Virunga Restaurant is the story of two women passionate about African culture, who invite you to discover the gastronomic richness of this continent, which is so dear to them.
Through revisited traditional recipes, the restaurant celebrates the authentic flavors of sub-Saharan Africa, while showcasing local Quebec products.
Both simple and creative, this cuisine demonstrates, above all, a respect for ingredients and gastronomy.
Virunga Restaurant aims to be a warm and friendly place, offering professional and quality service.
Chef Maria and her daughter Zoya generously welcome you for a unique culinary experience, combining history, modernity, and heritage.
Le Virunga offers a bold African inspired dining experience in the Plateau, blending local Quebec ingredients with aromatic spices and bold flavors that feel thoughtful and special without being fussy. Guests praise flavorful, well seasoned mains and innovative entrées, and the atmosphere is described as cozy, elegant and intimate. The service is frequently praised as attentive and professional, with staff who know the menu inside out and a wine list that features a South African focus. Many reviews highlight the Pan African fusion concept and a small, carefully chosen menu that changes with the season, inviting a sense of discovery. While some notes mention small portions or occasional delays, the overall sentiment points to high quality, craft, and hospitality that make Le Virunga a standout option in Montreal's dining scene.
Le Virunga was wonderful! We love trying new (to us) foods & everything here was delicious. We started with pan-African-inspired cocktails that were delightfully refreshing on a warm night....we especially recommend one named after Nelson Mandela. The appetizers & main dishes were skillfully prepared & subtle spicing perfectly complemented the flavor of the food. The restaurant is lovely & the ambiance calm & welcoming & service was very efficient & friendly. We're from Maine & come to Montreal each year to savor new experiences...& Le Virunga definitely provided a great new dining experience! We'll be back!
I wanted to discover something new & authentic during our recent visit to Montreal. While browsing eater, Le Virunga caught my attention & I decided to try it. While my diet is mainly vegetarian, I occasionally eat non vegetarian dishes. My husband & I were pleasantly surprised by the high quality of the dishes & a range of amazing new flavors at this neighborhood restaurant. We absolutely loved the fact that the atmosphere was very relaxing & comfortable yet sophisticated. I sincerely admire the mother & daughter team & their determination to bring a piece of their African heritage to this northern city. Thank you! I wish you all the best in your persuit of your dreams! PS If possible, please add more vegetarian dishes to your menu.
Aug 12, 2018
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Last evening, I set out with a foodie friend to discover Le Virunga. Traffic woes, street closures & exasperating parking frustration almost changed my plans. But perseverance prevailed, & turned out to be well worth it. Tucked away in the heart of the Plateau, Le Virunga restaurant is cozy, intimate & tastefully decorated. A life-size, chalk-drawn map of Africa on the back wall faces the entrance; other walls are adorned with hangings depicting African art & culture. The table runners in hues of blue, brown & gold, some patterned, some plain, are an imaginative evocation of the African continent. Le Virunga features a Pan-African fusion menu with touches of French gastronomy, & highlights a few local Quebec products. Offerings are diverse, all very tempting & include vegetarian options. We particularly enjoyed the starter named after the resto itself, Le Virunga: spicy marinated shrimp showcased on a macedoine of fresh mango & papaya, lightly drizzled with pili pili vinaigrette & garnished with sprigs of arugula & slices of avocado: delectable. Suya – tenderloin brochette - was tender & tasty. For mains, ginger-&-cinnamon-roasted Marieville duck was flavourful, the plantain fries extraordinary. Veal sirloin topped with a mound of mashed mauve sweet potatoes, a layer of sautéed spinach & a plantain crisp as a finishing touch, melted in the mouth. Hot pepper sauce condiment served on the side. Dishes are creatively plated & presented to appeal to both sight & appetite. The background rhythmic music, at just the right volume, playlisted on Spotify created just the right vibe. Prices are eminently affordable. Service was warm, gracious & attentive. Definitely worth an encore visit, & an opportunity to explore the wine & dessert offerings.
We had a great dining experience at Le Virunga. We both had the leg of goat & it was absolutely delicious. In addition, the service, drinks, & ambience were all great. We would definitely come again to try more dishes & we highly recommend it to others.
Excellent. The menu included options suitable for pescetarians, vegetarians & vegans as well as a range of meat & fowl dishes. The oxtail was to die for. Exceptional cocktails.
It has been a long time since we had not gone to a restaurant where all the dishes we order were not only amazing from starters to dessert. They were original , well presented & mixing ingredients in a different way.
The service was equally efficient & courteous.
The minus will be the wine list- but definitely a most return.
An outstanding meal, especially the knockout main dishes, but all the rest, the appetisers, the dessert & the fine African wines were, well, fine.
We will be back.
Mar 24, 2018
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Outstanding! The presentation of the dishes, the flavors & combinations of authentic herbs & ingredients makes this restaurant & authentic jewel of Montreal. The meat was perfection. The vibe of the restaurant was also excellent & truly diverse. Super chic & also family friendly. One of the best restaurants I have experienced in Montreal & looking forward to going back!
One of the best meals we have had in a long time. Ambiance, service & most of all flavorful dishes made this an unforgettable night! Will definitely come again next time we are in Montreal!
Went for Valentines Day & had an amazing experience. Congolese chef incorporated various flavours across the African continent into delicious dishes. Definitely going back!
