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 delivers a warm, stylish Lebanese dining experience with a lively yet welcoming vibe and consistently attentive service. The menu shines with vibrant, well presented dishes and an array of mezze, lamb, kebabs, and brunch classics like shawarma eggs Benedict and baklava pancakes, all made with fresh ingredients. The brunch and dinner experiences are repeatedly praised for generous portions, bold flavors, and creative twists that honor tradition while feeling modern. The atmosphere, on both the dining floor and the terrace, is frequently described as beautiful and energetic, with knowledgeable staff guiding guests through thoughtful recommendations. Overall, SHAY stands out for reliable quality, standout dishes, and a memorable, friendly guest experience that makes it a go-to for meals with friends or celebrations.
Amazing service & incredible food. I had accidentally booked our reservation for the wrong day, but when we showed up a day early with a party of five at 10pm, they accommodated us right away without any issues.
It's clear this restaurant is very well run-everyone was welcoming, attentive, & consistently checked in without being overbearing.
The food was outstanding. We ordered a variety of dishes, & the highlights were the baklava pancakes, the mezze dips, & anything featuring their lamb-absolutely delicious.
A special shoutout to our server, Leyla, who was fantastic & made the experience even better.
Also the playlist at the restaurant was a vibe.
Overall, a great experience at Shay-we'll definitely be back!
Amazing restaurant & even a better service! The food was great. Sabrina was an absolute gem. She was attentive to our needs & came with a smile every time. Helpful with her recommendations & with high energy. Will definitely come back!!
Mar 15, 2026
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Brunch at Shay delivered the kind of experience that reminds you why the ritual of brunch deserves to be done well. From the moment we sat down, the service set the tone. Layla, our beautiful bubbly server, brought warmth & attentiveness that elevated the entire meal, while the floor manager moved through the room with the kind of thoughtful presence that signals a restaurant that truly cares about hospitality.
The bottomless mimosas were generous & consistently refreshed, the kind of offering that feels celebratory without becoming intrusive to the flow of the meal.
We ordered several dishes to share, which proved to be the right approach given the restaurant's notably generous portions. The shakshuka was deeply flavourful, its rich tomato base layered with light spices that made it both comforting & satisfying. One portion was more than enough for our table of four, & we still had some left behind.
The shawarma eggs benedict offered a creative twist on a classic. The dish balanced savoury shawarma spices with the richness expected from a good benedict, resulting in something both familiar & distinctive.
The lamb & eggplant tartine was perhaps the standout of the table: buttery, decadent, & beautifully composed. The combination of tender lamb with silky eggplant created a dish that felt indulgent yet balanced. It was my first time trying it, & it alone is reason enough to return.
For something sweet, we got the baklava pancakes. Fluffy & well-structured, they captured the nutty, honeyed essence of baklava without tipping into overwhelming sweetness. They are undeniably filling, so sharing is the wise choice.
The atmosphere tied everything together. The DJ played a relaxed selection of R&B that added energy to the room without overpowering conversation, a small but thoughtful detail that made the brunch feel lively yet comfortable.
Overall, Shay delivers a brunch that is generous in both flavour & hospitality. The menu rewards sharing, the service is attentive, & the atmosphere strikes the right balance between vibrant & relaxed. It's the kind of place you leave already planning your return, as we did.
Also, we were honoured with tasting their upcoming drink, we are excited for the summer.
Shawn the bartender was absolutely amazing. He was very knowledgeable about the menu & was very attentive during our time there. The food was 10/10. Atmosphere was a great vibe. Highly recommend this place!
Shawn at Shay is an absolute gem! From the moment you walk in, he makes you feel completely welcomed & taken care of. He has that perfect mix of kindness, humor, & genuine attentiveness that turns an ordinary visit into the highlight of your day. Shawn doesn't just provide great service-he creates a whole vibe. If you want someone who listens, understands, & makes you feel amazing, Shawn is your person. Highly recommend!
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.
