If you’re fortunate enough to have experienced a meal in the Middle East, you know all about their warmth, ambiance and extravagance. Whether it’s on a terrace accompanied by an afternoon tea, or sipping Arak in the evening, the “joie de vivre” can’t be missed.
Having successfully recreated the magic, our chef Joe Awad and his team have put together a menu featuring traditional flavours reimagined with a modern flare.
Our friendly and attentive staff will make you feel as though you’ve walked through the fabric of time to the other side of the world. Prepare your tastebuds, they’re in for an amazing experience!
Shay is widely celebrated for its exceptional Middle Eastern and Mediterranean-inspired cuisine, with many diners highlighting the flavorful dips, generous portions, and expertly prepared dishes like the shawarma eggs benedict, lamb, and baklava pancakes. The restaurant offers a chic, cozy, and vibrant atmosphere that makes it a popular destination for both brunch and dinner. Guests consistently praise the warm, professional, and attentive service provided by the staff, who are frequently described as welcoming and genuinely caring. While experiences are overwhelmingly positive, the restaurant remains a top choice for groups and special occasions in Montreal, leaving many eager to return.
Absolutely fantastic experience every time! The food is consistently amazing-fresh, flavorful, & beautifully prepared. The service is equally outstanding, with a welcoming atmosphere that makes you feel right at home.
A special mention to Aboudi, who is always a pleasure to deal with. Professional, attentive, & genuinely caring, he goes above & beyond to ensure every visit is enjoyable. It's rare to find such excellent food & service all in one place. Highly recommend!
We are foodies who frequently visit Montreal to dine. Shay was a wonderful find in Griffintown. The restaurant specializes in Lebanese dishes with influences from other Middle Eastern & Mediterranean cuisines. Every course we ordered from the mezza dips to dessert was absolutely delicious. I highly recommend the Armenian kebab which was tender & tasty, so satisfying. We sat at the bar of this classy restaurant & were glad we did. Gaspard, our waiter/bartender, was a charm. He explained all the dishes & made spot on suggestions. He was attentive but not overly so. Shay offers a winning combination of delicious food & a welcoming vibe.
May 27, 2026
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Food was honestly disappointing & didn't feel authentic at all, especially for the prices. Portions were small for what you pay & overall it just didn't live up to expectations. That being said, our server Anna was amazing, super attentive, kind, & definitely the highlight of the experience. She really did her best & made the night much better despite the food.
This place was a fantastic atmosphere, so much so that I was momentarily worried about the prices when we walked in. Luckily the food was very well priced, but delicious far beyond what I was expecting. The dishes were creative & every flavour went together perfectly. This is my new favourite brunch spot in Montreal. Our server Shawn was attentive & welcoming. My girlfriend & I were able to be seated at the bat with no wait, but you probably need reservations for a table. Great spot, I will be back to try the rest of the menu.
First edit: I went back to Shay with a friend for brunch & unfortunately it did not live up to the quality of the first experience. We ordered the shawarma eggs benedict & the Dubai chocolate pancakes. Somehow, the Dubai chocolate pancakes did not come with any chocolate, only cocoa powder... I am trying to understand if we ordered the wrong thing but there is nothing else on the menu to confuse it with. See photos for what we got versus what was on their website. Furthermore, while the first time the food was delicious enough & the portions large enough that we did not really miss having a side. The second time, that was not the case, & in particular the eggs benedict really lacked something else. I don't know of any other brunch spot which doesn't give any sides with their meals, & unfortunately this time, we really noticed the missing pieces.
We visited Shay for a birthday brunch & had an exceptional experience. The ambiance was lively & inviting, & the brunch menu did not disappoint.
What truly stood out was the outstanding service from our waiter, Driss. He was warm, attentive, & engaging, ensuring our table was well taken care of at all times. His service added such a memorable touch to our celebration.
The food arrived like a story told through flavor-rich, authentic dishes that spoke of tradition, care, & home. Every bite felt intentional, comforting, & full of soul.
Shawn, our server, moved through the evening with a quiet kindness-attentive without ever intruding, present in a way that made everything feel easy. There was a natural grace in the way we were looked after. Completed with the nice shots on house!
& then there was our corner-cozy, tucked away, almost like a small world of our own. The noise of everything else faded into the background, leaving space for real conversation, for a night that passed like a glowing star.
A beautiful night, held together by good news, good food, & the kind of company that turns moments into memories.
Delicious food & awesome service from Shawn! Everything was fresh, tasty, & served with a great attitude. Shawn made the experience even bette; friendly, attentive, & professional. Highly recommend!
We had such a lovely night at Shay Restaurant! We were a group of 6 girls, & honestly, everything about the experience was just perfect.
The service was truly outstanding-so friendly, patient, & attentive from start to finish. We stayed for quite a long time, & not once did we feel rushed. They kept checking on us & made sure we were comfortable the entire evening, which we really appreciated.
The atmosphere was beautiful, the energy was great, & everything felt very welcoming. It's rare to find a place that maintains such high-quality service consistently throughout the night.
One of the best experiences we've had as a group. Can't wait to come back again! 💫
I had such an amazing experience at Shay Restaurant! We were a group of 6 girls, & from the moment we walked in until the very last minute we left, the service was absolutely exceptional.
The staff were incredibly kind, attentive, & genuinely welcoming. Even though we stayed for quite a while, they never rushed us & continued to take care of us with the same positive energy the entire time. That level of hospitality really stood out.
Everything was perfect-from the atmosphere to the food & overall vibe. You can really tell they care about their customers & the experience they provide.
Definitely one of the best service experiences I've had. Highly recommend this place, especially if you're going with a group. We'll for sure be coming back! ✨
