Taverne Grecque Máti — Restaurant in Montreal

I'd give this establishment zero stars if I could, which I dont like to do.

My wife asked in the beginning for a straw for her glass of water at the beginning, which the waiter happily said sure to. A minute later, the manager approaches her and asks for confirmation that she'd asked for a straw, even though she hadn't ordered a drink. When told she wished to use it for her glass, instead of doing the normal thing and saying 'ok', he decides to retort asking 'you want a straw for your water? ive never been asked that before. people usually just drink' in an extremely condescending way before walking away and bringing back a whole box of them and presenting it to her. That already raised eyebrows, but we elected to ignore it; perhaps things were different in Montreal (we were tourists from the states). Later, though, another thing the manager did really upset us. We'd asked in advance if we could do something for one of our friends as it was their birthday and to keep it a surprise, which we didn't receive any pushback for. However, as we were eating, the manager comes and asks us who's birthday we were celebrating. Again, this was meant to be a surprise, but he went ahead and announced it. Which, sure, not a dealbreaker. But then, he went ahead and asked the birthday guy if he'd brought anything like a cake or something. When told no (we were hoping to use something from their menu), the manager asked us if we wanted to bring him candles and wave them around like in Chuck E' Cheeses. We were taken aback from that but a couple of us tried to joke along even though at this point he was making us really uncomfortable. But then he followed up by saying 'your friends want to make you look stupid?'

Now, I get people have different methods for interacting w/ customers. But that brash approach isn't a good one for all crowds, and while he may not have been intentionally trying to insult or degrade us, is definitely made us uneasy, and we weren't okay with that. He'd said that he'd bring out a dessert for us after the exchange, but by then we we did not want to be there anymore as we all sort of just wanted to leave. So we ate our food, paid, and then we went to leave. Two of us however wanted to at least approach him and explain why we were trying to leave like we were, just so he understood. This is where everything just went off the rails, as he 1) denied saying half of the things we told him made us uncomfortable and more importantly 2) started to raise his voice and yell at us, in front of all of his customers. We were trying to be civil and explain ourselves but he became unhinged. What's worse is that we left, and then were outside trying to figure out where to go/process everything that just happened and the same manager follows us outside just to yell at us some more.

Completely unacceptable behavior. You shouldn't be condescending towards someone who asks for a straw of all things, and then just act like a jerk for the rest of it. I wouldn't ever eat here again and I suggest that you don't eat here neither. The manager is completely unreasonable and doesn't deserve any business.

EDIT: seems like im not the only one with similar stories regarding the rudeness of the manager, after reading other...

Dining at this Greek restaurant was nothing short of a revelation. From the moment we sat down, we knew we were about to experience something extraordinary, and every course proved us right.

Let’s start with the cocktails: their whiskey sour alone could earn this place a cult following. It wasn’t just good—it was exceptional. You could actually taste each layer of sourness and balance, perfectly shaken with just the right froth, smooth but with enough kick to remind you why classics never go out of style. If you think you’ve had a proper whiskey sour before, prepare to have your expectations redefined.

Then came the mezze dips, and what a journey those were. The smoky eggplant was rich and deeply flavored, carrying that rustic earthiness only true slow-roasting can bring. The tzatziki was creamy and refreshing, with just the right lift of garlic and cucumber. Add in the warm, pillowy bread to scoop it all up, and suddenly it’s impossible to stop. Every dip was crafted not just as a side dish, but as a statement—balanced, fresh, and brimming with authenticity.

The salads pushed creativity even further. The standout was undoubtedly the watermelon salad—an absolutely brilliant creation. Juicy, vibrant cubes of watermelon laid over a cloud of tangy yogurt, dusted with finely crushed pistachios. The interplay of sweetness, creaminess, crunch, and freshness was nothing short of magical. A dish that looks simple but carries the soul of a chef who knows exactly how to balance contrast and harmony on a plate.

And then—the star of the night—the octopus. I cannot stress enough how life-changing this was. Easily the best octopus I have ever had, anywhere in the world. Perfectly grilled, smoky, yet tender to the bite, paired with capers, slivers of red onion, and a vibrant sauce that tied everything together. This dish was not just well-cooked; it was Michelin-star level artistry. A single bite was enough to make me pause and appreciate the kind of mastery that goes into creating it.

Every dish that came out of the kitchen had a story, and that story was one of passion, skill, and vision. And the mastermind behind it all is Chef Arash. You can taste his genius in the menu—how everything is thoughtfully planned, how flavors aren’t just combined but orchestrated. He’s not just a chef, he’s a true culinary architect, weaving tradition with innovation. It’s rare to encounter someone who can elevate classic Greek flavors to this level, but Arash has done it, and done it with elegance.

This isn’t just a restaurant; it’s a destination for anyone who loves food. A place where every sip, every bite, every dish makes you stop and say, this is special.

Truly, one of the best dining experiences I’ve had in years. If there were more than five stars, this restaurant and its team would...

Visiting MÁTI in Montreal for the first time was an incredible experience! From the moment we walked in, the ambiance set the tone for a fantastic evening. The restaurant has a warm, upscale vibe with beautiful decor that made it feel both inviting and sophisticated. Even though we arrived without a reservation (which I highly recommend making since it gets busy), the manager was incredibly accommodating and found us a table. We were so thankful for their kindness and flexibility!

Our server, Emylina, was exceptional. She guided us through the menu, ensuring we had everything we needed and making the experience smooth and enjoyable. We opted for a family-style meal to share, and it was such a fun and satisfying way to try different dishes together.

We started with an appetizer from the Dips Section, choosing the KOPANISTI—a mix of feta, roasted peppers, garlic, and chili. It was the perfect way to kick off the meal, with bold flavors that paired wonderfully with the fresh bread.

For our second shared course, we picked a variety of options from the Hot Starters. The LAMB CHOPS were perfectly cooked, seasoned with parsley, lemon, and EVOO, and they melted in our mouths. The SAGANAKI was a standout for me, with the kefalograviera cheese drizzled in honey and flamed with ouzo—so rich and indulgent! We also loved the SPANAKOPITA, with its flaky phyllo pastry and flavorful spinach and feta filling.

By the time our third course arrived, we were already impressed, but the WHOLE CORNISH HEN from the To Share selection took things to another level. It came with lemon potatoes and charred lemon, and everything was seasoned to perfection. The chicken was tender and juicy, and the potatoes had the perfect hint of citrus.

By the end, we were absolutely full and didn’t have room for dessert, but I’m already planning to try some on my next visit. The service, food, and atmosphere were all top-notch, making this one of the best dining experiences I’ve had in a while. If you’re looking for a great Greek restaurant in Montreal, MÁTI should be at the top...