Mon Lapin, a neighbourhood restaurant in the heart of Montreal's Little Italy. Inventive and delicious fare, all the seasonal favourites on an ever-changing menu by chefs Marc-Olivier Frappier and Jessica Noel, and team. Visionary wines, a list filled with vibrant and eclectic bottles.
Across reviews, Mon Lapin is widely praised for inventive seasonal dishes, a warm intimate atmosphere, and a dining experience that many call a standout in Canada. The service is repeatedly described as attentive and knowledgeable, with wine pairings and menu explanations that elevate the meal, though a few readers note moments of overcrowding, speed, or overly persistent attention. Portions are often described as small and prices high, with some guests feeling the experience is about culinary artistry more than meat on the plate, while others celebrate the finesse and balance of flavors. The menu emphasizes local ingredients and frequent changes, with signatures like the scallop pétoncle croque, preserved leeks with smoked mussels, and buckwheat cake standing out for many; the overall impression is one of creative presentation and thoughtful pairings. Reservations are hard to secure and the ambiance can be noisy, but the consensus is that the quality of food and service justifies the hype for many, even as a minority call it overrated or inconsistent.
We had a dinner birthday with a friend there. Very original tasty food, great wine & excellent service!!
The only downside: a bit crowded in the restaurant.
Vin Mon Lapin, ranked #1 on Canada's 100 Best Restaurants list, is a must-visit spot in Montreal's Little Italy. From start to finish, it was one of the best dining experiences I've ever had. The vibrant atmosphere strikes a perfect balance between youthful energy & refined sophistication. Though the space is cozy, it adds to the charm, & reservations are a must.
We sat at the bar with a clear view of the kitchen, feeling like we were at an intimate dinner party. The service was exceptional, with our friendly server offering wine samples & never rushing us. We opted for the chef's curated tasting menu, paired flawlessly with wines. Every course amazed me, especially the Le Croque-Pétoncle-a scallop sandwich on buttery, garlicky toast-easily the best dish I've ever had. The veal tartare with sun-gold tomatoes, rich Béarnaise-like sauce, & perfectly seared duck breast with foie gras sauce were standout dishes.
The wine pairings elevated the meal, & though I lost track of courses, I couldn't stop savoring each bite. A hidden gem, Mon Lapin offers some of the finest French/Italian-inspired food in Montreal. Don't miss it-put it on your restaurant list to visit, & you won't be disappointed.
Feb 28, 2025
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Great place to relax & grab some shareable food (starters or dishes) with your party. The food & ingredients are original & well balanced with some mixed French & Italian flavor spirit & the dressing is fancy. You have a nice range of wine to choose from per glass or whole bottle. Overall a good experience.
Dimitri was incredible! The food & wine pairings he chose for us were outstanding. The scallop toast & carrots were absolutely phenomenal. What an experience! Merci Beaucoup!!!
as I read recently the food is "a poetic mixture of French & Italian cooking". magical ❤️ with a wine list for days! the atmosphere is so cozy & the service fun & friendly! order everything, especially the buckwheat cake
Excellent menu dégustation. A decent white wine & a different & tasty sake were OK as pairing. Service & atmosphere are superb. The restaurant lives up to its reputation.
My boyfriend & I had the pleasure of dining at this restaurant to celebrate my birthday, & it was truly an exceptional experience. The atmosphere was incredibly warm, welcoming, & unpretentious. Our server was great-highly professional, friendly, & thoughtful in recommending both food & wine pairings, which enhanced our evening immensely. The service overall was impeccable from beginning to end. The food itself was nothing short of extraordinary. Every dish was delicious, but the croque scallop & albacore tuna stood out as our absolute favourites. The flavours were not only delicious but also distinctive. We enjoyed every moment of our visit & are already looking forward to returning for another special occasion. This restaurant truly deserves its stellar reputation!
Jan 8, 2025
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Fantastic food, great wines, impeccable service. We tried many items on the menu including the tuna tartare with noisette sauce & the off menu romana soup. One was elevated & the other comfort... But both were heavenly good!!! Thank you Vanya, Marco & Alex for your hospitality, & John for taking me to VML. A night to remember!
Although all dishes were good, I think the only one which blew me away & I find myself reminiscing about is the buckwheat cake. There is truly something so unique & special with how balanced it is in terms of sweetness, but also its play with textures, & uniqueness compared to other dessert offerings. The wine selection was also really good. We used the opportunity to sample several wines by the glass. In this regard my highlight was the rosé Chair a Canon from Dunham. Its fruity notes were beautifully blended & smooth.
I just walked out of here & I would say this is a place that showcases food & cooking as an art. Its a place of creativity, of food combinations I've never heard or thought of but everything is so delicious & best of all seasonal ( which means fresh, tasty, most probably local & sustainable). Its a place to share a plate instead of having one to yourself. The staff is friendly, knows their shit & I got served an amazing bottle of wine. I recommend you make a reservation & when you get there, dont hold back. Enjoy!
Worth the the hype! Great wine menu, food is incredible & the service is incredible. They really know their wine & they're so sweet & accommodating. I had such a good experience. We took their recommendations & all of it was amazing.
Oct 26, 2024
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Of course I had to visit the #1 ranked restaurant in Canada. These guys know a thing or two about food & hospitality, I'll tell you that. We were greeted warmly & the staff knew what they were talking about. The way they were articulating their opinions on various wines, it was like poetry. The ambience was nice, although it could get a little loud sometimes. Staff were extremely attentive. The food was very interesting. The dishes incorporated a lot of combinations I never would've thought would pair well together, but there was harmony on my taste buds. Some dishes were exceptional, like the duck breast & tartare, while the eggplant with eel & sea urchin dish was a little lacklustre. I respect the creativity & inventiveness with all the offerings on the menu, but not at the cost of flavour. Small detail, we did have to remind staff about appetizers we had ordered that didn't arrive as our mains were being brought out. Overall, definitely worth the visit. A meal worth splurging for!
A very enjoyable kick back evening. Not pretentious, tasty cooking. Vibe inside is pumping & happy. Our server was really good at engaging with the tables & hearing what we wanted for a drink. The wait between some dishes was a little long, but nothing too overly long. I didn't really like the longish wait for a table beyond our reservation time (second seating) though, but in part this is due to there being not much outside the front door. Overall, I think this would be like your favourite neighbourhood wine bar: great for a catch up with friends, not so great for a first date but fine otherwise. Would return.
Top 5 meal. Service was top notch - all the staff clearly enjoy what they do, were friendly & professional. Didn't have to top my own wine or water up once. Pacing was nice - never once felt rushed. Food was excellent. We had the urchin, scallop sandwich (simple & easily one of the best things I've ever eaten), clams, & the buckwheat cake for dessert. Could not have asked for a better experience.
Sep 22, 2024
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Absolutely fabulous dinner! I was lucky enough to dine here this past week & I couldn't of enjoyed it more. I sat at the bar & Dimitri was so great-perfect wine choices, next time I'll try one of his amazing cocktails. The food was soo good & beautiful everything we had was great. Highlights for me were the tomato cherry salad the scallop sandwich is a must do!! Thank you ❤️
I cannot imagine food being any better than the meal we had here. It was creative, delicious, decedant. Service was 10/10, energetic, supportive, & knowledgeable. With minimal input from us, our server set a delightful menu with thoughtful wine (& non-alcoholic) pairings. FYI - Getting a reservation requires planning a month in advance. I almost want to leave a bad review so it's easier for me to get a table in the future, but that would have left a stain on the wonderful evening.
