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.
The hostess Sarah Al-Hajj is the greatest worker. She was so sweet & kind. I recommend this restaurant I loved my experience!!! 10/10. Beautiful. Lovely environment.
The food & vibe is great- the staff is incredibly unhelpful & seem to require further hospitality training. I was staying at the hotel & had three issues. First, I ordered breakfast & my order was never put in- I waited over 45 minutes before I was told this. I was offered a croissant for my trouble & never got my food. Second, we were asked to leave due to reservations despite staying at the hotel- there were plenty of open spots around us & we were there for 30 minutes having one drink. The third, I broke my ankle outside & was trying to get to the hospital. I had been putting in to go orders all week & when I tried to put in a to go order on the way to the hospital I was told that they don't offer to go orders- only eating in restaurant or room service. I explained I had been doing pick up all week & that I broke my ankle. The gentleman who answered my phone call told me there was no way I was doing pick up all week (I have receipts showing I did) but agreed they could'figure something out'. My husband went to pick up my order, & they said it was never put in for the second time, but we could get room service. I waited over an hour for two cold & stale bagels & was charged a room service fee still. It was over $75 for two bagels. We absolutely love staying at the Vogue but this restaurant makes us think twice about coming back. If you're coming just for dinner I'm sure it's fine, but if you're relying on Yama as an option during a hotel stay, I cannot recommend any less. I've never experienced such poor service.
Jan 2, 2026
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Yama has been my go-to destination for years, & with good reason-it's consistently exceptional in every way. Nestled in the heart of downtown Montreal, this restaurant offers a refined escape from the everyday, where elegance meets warmth & quality is never compromised.
From the moment you arrive, you're met with an ambiance that is both sophisticated & inviting. The interior design is beautifully curated-dim lighting, tasteful decor, & a serene energy that makes it equally suited for an intimate date night, a high-stakes business meeting, or a well-earned moment of calm after a long day.
The service at Yama is second to none. Shaf, David, Mo, & the entire team are true professionals: attentive without being intrusive, polished yet personable. Their genuine hospitality & deep knowledge of the menu elevate the experience to something memorable every single time.
The food speaks for itself. The sushi is among the finest in the city-crafted with precision, perfectly balanced flavors, & always fresh. The wagyu burger is indulgent, beautifully prepared, & full of depth. Their cocktail program is equally impressive, offering a creative yet classic selection that complements the menu perfectly.
What I appreciate most is Yama's consistency. Over the years, the quality has never wavered. It's rare to find a restaurant that strikes such a perfect balance between upscale dining & authentic hospitality.
Whether you're looking to unwind with a drink, enjoy a top-tier meal, or impress a guest, Yama delivers on all fronts. It's more than a restaurant-it's an experience. & one I wholeheartedly recommend.
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.
Notre serveuse Eliza etait la star de notre soirée! Charmante, bien informé & une belle raison pour revenir! La nourriture etait superbe, sushis fraiches, tres esthétiques. Je recommande!
Un vrai régal ! La cuisine est excellente avec une belle présentation des plats. L'ambiance est chaleureuse & le service impeccable. Parfait pour un brunch entre amis. Je recommande vivement !
We went here twice, as I had a spend credit through the Hilton Honors program on my Amex Platinum card. Good: we had the Omakase sushi & the lemon dessert. Both were absolutely fantastic. The fish was fresh & melt in your mouth. The lemon dessert thing was recommended from the waitress who was very sweet & gave great service. Bad: this is very expensive, I wouldn't spend money here unless I had free spend through my credit card. The breakfast was about as good as a shopping mall cafeteria. The berries on the side of my eggs Benedict had white mold growing on them.
Réservation ____ Le 27/04/2024 à 20:15 pm Je tiens à partager mon entière satisfaction suite à ma récente expérience au restaurant. Ayant eu l'opportunité de fréquenter de nombreux établissements par le passé, je peux affirmer sans réserve que celui-ci est véritablement inégalable. Son excellence & sa perfection m'ont séduit au point que j'ai reçu des éloges de la part de mes proches après cette expérience. Je prévois d'y retourner régulièrement, car une fois qu'on goûte à la perfection, on devient littéralement accro. Dès notre arrivée, nous avons été impressionnés par la qualité du service, même de la part d'un serveur en première journée. Il était tellement professionnel & compétent que nous n'aurions jamais deviné que c'était son premier jour. Sa maîtrise du service était remarquable. Nous avons été chaleureusement accueillis & conseillés dans le choix de nos plats, avec une attention particulière portée aux allergies alimentaires. Notre réservation pour 11 personnes pour un anniversaire a été gérée avec efficacité, la table était prête bien avant l'heure convenue, & nous avons été accueillis avec le sourire. L'ambiance était agréable & conviviale, & le menu proposait une large sélection de plats de qualité. Le gérant ainsi que le personnel étaient exceptionnels, répondant clairement à nos demandes & s'assurant de la véracité de leurs informations. Je recommande vivement cet établissement à quiconque souhaite célébrer un événement spécial ou simplement passer un agréable moment gastronomique. C'est bien plus qu'un simple restaurant, c'est une expérience à ne pas manquer, méritant bien plus que 5 étoiles ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.
Apr 30, 2024
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Yama that was not it ! Very disappointed! Went for a diner, the place was mostly empty & they still made a mistake on my order, the chicken burger was average at best, bun was dry to the point I had to eat with a fork & a knife. The Kimchi fries did not taste like Kimchi but way more closer to a gochugaru spicy powder. Would not recommend, the butcher paper for holding the fries was also not very chic for that type of establishement ! Very expansive for what it was
Superbe soirée au Yama restaurant, tout était parfait, de la cuisine délicate en passant par les accords mets & vins sans oublier l'excellent service par Bastien. Je recommande très fortement ce restaurant pour une expérience culinaire d'exception & une belle soirée!
We are currently staying in The Vogue Hotel. We are thoroughly pleased to have a wonderful place for breakfast within the hotel to start our day off. Everyone in our party left full & more than pleased with their menu options. Highly recommend for a breakfast spot!
I had an absolutely fantastic experience at this incredible restaurant! The food was not only excellent but incredibly tasty. The staff was super friendly & attentive, making the dining experience even more enjoyable, & the ambiance was truly spectacular. Don't forget to order a cocktail-they are top-notch & add the perfect touch to an already amazing meal. Highly recommend!
Dec 7, 2023
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Omg!!!! J'ai passé une magnifique soirée chez Yama!!! Le repas parfaitement bien fait au point j'ai commandé une deuxième assiette pour emporter. Le service avec Bastien Woow!!! Coup de champeau à toi & nous allons y revenir & demander d'être servi par toi. You are the best!!! Ma Soeur & moi on s'est éclaté de rire alors de fou rire avec toi, nous étions tellement alaise!! & le shooter partagé avec nous. Belle attention 👏🏾👏🏾Merci encore. Tu as fais de notre première fois pas une dernière .... Merci d'avoir jouer le bon arbitre de qui, qui paie entre moi & ma Soeur. Tu es juste génial Bastien!!!! Chapeau aussi à Simon & Jules avec leur précieuse attention!!! Wow. Je recommande ce restaurant absolument.
