Damas Restaurant

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#10 of 6,169 Restaurants in MontrealMediterranean, Healthy, $$$$

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Damas Restaurant

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+1 514-439-5435Improve this listing

About

Damas, an upscale Syrian restaurant located on Avenue Van Horne. You will be charmed by the Oriental decor and most impressed by their refined and rich cuisine. This modern but authentic gastronomy will make your mouth water with all their specialties starting from the fattouche, the appetizing mouth-melting lamb leg to the cherry kebab. The blend of aromas and the tasting of the delicious preparations will make the experience worthwhile.

Features

CUISINES

Mediterranean, Healthy, Middle Eastern, Arabic

Meal types

Lunch, Dinner, After-hours, Drinks

Special Diets

Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten free options

FEATURES

Accepts Credit Cards

American Express

Discover

Free Wifi

Full Bar

Mastercard

Outdoor Seating

Reservations

Seating

Serves Alcohol

Table Service

Takeout

Visa

Wheelchair Accessible

Location

1201 Avenue Van Horne, Montreal, Quebec H2V 1K4 Canada

Outremont

Is this place primarily a deli?

Yes

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Hours

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Closed now

• Opens at 5:30 PM

Sunday

5:30 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.

Monday

Closed

Tuesday

5:30 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.

Wednesday

5:30 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.

Thursday

5:30 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.

Friday

5:30 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.

Saturday

5:30 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.

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4.7

1,614 reviews

Excellent

1,270

Very good

262

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Yes

David K

Montreal1517 contributions

Amazing Syrian food and atmosphere

Jul 2024 • couples

I had made a reservation 3 week prior for a 7 pm Saturday reservation. When we arrived, I noticed that we were the last table to be seated in there dining room. Our waitress Katie came by quickly to see if we wanted to order any drinks. After looking over their menu, we decided to order their delicious Fattouch salad ($36.00). It arrived quickly and as expected it was delicious!! For our main dished we decided on their Shish Taouk ($48.00) and their Aleppo Kabab ($54.00). Both dishes arrived not too much later and both were delicious and quite large. The Shish Taouk chicken was delicious and came with pickled veggies and some garlic mayo. The chicken was grilled to perfection. My Aleppo Kabab consisted of a Quebec Lamb skewer with grilled veggies, Biwaz pita and a delicious Tahini sauce. My lamb was also delicious. Needless to say we were stuffed and had no room for dessert. Katie came by a few times to refill our water and bring us ice. It is definitely a must go to place, even once. Enjoy!!

Written July 29, 2024

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

NJS87

Paris248 contributions

Always on top

Sep 2024 • friends

We spend beautiful evenings in Damascus around excellent dishes. However, I find it useful to update my comments as I have experimented with new dishes and observed changes, perhaps only occasional. In total, for 4 (because these dishes are to be shared to taste a little everything), here is what I would order for a good dinner offering a palette of the best: 1 fattouch salad (the last one had a hint of excess acidity), 1 mouhammara (sublime), 1 shrimp Kunafa (the sauce to accompany them could have a little more pep), 1 vegetable grilled possibly also, and as a dish 1 rack of lamb (to fall), 1/2 sea bass: samke harra (it has improved a lot since my last experience, full of flavor with the small sauce that accompanies it). This could be enough for a reasonable feast. Lamb shoulders are a bit disappointing, my favorite, friki, was dry last time and lacked interest compared to other dishes. But I haven't tasted everything yet... I have to report an incident six months ago that I found quite unprofessional. There were 3, we ordered 3 starters, 1 friki and 1 mixed grill platter for 2 ($170). The waiter must have misunderstood, and he brought 1 friki and 2 mixed grill trays ($340), which is weird since it would have been theoretically for 5 people, he was annoyed by the error but left us the extra tray, which of course we had to pay for. It is a very hearty platter, but I recommend settling for lamb chops...:-)

Automatically translated

Written September 25, 2024

Dickie Loo

Montreal14 contributions

Get the damn salad, you won't regret it!!!

Jul 2024 • friends

Rated as one of Montreal's best restaurants and I can see why. I just had dinner last night and I can't wait to go back. It's a subdued elevated experience. The staff is attentative, friendly and informative when asked. Decor is nice but it's the food that steals the show. Sure everyone gets the Hummus, but try the Beet Mutabbal instead, you won't regret it. Rack of Lamb and Shish Taouk were really well prepared, both were cooked to the right level of doneness and perfectly seasoned and their Fattouch Salad was Heaven. Sure some people might find it a little pricey, but I tell you a meal there is worth the price of admission...

