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.
Une expérience remarquable : la cuisine est savoureuse, les cocktails sont excellents & la sélection musicale parfaitement adaptée. Mention spéciale à la salade amère gourmande, à la fois délicate & délicieuse!
Cocktails were alright (good but not superb), red wine selection was great, staff was really kind & informative, food was good (menu was seasonal, so fresh, but lacked information online), playlist was absolutely superb & created a nice atmosphere. Speakeasy in back lacked atmosphere however (consider lowering lights & maybe raising music volume). Overall would return :)
Sep 19, 2025
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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.
What an amazing night in my hood! Nice, cozy & friendly little gem. The service was over my expectations which I didn't have, the food experience was very good & all this at a reasonable price. Would strongly recommend.
Aug 30, 2025
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Leila est une véritable trouvaille & un incontournable de Montréal qui saura vous surprendre & vous charmer.
Appelez-les même si leur système de réservation affiche complet : il y a de très bonnes chances qu'ils puissent vous accommoder, que ce soit dans l'alcôve à l'arrière ou au bar à l'avant.
Le personnel est compétent & passionné, & l'échange avec eux rend l'expérience encore meilleure.
Leur cuisine témoigne d'une réelle maîtrise technique & d'un soin attentionné.
Demandez des recommandations : on vous orientera vers des plats que vous auriez pu écarter, mais que vous regretteriez de ne pas avoir commandés en les voyant arriver aux autres tables. C'est d'autant préférable de leur demander des recommandations, que le menu change au rythme des arrivages de saison & surtout car les descriptions des plats ne rendent vraiment pas justice à ce qui vous attend.
Les portions sont généreuses & prévues pour être partagées. Les desserts étaient si réussis que j'envisage déjà d'y retourner prochainement simplement pour un digestif & satisfaire ma dent sucrée.
I am very happy to report that our experience last night was truly amazing. At first, we were a bit perplexed by the menu. There are only about 10 items. We ordered a salad, two pasta dishes, & the Cornish chicken. Long story short, the Cornish chicken was by far one of the best chicken I've had in my entire life. The best dishes were awesome, the salad was really good. Every meal was spot on. Not only the recipes are amazing, but most importantly the execution was flawless. Absolutely flawless. To add to all this, the desserts were truly amazing. Not some fancy I can type of dessert. But very good pistachio cake, & amazing basque cake with peaches. Last but not least, everybody was super friendly & a service was awesome. We can wait to go back.
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.
Aug 25, 2025
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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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From the beginning we were greeted warmly, service was impeccable, food was very tasty & fresh bringing a nice twist to Mediterranean cuisine. Would definitely recommend 10/10
I read the reviews & was excited to try this place but must say fell short of some expectations. The drinks , food ( portion ) are wildly overpriced. Atmosphere is great, service is lacking profoundly. Spent over $100.00 to leave extremely hungry & to some extent upset. The waitress was of no help in any way, hardly ever asked if seconds were required ( this was an event ) . I honestly think they over shot their idea & did not prepare properly as such. Farm fresh to table is not expensive or is not meant to be. If the chef knows his/her stuff then portions would be great & variety inexhaustible. As well asking if allergies are prevalent & offering or discussing a plate , advising it would be served & never was , is misleading & to some extent disheartening. Suffice it to say will not go back nor recommend to friends or acquaintances. A lot to be desired!
EXCEPTIONAL.
Service was absolutely top tier. We collectively ordered most of the menu, & the least good thing I could say was one of the salads was a simple, classic, French bistro style, which was expertly executed, but just less exciting than their imaginative take on a caesar. Great cooking. Great vibes. Solid cocktails. Definitely get the octopus.
