HENI draws broad praise for inventive Middle Eastern fusion, a dedicated tasting menu with thoughtful wine pairings, and a warm, stylish setting that works for dates or groups. Reviewers repeatedly describe the food as creative, artfully presented and deeply flavorful, with standout dishes and a strong wine and cocktail program that complements the menu. The service is often highlighted as attentive and knowledgeable, with many noting the staffs explanations of dishes and wines. The atmosphere is described as cozy and convivial, though a few remarks mention the space can be loud and the decor approach not ideal for quiet conversations. Pricing and portion sizes vary in perception, with some guests feeling the tasting menu offers good value while others find the portions small for the price; there are also occasional concerns about specific dishes or pacing on busy nights. Overall, HENI is seen as a top Montreal option for a distinctive, high quality dining experience with a bold concept, and many plan returns to explore more of the menu.
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!!
Jul 4, 2025
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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.
We stopped in here before making our way to the speakeasy below! The wait staff were as friendly as you will find. The food & drink were absolutely next level. Can't wait to come back for a full evening in Heni.
Amazing experience at Heni. We went for the Tasting Menu & it was just delicious.
The service overall was great, but there was a bit of a delay between one of the courses & also to get the check.
Other than that everything went fine. Will be back!
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!!!
Magnifique expérience, la convivialité de l'accueil & du service, la créativité du chef, l'explosion de saveurs à chaque bouchée. Une belle découverte à revisiter régulièrement.
Mar 24, 2025
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We visited this restaurant on Valentine's Day & had a delicious set course meal. I really liked the vibe of the place. The pasta with harissa sauce & calamari was amazing, & our appetizer was great too. I'll definitely be coming back!
Came here during my visit last week to montreal, vibe was great, very friendly staff & amazing food. I'm usually a pretty picky eater but this place had me eating out of my comfort zone & loving it!
A Unique Culinary Journey!!
From the moment we sat down, the service was impeccable, our server's passion & precision in explaining each dish added so much depth to the experience. The food itself was outstanding, blending Middle Eastern & South African influences with fresh, local Quebec ingredients. Every bite felt thoughtful & well-executed, creating a perfect balance of bold flavors & high-quality produce. A truly unique & inspiring culinary experience! I will definitely be coming back.
Mar 5, 2025
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Nous arrivons de notre première expérience chez Heni, ma famille & moi. Tout d'abord, bel accueil & les serveurs sont extraordinaires. Nous avons pris le menu dégustation accord mets vins Noah ( WoW) nous a expliqué l'histoire de chaque vin. & l'explication détaillée de nos plats. Très attentionné m. C'était délicieux & on voit chez lui la passion du pourquoi il est là à rendre notre soirée plus exceptionnelle. Merci Noah & merci à celui aussi qui était avec toi ( super gentil) Luce xx
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.
