Mati presents a contemporary take on Mediterranean and Greek culinary traditions, offering a vibrant dining experience rooted in fresh, high-quality ingredients. The menu features innovative interpretations of classic dishes, showcasing a refined approach to familiar flavors with an emphasis on seasonal produce and thoughtful preparation. Guests can anticipate a sophisticated yet approachable atmosphere, ideal for enjoying expertly crafted plates that blend traditional essence with modern culinary artistry. This establishment is recognized for its distinctive approach to Mediterranean cuisine, inviting patrons to discover a compelling fusion of taste and style. The commitment to authentic flavors, presented with a modern sensibility, defines the unique character of Mati.
MATI offers a remarkable dining experience in Old Montreal, celebrated for its authentic, high-quality Greek cuisine and warm, elegant atmosphere. Many visitors highlight the freshness and depth of flavor in signature dishes like the watermelon salad, grilled octopus, and slow-braised lamb. The service is frequently described as exceptional, with attentive and personable staff who contribute significantly to the inviting, family-like environment. While the restaurant is a popular and bustling destination that can occasionally be loud, most guests find the sophisticated menu, excellent cocktail selection, and professional hospitality well worth the visit, making it a highly recommended gem for those seeking a memorable meal.
Taverne Grecque Mati in the Old Port of Montreal is a great spot for Greek food. The menu offers an excellent selection of classic Greek dishes, all well prepared & full of flavor. The cocktails are also very good & pair nicely with the food. The restaurant has a cozy, warm atmosphere that makes it perfect for a relaxed evening in the Old Port. Definitely worth a visit.
I cannot recommend this place enough. Everything from the good vibes when you walk through the door to the outstanding service provided by Sophia, & of course the insanely delicious food, blew our minds. The wine Sophia recommended was the perfect compliment to all the food. & if the entire experience was fantastic enough, we made reservations to go back so we can try the cocktails (made with liquors from Greece). This should be on everyone's list for go to dinner's. & live in the moment, don't rush your meal, sit & enjoy the sharing!
Gf lovers, only 3 items on the menu aren't friendly. The rest is completely gf naturally!
Every bite at this restaurant feels like a journey through the Mediterranean coast, reimagined with elegance & passion. The marinated fish with crushed pistachios was beyond incredible - delicate, buttery, & infused with layers of nutty aroma & citrus that danced together beautifully. Their whisky sour deserves a special mention too - perfectly balanced between sour, smoky, & sweet, it's easily one of the best cocktails in the city.
The chicken was divine - juicy, tender, & full of flavor, with that smoky char that makes you close your eyes in satisfaction. The lamb chops were out of this world - unbelievably tender, melting in the mouth like a fine piece of cake, & seasoned with heavenly spices that fill the air before you even take a bite. The pide was flaky, golden, & wonderfully rich - the perfect comfort dish that ties the whole meal together.
& let's talk about the staff - warm, genuine, & truly passionate about what they serve. They make you feel like an old friend coming home for dinner. The cozy atmosphere & soft lighting make it a perfect spot for a date night - romantic, relaxed, & filled with the aromas of freshly grilled perfection.
Special thanks again to Chef Arash, the master planner behind this unforgettable menu. His care, creativity, & attention to detail are reflected in every dish. The team & the chef together create an experience that's not just a meal - it's a moment you'll remember long after you leave.
Oct 5, 2025
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Dining at this Greek restaurant was nothing short of a revelation. From the moment we sat down, we knew we were about to experience something extraordinary, & every course proved us right.
Let's start with the cocktails: their whiskey sour alone could earn this place a cult following. It wasn't just good-it was exceptional. You could actually taste each layer of sourness & balance, perfectly shaken with just the right froth, smooth but with enough kick to remind you why classics never go out of style. If you think you've had a proper whiskey sour before, prepare to have your expectations redefined.
Then came the mezze dips, & what a journey those were. The smoky eggplant was rich & deeply flavored, carrying that rustic earthiness only true slow-roasting can bring. The tzatziki was creamy & refreshing, with just the right lift of garlic & cucumber. Add in the warm, pillowy bread to scoop it all up, & suddenly it's impossible to stop. Every dip was crafted not just as a side dish, but as a statement-balanced, fresh, & brimming with authenticity.
The salads pushed creativity even further. The standout was undoubtedly the watermelon salad-an absolutely brilliant creation. Juicy, vibrant cubes of watermelon laid over a cloud of tangy yogurt, dusted with finely crushed pistachios. The interplay of sweetness, creaminess, crunch, & freshness was nothing short of magical. A dish that looks simple but carries the soul of a chef who knows exactly how to balance contrast & harmony on a plate.
& then-the star of the night-the octopus. I cannot stress enough how life-changing this was. Easily the best octopus I have ever had, anywhere in the world. Perfectly grilled, smoky, yet tender to the bite, paired with capers, slivers of red onion, & a vibrant sauce that tied everything together. This dish was not just well-cooked; it was Michelin-star level artistry. A single bite was enough to make me pause & appreciate the kind of mastery that goes into creating it.
Every dish that came out of the kitchen had a story, & that story was one of passion, skill, & vision. & the mastermind behind it all is Chef Arash. You can taste his genius in the menu-how everything is thoughtfully planned, how flavors aren't just combined but orchestrated. He's not just a chef, he's a true culinary architect, weaving tradition with innovation. It's rare to encounter someone who can elevate classic Greek flavors to this level, but Arash has done it, & done it with elegance.
This isn't just a restaurant; it's a destination for anyone who loves food. A place where every sip, every bite, every dish makes you stop & say, this is special.
Truly, one of the best dining experiences I've had in years. If there were more than five stars, this restaurant & its team would deserve them all.
The ambience was very relaxing, the pillars & the ceiling were really cool!
The waiters were kind & available, especially the girl that attended us that made some exquisite cocktails!
We cannot recommend it enough!
We had a great time last Friday.
The menu is short & simple, yet the food is amazing. The cocktails are also delicious.
The staff is attentive, competent & friendly. The overall ambiance is great.
I highly recommend this place & Id give it more stars if I could.
Wow!!! I really loved everything about Mati! My friend & I recently celebrated our 50th birthday here , & the food, drinks & hospitality were impeccable! The braised lamb neck was so tender & wonderfully flavoured, & the grilled octopus was so delicious that we ate it all before I even thought to take a photo, but it was so good I really wanted to order another. I would have if I wasn't so full! Also, shout out to the green beans, roasted potatoes & tzatziki. They were all delicious as well.
The Prometheus cocktail was an absolute showstopper with the flaming garnish, & the entire cocktail menu was really thoughtful & interesting.
Thank you for a wonderfully memorable evening. We will definitely be returning to Mati & recommending it to all our friends!
Ok let's do Greek… & we walked in. The restaurant is very welcoming, & congratulations your washrooms are super clean, that's important. We sat at the bar & enjoyed a Greek wine, the Kir-Yanni 2022, & it was lovely. The bartender was very skilled & it was nice watching him prepare cocktails. The owner came by & asked if we wanted the lights turned up somewhat as it was quite dim, but nice so we declined. We shared the eggplant with pita, a Greek salad with delicious creamy feta, the pieuvre & lamb chops. All was very satisfactory. A nice find, thank you!
