The restaurant launched in 2022 at Montreal's Time Out Market, offering traditional menu items from hummus, tabouleh, shawarma and garlic potatoes to fattouch, falafel and mouthwatering desserts.
Mezzmiz combines great food and affordable prices with environmentally-friendly packaging. Guests can order a serving tray with six dishes of their choice served in biodegradable sugar cane bowls — that way you'll be treating both your belly and Mother Nature with love.
You place your order at the front counter and get a buzzer, much like how Mezzmiz operates at Time Out, and then grab a seat at one of the many tables inside. You can also opt for an outdoor seat on the stunning terrasse that overlooks rue Crescent.
Unlike the black and white decor of the Time Out counter, Mezzmiz's downtown location immerses guests in a sea of colour and authentic Lebanese decor.
The newly-decorated interior transports you to the Mediterranean where blue washes over the walls like the gentle waves of the sea, while splashes of yellow evoke a sense of summer and coastal bliss.
As for the food? The mezzes taste the way they would if you were ordering them on the bustling streets of Beirut.
On a recent visit, Mezzmiz owner Nadim Hammoud told me that most of their ingredients are imported directly from Lebanon, so it's no surprise that each and every bite captures the true essence of the country's rich gastronomic heritage.
Not to mention, the restaurant's staff echo the Lebanese cultural ethos of warmth and welcome, ensuring a truly memorable dining experience.
I started my meal with the falafel dish, per Hammoud's recommendation. The falafel had a crispy, golden-brown exterior that provides a satisfying crunch when you sink in your teeth. The interior was soft, moist and perfectly cooked, creating a palatable contrast in textures. The aromatic herbs and spices, such as parsley, cilantro, and garlic created a rich, fragrant taste that was both refreshing and gratifying.
Next up was the hummus. You can instantly tell if a Lebanese restaurant is legit purely based on the hummus. And Mezzmiz? Yeah, totally legit. The hummus was creamy and smooth and just the right shade of beige. Mezzmiz's hummus offered a rich and balanced flavour and the earthiness of the chickpeas matched the nuttiness of the tahini and the tanginess of the lemon. Scoop it up with a piece of pita bread and you're in hummus heaven.
The baba ghanoush is another must-try dip. The smokiness of the eggplant offers a robust flavour to the dish and is the ideal consistency for dipping with pita, falafel or potatoes.
The menu, which was spearheaded by executive chef Dory Masri, also includes an array of fresh salads such as the fattouch. Made up of cucumbers, tomatoes, romaine lettuce, and sumac-tasted bread, drizzled with pomegranate molasses and extra virgin olive oil, Mezzmiz's take on this divine dish is as good as it gets. The fattouch was packed with vibrant flavours of freshness, zest and tangy moments all thanks to the colourful mix of veggies.
For those looking for the classic garlic potatoes, say less. Mezzmiz potatoes dish, or as it's known "batata hara" are crispy on the outside and steamy on the inside matched effortlessly with red and green chilli, garlic, mixed spices and fresh coriander. Dip them into your hummus or baba ganoush and it's game over.
One of the few non-mezze items Mezzmiz carries is an iconic sandwich that Hammoud coined the "mezz-mich." The chicken sandwich incorporated the three, and only three, ingredients you should find in a traditional Lebanese shish taouk sandwich: chicken, garlic sauce, and pickles. It was hands-down the best part of the meal.
From the succulent taste of the shish taouk to the creaminess of the garlic sauce and the crunch of the pickles, you've got yourself a simple and satisfying sandwich. The shawarma sandwich also packed a good punch of flavour, with the tahini and onions blending well with the beef. For those who are looking for a vegetarian option, the eggplant option is a choice that won't disappoint.
Now, no Lebanese meal is complete without dessert and coffee.
I opted for the mouhalabeye pudding, which is a milk-based custard made with rose and orange blossom water, drizzled with a caramel sauce and topped with toasted rice vermicelli and pistachios. Sounds heavenly, right? Well, it is. The smooth and silky texture along with the delicate sweetness and subtle floral and aromatic flavours shines through bite after bite. And what better way to enjoy it than while sipping an Arabic coffee (or Turkish coffee, for those who will come for me over not using the "proper term").
Known for its rich texture and slightly bitter taste, Arabic coffee is often infused with spices like cardamom, which is how I took mine at Mezzmiz. But I do have to confess, I don’t actually like Arabic coffee as it’s too bitter for my palate. Still, the drink was perfectly well-made. I know this because I made the exact same unpleasant face after taking a sip of it at the resto the way I would when my grandmother would make it.
So, Montreal, if you're looking for a new spot to enjoy a Lebanese meal in an unpretentious setting without breaking the bank, then Mezzmiz should definitely be on your list of restaurants to try. Offering dishes that are thoughtfully crafted with imported ingredients, it provides a rare opportunity to enjoy traditional Lebanese fare with a dash of Montreal's unique charm.
Bon appétit, or as they say in Lebanon: Sahtein!
Mezzmizz
Where: 1407, rue Crescent (solo location); 705, rue Sainte-Catherine O. (Time Out Market)
Mezzmiz website
Chef Joseph Awad standing inside Montreal's new Lebanese restaurant Hayat. Courtesy of Hayat Montreal
The exterior of Montreal's new Lebanese restaurant Hayat. Courtesy of Hayat Montreal
The interior of Montreal's new Lebaese restaurant Hayat.Courtesy of Hayat Montreal