Al Rayan Poissonnerie & Restaurant offers casual dining with a Middle Eastern feeling. Enjoy a deliciously fresh meal; nothing at our restaurant is pre-made. Enjoy our friendly service while chefs prepare the fresh seafood you select from the wide selection of fresh fish and shellfish lining the bar. The service is prompt and convivial. Head to the seafood bar to handpick your dinner. A wide selection of Shrimps, calamari, whole fish or shellfish are offered by the kilo, and you only need to decide how you would like them prepared: grilled, sautéed, or fried. There are several gourmet sauces to choose from, as well as traditional ones like tahini and baba ghanoush.
Reviews portray Poissonnerie Rayan as a standout for fresh seafood in Montreal, with praise for the variety and quality of items such as calamari, swordfish, octopus and shrimp, and for the option to select seafood from a display and have it prepared on the spot in a market style. Several notes mention that sides are not included and must be ordered separately, and that prices can be high with some reviews noting a lack of upfront price display. Service is often described as friendly and attentive, with many praising the staff's hospitality and knowledge, though a few readers report rushed checkout or inconsistent service. Many reviewers value the freshness, the ability to taste a wide range of seafood, and the overall atmosphere, comparing it to a seaside or Mediterranean setting. Some comments mention price increases and urge clearer menus and better price transparency at the start, while others feel the quality justifies the cost. Overall the place is described as a beloved go to for seafood lovers, with generous portions and strong loyalty, though a few reviews warn to check the bill carefully before paying.
As you walk in, they direct you to the back where you choose the fresh fish & seafood you want & tell them if you want it grilled or fried. Then you go sit down & wait for them to bring it to you. We were pleasantly surprised there was no fresh fish/seafood or fried smells in the dining area, the food was excellent, perfectly seasoned & grilled/fried. It's a little pricey but it is fresh fish & seafood cooked on demand. Would definitely go back!
Mar 15, 2026
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Rayan is a favourite of mine, I am a regular. It reminds me of being in Egypt where fresh fish has been caught. You pick your fish & let them know how you would like it prepared & seasoned. Our favourites the smelt, shrimps, potatoe wedges & salad. There is bound to be left overs. Portions are generous. The seasoning, textures & freshness are unbeatable.They have sustainable take boxes & paper bags. We were three women & could not eat it all. Served family style. The owner is a delightful Egyptian Canadian gentlemen. The staff, team are helpful. Service is great. The flavours, freshness of our seafood & fish dishes are delicious. I feel as if I am by a seaside restaurant in Alexandria or the Red Sea. With Egyptian music playing in the background. Fun as I would recognise the music!
They have no beer, wine, alcohol nor is it a BYOW.( just like in Egypt). They do have Egyptian soft drinks.
Its always full after 20h00. The diners come diverse backgrounds, just like the neighbourhood & it is just beautiful.
I ate at Rayan Restaurant in Montreal the food was really good, fresh, & full of flavor. Fatim Zahra was very helpful & friendly, & the guys who helped us with the portions were great too. Excellent service & generous dishes . I definitely recommend this place!
The food is very good & fresh, but the service is strange, definitely not in a good way.
When you enter, they guide you to choose your seafood items from the fridge, & then in a matter of seconds(!), you are stuck with some big portions, to which you really didn't consent! You have no clear idea how much your food is going to cost or weigh.
They have a wide selection of fish & other seafood items which is nice, but there is no one to properly explain for you what they are, how they are cooked (grilled? fried? etc.) I think they should respect their customers more, give them a decent menu, & enough time at the table to order properly, instead of rushing them to order right away in front of a crowded fridge.
We have ordered on 3 occasions & we live in ndg so we traveled a 25$ taxi fare to get their food which was delicious the salmon & the shrimp with rice all in all worth every penny. I recommend a visit to their place if you want fresh seafood large portions yes a little expensive but if you calculate the cost of seafood then their prices are reasonable.
Oct 1, 2025
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Rayan is a seafood restaurant that offers a truly fresh & unique experience. The moment you arrive, you'll be guided to the display fridge to choose from a variety of fish, shrimp, crab, & other available seafood. You simply pick what you like, & then you're shown to your table.
Right away, your seafood is freshly prepared & served in a delicious Greek style. If you love seafood, I'm sure you'll be happy with your choice.
Personally, I don't particularly enjoy peeling shrimp at the table, but that takes nothing away from the freshness & incredible taste of the food.
Favorite seafood restaurant ever. Food is always fresh & the place very clean. They offer a large variety of seafood products. Even if the place is often crowded, the dining room is so large & the staff so efficient, I never had to wait to long. I always take the octopus, tiger shrimp, calamari, potatoes & salad 👌👌👌
My family's favorite restaurant for fresh seafood & delicious side dishes. The owner & staff are the best: generous, kind, polite & sincerely rare. I value this place highly, & also recommend it without any reserve. The food is fresh, tasty & satisfying. A must go to in Montreal Cote des Neiges area!
Love you guys. Thank you!
Nothing to tell honestly. Rayan is a small fresh fish & seafood market & restaurant that has such great taste ! If you love seafood. There are dinning family tables for supper time meals in a middle eastern style that you have choices to choose from. Different rice styles. You choose how you want your order cooked & etc. or just bring it home & do your own thing but they don't mind. Every time I've been there I was served with lots of smiles & intent listening. They seem to always want to get it right for you & I love that.
Seating, pricing & service is very delightful here ! Tell them I sent you ! ❤?
The restaurant is really authentic. There is no specific menu portion. You can choose from fresh ingredients (fruit de mere) in the fridge & say a wight. They will prepare it in their way & serve it. The material was fresh & juicy.
Rayan is the best seafood restaurant in Quebec! Whenever I visit Montreal, I make sure to stop by their restaurant. We've tried their grilled sea bass BBQ, fried calamari, fries, garden salad, fried basa, & popcorn shrimp. Everything is fresh & delicious, but their fried calamari is on another level-absolutely the best! The staff are incredibly friendly & welcoming, creating such a warm atmosphere. This is the perfect place to visit with family. Highly recommend Rayan to anyone looking for amazing seafood & great service!