My friends & I were visiting the area for a birthday brunch & this place did not disappoint. The ambiance is so aesthetically pleasing & beautiful. The staff were pleasant, attentive & funny. The music was one of the best parts, great playlist. I got the breakfast sandwich & my friends got the hachis makanek & the omelette soujouk. Everything tasted so fresh & flavorful. The potatoes were crisp, the halloumi was so tasty, & the chai lattes were great (tasted more like espresso than chai to me, however, I did not mind it). I will definitely plan to visit when I am in the area again.
Nov 2, 2025
on Google
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Came for brunch with the girls, Sabrina was our waitress & she was absolutely amazing, very personable & attentive! Definitely recommend🎉 Special mention to Aiden, he was our busser & he was extremely helpful & very friendly, he definitely deserves a raise!
Simply an amazing experience. The staff was full smiles & welcoming when we came in the door. Our waitress, Esmeralda, was all smiles, attentive & sincere in making our experience a great one. Bus boys were also amazing.
Food was very flavourful & the labneh baklava pancakes were so good, I don't have the right word to give them justice. A must try!
& warm goodbye by all when leaving. It doesn't get better than this!
Oct 4, 2025
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We were visiting Montreal from Toronto as part of our Boozy Brunch Club shenanigans & made a reservation at this fine establishment. The brunch over-delivered on every part of our experience starting with our server Esme. Her energy, attentiveness, & food & drink recommendations were spot on for what we were looking for. We started with the baklava expresso martinis with the Aubergine Moutabbal & the Figs & Halloumi. We then moved to Caesars & Mimosas with the Falafel Latkas & Omelette Soujouk. We finished our visit with another round of baklava expresso martinis with the OMG Baklava Pancakes. The restaurant had an amazing atmosphere with very good & positive vibes & set the tone for the rest of our day. If you are looking for an exceptional brunch spot we would definitely recommend Shay as a destination. Until we meet again...
our group of four was seated fast on a saturday night with no reso, amazing food, great tunes & wonderful attentive service from Anna. love this spot. the toum is next level.
Anna was an incredible bartender! She was so personable & sweet, & her great service really stood out. She made everyone feel welcome, took the time to connect with us, & had a positive energy that made the whole experience even better. On top of that, she was quick, attentive, & made fantastic drinks. Truly amazing all around-I would absolutely come back just for her!
Aug 16, 2025
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I've been to this restaurant many times now & today I got served by Sabrina & the quality of her service is what prompted me to write this google review: she was very attentive to our table, always making sure we're not missing anything & even managed to get us places on the terrace even though it was pretty full. I wish every restaurants had service like that. Highly recommended if you like trying different cuisine whilst having a good experience.
Amazing food & service! We had the Fattet Batenjen & Hummus Shawarma to start - both were absolutely delicious. I had the Musakhan as my main dish, & it was full of flavor & beautifully done. Big thanks to Max, our kind & attentive waiter. Highly recommend!
From start to finish, our experience at Shay Griffin Town was nothing short of exceptional. The ambiance is stunning-modern, stylish, & perfectly curated for a memorable stay. But what truly sets this place apart is the service.
Stephen, the manager, goes above & beyond to ensure everything runs smoothly. His professionalism & warmth made us feel welcome from the moment we arrived. Oliver, our host, was equally incredible-attentive, friendly, & always a step ahead in making sure we had everything we needed.
Whether you're looking for a relaxing getaway or a vibrant city stay, Shay Griffin Town is the perfect choice. Thanks to Stephen & Oliver, we'll absolutely be coming back!
The food was absolutely delicious - flavorful & beautifully presented. What really stood out, though, was the staff. The service was amazing - friendly, attentive, & made the whole experience even better. Highly recommend!
Shay is hands down one of the best dining experiences in the city. Every time I walk through the door, I'm greeted by name, which speaks volumes about their incredible hospitality. The service is always impeccable-warm, attentive, & consistent no matter how busy they are.
& the food? Absolutely outstanding. The lamb shawarma is my go-to, & it never disappoints. Perfectly seasoned, tender, & full of flavor, it's easily the best I've ever had. The consistency in both the food & service is truly unbelievable. The entire team at Shay makes every visit special, & that's why I keep coming back. Highly recommend!
- Manolis Dimitrios Sevdalis
