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 warm welcome and attentive service, with creative dishes that are full of flavor. The ambiance is intimate and cozy, with soft lighting that keeps the room pleasantly quiet. The menu changes regularly and the staff explain the dishes clearly, helping guests discover new ingredients and spice profiles. While portions can be on the smaller side and the pacing can vary, the overall experience is memorable, with desserts that delight and a thoughtful wine list, especially with a South African focus, making it a great choice for a date or a small celebration. Overall, guests leave inspired to return and explore more of the evolving menu.
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!
Aug 22, 2018
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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.
Amazing food. Incredible Service. Charming atmosphere. Authentic experience. Everything from the cocktails (Elephant Tree & non alocholic Kibri) to the starters (ginger soup & avocado mango shrimp dish) to the main course (oxtail & goat) & finally dessert & tea (plantain donuts & chai rooiboos) was delicious & thoughtful. A true gem!
Aug 2, 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.
Absolutely delicious. The only drawback was a thunderstorm knocked out the power during the meal! This put the staff to the test, who rose to the challenge beautifully.
Highly recommend the pangasius, a very light, flaky catfish. Pinotage & Mandela Tonic paired well with the light, flavorful fare. Would definitely come back!
We really enjoyed the food. The only comment I can make is about the restaurant. It was a hot summers night & I don't believe the air condition in the restaurant was fully functional.
Jul 25, 2018
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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.
Excellent service, ambiance agréable (musique avec un bon niveau de fond sonore) & surtout tr`s bonne nourriture. La carte nous a plus inspiré cette fois ci mais le goût reste présent. Parfumé, épicé, ... Très bon.
