Overall, reviews describe Heni as a beautiful, cozy and elevated spot with a bold Middle Eastern inspired menu, offering innovative dishes, strong wine and cocktail selections, and attentive service. The tasting menu with wine pairings and the bar's cocktails are frequently highlighted for creativity, thoughtful explanations, and great pairings, while the ambiance suits dates, friends, and celebrations. Dishes are praised for their Lebanese and broader Mediterranean influences, artful presentation, and a mix of comforting and daring flavors, with particular notes about bread, dips, and desserts. A few critiques include noise level, uneven pacing or portion size for the price, and occasional missteps in a tasting menu or wine alignment with courses, but many say the overall experience is memorable and worth returning for. The venue is repeatedly described as a standout in Montreal and a must visit for those seeking a unique culinary journey.
We were visiting Montreal for the weekend & many friends recommended Nora Gray. We got boxed out there & the Nora Gray maitre'd recommended Heni. So we ate at the bar at Heni. The experience was wonderful. We loved the Heni hostess/bartender/maitre'd. She recommended great wine. The food was delicious. The hummus & kale dip were yummy. The steak was particularly great - who knew blue cheese marinade could subtly shape flavor so nicely!! The spicy fish was not spicy but still tasty. A lovely evening that we won't forget.
Biggest problem was the portion size for price point. We spent close to $150 EACH for small side order of potatoes steak etc. Water was bottled & hot cheap. Incredibly staff team really cool decor lovely concept. Killer flavours! If you are veggie technically you could go here order fresh homemade delish pita & awesome side dips & spreads & save a fortune. A work in progress.
The food was amazing! We were lucky enough to be able to try the appetizers from the tasting menu, the pea tartelette was OUT of this world, & the steak aged with koji & served with their homemade hummus was mouth watering. Also Amber was so nice with us & made us feel like we were at home. 10/10 will definitely go back!
It is hard for me to start explaining how bad the food was! It's a restaurant that is not flexible when it comes to food allergies & tastes. The menu is highly limited. Either you pick pre-made degustation menu or u are left with 3 dishes… all in small portions! Oily, greasy & not sure how else to describe it… Pricy but not for a good reason. On the flip side, tea was good & the place is huge with nice decorations. Maybe if you're into calm atmosphere & good vibes, this is your place but do not count much on food!
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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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.
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!
