Owners Tamer Manouchakian, Firas Kalpakjian, and Michel Sarraf brought this Syrian spot to Laval relatively recently. Beroya, (the ancient name for the city of Aleppo), presents traditional Syrian dishes (fattouche salad with pomegranate molasses dressing is recommended) in a warm and friendly setting. The two-person tasting option includes hot and cold mezzes, salad, and kebbeh, a finely-minced spiced meat dish.

The late Alice Daou founded this Lebanese restaurant forty years ago, this restaurant has become an institution in Villeray, and a favourite venue for events, counting Céline Dion among its diners. The décor is abundant, giving it the appearance of a banquet hall, and the food is simple, authentic, and well-made, with Lebanese beer on offer too.

Alep and Le Petit Alep, fuse Syrian and Armenian cuisines, describing their fare as “the flavours of a fertile marriage,” and it’s hard to disagree. Alep is intimate, warm, and upscale, while Le Petit Alep complements this with a livelier and more casual vibe, including art exhibitions. Both make service a strong point, with staff happy to guide their guests through their manifold offerings, including optimal food and wine pairings.

Modern and sleek, Ezo D covers classic Lebanese fare — kebabs, falafels, and pita — but with an emphasis on seafood. Their menu tends to put a more European twist on the cuisine, with open-plan seating making it spacious and versatile, for groups of any size.

Mirazu’s Turkish mezze menu and snug size make it an appealing and casual spot for families, couples, and friends. Its main dishes centre around lamb, beef, and roasted vegetables, and come generously decorated with nuts and pomegranate seeds. It also offers a fine brunch.

Mile End Lebanese restaurant Aux Lilas may be small, but it holds its own among the surrounding dining options through a blend of history and charisma. It’s been on Parc Avenue since 1980, founded by chef-owner Christine Farhood, and takes particular pride in providing a warm welcome, tasteful music, and a well-curated list of Lebanese wines. Oh, and its website even includes a few recipes.

Rumi’s delightfully-named “Brunch of the Whirling Dervishes” has given it a unique place on the Outremont dining scene. The blend of Middle Eastern, central Asian, and North African cuisines makes it a great place to sample wide-ranging flavours — and the inclusion of ginger-infused maple syrup gives the menu a distinctly Québecois touch.

A Plateau favourite, Omnivore prides itself on using local, hormone-free meats and fresh vegetables. The food is grilled over maple charcoal, yielding a barbecue taste evocative of outdoor summer meals. As the name implies, the menu is mixed, with both vegetarian and meat options — it’s especially famous for its salads.

Despite an unexciting exterior, Château Kabab is a pleasant surprise, and one that lives up to its name. Its titular kebabs are reliably delicious, and the atmosphere is bright and airy, with a cheerful blue-and-gold colour scheme. Prices are reasonable, making it popular with students.

An unassuming name belies an exciting Lebanese eatery in the Concordia University area. It’s a cozy space with exposed brick walls and simple décor, best known for seriously good sauces — their hummus and yogurt-based pita dips are popular — as well as an excellent baklava. In patio season, it expands onto Bishop Street with guests enjoying the sun with kebabs, salad, and Lebanese beer.

For convenience and quality, downtown’s Avesta is hard to top. Its delicious manti — a Turkish-style dumpling similar to ravioli — are reason enough on their own to stop by. The colourful, whimsical design of the interior is charming, and long tables make it good for groups.

Iranian eatery Quartier Perse hosts events for several major Iranian holidays throughout the year, in its welcoming, wood-accented dining room in NDG. Outside of those special meals, it’s a BYOB, with a variety-laden menu incorporating rich stews through to mouthwatering lamb. The leafy, shaded outdoor area is a must for summer dining.

Family-run Tehran prides itself on its artful use of seasonings, fruits, and nuts, and a glance at the menu shows why. Traditional meals such as ash (a lentil-chickpea soup) and tender kebabs make it a reliably delicious option. Try the cardamom tea with dessert, too.

Open since 1985, this brightly decorated Lebanese hotspot offers an array of grills and machawi (grilled meat platters designed to be shared between two people). The baba ganoush is highly recommended, with just the right degree of smokiness. There’s a table d’hôte option, too, which includes soup and coffee alongside the main.

Specials change every day at Iranian restaurant Onyx, and shared platters are available, featuring a mix of chicken, ground beef, and filet mignon kebabs. For a burst of flavour, an extra serving of barberry can be ordered on the side.

This family-run restaurant specializes in home-style Iranian fare. The classic lines and unobtrusive colours of the interior complement the bright colours of saffron and pomegranate on the plates, and although it’s tucked away inconspicuously in a mall on St-Jacques, it’s a good find for those who know where to look.

Undoubtedly worth the trip to Lachine, the all-vegetarian Falafel St. Jacques goes above and beyond the chickpea patties in its name: tuck into fried eggplant or veggie shish-taouk in pita or loaded-up platter form, as well as burekas, kibbeh, and a range of salads. —Tim Forster