Written July 10, 2024

Therese E

4 contributions

Did not live up to the hype

Aug 2024 • couples

We were very excited to eat here as we love Mediterranean food. Expected the food to be elevated and unique but having eating a lot of this style of food, it was nothing special. Way too expensive for what you get, portions are huge but the waitstaff is constantly trying to upsell you. Atmosphere was decorated beautifully, but it was very loud and tables were too close together. Overall it was just “too much”…and not in a good way. Would not recommend.

Written August 1, 2024

David E

Tamworth31 contributions

Saving the best until last

Mar 2024 • couples

Whilst staying in Montreal, we asked for recommendations from the hotel we were staying at for "memorable dining experiences". Damas was the first place that was mentioned (My wife loves middle eastern food, so it was a no-brainer!). Wow, what an amazing experience and what a way to finish our holiday!They have a very extensive menu which could seem a little overwhelming to the uninitiated, however they have a tasting menu which allows you to sample a little bit of everything. We were definitely in the uninitiated category, so that is what we went for. To make it even more enjoyable, we opted to go with the paired wine list - there were two options for the paired wine selection and we went with the basic paired options. The second option was for "exceptional wines". I felt the basic wine list was exceptional, so the second option must have been really something special!! From the moment the first dish arrrived, we knew we were in for an amazing experience - pastrami and quail eggs. The complexity and delicacy of the dish is hard to describe. The sommelier (John was his name and he made the experience even more enjoyable with his wine selection and conversation throughout the night) picked wines which complimented the dishes perfectly. Notably, the dessert of baclava was paired so well with an fortified wine from Italy. Even at the end of the meal, the appreciation of the flavours and how well everything went together was at peak levels. Overall, we left the restaurant exceptionally satisfied, if not slightly over full. Definitely the most enjoyable meal experience of our Canadian trip! High, Highly recommend. Extra shout out goes to John. Fantastic knowledge of the wines that he was serving and his ability to explain why they matched the food was excellent. That being said, the whole team of servers were excellent!

Written March 11, 2024

NJS87

Paris248 contributions

Very nice

Sep 2023 • couples

Back in Montreal and Damascus, we always appreciated the tasty cuisine of the place. We were able to dine on the terrace, although well sheltered. I particularly recommend the mezzes, to share if possible (the “Mouhammara” dip is succulent, the Fattouch salad is essential and the pistachio kebbeh complements the starters well). But we haven't tasted everything yet... Next, the lamb shanks are very nice, but after the starters, one can be enough for two. My favorite is the Friki, even if the little smoky taste bothers me a little, the tomato one is a little too standard, and the Fattet Mozat offers a hot and cold mixture which is not great, and covers the taste a little Lamb. There was no pistachio ice cream, which is a shame, the sorbet is not as good. You must book in advance to get the right time, but a change may be possible the same day by calling the restaurant.

Written September 28, 2023

nijifrank

224 contributions

Excellent Syrian food but HUGE portions

Nov 2022 • none

We had the pescatarian tasting menu for two, and the food was delicious and well-presented with very helpful waitstaff. But the portions were ridiculously large, and we could have fed four people with the order for two. We ended up taking home the last two courses as we were full. That said it's a very popular place and worth a visit, although it can be a bit pricey.

Written November 21, 2022

Conor M

122 contributions

An unforgettable night at the bar

Oct 2022 • couples

My wife and I spent a layover in Montreal and were lucky enough to get a late bar seating at Damas. Wow, what a night!! We had the pleasure of being taken care of by Pascale and had the best time sitting at the bar. The head bartender gave us samples of everything he made, and we had shots (ginger, lemon juice, tequila, simple syrup) with him and Pascale. All the cocktails we ordered were incredible and so creative! The vibe at Damas is so fun and there is something magical about the decor. Now onto the food. Their hummus has ruined all other hummuses for us, served with homemade pitas. We also had the fried kibbeh, grilled prawns, fried halloumi, and amazing lamb shoulder served with yogurt, crispy pitas, and a bunch of other goodness (the “Fattet Mozat”). It was all perfection. We did not have room for dessert. Dinner at Damas exceeded our expectations and will go down as one of our most memorable meals ever!

Written October 24, 2022

BWJohnson

Victoria4 contributions

Met Our Expectations and Then Some

Jul 2023 • couples

Damas is not an easy booking. My wife and I were determined to try this restaurant and booked online a month ahead of time from Victoria, BC. It was worth it. The tasting menu was expensive but overall worth the price. My wife shied away from the Kibbeh Nayyeh (Tartare) but helped me finish the Shish Tawook towards the end of the meal. The variety of tastes almost overloaded our senses but in a good way. My wife enjoyed the Samke Harra while I thought the highlight was the Kataifi Shrimp. Our waiter was personable and attentive just at the right times during the meal. The rest of the staff seemed to "swarm" our table, filling water glasses, bringing 8 different dishes without delay and removing and replacing dishes and cutlery. 10 out of 10 for service!

