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.
I visited SHAY today & had a wonderful experience. I ordered the lamb with eggplant, & it was excellent. The flavors were authentic & well-balanced, & you can tell the ingredients are high quality.
The lamb was tender, & the side of crispy potatoes & pickled red cabbage provided the perfect contrast. If you're looking for great Middle Eastern-inspired cuisine with a modern touch, this is a fantastic spot. The food tastes as good as it looks!
Highly recommend: The lamb with eggplant & the roasted potatoes.
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.
Nov 15, 2025
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The plates looked nice but the taste was mediocre. My friend & I went on Sunday & our food came fast which was nice but it was cold & the quality was subpar. Definitely wouldnt rave about it to others. I think there are way better Middle Eastern restaurants in Montreal to hit up with fresh ingredients.
There was a draft by the windows & we didn't really get checked on. Overall I wouldn't recommend.
This is one of those restaurants we keep going back to, for supper & brunch!
It is middle eastern. Cocktails very tasty.
The brunch is really great as its very different than other'classic' breakfast places with boring eggs. They really put a middle eastern twist to it & superrrr good.
The baklava pancakes are a must to finish off the brunch. Its literally so tasty- a huge portion too.
Brunch seems always packed so best to reserve.
Supper has a wide menu too but everything is good - we have tried almost all their dishes & did not disappoint. Very fun dishes & i believe they update the menu often.
Halloumi with oranges is great. The shawarma hummus & filet mignon are bomb as well. My absolute favorite is the tuna tartare.. it tasty a bit like a Fattoush salad & has crispy pita on top. Texture & taste on point - please try it!
The service & staff are also just fantastic.
They have nice round tables that are cozy & overall their seating is very comfortable.
Excellent experience for Brunch & cocktails! 👌🏻 From the unique menu to the explosion of flavors, the exceptional quality of service & staff recommendations. Everything was impeccable. If you're looking for a Middle Eastern inspired fusion cuisine, this is the place to go. Comfortable booths available for small groups, also nice idea for birthday celebrations. Just make sure to reserve in advance! Highlights on the menu: Shakshouka ; Lamb tacos ; Baklava pancakes ✨
Apr 12, 2025
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We went for a birthday party with a large group for brunch to this restaurant. I have to say it was wonderful! The quality is exceptional & the servings were more than generous. I was pleasantly surprised because although it was middle eastern dishes that I am used to having at home, all the dishes were refined & perfectly made & presented with the utmost care. They used fresh produce & it showed in the taste, the way it looked. It was a touch of Lebanese, Syrian, armenian & North American.
I would recommend this place 100% !
& the service…. Just perfect !
It's a cute little place with good middle eastern dishes. What really made the experience better was Rachel! Honestly, such a great employee & is the reason I will come back!
Even though I wasn't particularly hungry, every dish completely won me over! It wasn't just me-my companions, & even the people at the next table, kept exclaiming: "Wow, C'est tellement délicieux! C'est vraiment, vraiment bon!" I glanced over & noticed that their dishes were different from ours. We exchanged smiles, both clearly impressed! First Dish: Beef Tartare The highlight was how beautifully the flavors came together-the cheese, onion, mint, pomegranate, sweet vinegar, & beef blended so harmoniously! Each element had its distinct taste while perfectly complementing the others. It felt very Arabian & incredibly unique! Second Dish: Tomahawk Lamb Chops One bite & I was hooked-this is exactly what lamb chops should taste like! So authentically Middle Eastern & absolutely delicious. The smoky charcoal aroma mingled with spices, & the meat was perfectly balanced between lean & fatty. I couldn't resist picking it up with my hands to savor every bite! Third Dish: Dessert We ordered a random dessert, & it blew me away! I'm not a fan of desserts, but I didn't leave a single bite of this one. From the first spoonful, the cream melted in my mouth-cool but not icy, rich but not heavy. Then came an explosion of orange blossom & jasmine fragrances, so aromatic that I felt like I'd been transported to the garden of an Arabian palace. The base was light & crisp, layered with pistachio paste & nuts, delicate & flavorful. It was truly incredible! Lastly, a big shoutout to our server, Pamela, who was attentive & warm throughout the meal. Her excellent service made our dining experience even more delightful.
Dec 14, 2024
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Amazing place in little burgundy. Middle Eastern influences every dish, & they are carefully created where flavors really come in harmony. Service was fantastic. Waitress was attentive, kind, & efficient throughout. The management also checked in to see if our needs were met, of course they were. The food. The food is what you come here for. To say Amir but elevated would be an insult. Each plate has its own charm, from shareable appetizers to hearty course portions, you have it all. The pita bread freshly served. The wine list for red can use a bit of work, to match more coarse meat pairings. But overall still a great dining experience. The cocktails were scrumptuous well as the shots on the house. Finally the atmosphere was inviting, chic, & sexy. Will come back again for a fourth time shortly. A+++
Delicious authentic middle eastern food! Dom, our waitress was fantastic & gave us amazing recommendations for our meal. It was fantastic! Great drinks & wine selection too. Thanks :)
Great experience. We shared the baklava pancakes & falafel latke, both were delicious. Portion of the falafel latke was a bit smaller but the pancakes were huge! Did a side of breakfast potatoes as well which were very tasty. Loved the middle eastern fusion in the dishes!
Delicious food, amazing service, & good ambiance (maybe too loud for a restaurant). I've tried many middle eastern restaurants & I can say that SHAY is one of the best with a great quality food. We tried Muahamara, baba ghanouch, sumak fries, hummus with beef shawarma, lamb shawarma & they were all good. Great spot for dinner with friends/ dinner date.
Jul 7, 2024
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located in the reviving, industrial Griffintown neighborhood of Montreal, SHAY offers an up scale, modern take on Middle Eastern dining. A lot of the prices are a bit expensive, but you can find a good deal on some meals. Sadly, the meals don't come with a carb by default, so it is an extra cost. I don't think that you will be disappointed by coming here, nor will you be missing out. Compared to other restaurants around here, it's a bargain! Also, our waitress was a pure joy, offering great drink recommendations & treating us to the patio. PSA: you get your food faster if you sit here. It's also much quieter & nicer than indoors & completely dry in the rain.
I rarely give 5-stars for a review....this one deserves it. Having an Israeli wife, I am no stranger to middle-eastern food, so the standards are high. Starters were Baba Ganoush & Hummus with Shawarma. Both were phenomenal. Great flavors, & beautifully prepared. I had the lamb kebab for my main. The chef's refusal to cook the lamb below medium was quite disappointing, but the falvor was there, even if it was a bit over done. My wife had the armenian kebabs & they were extremely tasty, even if the pita to wrap them was served under & too saturated in oil to work as a wrap. The portion of Sumac fries you get for 9$ was quite plentiful. Would return without hesitation.
It's wonderful to have a delicious, healthy, vegan friendly brunch spot in Montréal that you can actually reserve for. Be warned that you only have 2 hours, but it's worth not waiting in line outside. The staff is professional & friendly, the service is fast & the food is authentic Middle Eastern flavours with a modern twist. Great mimosas, cocktails, boozy coffees & cocktails. Highly reccomended 👌
Phenomenal food 👌 This is probably my top Middle Eastern restaurant in Montreal. Try as much as you can from the tapas style menu as each dish is fantastic. Lovely decor, wonderfully helpful service. Parking in the area is a challenge. Fortunately, they offer valet for $15.
