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 earns high praise for its vibrant atmosphere, flavorful modern Lebanese cuisine, and consistently attentive service, with guests noting generous portions and standout items like mezze dips and lamb dishes, shakshuka and baklava pancakes; brunch shines with creative twists such as shawarma eggs Benedict and labneh, while cocktails and a lively DJ vibe add to the welcoming, upbeat experience and make many say they will definitely return.
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.
May 8, 2026
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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! ✨
Apr 9, 2026
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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!!
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!
Dec 7, 2025
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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!
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.
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!
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.
