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Restaurant

Kawalees

A cultural Arabic cabaret for contemporary performance art
Mile-End
4.6$$
CLOSEDOpens Today at 8 am
Monday
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Kawalees Montreal Restaurant: Menu, Reviews & Reserve (2026)
LebaneseMiddle EasternBrunch
We are here to weave Arab speaking cultures and serve as a catalyst to create diverse art experiences for the Arabic communities and their friends in Montreal.

Amenities, services & more

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5★
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Reviews for Kawalees

Food
Service
on Google4.7 (200+)
*as of 2026-03-15
5★
71%
4★
20%
3★
7%
2★
2%
1★
0%

Reviews often mention

vibe(4) evenement(3) music(3) libanese(3)

Review Summary

Kawalees is described as a cute and surprisingly spacious cultural spot in Montreal with a warm, friendly staff and a lively calendar that includes music, theatre, stand up and more, all in a casual social vibe where seating keeps sightlines to the show and service can be quick even on busy nights. The venue is noted for supporting artists with real amenities and smooth organization, making it feel welcoming and accessible. The entertainment is a highlight, featuring diverse acts and Arabic music, sometimes with short comedy breaks between segments, and the addition of hearty breakfasts adds another draw. Food and drinks get mixed reviews, with some finding prices high for what is offered and a few dishes not quite authentic, while others enjoy the quality and the overall experience and are inspired to return. Overall Kawalees comes across as a gem for not just dining but lively cultural events and social gatherings, even if it is not a fancy restaurant and timing can vary.
Page 1 of 1 - 19 Reviews

C'est très mignon & grand étonnamment ! Le personnel est hyper gentil !!

Seule hic : la bouffe est quand même chère pour ce que c'est. C'est vraiment pas adapté à un budget étudiant.

Autrement, super endroit pour organiser des soirées d'humour ou tout autre événement de type conférence/chill. :)

Feb 3, 2026
on Google

Kawalees est un vrai lieu culturel à Montréal. J'adore l'ambiance chaleureuse & l'énergie des événements qu'ils organisent : musique, théâtre, stand-up & plus encore. L'équipe rend les choses simples & accessibles pour les artistes, avec de vraies commodités & une organisation fluide. On sent un réel soutien à la scène artistique

Jan 2, 2026
on Google

I'm impressed by this spot & really sad I did not try it earlier. The vibes are great, the people are nice, the food is good, & the service was prefect enough to make me want to visit again.

I was there for the new year's eve, & was a bit skeptical about the spot. It all faded the moment the evening started: there was 3 persons handling the whole service & in my opinion they did really good job.
It's not the kind of fancy restaurant & don't expect anything perfect especially on such a busy night.
- This place has the cool & social vibe: the guys who took care of preparing & serving the food were beyond efficient & handled everything perfectly well.
- tables were well organized in a way not to bump with anyone while seated or moving around. Add to it, you don't need to turn around to watch the show.
- the show was great with some short comedy breaks between the different sections: arabic oud, mixed international singer, belly dancer, & a DJ.

It wasn't perfect but in the end it's how you feel after you leave this place & I was really impressed.

Jan 1, 2026
on Google

Absolute gem of a place with beautiful arabic music! It also now serves delicious & hearty breakfasts!

Nov 22, 2025
on Google

I must've ordered all the wrong things because i didn't really enjoy it that much. I had the hibiscus tea (cold) & it just tasted like 7UP, & I had the libanese burger which was not that libanese & the bun was cold & ketchup isn't very libanese.

Update: the cashier was super nice though

Jun 28, 2025
on Google

Good sound for live music but be prepared to pay over $10 for a bottle of beer.

Jun 27, 2025
on Google

Ça fait toujours bu bien d'aller à Kawalees. Such good entertainment & fresh tasty food.

May 24, 2025
on Google

Un bel endroit accueillant.

May 23, 2025
on Google

We weny there for the one man show which was great! The food took a White to arrive & they may take care of their bathroom!

Apr 20, 2025
on Google

Cuisine délicieuse & super endroit pour les événements sociaux. Wow.

Feb 22, 2025
on Google
5.0

I love this spot, I've only been for queer line dancing but the decor is great & the vibe is sweet

Jan 10, 2025
on Google

One of the hidden gems in Montreal! Lovely people, amazing shows, & good food.

Jan 1, 2025
on Google

Very nice & familial place Food is great

Dec 26, 2024
on Google
4.0

The food is good but very slow to be served; & the atmosphere with the stand up comedy was very nice.

Nov 7, 2024
on Google

C'est bien

Nov 7, 2024
on Google

Absolutely love this place! A safe space for local artists, musicians & community builders to feel seen & supported. Always brimming with beautiful energy. A big thanks to the owner & all the staff ❤️ Highly recommended!

Nov 5, 2024
on Google
5.0

I rented the cafe for a birthday party. The staff was so incredibly helpful & accommodating, I had such an amazing experience. 10/10, would highly recommend.

Nov 3, 2024
on Google
5.0

Incredible live shows!

Oct 6, 2024
on Google

Nice place, good vibe, you can enjoy live music & dance

Sep 23, 2024
on Google