Leila

This place was recommended by a friend. Parking was tough and called in to say we may be a bit late and we were comforted that our table would be waiting. Once there, we were warmly received. Our waiter Danny was excellent. Was very enthusiastic about his presentation and adept in both French and English. Decor was nice as well as the atmosphere. The wine list was good but not many value options. Thought that pricing was high and could use more lower price options. I liked the small "market fresh" menu. As for the food, there were some winners and some losers. The buratta straciatella was good but the brown butter wasn’t browned enough in my opinion. We were told easily shared among us 4 but better for 2. The sardines on toast was delicious and again, good for 2. The bitter salad was excellent and was a play on a Caesar salad and that was ok for 4. The merguez sausage was by far the most disappointing dish of the night. As soon as the plate was placed on the table, I could smell how gamey the lamb was. It was way too strong and they said it was Quebec lamb but smelt more like New Zealand. Nobody at the table was a fan. Three at the table took pasta as their mains and the portions were quite small. The cavatelli fagioli was ok. Nothing really special about it. My Guinea fowl was well prepared and juicy with crispy skin. The beans on top were ok and I find detracted from the delicate meat and I found the $58 price tag a bit steep. The food was very homestyle. With a few adjustments to portions and plate composition, this place could easily be 5 stars. The highlight was definitely the service which is a great place to start.

What a wonderful evening at Leila!! The food, the ambience, the service all so top notch! You will not be disappointed and especially if you get to see Amine! Congratulations 🎊 to all the staff and owners! Everyone seems to love working there! Can’t wait to go back! I will recommend Leila to all the people I know who are visiting Montreal! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

Truly Brilliant. The menu changes every few weeks. This chef's slection was loving prepared, certainly adventurous, and unique in its diversity. This Moroccan influenced restaurant is perfect.

Everything about the experience was amazing. The service, the food and the vibes were great. Thanks again to Danny and team for the great recommendations, and the time they took with us. Highly recommend!

a delightful dive into the rich flavors of the Mediterranean. This charming restaurant embodies the genius of simplicity, with no forced themes, instead opting for an authentic experience that focuses squarely on the food. From the cloth napkins to the plates my grandma would have, it felt like being invited into someone's home. We started with the sardines on toast, which might be one of the best entrees I've ever had. Equally surprising was the bitter lettuce and artichoke salad. Something I typically never order — yet here, it was a revelation. The balance of flavors and the vibrant presentation transformed my perspective on salads entirely. Finally, the pesto cavatelli was beautifully crafted and wonderfully fresh. To accompany the meal, we couldn't resist the $5 special on Peroni and Negroni (that rhymes). Seated on the terrace in a laid-back atmosphere surrounded by fragrant basil plants and the gentle hum of good music, we truly felt comfortable. A celebration of Mediterranean cuisine in its most straightforward form. No need for extravagant flair when the food speaks for itself. A restaurant that values quality and simplicity.

Leila is probably the most impeccable spot I’ve tried in Montreal this summer. Honestly the only place that truly wowed me with their dishes. The sardine toast? Unreal. The octopus? Hands down the best I’ve had in Montreal—beats all the hyped places serving it. I’d 100% come back. Big round of applause for the service too, one of the owners welcomed and served us, and you can tell they really know what they’re doing.

What an incredibly unique and flavourful experience. Every dish was an absolute delight with modern twists. Fresh ingredients and great drink choices. Highly recommend!

Leila is my new favourite restaurant in Montreal. You could tell a lot of passion goes into their dishes. Quality ingredients and as fresh as it gets. The staff is incredibly accommodating with impeccable service. Can't wait to come back! 😍