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 is an African inspired spot in the Plateau that pairs local Quebec ingredients with aromatic spices & bold flavors, it feels thoughtful & special without being fussy. Expect well-seasoned mains & tasty entrées, plus a wine list with a South African focus, which makes it a great pick for a date or a small celebration. A great little find.
A hidden gem in The Plateau area of Montreal. If you're looking for something different, & mind-blowing flavours, give this place a try.
The restaurant is a Pan-African fusion restaurant; a hybrid of Saharan, Congolese, & Mozambican cuisine. The flavours of the unique spice blends were outrageously good. You can tell the sauces are very thoughtfully prepared. & the small, well-curated menu shows that they want to specialize in what they do, rather than offer a hundred different things & miss the mark on some. Also, a well put together all-South African wine list.
Went for the first time on Valentine's Day w. A set menu. They were attentive to making adjustments for any intolerances or allergies. It was just excellent!! However, service was a little long we got our food at 11:30pm (reservation at 9pm) but time went by fast thanks to the service checking in, great wine & music
THIS PLACE IS CRAZY GOOD! The dishes (the appetizers, the goat main, those plantain beignet fritters), the paired wines... & the lovely service. I come here every year for my birthday meal & this might be our favourite Le Virunga meal yet!
Delicious food, service & presentation! We tried multiple dishes as well as both desserts, & everything tasted extremely comforting & delicious! The service is really good too, the server took her time to explain everything to us about the dishes & we also had some help pairing a perfect wine with the dishes! Highly recommended!!
Mar 16, 2024
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Opening hours on feb 2024: thursday to saturday from 18:00 to 23:00 Kinda formal dining but not too formal Vaste selection of wine The menu is very focused Good for special occasions or date night
If you're looking for a traditional African meal, you may be disappointed.
Le Virunga serves beautifully arranged plates of delicious « pan-African » food in a cozy, welcoming environment, but there is no pap or foufou in sight! Portions are small but flavourful with a modern twist.
Our hostess was friendly & the South African wine selection was a treat!
Recommended for a night out with a different flavour!
Absolutely delicious & very good service. We were a group of 5 friends who enjoyed their Zahabu, Argentinian shrimp starter. for the main we enjoyed the Walleye fish catch of the day & the guinea fowl. Both desserts that evening are delicious & one is gluten-free, which was great since one of my friends is unable to eat wheat. Their selection of South African wines is also well priced & excellent, we ordered the Pinotage which is South Africa's signature red wine grape. This was our 4th time dining at this wonderful restaurant. Definitely returning before year end. Bravo Chef Maria!!
Absolutely amazing meal! This may be my favourite restaurant in the city. the wine list is fantastic too (all South African) ; you must try this place!
Aug 14, 2022
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Another delicious meal at Le Virunga 🤩
My wife & I both enjoyed the Argentinian shrimp with mango appetizer & she had the artic Char & I the lamb. Beautiful presentation & their sauces are simply delicious with a balance that enhances the proteins. We shared a dessert to finish off our gourmet meal. I also want to congratulate the sommelier, very good quality South African wines at an affordable price point.
Looking forward to our next meal at Le Virunga 😋
we were there for a special event, part of Montréal en lumière & a special menu conceived of & produced by Lysanne O'bomsawin was our treat. a happy marriage of pan-African & Abenaki ingredients were presented (with beautiful pairings of South African wines) in a parade of gorgeously plated dishes, each with its own twist: confit de canard on a base of cloudberry jam, smoked trout, wapiti tartare,, smoked mutton & a rasberry paté with coconut ice cream. everything was delicious, the portions were adequate, the service & the atmosphere with a great pan-African playlist at a reasonable level wrapped the evening in a bright red bow. we'll be back for their regular menu, soon!
Excellent ambiance & food, a neighborhood gem with a very good selection of African wines at a reasonable price!! A wonderful experience with friends. Lovely decor & music, which was not too loud so we were able to enjoy dinner conversation. For starters we tried their Argentinian shrimp & the Maradi which is a cassava couscous with pan fried eggplant & okra, both were deliciously seasoned & the okra was prepared to perfection without a sliminess which happens if not prepared properly. The mains were equally delicious, we had the Faguibine which is the duck with sweet potatoes pure & spinach, we requested the duck be cooked to medium instead of rare. The Chef accommodated us & it was perfect, not dry at all. The other main was the Mouton & also deliciously prepared. Their sauces are mouth watering. Of course we had the desserts, we tried both desserts, the Crepes & the Bananas & chocolate cloud which was very similar to chocolate mousse & they too were excellent.
Our wine paired perfectly with the meal, it was an organic wine from Africa, a blend of cabernet & merlot.
We will certainly return & encourage you to go dine at Le Virunga. Last but not least was the wonderful & attentive service. Our waitress was very accommodating & knowledgeable. Merci pour un très bon repas & un belle soirée. 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
Le Virunga was the most pleasant surprise I've had at a restaurant in a long time! The atmosphere is warm & inviting, even on a cold rainy night! The music was superb, & played at a volume that allowed for normal conversation. & the food ... absolutely delicious. We were 5 friends for dinner , & everyone adored their dishes. Mine was a pan seared Sturgeon, just delicious. & the plantain donut for dessert ... wow. I don't want to forget our server; she explained the dishes & eagerly answered our questions & even asked the chef when we had questions about substitutions. Cannot wait to go back. One more thing, lovely wine list, our Riesling was superb!
