A buvette generally refers to a small place to grab a drink and a light meal in passing, while waiting for a train or a show. Though this buvette is near neither the train station or the opera house, it is a welcome addition to the city's wine bars! With a raised terrace overlooking the bustling Park Avenue and a spacious and welcoming interior, Buvette Chez Simone is an excellent place for an evening gathering or late night drinks.
Buvette Chez Simone is described as a cozy, welcoming spot with a lively, sometimes loud atmosphere, and a standout wine list and small plates. The food is repeatedly praised as delicious, with favorites including gravlax, gnocchi, lamb chops, and a well balanced Greek salad, while the chicken, cheese, and charcuterie selections also get high marks. Service is described as impeccable, friendly, and attentive, though a few notes mention slower pacing during busy times. Several reviews highlight the venue as perfect for gatherings or intimate celebrations, and the warm ambiance, decor, and the option to stay open late are appreciated. Price levels are on the higher side, with some feeling value justifies the cost and others feeling portions or noise detract from the experience. Overall, it remains a reliable choice for a stylish night out with strong wine and a varied, shareable menu.
Food & wine are pretty decent, atmosphere is great. What's absolutely terrible is the service & wait times. 20 mins for 2 fritters & roasted morel mushrooms on hummus, plus another 30 mins afterwards for salad & fish - all tapas-style dishes (I guess they're hoping you can down a few more drinks while waiting, which I find is a very aggressive sales tactic).
The gentlemen who I believe is the manager is cool but he can't run the entire show by himself. One of the staff members is by far the bad apple in the place. Expect to feel unwelcomed & to be treated with a very cold approach from her. It's def not an isolated situation as we've been there multiple times in the past couple years & it's been the same. We just lost our patience this time when she told us'it happens' & walked away, while we were trying to express our concern regarding the wait time for our food order.
To the manager's credit, he did offer sincere apologies & invited us back for a better experience the next time.
This is definitely the place to be if you're in the Mile End neighborhood. There is a comprehensive wine list & the staff is very focused on you finding the wine you like. I would definitely give an extra star for service. In addition, there is great food to accompany the wine. I would highly recommend the cod fritters!
The crowd inside is diverse & friendly. A great place to spend an evening!
Apr 20, 2026
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Stunning! Fabulous experience. We let our server pick 4 bottles of wine & enough food for 10 people. The pacing was perfect, food was balanced, & service was impeccable. No notes!
Food was disgusting, drinks were way too pricey for the amount & quality, it was so loud i could barely hear myself think, did not like the atmosphere but at least our waiters were nice & made some good wine recommendations
Visiting from NYC, & stopped here based on a suggestion from a friend. Had the absolute best dinner. Neither my wife or I drink much wine, but we both really enjoyed the cocktails offered.
We were in Montreal to view the eclipse, see old friends, & generally take in the city's history. Looking for a place to sample some excellent Quebec cheeses & smoked meats served with style & creativity, we read on-line about La Buvette Chez Simone & it seemed like a good place to try. This intimate wine bar did not disappoint, with a menu as varied & eclectic as the clientele. Here, the crowd dictates the mood & the food is the star, with the friendly & knowledgeable wait staff only too eager to assist two anglophones with what might be the best items for them to try. They were correct. Nowhere else could we have had such a delicious & varied assortment of true charcuterie that was likely to be among the best in the city. A full menu of creatively prepared cuisine & desserts round out the offerings. A late night place that takes on a vibrant vibe in the evening when the adults come out to eat & play. Special thanks to Rafael from Marseille who was chatty, helpful & friendly. We'd go back often but we live in West Palm Beach & so will have to be content with the memory of a wonderful meal & evening in Montreal.
Good food, nice ambiance. It's a great place to try out some new wines. Exactly what you would expect. Would have loved a wine tasting menu. They don't take reservations & the place was hopping even on a Wednesday.
