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 and Mediterranean-inspired cuisine, with many diners highlighting the flavorful dips, generous portions, and expertly prepared dishes like the shawarma eggs benedict, lamb, and baklava pancakes. The restaurant offers a chic, cozy, and vibrant atmosphere that makes it a popular destination for both brunch and dinner. Guests consistently praise the warm, professional, and attentive service provided by the staff, who are frequently described as welcoming and genuinely caring. While experiences are overwhelmingly positive, the restaurant remains a top choice for groups and special occasions in Montreal, leaving many eager to return.
Beautiful & elegant place, perfect for a date night. The food was good & nicely presented, & the overall vibe is upscale & enjoyable.
Portions are quite small & prices (food & drinks) feel a bit high, so it's more about the experience than a full meal. Overall, a great spot for a fancy night out!
Cool concept but really unfortunately not worth it for the price. The restaurant had really weird & sterile vibes, but at least sitting at the bar was nice. The drinks were not good, & some were served in glasses that did not fit the drinks at all. The service was not very professional & food was alright, but service would take it away before you're done eating.
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. :/
Don't recommend
Mar 24, 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.
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...
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!
