balances structural simplicity with an unwavering commitment to traditional Levantine preparation techniques. Each menu selection serves as a testament to classic flavor profiles, ensuring that the essence of the grill remains the focal point for every visitor seeking an authentic experience within this specialized culinary landscape.
Heni is widely regarded as a standout culinary destination in Montreal, celebrated for its innovative and flavorful Middle Eastern fusion cuisine, particularly the highly recommended tasting menus. Diners frequently praise the artistic presentation, fresh ingredients, and the extensive selection of unique, high-quality wines. While the atmosphere is generally described as cozy, hip, and welcoming, with many guests highlighting the exceptional and knowledgeable service provided by the staff, some visitors noted challenges regarding noise levels, portion sizes relative to price, and occasional wait times. Despite a few mixed experiences regarding specific dishes or beverage options, the majority of patrons report a memorable dining experience and express a strong desire to return.
Love this place! Service is excellent, both drinks & food. Also, if you like knowing the background of the wine &/or food they will gladly explain everything in detail. People complain about price & portion size but I left happy with both. I assume the problem is that most people assume middle eastern food should be inexpensive because we've been conditioned to think this.
The tasting menu & the wine pairing were exquisite!! The food was imaginative, delicious, & beautifully presented, & the wine selection & pairing was one of the best I've ever had!! Plus, the service was excellent & the owner was extremely hospitable & very knowledgeably about middle eastern food, flavours, & wine!!
Beautiful setting, but underwhelming experience overall.
I had high hopes for this restaurant - the place is absolutely beautiful, with a lovely patio & friendly service. We ordered five à la carte items & the first two were truly excellent: the mosaïque of aubergines was delicious & the kibbeh nayeh was incredibly flavorful - a great start that really set expectations.
Unfortunately, the main dishes fell short. We shared the spicy fish & the kebab of the season. The'spicy' fish was simply a small salmon filet with a plain tahini sauce - not spicy at all &, at $32, it felt overpriced, especially in a place known for its elevated cuisine. The choice of fish & lack of depth in the dish was disappointing.
The kebab was the biggest letdown. What was served appeared to be two skewers with small pieces that looked & tasted like mushrooms. The new waitress first told us it was mushroom, then returned after checking with her colleague to say it was meat - but after trying it, it was clearly mushroom. We pointed this out again, but aside from a quick apology, there was no real acknowledgment or gesture to correct the issue. It was a frustrating moment, especially given the miscommunication & the price point.
We ended with the atayef, but again, it was disappointing - overly fried, oily, & stuffed with halloumi, which didn't balance well.
On a positive note, the wine list was interesting, & we did enjoy the glasses we had. I really wanted to love this place, & I'm all for supporting new restaurants - but unfortunately, the experience left us underwhelmed, especially for a first visit & at this price point.
May 29, 2025
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Tried out Heni for date night & went with the tasting menu - such a great choice. Every course was thoughtful, delicious, & beautifully explained. They were also incredibly accommodating of my partner being pescatarian, with a planned replacement for each course that fit seamlessly into the experience. Amber's service & wine pairings were spot on, & her descriptions of each wine really added something special. Just an all-around fantastic night out. Thank you!!!
I think it is ok, but not great if you are looking for a Mediterranean experience. We had tasting menu with alcohol pairings. Service is really great. Cocktails were not to my taste, wines were good, great selection of Lebanese wines which was really nice. Food was a little of a let down, I LOVE Mediterranean food, especially Lebanese & Syrian which have amazing flavours, but the one served at Heni was rather bland. It was still good, but not what I came for. Would recommend for 5a7 style dinner but there are definitely better options for an actual Mediterranean experience.
Everything about this spot was amazing. The wine. The food. The service. Such an incredible experience. We did the tasting menu with the wine pairing, 100% recommended if you're tempted.
Definitely one of the best additions to the neighbourhood in a while. The tasting menu was impressive, the wine was amazing, & the dessert was stunning. Tens across the board.
