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Restaurant Top Pick

Le Virunga

Stylish, cozy bistro plating braised goat leg, slow-cooked oxtail & other African-inspired dishes.
4.8$$ & $$$
Opens Today at 6 pm
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
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Saturday
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AfricanHealthyGrillExoticGluten-free OptionsFine Dining / Upscale

About us

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.

100% South African wine list

Our Specialties

Sub-Saharan Pan-African gourmet cuisine.

Amenities, services & more

We accept:  Master Card, Visa, AMEX, Interac

Menus (1) QR Code

Menu

Events NearbyMore

Reviews for Le Virunga

Food
Service
Boost your reputation
on Google4.7 (400+)
*as of 2026-01-23
5★
74%
4★
21%
3★
4%
2★
1%
1★
0%
Page 1 of 2 - 24 Reviews
5.0

Delicious, great-tasting wines in the tasting menu, & what delightful medley of notes & ingredients in desserts & wines.

Oct 5, 2025
on Google
5.0

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.

We will definitely come again!

Aug 10, 2025
on Google

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

Feb 17, 2025
on Google
5.0

Amazing food Cool wine list Inventive cocktails Top notch service Great dining space

Dec 13, 2024
on Google
5.0

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!

Jun 16, 2024
on Google

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
on Google

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

Feb 4, 2024
on Google
via Other
1 Review
5.0

I love this place. We had a beautiful evening. The food, music, & the ambiance served up with some good wine is everything!
Much respect to the team!

Oct 7, 2023
via Other
1 Review
5.0

Loved the whole experience, the food, the service, the wine.
Thank you.

Sep 4, 2023
via Other
1 Review
5.0

Great restaurant, with excellent food, cocktails, wines, & service 🤩👏👏

Jul 23, 2023
via Other
1 Review
5.0

Go! It is worth it! Food, wine, service & atmosphere are great.

Apr 20, 2023
via Other
1 Review
5.0

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!

Nov 6, 2022
via Other
1 Review
5.0

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!!

Oct 22, 2022
via Other
1 Review
5.0

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
via Other
1 Review
5.0

Wonderful dynamic flavors, excellent wine list, beautiful ambiance & care taken by the owner of all patrons!

Jun 18, 2022
via Other
1 Review
5.0

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 😋

May 8, 2022
via Other
1 Review
5.0

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!

Feb 28, 2022
via Other
1 Review
5.0

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. 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

Oct 16, 2021
via Other
1 Review
5.0

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!

Nov 28, 2019
via Other
1 Review
5.0

We were three adults that had dinner at this restaurant on June 22, 2019. The restaurant is very tastefully decorated with African art, reproductions, objects etc. Very well done. In the background is African music. However, it is not loud at all. We had three courses: opening course, main course & dessert. Every dish that we had was beautifully presented. Everything was so colourful & delicious. All three adults loved their courses. In terms of wine, we chose a Pinot Noir from South Africa. Superb!! Unfortunately, the wine is a private import & not yet available in liquor stores. Service was excellent. Our waitress, Carolina, was professional, efficient & knowledgeable about the menu. Restrooms were small but spotless. Since this is a small restaurant, it is best to reserve. There's only 12-13 tables. We will certainly return!

Jun 23, 2019