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.
Got a last minute reservation for 2 at the bar here for Sunday brunch. Every time I come I always say I need to come more often! The food is absolutely delicious, the ambiance is vibrant & fun & most importantly, the staff look like they really love their jobs. Shout out to Josh & Sean for the lively & entertaining service! Will be back again soon! :)
The food at brunch was absolutely perfect, but the service really missed the mark. A bartender was with us at a table, & after taking our order once, we never saw him again. Took forever to get 2 mimosas & then no check-ins, no drink refills, nothing.
It's a shame because the food was so lovely. Could have been a great experience.
The food was phenomenal. Flavorful, well-portioned. My bartender, Anna, was very knowledgeable & made excellent recommendations. She & Joshua (the other bartender) provided fantastic hospitality. I look forward to returning next time I'm in town.
Update: Returned for Brunch the next day. Joshua & Shawn were my bartenders, & gave similar warm hospitality to last night. On their recommendations, I had the moutabbal & hashis makenek. Both fantastic - the latter was a creative canadian/middle eastern fusion dish, blending savory & rich spices. The moutabbal was smooth & bright; I'm not sure how they do it, but their flatbread are always pillowy & soft. I also got to try their poutine, which was rich, creamy, & just the right amount of fats.
I didnt snap a picture of it (had to get it to-go!), but the Crepes Baclava smell divine.
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.
Nov 12, 2025
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I've only ever been there for brunch, & it's always such a nice experience. My favorite flavor is the muhammara, one of the best I've had in Montreal! The chicken & waffles are also really good, though one time out of the 4 or 5 visits it wasn't as great.. but hey, it happens! Still definitely one of my go-to brunch spots.
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!
Service was great, Rachel was awesome. Portions were very generous for brunch, I will definitely be back! Thank you so much to everyone there it was simply perfect!
Oct 27, 2025
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I had to get on here & give a review because this restaurant did not disappoint in any criteria!! I came here for brunch with my dad & ordered the Shakshuka (delicious & portion size is amazing) the Salmon dish was so fresh, & the Figs were juicy & sweet. Everything was spot on. Ambiance? 10/10, music choice? 10/10 (Frank Ocean, Sade, it doesn't get better) & the SERVICE is what makes this place memorable. Sean gave us shots on the house, Anthony made us laugh & Sabrina gave us the Dubai Chocolate French toasts on the house 🥹 She's a sweetheart btw, def ask for her when you're here! They're all so sweet & they made my father's trip to Montreal so much more special by treating him with so much warmth & love ✨ Customer service makes all the big difference when it comes to a restaurant experience so I highly recommend this place to everyone 💕
Will def come back & bring my mom next time. Thank you guys!!
The lox & labneh, a light brunch option, was absolutely delicious. Definately recommended. The pita bread it came with was warm & soft. Also delicious.
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...
We went to Shay for my friends' bachelorette & the service, food & staff were beyond exceptional. I can't recommend this place enough for yummy drinks & brunch. The set menu was incredible too for $45/person. Thank you, Shay for the wonderful time!
Sep 7, 2025
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The atmosphere, the food, the service; all were amazing! Ana left us with such a memorable night of fun & great service, especially that we were celebrating a special occasion.
I love that pomegranate was incorporated in many dishes which is often forgotten in Lebanese cuisine here. The halloumi & dates, kibbeh naye, lamb kebab are a must to try! Can't miss on the refreshing fattoush as well.
I'm excited to return to try their brunch & others dishes as well.
Shay is always great food, & great service, but my last experience at shay Shawn was our waiter & he effortlessly went above & beyond to make our brunch the best it could possibly be.
Great Mediterranean restaurant in Griffintown. I've tried both brunch & supper & the food is simply amazing! Host even accommodated us even though I had reserved the wrong Friday night for party of 5 at peak hours.
We started with the ricotta pancakes-fluffy, rich, & stacked high with whipped cream, nuts, & a touch of magic. Easily some of the best I've had.
But the surprise standout? The lamb eggs Benedict. Perfectly poached eggs over tender lamb with a hollandaise that hit just right. Bold, rich, & totally addictive.
Everything else-from the pillowy pita & labneh to the spiced sausage & iced coffee-just tied it all together.
The vibe was dialed-in too: modern, lively, but still chill enough to enjoy the meal without feeling rushed.
