YAMA, which in Japanese means "mountain", paying homage to the restaurant's location on Rue de la Montagne, and the ancient belief that the mountain is at the heart of resources such as fresh water and necessary nutrients to well-being.
Designed with natural materials that draws inspiration from the mountainous regions explored during Chef Antonio Park's long journeys, YAMA will offer you a pan-Asian menu and cocktails designed to be sensory, elevated and special.
Yama Restaurant offers a refined, artful setting and a sushi focused menu with fresh nigiri and maki, standout wagyu dishes, and a strong cocktail program that many reviews praise; the staff are frequently described as attentive and professional, and the atmosphere can feel elegant and vibrant, though a few visits note slower service or uneven attention during quieter hours or when the team is spread thin, and some diners feel the prices are steep for the value received. Breakfast and hotel dining experiences are viewed as convenient with vegetarian options and friendly service in several reports, while a handful describe moments of cold energy from management that affected the mood. Overall, the sushi is repeatedly highlighted as outstanding and the presentation tends to be praised, making Yama a popular choice for celebrations and special occasions, even as price and consistency of service remain points of critique for certain patrons.
Do not come here. You will get better service at a food court & better quality of food. Came in eve of Christmas eve, the restaurant did not seem busy. However, it was impossible to find seating. I waited over 30 minutes just to be acknowledged & was eventually seated at the bar.
The food quality was unacceptable. The fish dish was extremely salty & stringy. The foams on the plate were dried out. Even worse, breakfast ordered through the hotel came with berries that had visible white mold next to my eggs Benedict. This is a serious food safety issue.
Very disappointing experience. Would not return.
Jan 19, 2026
on Google
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Slipped in for a quick drink during my stay at the hotel. The bar was a ghost town at 3 PM on a Sunday, so I basically got a private session with the bartender. He clearly knew what he was doing, & instead of letting me blindly pick from the signature list, he suggested small tweaks like adding yuzu syrup & zest. I don't remember the exact builds, but both drinks were smooth & distinctive.
Food options were limited during off-peak hours, & I ordered the chicken dumplings & truffle fries. The dumplings came bathed in a tangy soy-based sauce & were fine for the price. The truffle fries were slightly undercooked, though the trio of sauces on the side was good enough.
YAMA is a Japenese restaurant located in Vogue Hotel. This was a convenient & easy option for us since we stayed at Vogue. We dined at YAMA our first evening & were pleasantly surprised. The menu had many vegetarian options for us, which we appreciated. Even for a Sunday evening, the bar & restaurant were steadily busy.
We ordered:
Starters: edamame & vegetable gyoza. The edamame was classic. The vegetable gyoza were cooked crispy & was served in a shallow bowl with a coriander infused citrus sauce. It was tasty, & balanced well.
Small plate/side: midori no ha maki roll is a vegetarian roll with fresh veggies, wrapped in lettuce as opposed to traditional seaweed. It was a simple roll with a burst of freshness. We ordered the truffle fries because our server said they were amazing. They did not disappoint.
Entree: we ordered the roasted eggplant for our entree. We did not know what to expect, but were pleasantly surprised. The eggplant is cooked so well that it melts in your mouth. It was topped various wild mushrooms cooked differently (i.e. some crispy). It was a mild dish packed with a lot of flavor.
Dessert: For dessert we ordered the chocolate praline mousse. This was insane. Imagine a hard chocolate shell bomb with a mousse filling. The exterior was a chocolate & hazelnut shell. This dessert satisfies all cravings: chocolate, crunchy, & crispy.
We were very pleased with the vegetarian options at YAMA.
The only downside is the price. You are paying hotel prices to dine here, but that should be expected.
I came to Yama expecting a proper fine dining experience. I wasn't there on a whim. I was choosing to splurge during a trip where I've been balancing experiences on a daily budget. I live in Montreal & I spend intentionally. Food is something I care about deeply, & I've eaten everywhere from street stalls in Asia to Michelin-starred restaurants in Europe. I know what good food & hospitality should feel like. This wasn't it.
From the start, the experience felt off. I was seated at the bar & left waiting with no menu & no one checking in. I had to ask just to be acknowledged. The staff were not rude, but they felt undertrained & unprepared. The hostesses were the only ones who seemed genuinely helpful & professional.
The real issue was the manager. The waiter accidentally put in my full order at once. When the manager came to ask if I was okay with everything being served together, I said no, politely. I had come to enjoy each course properly. That's part of what you expect when you dine at a place like this. But the manager's demeanor changed completely. His expression, tone, & energy were cold. I could tell he was annoyed that I didn't just say yes.
Then I saw him go across from where I was sitting & gather the staff. I couldn't hear anything, but I saw his gestures & the way the staff responded. They looked tense & upset. I wasn't trying to get anyone in trouble, so I told the waiter, if you're getting in trouble, just bring it all out at once, it's fine. But that moment stayed with me. I was there to enjoy a meal & instead I was watching the mood sour because I asked for basic service.
Then came the steak. When I ordered it, I emphasized clearly & more than once that I did not want any visible blood. I said I like it medium but on the well-done side, no blood at all. The waiter told me not to worry. But when the steak came out, it was exactly the way I said I didn't want it. At that point, I asked for it to be packed.
The waiter offered to speak to the manager & even suggested they could redo it, but I had already made up my mind. I told him to leave it. I already knew what the manager would do. & he did exactly that. Nothing. I was done by then. I didn't touch the steak. I gave it to my dog. That was a sixty-five dollar steak & honestly, he got the better deal.
Some of the food was decent. The gyoza & edamame were good, & I liked the gyoza sauce. But the salmon tataki wasn't what I expected. Usually tataki is juicy, light, flavorful, & slightly raw. This one was dry, thick, & just boring. Not bad, but nothing I'd come back for.
This wasn't the worst restaurant in the world, but it was my worst restaurant experience. Not because anyone screamed or acted outrageously, but because of the quiet way I felt judged, dismissed, & unwelcome. The staff were trying. The manager made it worse. His energy changed the whole night & left me feeling like I had to apologize for expecting the service I came to pay for.
The vibe said fine dining. The execution didn't get the memo.
I rarely write reviews like this. But this one matters. I won't be returning. & I wouldn't recommend Yama to anyone who values service, professionalism, or being treated with respect when they choose to treat themselves.
I wasn't looking for perfection. Just a thoughtful experience that matched the restaurant's own standards. What disappointed me wasn't the food. It was the energy & the way the situation was handled. No hard feelings. Just honest feedback.
Left a bit disappointed after a second visit. The bar staff seemed more interested in taking tequila shots with fellow coworkers rather than serving customers.
Nov 9, 2024
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Incroyable expérience, la nourriture & service étaient au delà des attentes! Merci à lequipe & à Shaf au bar pour son attention sans égal. Les meilleurs sushis & sashimis de Montréal
Yama restaurant is located at the Vogue Hotel downtown Montreal. It's has a beautiful large marble stone bar in the centre & the interior design is breathtaking. This is a perfect spot to have drinks & enjoy the Fashion & Beauty experience.
