Saray: an excellent Turkish spot in the east of the city

Located in Saint-Léonard, a discreet address is steadily drawing in lovers of authentic cuisine: Saray, a family-run Turkish restaurant where people come to eat well—unpretentiously, but with a lot of heart. The focus here is on simplicity, generosity, and quality ingredients (most of them directly imported from Turkey!), and the result is truly convincing.

From the moment you arrive, you understand that this is a place where service is an integral part of the experience—one of those restaurants that showcases Middle Eastern cuisine. The team is warm, takes the time to guide, explain, and advise. A gentle welcome, an unhurried pace, real attention to detail. The dining room is clean, neat, and soothing. The design makes you feel as though you’re eating in a restaurant in Turkey! In fact, all the furniture—even the cutlery—also comes from Turkey. It’s a perfect spot for a family meal, a long brunch, or a relaxed dinner.

Turkish breakfast: the not-to-be-missed specialty

What people are talking about at Saray is their Turkish breakfast. At $30 per person, you get a generous table filled with small dishes, all homemade or composed of carefully selected products. The menemen, perfectly creamy, arrives piping hot; the eggs with soudjouk offer the spicy aroma characteristic of this dried beef sausage; the imported cheeses and olives reveal great typicity. Special mention for the homemade kaymak, silky smooth and served with honey, and for the homemade muhammara, both delicate and bold. Jams, butter and bread (all homemade by the mother!), fresh vegetables, and tahini & molasses paste complete a generous, colourful, and beautifully balanced spread.

For those who prefer a simpler meal, Saray also offers several variations of Turkish-style scrambled eggs, all prepared with care.

A full offering from morning to evening

The restaurant is open from breakfast to dinner, making it a reliable option at any time of day. Portions are generous and prices remain reasonable, especially considering the quality of the ingredients and the authenticity of the cuisine. You eat well, plenty, and without breaking the bank.

The evening menu begins with a lovely selection of mezzes: fresh and spicy ezme, cacık with yogurt and cucumber, homemade muhammara, creamy hummus, and lightly smoked baba ghanouj—ideal for sharing at the start of the meal.

Charcoal-grilled meats are another major strength here. The chicken skewers are tender and flavourful, and we loved the rib-eye steak. There are also excellent pides, traditional Turkish flatbreads topped with soudjouk, lamb or cheese, all cooked until the dough is soft and lightly golden. Sautés and stews are also available.

The restaurant offers a very wide range of options, including burgers, sandwiches, pasta, and pizzas. Our team definitely fell for the more authentic Turkish dishes, but honestly, everything was very good.

Saray is not a loud or flashy restaurant. You come here for comforting food, a brunch that’s different from the usual, a hot Turkish tea (excellent, by the way), and simple, sincere cooking. It’s the kind of place that deserves to be known! Enjoy the discovery!

Written by Jean-Philippe Tastet
Photography by Alison Slattery

Last update: November 24, 2025

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