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 is widely celebrated as an exceptional destination in Old Montreal, offering a modern and elevated take on traditional Greek cuisine. Many diners praise the restaurant for its high-quality, fresh ingredients, with standout dishes such as the octopus, braised lamb neck, watermelon salad, and various dips consistently receiving rave reviews. The atmosphere is frequently described as cozy, warm, and sophisticated, making it a popular choice for celebrations and romantic dinners. While most guests highlight the attentive and professional service provided by the staff, a minority of reviewers found the portion sizes small relative to the price, or mentioned that the music volume can occasionally be quite loud. Overall, the majority of visitors consider MATI to be a top-tier dining experience, often recommending it as one of the best Greek restaurants they have ever visited.
We got the mati... Which was sushi grade drowning in store bought Italian dressing with pistachio sprinkled on top. The saganaki needed some bread to go with it...as did the mati. Watermelon salad was nice & fresh.
Service slow.
Overall disappointed
The Taverne Grecque Máti is in the top 3 restaurants I've ever been to. We were there tonight for dinner & everything was perfect.
We started with the watermelon salad with Feta, pistachio, honey. It was refreshing & the perfect start to the dinner on a warm day.
Then we had the Lemon Roasted Potatoes, the Brocolini, Fried Calamari with Tzatziki, lemon, the Grilled Octopus with Caper, red onion, lemon. For dessert we had the Greek Custard Tart & the Baklava.
The service was excellent. The octopus was my favourite as it was grilled but perfectly cooked & still tender. We also really enjoyed the perfectly cooked calamary. The watermelon salad was also a highlight. The food was beautifully presented as well.
Our 5 dishes & 2 desserts came to about $175 + tip. I highly recommend this restaurant. You won't be disappointed.
Travelling from Vancouver & we were recommended both Mati & another high end Greek restaurant. I'm so glad we settled on Mati. This was our most favourite evening of our stay in Old Montreal. Almost everything on the menu is or can be gluten free. Our server, Charlotte, was fabulous as were the support staff, all of whom joined to sing Happy Birthday to our guest of honour. Having been to Greece, you would think you're in an authentic Greek restaurant with an energetic atmosphere & cool Greek vibe. Get the crudo, get the octopus, get the watermelon salad.
Super cozy & warm place. The Braised lamb neck was so delicious & the sauce really elevated the perfectly cooked lamb & took it to another level. The Octopus also tasted good with a subtle touch of acid in the sauce. We also liked the watermelon salad, mainly the combination of feta & a slightly creamy texture with fresh & cold watermelons, but it wasn't that special & given the price you may consider sth else. But given that its refreshing it could be interesting as an apetizer.
They have a really nice bar & you can seat at the bar seats. I liked the experience & the bartender (I guess Felix) was a super chill & talented guy. I took a martini cocktail which I liked but it really depends on your taste.
Notes: There are some items that you can share (such as the lamb neck that we took). But don't expect a very large portion (:
This was my third visit to Mati & every time I am blown away by the amazing quality of the food & attentive service. We shared the watermelon salad, the flambe cheeze, the grilled octopus, tzaziki with pita, the branzino & brocolinis topped with flan for dessert. Every bite was more delicious than the last, pure delight. The service was impecable & warm & the setting is beautiful. I could not resist taking home a pastitsio home for lunch tomorrow. A gem of a restaurant, can't wait to go back. Visited again on a friday afternoon for a late lunch & the
food is always divine & service excellent (thank you Charlotte)
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.
Spectacular food & amazing service. We ate at the bar because we didnt make a reservation, & it was the first phenomenal bar-dining experience we had. Thank you Felix for making it such a wonderful dining experience for us! Highly recommend the Sea bass, shishito peppers, & watermelon salad!
We came as a group to celebrate my husband's birthday & we had such a great experience! Beautiful ambiance, great sharing plates & exceptional service! We loved the watermelon salad, tzatziki, lamb & the sea bass! Thank you for having us
