At Kwizinn Vieux-Port, co-owners Michael Lafaille and Claudia Fiorelli bring a vibrant fusion of Caribbean flavours to the heart of Montreal's Old Port. Chef Mike Lafaille expertly blends traditional Caribbean spices with contemporary culinary techniques to create unique fusion dishes such as our octopus carpaccio, lobster poutine, plantain burger, and bao fall of di bone. The bold use of fresh herbs, rich marinades, and zesty sauces brings out the authentic and vibrant flavours that define Kwizinn Vieux-Port’s Caribbean fusion cuisine.
For a more immersive experience, Kwizinn Vieux-Montréal offers a range of special events throughout the week. Enjoy jazz nights every Thursday from 6 to 9 pm, while Fridays and Saturdays feature local DJs spinning beats late into the night. Every Friday to Sunday, indulge in a delightful brunch from 11:30 am to 3 pm, where you can savour dishes like our Fried Chicken Sandwich with coconut-marinated chicken, maple syrup, pikliz rosé, or the Tropical Wrap filled with sautéed vegetables and a choice of shredded griot or braised beef. The menu also features our creamy 3 Cheeses Mac n’ Cheese, the flavourful vegetarian dish Grilled Eggplant Obe Ata, and the savoury Chef Lafaille's Griot with fried plantains and pikliz. After brunch on Sunday, enjoy a lively Cuban night from 6 to 9 pm. We also have a private dining room perfect for groups and special occasions, and we regularly host thematic evenings, from Caribbean-inspired culinary nights to rum-tasting events.
Kwizinn offers a sophisticated and memorable culinary experience that masterfully elevates Caribbean and Haitian cuisine in the heart of Old Montréal. Diners frequently praise the flavorful, high-quality dishes, with standout items like the tender griot, plantain burger, and savory patties receiving high acclaim. The atmosphere is consistently described as elegant, warm, and vibrant, complemented by stylish decor, soulful live music, and excellent service. Whether visiting for a celebratory dinner, a casual quick bite, or a cocktail night, guests appreciate the welcoming hospitality and the unique, modern approach to traditional recipes, making it a must-visit destination for anyone looking for exceptional food and great vibes.
I recently had the opportunity of dining at Kwizinn, a charming spot that boasts a beautiful ambiance & a playlist that sets the perfect mood for the evening. The setting itself is inviting-warm lighting, sleek decor, & a cozy yet sophisticated vibe. It's the kind of place you'd want to bring a date or catch up with friends.
Let's talk about the food. The appetizers were absolutely fantastic-bursting with flavor & creativity. The oxtail patty was crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, & paired with a subtle sweet dipping sauce that left me wanting more. The deconstructed sushi roll was refreshing, & the mix of citrusy tang with delicate seafood that was spot on, which my colleagues raved about. The drinks had the pure essence of Caribbean culture that really helped tie in the whole start of the meal. I was definitely excited to see what the main dishes had in store.
As for the main dishes, they were a bit of a hit or miss. Some were absolutely delightful, like the griot dish with riz collee & plantain-juicy, rich, & all around complete full meal with good portions. On the other hand, the Picahna dish, while tasty & well cooked, it was lacking on the fullness you'll find in the griot dish. Let's not forget the 4 meat plate dish, that sadly was the most disappointing of all, the chicken served was completely charred than anything & the sides lacked in flavor. For the price it was truly a lost opportunity to really hit the spot. Still, nothing was truly disappointing, but the consistency wasn't quite there, aside from the chicken.
Now, what really soured the experience for me was the service. Our waiter, Justin, was incredibly subpar & fairly rude. From the moment we sat down, he seemed disinterested & unapproachable. He was curt with his responses toward us & made no effort to engage or make the meal more enjoyable. There were many moments where he seemed bothered by simple requests, like taking our group picture, & the overall attitude he projected was unpleasant & uncomfortable. To tell a group of people he will only take a single picture of us, truly shows how he did not want to be around our table or have to serve us a minute longer, which was amplified by how little he asked about our drinks or advise us the delay for our desserts. Any questions or follow ups from our end, were met with push back & fake smiles. For a restaurant that otherwise excels in its atmosphere & food (somewhat), this was a huge letdown.