Written July 22, 2023

Bardamu75

Paris149 contributions

Way too expensive, for no discernable reason.

Nov 2022 • none

Another Montreal landmark that doesn't live up to its reputation... Very few expensive restaurants in Montreal are worth the money they ask for (to the notable exception of the late "Atelier de Joel Robuchon" the only great table in the city, alas closed for good. Damas is not only one of them but a stellar example of this unfortunate reality. Nothing special, heavy tab. I cannot find anything on the menu offered that can possibly justify the price you have to pay. I know scores of restaurants worldwide serving this kind on Syrian-Lebanese food - good but unsophisticated by nature - for a fraction of the dol you will have to spend there. The 148$ menu + tax and service, would be attractive for 70$ maybe but not a penny more. The place seems to be quite successful and it is a mystery to me. Many other restaurants in the city offer a much better value. There is a decent wine list, but way overpriced and too young in most cases. In any way this kind of food is not compatible with a pricey wine. An average Rosé would do the job. I cannot see what would justify a recommendation there.

Written February 26, 2023

Lilla S

Montreal12 contributions

Best Syrian Food in Montreal

Apr 2022 • couples

Damas NEVER disappoints!!! Tasting menu has gone up in price significantly, but it is still your best bet since ordering "a la carte" won't save you much money if you order several dishes! Worth every penny! I can't afford to go every week, but you can bet that it is my GO-TO place for every and all of my special occasions! If you're on a budget, do yourself a favor and at least stop in to have their Hummus :)

Written March 23, 2023

Elyse L

Hudson River Valley11 contributions

The Best Meal You’ll Have in Montreal, Bar None

Dec 2022 • friends

You know how every vacation has that one stand-out meal? This definitely it! It’s the highlight that we left Montreal raving about; its more than a meal, it’s an experience. The restaurant, in and of itself, is aesthetically stunning. The food, without exaggeration, is cooked to perfection and presented so beautifully. The portions are large. However, the food is fresh and healthful and if you let your waiter guide you on how much to get, you won’t leave feeling stuffed. We got the fattoush (which was amazing! Made in house every day), the oyster mushroom hummus (which can make a meat eater forget about meat) , and the sea bass which practically melts in your mouth. The wine list is also extensive and unearths some pretty unusual vintages that you don’t see in most places. The staff are all incredibly kind and fun and super knowledgeable. We had an incredible waiter, Émile, who guided us to ordering just the right amount of food and suggested dishes we hadn’t thought of getting. We honestly left with no food regrets; just wishing we could get back up to Montreal to go to this place again! Tips: make reservations, just place yourselves in your waiter’s hands and let them curate the meal experience for you, and if you’re staying in the Old City, don’t be put off by riding a few metro stops to get here—it’s worth it! It’s a short train ride, fun to get into a more residential/less touristy spot of the city, and to stumble upon such an inconspicuous, beautiful, and delicious place!

Written January 3, 2023

CaroltheMTLfoodie

Montreal329 contributions

First time that I don't give 5 stars

Jan 2023 • none

I have reviewed this restaurant many times over the years. It has been a favourite of mine, my friends, and my family for years and years. Last night was the first time I walked away disappointed. Issue #1: they changed the recipe for the fattouch salad. This was unequivocally the best fattouch I have ever eaten (I am from Arab descent). Changing it is sacrilege and charging $38 for it is inexcusable. Some of the other items we had seemed different, too, but at least the beet mutabbal was intact! Two people, 1 glass of wine each, sharing 5 appetizers came in over $110 each. Getting a little too rich for my blood. The staff and decor are as lovely as always, but I may need to go back a little less often.

Written February 1, 2023

Northamptonmark

Northampton66 contributions

Great vibe and tasty Syrian food

Oct 2021 • couples

Visiting from the UK. Never had Syrian food before but it was very tasty. We had 3 starters and shared a main which was plenty of food. Our server advised on the amount of food our initial order would have been hence only one main. He was super helpful, very friendly as were all of the staff. Great vibe, it was a Friday night and was packed. Some of the food is slightly pricey, drinks are reasonable. So glad we found this place - 15 minutes taxi ride from the centre of Montreal but well worth it. Such a great night.

Written October 31, 2021

Elle

Alicante47 contributions

A special experience

Jul 2024 • family

A fusion restaurant where the food is the real star rather than the place that, even if beautifully decorated , can be very crowded and noisy with the tables almost glued to each other. But, you forget it immediately when you start eating the delicious hummus with lamb that literally melt in your mouth with a mixtures of perfectly well balanced flavors and spice. Unforgettable! The service is fast and attentive and overall it was a delicious dinner.

Written July 29, 2024

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DAMAS RESTAURANT, Montreal - Outremont - Updated 2025 Restaurant Reviews, Photos & Reservations - Tripadvisor