Leila is described as a warm, intimate spot with a lively yet relaxed vibe and a menu that blends Mediterranean and North African influences with a focus on fresh, flavorful ingredients. Dishes like sardines on toast, octopus, merguez, bitter lettuce and artichoke salad, and pasta such as cavatelli and tagliatelle ragu are highlighted for their balance of technique and rustic charm. The setting includes a backroom speakeasy style bar and a welcoming terrace, making it popular for dates and gatherings alike. Service is repeatedly praised for attentiveness, knowledge, and hospitality, while the atmosphere and cocktails, wine list, and overall value receive strong notes of praise. A few voices mention small portions or high prices relative to portion size and occasional slower service, but the prevailing sentiment is that the experience is memorable, distinctive, and worth returning to for the food, the vibe, and the sense of being cared for.
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.
This place was recommended by a friend. Parking was tough & called in to say we may be a bit late & we were comforted that our table would be waiting. Once there, we were warmly received. Our waiter Danny was excellent. Was very enthusiastic about his presentation & adept in both French & English. Decor was nice as well as the atmosphere. The wine list was good but not many value options. Thought that pricing was high & could use more lower price options. I liked the small'market fresh' menu. As for the food, there were some winners & some losers. The buratta straciatella was good but the brown butter wasn't browned enough in my opinion. We were told easily shared among us 4 but better for 2. The sardines on toast was delicious & again, good for 2. The bitter salad was excellent & was a play on a Caesar salad & that was ok for 4. The merguez sausage was by far the most disappointing dish of the night. As soon as the plate was placed on the table, I could smell how gamey the lamb was. It was way too strong & they said it was Quebec lamb but smelt more like New Zealand. Nobody at the table was a fan. Three at the table took pasta as their mains & the portions were quite small. The cavatelli fagioli was ok. Nothing really special about it. My Guinea fowl was well prepared & juicy with crispy skin. The beans on top were ok & I find detracted from the delicate meat & I found the $58 price tag a bit steep. The food was very homestyle. With a few adjustments to portions & plate composition, this place could easily be 5 stars. The highlight was definitely the service which is a great place to start.
Fabulous food, amazing service, quality ingredients, in a landscape of dull mile end restaurants this place stands out as a new star. Sardines on toast, octopus & steak were fabulous!!
Very tasty food & friendly staff. We had the octopus, olives & shishito, sardine toast, sucrine, busiata, espadon, pistachio cake & basque cheesecake & every single dish was delicious. The outdoor seating was nice too. Highly recommended! We will be coming back for sure.
a delightful dive into the rich flavors of the Mediterranean. This charming restaurant embodies the genius of simplicity, with no forced themes, instead opting for an authentic experience that focuses squarely on the food. From the cloth napkins to the plates my grandma would have, it felt like being invited into someone's home.
We started with the sardines on toast, which might be one of the best entrees I've ever had. Equally surprising was the bitter lettuce & artichoke salad. Something I typically never order - yet here, it was a revelation. The balance of flavors & the vibrant presentation transformed my perspective on salads entirely.
Finally, the pesto cavatelli was beautifully crafted & wonderfully fresh.
To accompany the meal, we couldn't resist the $5 special on Peroni & Negroni (that rhymes).
Seated on the terrace in a laid-back atmosphere surrounded by fragrant basil plants & the gentle hum of good music, we truly felt comfortable.
A celebration of Mediterranean cuisine in its most straightforward form. No need for extravagant flair when the food speaks for itself. A restaurant that values quality & simplicity.
Leila is probably the most impeccable spot I've tried in Montreal this summer. Honestly the only place that truly wowed me with their dishes. The sardine toast? Unreal. The octopus? Hands down the best I've had in Montreal-beats all the hyped places serving it. I'd 100% come back. Big round of applause for the service too, one of the owners welcomed & served us, & you can tell they really know what they're doing.
Aug 19, 2025
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In one word,'wow' - what an amazing experience we had at Leila?? The minute we entered the door, the service from everyone was exceptional. Special shout out to Danny, our server, who presented the menu options with such passion & enthusiasm. Amine Laabi was kind enough to stop by to talk to us as he helped us decide on our final choices. We decided on a shared menu for 2, which I highly recommend: marinated peppers/ olives/ pickles, sardines on toast, ricotta brown butter, octopus on a bed of white bean purée, tagliatelle ragu, & last night's special - capellini with lobster. Everything was scrumptious & decadent while plated beautifully on what seemed like my grandmother's heritage dinnerware. We were so full that we opted out on dessert but the options all sounded delicious. The ambiance is warm & inviting with its eclectic, vintage decor. We will be back - I highly recommend Leila & it's Mediterranean cuisine❣?
Absolutely fantastic experience at Leila! The sardines on toast, seafood salad, bitter salad, & cod cheeks were all exceptional - fresh, flavorful, & beautifully presented. The wine list was spot-on, & Chef Amine's energy & passion truly came through in every dish. A must-visit for seafood lovers!
Welcome to Leila a South-Mediterranean restaurant tucked away in the Mile End neighborhood of Montreal that draws you in immediately with a warm interior & vibrant service. The menu is comforting with full of rich flavors from the sardine toast, lamb merguez to the tagliatelle ragu & beef cheeks.
Bienvenue au Leila, un restaurant sud-méditerranéen niché dans le quartier du Mile End à Montréal, qui vous attire immédiatement avec son intérieur chaleureux & son service dynamique. Le menu est réconfortant & plein de saveurs riches, du toast de sardine à la merguez d'agneau, en passant par le ragu de tagliatelles & les joues de boeuf.
Mar 5, 2025
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A must try restaurant! The staff are incredible & we ordered based off their recommendations, every dish was delicious! We had the sardine on toast, merguez, bitter lettuce salad, the lamb belly pasta & the fish dish. The flavours of each dish were amazing & you can tell they were prepared with great thought & care! So glad we found this place & will definitely be back!
Très belle découverte! Une très bonne table fidèle à sa promesse. Savoureuse cuisine méditerranéenne, excellent service & bonne ambiance. Tout était fin, délicieux, bien apprêté, sympathique & convivial. Les plats sont à partager, nous avons choisi les moules sur toast, la salade amère, les joues de morue, le bar noir, la cuisson était parfaite & nous avons été bien conseillés pour le vin. On y retournera pour goûter à des plats signature & d'autres nouveautés. Ouvert depuis à peine deux mois, cuisine abordable à essayer absolument.