In the end, Kwizinn offers a nice varied dining menu if you're looking for delicious appetizers, a solid main course (depending which one you take), & a vibe that's both relaxed & chic. But, I hope they pay more attention to service in the future because it really detracted from what could have been a perfect evening. A little warmth & attentiveness from the staff would go a long way.
Everything about this restaurant is just WOW! The food is mouth watering; from flavor to presentation & even variety, it was just perfect. Every cocktail I had was gorgeous & well balanced! They even offer tasty mocktails for those who don't drink. The staff is so kind & the service is quick! Need I mention that there was a soul/jazz band there playing live music?! The ambience is wonderful & I highly recommend for all ages. Would be perfect for a date night or even a night out with friends. A true gem!
Loved this spot! The vibe was cozy, the staff was super friendly, & the food was amazing, fresh & full of flavor. Definitely a place I'll be coming back to!
Sep 12, 2025
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Caribbean food with a flair! Excellent costumer service, flavours that have you daydreaming & quality ingredients. The owners & chefs pour so much love into their dishes that it's impossible to leave unsatisfied. I will continue to recommend this place to every foodie! Tried the duck patty this time & it was absolutely divine. Comfort in a bite. The cocktails were also exquisite, where every sip had me closing my eyes haha. Honourable mentions: Great variety of mocktails & vegetarian/pescatarian options which is highly appreciated. Can't wait to return!
5 star service for our server, Camra (?), who had the hard task to tell us that inspite of reserving Sunday brunch, with the option of a bottomless mimosa, when we arrived on site, there was no prosecco available. The manager could not provide an ETA of her arrival so we didn't know if it was happening or not. But the food is FANTASTIC … when it arrived - so just be prepared to pivot from your expectations:)
La nourriture est excellente & le cadre est agréable. La musique était un peu forte en début de soirée, ce qui rendait difficile la communication autour de la table, mais ça s'est calmé en milieu de repas. Le service laisse à désirer (de nombreuses erreurs dans les commandes pour un groupe de 8) & il est très lent (nous avons attendu plus de 30 minutes)
First time visiting Kwizin since it moved to the Old Port. Wow! Everything!! The service, the atmosphere & most importantly, the food. It was absolutely delicious. The oxtail Jamaican patty is a MUST! Such a flaky dough with a tender & creamy meat filling. The (sweet) homemade ketchup pairs perfectly with it. For the main, we LOVED the plantain burger. Again, the dish is so well thought & balanced. The cheesy sauce adds an amazing flavour & extra moisture, it's finger licking good. Finally, the beignets were a pleasant surprise. Like a warm crispy donut with a sweet glaze drizzle on the plate. Will definitely go back! Ultimate date spot.
Came here with a group of 7 people & overall I'd say there were highs & lows with the meal. The highs: oxtail patty & its salsa were out of this world - meat was tender, the pastry was flaky & it paired really nicely with the sauce. The vibe & decor is also really nice. The medium: had the plantain burger. The beef was nicely cooked & seasoned & I thought it was an interesting take to have plantain as the bun. Overall wasn't out of this world or enough to get me to return. The lows: yucca fries & the beignets felt overpriced for what they were. Both coming in at about 13$, the yucca fries were very salty & the seasoning was really uneven. The beignets were 13$ for 3 timbits sized donuts. Our party commented that the seasoning across several dishes - the burger, the sushi, the yucca fries - were pretty similar. Service was patchy & very slow. It took maybe 20 minutes to get our drinks & then we weren't really offered another round until way after we finished our meal. Dessert was also really slow coming out after an already long meal. Overall I know some delays are to be expected with a larger party but I'm not sure the food & service were enough value for money for me to return.