June Buvette serves a focused menu rooted in market-fresh ingredients and regional culinary traditions. Small plates define the dining experience, showcasing seasonal produce sourced from local growers. The kitchen prioritizes simplicity, allowing the natural quality of the raw components to dictate the flavor profiles of each dish. Guests encounter an atmosphere designed for casual interaction and efficient service, favoring a relaxed approach to social consumption. The selection of offerings changes frequently to reflect the shifting availability of ingredients throughout the harvest cycles. Beverage pairings emphasize classic profiles that complement the nuanced acidity and textures inherent in the vegetable-forward preparations. This establishment functions as a neighborhood anchor where the integrity of the supply chain remains the primary influence on the evolving menu structure and presentation style.
June Buvette offers a cozy and aesthetically pleasing atmosphere that many guests find perfect for dates and social gatherings, frequently highlighting the diverse wine list and creative cocktail menu. While the service is often described as attentive, warm, and knowledgeable, some diners have noted inconsistencies regarding pacing and friendliness. Opinions on the food are generally positive, with several dishes like the calamari, beef tartare, and various seasonal offerings receiving high praise, though a few visitors found certain portions small or flavors underwhelming. Despite occasional complaints about uncomfortable bar seating and high noise levels, many patrons consider it a delightful neighborhood gem and express a strong desire to return for the lively experience.
June Buvette has quickly cemented itself as one of the best neighborhood wine bars on Rue Centre.
The Owners:
Opened in the summer of 2023 in the space formerly occupied by Masala Cuisine, the restaurant was originally founded & continues to be owned by a powerhouse collaboration. The visionaries behind the establishment are Thomas Engasser & Kevyn Houpert (owners of the popular spot La Traversée) alongside Thomas Vernis & Patrick Marion of the nightlife-focused Tomahawk Group. Under their continuous leadership, the kitchen has thrived with the incredibly talented Chef Colin Lavallée steering the culinary program.
The Specialty:
They specialize in an eclectic, seasonal menu filled with'cheeky' but seriously cheffy small plates designed for sharing. While the food rotates with harvest cycles, they are widely celebrated for a menu that leans elegantly into exquisite seafood, decadent pastas, & elevated casual bites-think scallop pogos, fried halibut sandwiches on potato buns, & incredibly creamy burrata with warm focaccia. Their other major specialty is an expertly curated beverage program focusing heavily on'glou-glou' funky natural, organic, & biodynamic wines.
What People Are Saying:
Patrons absolutely love the atmosphere. Reviewers frequently highlight the dual-energy design by MRDK, noting that the front room is bright, stylish, & lively (often hosting excellent live jazz nights), while the back room transitions into warmer, quieter cottage vibes. Locals & foodies alike rave about the youthful, exuberant energy of the front-of-house staff & appreciate that they can drop in for casual drinks or commit to an amazing multi-course tasting experience without a drop of pretension.
Whether you're sitting at the bar to chat with the kitchen brigade or enjoying the summer terrasse, it's a neighborhood staple that delivers big on flavor & character.
Last Monday, we went for a drink. The welcome was very, very cold; the staff didn't smile. They didn't open the bottle of wine in front of us. Quite a disappointing experience!!! The recommendation came from Star Wine List. The only positive points were the wine list & the back terrace.
Lovely little bistroesque restaurant with great decor & super interesting dishes to try on this midweek night. Long banquette with several tables for diners, plus a bar counter, separate larger open room, & outdoor space. Wine & other bottles adorn the main walkway wall, & art prints & interesting things hang on most available wall space. Music was at a reasonable level, more or less.
The menu is fairly concise, & while we did not opt for the three-course table d'hotes, there were plenty of decisions to be made. We opted for the fried calamari & focaccia, with the beef tartare & squash ravioli as mains.
The calamari appeared to be breaded in-house, & were cooked properly (no toughness here). We very much loved these. Focaccia yielded two large hunks of bread & a marinara, & served me well with the ravioli.
The ravioli were swimming in what I believe was butternut squash sauce, adorned with cheese shavings, but otherwise filled with the standard ricotta. These were clearly freshly made, & cooked to al dente perfection. The tartare, stacked with focaccia as well, & a blizzard of shredded parmagiano, seemed to be sat on a sauce, not quite balsamic, a little fruity, but we could not discern the origin. I loved it, while she, less so (she is a tartare purist), but it was happily eaten.
The wine list is extensive by the bottle, but there were a few by-the-glass options, including an orange wine, so we were well covered there. The service was fine, if a little prone to misremembering, but we were well tended to during our visit.
The meal with a drink each came to $114 before tax & tip, & I feel it was well worth that.
Jun 6, 2026
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Beautiful & cozy restaurant. Amiable service but slightly slow (it's Valentine's Day, busy). Vibe was comforting due to the coziness of the place. Delicious food (fried calamari tossed in delicious sauce, duck breast with red wine sauce, beets, & figs, rigatoni à la vodka & with decadent pain perdu in the end) & beautiful presentation, with perfect pairing with our Pinot noir from Germany. Perfect place for a date night.
They have an excellent wine list. Our waitress was fabulous & friendly, knowledgeable. The atmosphere itself it definitely my vibe but if you're the person sitting on the stool. Good luck! They are incredibly uncomfortable.
The food was incredibly sub par. We both loved the burrata & I'd go back for just that & a glass of wine. The tagliatelle was bland, cold & the mushrooms were under cooked & flavorless. The fish. Their branzino was way overcooked, very fishy & the flavour combination of the dish was completely off. There was a sweet puree, spinach & the flavorless mushrooms from our tagliatelle. My friend & I split the bill & I paid over 100$ I was so sad! Also the portions are sharing sized. So quite small.
Great vibe & lighting. The food was delicious we were here for Mtlatable which was a steal. Service was impeccable. We were never without water or wine. Gyslain our server was fantastic. Will come back
Amazing place! Went for jazz night & loved it. Our waiter, Gallene, was super friendly & gave excellent wine recommendations. We had the oysters & duck & scallop skewers to start - both delicious. For mains, the rigatoni & grilled maitake were outstanding (the focaccia was perfect for soaking up the sauce!). Can't wait to go back!
Curbside terrace & great weather set the evening off. Very good & knowledgeable servers. Good beer & cocktail/mocktail list, & great wine lists with advice & patience from staff in choosing. Great frites, good steak.
Pastas very good. Cod looked & smelled delicious.
Overall cute bistro with good wine & meh cocktails. very mid food for the price but it's next to milky way if you're waiting for a table. The service was the most disappointing. I would have tried some wine…it is a wine bar!! But the bartender was unapproachable & uninterested so I got a cocktail that was worse than what I could make at home. How do you mess up a negroni when it's 3 ingredients?
