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.
A truly upscale Greek gastronomy experience. The food menu is designed with careful consideration for taste & variety. There were a lot of options for me as a vegetarian.
I chose the lentil soup, the insalata dip & the crispy eggplants. All were truly delicious & well portioned.
At the bar, the bartender Felix is exceptional in service & hospitality with great suggestions & perfectly mixed drinks.
I would highly recommend everyone to try this place out
I think service rating could be better if there was more enthusiasm from the servers regarding the dishes & what they are especially when there are no photos to show what these interesting dishes could be.
If opting out of imagery on the menu is the vibe, it is understandable but ensure that the enthusiasm of the servers are there to better describe & sell the dish.
Aside from that, the food we ordered tasted phenomenal. Again, had the server let us know in advance that there would be a bit of a wait time between all the other things we ordered & our pastitsio… we would've reconsidered.
Again with the whole'tipping culture' & the peer-pressuring of wanting to tip the servers. We did not feel well served but we ended up tipping anyways for the minimal'service' we had.. the refill on water twice, the clearing of our plates was faster than the food arriving on our table.
On the way out, we used the bathrooms downstairs & on our way up, the aisles between tables were so narrow that we had to wait for another server to pause taking orders from her table (despite her seeing us waiting there before she started to take the order..) so we can pass. Servers completely lacking awareness of their environment & reading the room…she did see us come up the stairs yet instead of quickly letting us pass, she began to take the order & thus leading to a really awkward pause where she had to let us pass by & we got the death glare from the man who had to wait the 3 seconds before he would order his food.
It's 3 seconds. It's not the end of the world for you okay?
We didn't see the option of the evil eye candy that others had shared which was something I sort of looked forward to as the evil-eye theme is a personal interest.
We ordered: taramasalata dip with pita, lamb chops, spanakopita, calamari, stuffed vine leaves & the pastitsio (similar to a lasagna?) - the dip was freaking phenomenal.. which made up for the lack of enthusiasm.
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.
Perfect food for a long day. Service was super nice & made sure we had everything we needed. Shared several plates all good but winner winner was the Greek salad enough to share especially if you have other plates such as red pepper chile dip. Yum 😋
We have traveled all over the world to many Michelin star restaurants & I must say as a Greek, this is the best Greek food I have ever had. It is a crime this restaurant does not have a Michelin Star. The food was incredible the octopus & the lamb melted away & the dips were even incredible. The service & owner were incredibly friendly, helpful & attentive. Even their music selection was amazing. The atmosphere, service, & food were on another level. 5 stars doesn't do it justice. Highly recommend if you want an unforgettable meal.
Our experience at Mati Greek restaurant was phenomenal! We went for a date night & were blown away by the delicious food & warm atmosphere. The shared dishes concept is perfect. We started with the Kopanisti -a rich, creamy dip paired with warm pita-followed by a savory Greek-style lamb neck with grilled shishito peppers & perfectly roasted Greek potatoes. The wine selection was excellent, & the service was impeccable. It was the best meal we had during our weekend in Montreal. Highly recommend!
Visiting MÁTI in Montreal for the first time was an incredible experience! From the moment we walked in, the ambiance set the tone for a fantastic evening. The restaurant has a warm, upscale vibe with beautiful decor that made it feel both inviting & sophisticated. Even though we arrived without a reservation (which I highly recommend making since it gets busy), the manager was incredibly accommodating & found us a table. We were so thankful for their kindness & flexibility! Our server, Emylina, was exceptional. She guided us through the menu, ensuring we had everything we needed & making the experience smooth & enjoyable. We opted for a family-style meal to share, & it was such a fun & satisfying way to try different dishes together. We started with an appetizer from the Dips Section, choosing the KOPANISTI-a mix of feta, roasted peppers, garlic, & chili. It was the perfect way to kick off the meal, with bold flavors that paired wonderfully with the fresh bread. For our second shared course, we picked a variety of options from the Hot Starters. The LAMB CHOPS were perfectly cooked, seasoned with parsley, lemon, & EVOO, & they melted in our mouths. The SAGANAKI was a standout for me, with the kefalograviera cheese drizzled in honey & flamed with ouzo-so rich & indulgent! We also loved the SPANAKOPITA, with its flaky phyllo pastry & flavorful spinach & feta filling. By the time our third course arrived, we were already impressed, but the WHOLE CORNISH HEN from the To Share selection took things to another level. It came with lemon potatoes & charred lemon, & everything was seasoned to perfection. The chicken was tender & juicy, & the potatoes had the perfect hint of citrus. By the end, we were absolutely full & didn't have room for dessert, but I'm already planning to try some on my next visit. The service, food, & atmosphere were all top-notch, making this one of the best dining experiences I've had in a while. If you're looking for a great Greek restaurant in Montreal, MÁTI should be at the top of your list!
Mon amie & moi sommes tombées par hasard sur ce restaurant en marchant au Vieux-port & avons décidé d'y arrêter pour souper. C'est une de mes plus belles surprises gastronomiques de l'année à Montréal, le Taramasalata dip était excellent. Nous avons aussi adoré le Branzino & la salade de fenouil. Le service était super attentionné & j'ai adoré l'ambiance calme & feutrée. J'y retournerais définitivement.
Perfect location In Old Montreal, great food , service & atmosphere. We had some olives, a dip, watermelon salad & calamari that were all delicious. The watermelon salad an absolute fanoriite. We also had the pastitsio which was divine. We took half home as it was a large portion. Definitely would dine here again
