Leila is described across numerous reviews as a warm, inviting spot where bold flavors, fresh ingredients and thoughtful Mediterranean and North African influences come to life. Dishes like sardines on toast, octopus, merguez, bitter lettuce and artichoke salad, pasta and tagines are repeatedly highlighted as fresh, well balanced and delicious, with several guests calling certain plates standout or unforgettable. The service and atmosphere stand out: attentive, knowledgeable staff and a welcoming vibe, with many noting a familial, almost homey feel and a lively back room speakeasy niche and a charming terrace. The menu changes with the seasons, offering variety and opportunities to share, and the wine and cocktails receive consistent praise. While the overall sentiment is highly positive, a few reviews mention high prices for the portions, occasional inconsistencies, or service slowdowns, but many guests still declare it a must return and recommend it to friends and visitors. Overall, Leila emerges as a top Montreal dining experience that blends comforting, high quality food with warm hospitality and a distinctive ambience.
What a Gem! Found this new spot that doesn't look flashy at all but was legitimately delicious. The food was absolutely incredible, the prices were very reasonable, & the service was quick & genuinely kind. Highly recommend!
Entrée, plat, dessert & verre de vin pour 84 CAD avant tips. Cuisine simple avec de bons produits. Ne vous attendez pas à des plats complexes & raffinés, mais plutôt à des classiques méditerranéens réussis. La salle est petite & l'ambiance est parfaite pour un date. Un restaurant qui aurait pu se trouver a Marseille sur la place aux huiles .
I think that was some of the best service I have ever experienced in my life. Our server took such care of us, care in the truest meaning of the word. I finally understand the difference between service & hospitality.
They had to turn the table over so instead of just doing that, we knew the deal, they gave us 2 desserts on the house for the trouble. Which is just so above & beyond.
This place has so much heart, is so well managed, the bitter salad was delicious, a fantastic new spot.
The Salad was good with twist of bitterness & the crispy onions. The lamb seemed a bit undercooked but flavour was on point. The guinea fowl was a 10/10 flavorful with the lemon sauce & mushrooms.
Sardine toast was probably my favourite, wish there was more. Sardine spaghetti was ok, i found the sardines to have a completely different texture than the sardine toast which i personally didn't like. The spaghetti itself was well cooked & flavourful.
The desserts were average, nothing special.
The ambience is very cozy. The service was very friendly but a little too slow.
Feb 6, 2026
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I attended a private party in the back room - so my review speaks only to this experience, which I cannot recommend unless you want to be trapped in a small space for 4 hours at dinner time, eating miniature food samples paced 30 minutes apart. The food was decent - the red sauce was fresh, but the *three* (lol) pieces of rigatoni pasta I received were very overcooked.
I don't enjoy leaving bad reviews, & I'm sorry for that. But when we left, I was so hungry & cranky I couldn't speak to staff. & I think It's important for people to know what to expect: for two guests - we spent 200$ to eat out of takeout containers, & drink on an empty stomach. Sure food can be costly, but I've never experienced this anywhere else in Montreal, & we eat out a lot. Anyways, this is one place we won't be going back to.
Phenomenal service, food & vibe.
The escargot & verdure pasta were incredible, & Phil was a knowledgeable & gracious server.
One of the best restaurants in the city.
Jan 19, 2026
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Ne mérite clairement pas 4.8 étoiles actuelles. Les plats sont 50/50 certaines saveurs bien réussies, d'autres un échec total. Les portions sont beaucoup trop petites pour ce qu'on paye. Je recommande pas.
Jan 16, 2026
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Expérience mitigée comparé aux attentes: je m'attendais à un concept fusion savoureux basé sur le travail sur les réseaux sociaux du chef qui a démarré ce restaurant, mais j'ai été très déçue.
Les portions sont clairement à revoir pour les prix qui sont proposés. Les merguez & le plat de dorade étaient succulents, mais j'ai été déçue par les Spaghettis au pesto (quantité minime, froides… j'avais l'impression de manger une salade de pâtes faite maison avec peu d'efforts), aussi déçue par les haricots blancs qui goûtaient la boîte de conserve de tomates.
Le service était HORRIBLE (même pour Montréal) pas nécessairement en raison des serveurs, mais plutôt le temps d'attente pour recevoir sa commande mais aussi sa facture. Ils étaient clairement understaffed en cuisine ou en serveurs, mais ça ne fonctionnait pas.
L'endroit est chaleureux: la petite salle au fond style speakeasy est cute.
Bref, il faut travailler sur le menu, augmenter les portions & proposer un meilleur service si on veut maintenir cette tranche de prix.
J'y retournerais pas d'aussi tôt, mais peut être mérite une meilleure chance dans le futur s'ils continuent de se développer!
Leila offers a truly exceptional dining experience that stands out even in Montreal's competitive culinary landscape. From the moment you arrive, the atmosphere is elevated & inviting, but it is the service that truly sets this establishment apart. A special mention must go to Amine, whose professionalism & genuine warmth made our evening unforgettable. It is rare to find a restaurant where the staff is so clearly passionate & engaged; the positive energy among the team & ownership is palpable & translates into a seamless guest experience. The food & ambiance are top-notch, making Leila a premier recommendation for both locals & those visiting the city. I look forward to my next visit
Great food great service! Everything was fresh & tasty service was excellent. Giving 4 stars instead of 5 on food because nothing was life changing but everything was great.
