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.
Food was expensive & not cooked properly. Ordered bénédictine eggs with mushrooms, 24$. Plate arrived it's 2 eggs cooked all the way through on a single piece of toast with mushrooms. Honestly the meal was very tasty apart from the egg not at all being bénédictine. Showed my plate to the waiter when he came back. He told the kitchen, that's it.
Honestly I almost didn't say anything for my eggs but there were also other things going wrong.
When ordering a mokaccino I asked for extra whipped cream on it, the drink he brought had no whipped cream on it. Had to ask him to bring it back.
2 (out of 3) of the wine glasses that were brought for our drinks were dirty (one had a food bit on it the other white drops on it), had to return them.
My friend ordered baklava crepes, they brought her pancakes (she doesnt like pancakes). We felt bad cause it felt like we were complaining on everything, we didn't say anything for the pancakes.
Ended up paying 42$ for a toast with 2 hardboiled eggs & a mokaccino, issues with both of those items. :/
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.
Mar 15, 2026
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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.
We had so much fun with Anthony!! His recommendations (especially for drinks) were spot on. Service was fast & friendly, & we couldn't have asked for better food 💫 Perfect date spot ❤?
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...
Sep 21, 2025
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We had a wonderful dinner at Shay. The drinks were good - I especially loved the Tipsy Gypsy & the Habibi Rita. The Shehzadi's Summer was okay, but nothing special, more like a classic Aperol.
Food-wise, everything was beautifully presented & flavorful. My husband absolutely loved the Mouhamara, & we all couldn't get enough of the Batata Barra potatoes - definitely a must-try! The Armenian Kebab & Shish Taouk were both delicious.
The only disappointment was the Habibi Fried Rice, which unfortunately nobody at the table enjoyed.
I'd recommend sitting indoors - the outdoor seating just doesn't compare.
Overall, Shay is a fantastic spot for modern Lebanese food in Montréal, & we'll definitely be back!
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!
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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Went here for brunch & loved the food & flavours. I didn't have to add salt, which is saying something. I didn't love the chicken waffles & my signature drink but everything else was amazing. It's also a great place to people watch as all the hip & stylish are here.
OMG!!! I just discovered this restaurant & it's excellent. The food was tasty & we received very soon after ordering. The drinks we ordered was amazing. Big thanks to our waitress/bartender Anna for her sweetness, service & conversation. Make sure to visit. 10/10
Absolutely fabulous experience! The food was INCREDIBLE! The Kafta melted in my mouth & the drinks were top notch 🌮🍹
The service was impeccable as well! The servers were on it with water & drink refills, cleaning up, making sure we were doing okay. Especially Robin! 🤗
I loved coming here for my friends' birthday dinner. Will be coming back again for sure!
Amazing & fresh food full a flavor & vibrant of color. For every taste, it is impossible not to like everything on the menu. Their drinks are also original & so tasty!! Also their covered patio is beautiful & would be adorable for an event like a bachelorette or a babyshower.
Jun 16, 2025
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Brought my girlfriend here for her birthday. Huge mistakes. Our service was terrible, constantly forgetting to bring drinks & water. Brought out half of our starters then main dishes, then the other half of our starters. & the chicken, good god, literally sucked the moisture out of my mouth. I had to wash every bite down with water or I would have choked on it. The lamb was alright though.
Equal parts amazing & wonderful. Some say that would be the definition of lovely. I say it's the definition of love. Our servers Laurence & Sabrina made me feel like a Greek Olive fed God! If you're reading this review, & you don't eat here (& drink), it's you that's the problem. Not that there's a problem. As a matter of fact, this place is the solution!!!
Friends suggested this place & it was excellent, from the service to the food. One busser stood out her name was Thea, even from the other busser & the waitress/ waiters. She recommended food & drinks & overall was one of the main reasons why my experience at this restaurant was fantastic.
Another amazing birthday dinner. Service was great, food & drinks 🍸🍷outstanding. Grateful for the little extra touches that made us feel special. Definitely returning again soon!
