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!
If you are seafoods lovers this is a place you must come. Here you need to come & select your fish & ask them how to prepare it!!! Such a nice experience!!
We had potato wedges; definitely one of the best potato wedges I have ever had.
Grilled octopus was fabulous; the preparation was completely unique; probably the best grilled octopus I have ever had in my life. But you need to eat it when it's hot; the more cold it becomes it will lose the taste.
Then comes to fried red snapper; it was delicious as well.
Overall it was an amazing experience; very friendly customer service.
However keep it in mind; it's really expensive place as well; so it's not somewhere you can go a lot even if you want.
Nov 11, 2025
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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.
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!
The calamaris were definitely old & very chewy wouldn't recommend. I ordered a fish I thought I was ordering fried fillet of fish but they just fried the entire fish I choose there was no seasoning whatsoever. I took the tiger shrimps in butter once again lack of flavor very low on salt. Overall very disappointing I used to like this restaurant.
All the food was wonderful. We had the calamari, rice pilaf, fried basa & the sauteed shrimp in garlic sauce. The grilled octopus was excellent-- tender but with a nice smoky taste. However...make sure you have loads of cash with you.
Sep 15, 2024
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This has been my third time eating in this restaurant. Food was good, as usual. We ordered fried shrimps, shrimps & mussels in garlic butter sauce, calamari, fried fish, & rice. I would recommend their fried fish; the spices & herbs really work to bring out the best flavour. Restroom was clean. There servers were mostly kind & attentive. Only downside is there's no free parking. Would definitely recommend! :)
Hands down the best fish resto in MTL!! Everything is always fresh, especially the octopus which melts in your mouth, fried calamari, shrimp, & red snapper.
Mar 4, 2024
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Seafood is my comfort food. Rayan is the closest to go. Yesterday, i bought fried calamares, octopus & rice for dinner to go. It cost much but its worth it. Its delicious & you will surely get full.
