The 38 Essential Restaurants in Montreal

"A pillar in Montreal’s dining scene, upscale Syrian restaurant Damas orchestrates a full-on sensory experience. From walnut-stuffed sea bass to a host of hefty char-grilled mains replete with sumac and Aleppo pepper, chef and owner Fuad Alneirabeie plates some absurdly delicious fare, using ingredients sourced both locally and from his native Syria. The 10-course tasting menu is a foolproof way to make the rounds, featuring multicolored mezze, fattoush salad, grilled octopus, and kibbeh nayyeh (a minty blend of raw lamb and beef). Damas’s ornate dining room is its own feast, adorned with countless lanterns, intricate patterns, and crimson hues. For something more grab-and-go, check out Folfol across the street, a street food takeout counter translating Damas flavors into sandwich form." - Valerie Silva