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 distinct gastronomic experience in Montreal, characterized by its creative fusion of local Quebec ingredients and sub Saharan African spices. Guests frequently praise the cozy and intimate atmosphere, noting the high quality of the seasonally inspired tasting menus and the thoughtful wine pairings. While the restaurant is often celebrated for its impeccable flavor profiles, professional staff, and attention to detail, diners occasionally find the portions modest or the service pace slower during busier times. Overall, the establishment is recognized as a unique and sophisticated destination that delivers a memorable culinary journey for those seeking bold and refined flavors.
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!
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!
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.
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.
An incredible intimate spot with lovely service & the absolute best food. Interesting & superb blends of spices & food. Great wine pairings. Perfect presentations with perfect size. Definitely check it out!