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.
The food is good, it's not the first time we go to Rayan but the last time we came is a long time ago. They do not tell you how much you will pay before hand which is wrong. We paid $200 for 2 people we only got shrimps & calamari & 1 small red snapper fish…. If you want to charge this much include sides, offer alcohol drinks & turn the restaurant into a LUXURY restaurant. The place isn't nice looking & it's not an experience in order for you to charge an exorbitant amount of money. It's better you change your branding into a luxury restaurant make the inside looks appropriate for the amount of money you're charging. You can't charge 5 star restaurant for a place that looks like a fast food & also receive fast food service. C'mon. Won't be back ever again in my life.
There is no menu & price before hand !
3 people, we spend 210$, 2fish, one plate of calamari & shrimp.
Their dishes dont have sides & you have to order them separately & pay for them.
Even the fish didnt have fries!
It was delicious but expensive & confusing!
I prefer to know what im gonna order in advance & how much im gonna to pay.
Feb 22, 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.
Very good fish place. You can buy the fish to take or have it cooked in different ways & eat at the restaurant.
We tried the red snapper & the calamari. Both were very good.
Had veggies & bread too with our meal.
The service was good, but thebl place can get busy, so you need to be patient. Definitely worth it.
I will definitely came back here & try other items. Shrimp looked good too.
Make sure you have a debit card or cash. They do not take credit cards.
The only negative I have is the bathroom, please have it checked & cleaned little more often.
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.
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 👌👌👌
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.
Dec 3, 2024
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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.
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! :)
Jun 13, 2024
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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.
Best seafood there is. Fresh, fast, efficient. My favourite casual resto. Literally everything is good but my faves are the shrimp, calamari, salad, fries & sea bass
