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-inspired cuisine and vibrant, upscale atmosphere. Guests frequently praise the high quality of dishes like the baklava pancakes, shawarma eggs benedict, and various flavorful mezzes. The restaurant is consistently highlighted for its welcoming and attentive service, which adds a personal touch to both brunch and dinner experiences. Whether it is the chic decor, the carefully curated music, or the creative cocktails, the venue provides a memorable setting that keeps visitors returning. While opinions on pricing and portion sizes vary, the overall sentiment reflects a highly recommended destination known for its professional staff and consistent culinary excellence.
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! ✨
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!
Mar 30, 2026
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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!
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!