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.
I've been watching this place since it was being renovated in December 2023. Finally found a chance to visit with my friend. We were served by Niles who was impeccable with his service. Always attentive & making sure everything was okay even though we were seated in the corner of the restaurant. We ordered Koobideh, cauliflower pickles, bread, kibbeh, lobster curry, milk punch, & cocktail of the week. The food was delicious beyond my expectations & we were completely satisfied with the number of dishes we ordered. The only things that I would prefer to be different were the cocktails, the fact that the bread wasn't complimentary, & how hot it was in the restaurant with no AC. The cocktails tasted like juice & did not seem to contain much alcohol. However, these points would not stop me from going back for the rest of the menu.
2025: came back during Mtl a la table to try put their menu. We had a lovely experience & certainly an improvement from my last experience. We had the lovely server Sasha who kept us entertained all evening. The food was even better than I remembered. Their bread is probably my favourite thing (warm & smells like cinnamon). I will be back again to try their regular menu for sure.
Les plats ont d'excellentes combinaisons de saveurs. L'endroit a une belle ambiance & le service était attentionné. Je recommande fortement ce restaurant. C'était un belle expérience.
Nov 9, 2025
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Prix un peu élevé selon moi & petites portions à partager (nous sommes venues pour MTL à table en plus). Les saveurs étaient bonnes mais le highlight était définitivement le vin Pinard & filles!
Really great wine & cocktails, we tried the bread, the eggplant dip & the potatoes with halloumi, all were quite good but the potatoes were very greasy. I found the glasses of wine & cocktails to be pretty pricey though.
The service, however, was very good but a little slow, especially on a quiet night. They stopped checking in on us after we had finished our food & second drink, we might have ordered more if asked but they seemed to be running around trying to deal with other patrons. That was okay, my friend & I mostly just needed a quiet & nice place to talk & catch up, so we didnt really mind.
The restaurant itself is quite nice & warmly decorated, but a bit of an overall weird layout.
I had dinner at Heni a few weeks ago & what an incredible experience! You can go with the tasting menu or a la carte- we had the opportunity to try both sides & we absolutely loved both! Very vegetarian friendly & has a great set up for large group bookings. What makes Heni so special is the service- Noa & his team do an amazing job making your dinner absolutely unforgettable!
I went to Heni with a large group, which meant we had to do the tasting menu. I'll be honest, I've never been a fan of tasting menus, they often miss the mark, & unfortunately, this one did too.
It started off okay, the first few bites had solid flavours & promise. But as the dishes kept coming, it just went downhill. The vine leaves & mushrooms on a stick were overcooked & completely flavourless. The portions were tiny, which I could overlook if the food blew me away, but it didn't.
The real disappointment came with the quail & side of kale & lentils. The quail was rubbery, bland, & had zero seasoning - honestly, it felt like it was just thrown on the plate. One of the pasta dishes was also way too salty, with what was supposed to be a beautiful egg yolk on top that was instead overcooked into a dry lump.
The only thing that saved the night a bit was the ice cream dessert - simple, but actually good. Unfortunately, the second dessert, a baklava, was just pure sugar with no real taste. It left me feeling like I needed to brush my teeth right after.
So while I get that this place gets glowing reviews, I can't follow the crowd on this one. For me, Heni was a complete miss.
That said, don't just take my word for it. Try it yourself & see. But if you're looking for high-end Mediterranean food done right, I'd say Garage Beirut or Shay Restaurant are much better options.
Had the first day of their new tasting menu & it was fantastic! I had the veg option & my table got the classic menu, & both were phenomenal. Amazing service from Kim & Noah. The wines were excellent quality, & came with in depth & meaningful stories.
