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.
Excellent service, as someone who drinks a lot of water the wait staff was very observant & filled up my glass frequently. If you like salty food, the lamb was incredible.
Amazing restaurant. Really good food, excellent service & casual/good vibes atmosphere. I was most impressed that every single person who came to our table (there was probably 7 over the course of the night) was super knowledgeable about everything at the restaurant. Would definitely return.
Jun 29, 2024
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J'ai récemment dîné chez Mon Lapin & j'ai été enchanté par l'expérience. Le restaurant est vraiment magnifique, avec une ambiance chaleureuse & accueillante. Les plats sont savoureux & magnifiquement présentés. Chaque bouchée était un plaisir, & le dessert était également trop bon, ajoutant une touche finale parfaite à un repas déjà excellent. Je recommande vivement ce restaurant pour une expérience culinaire exceptionnelle où chaque instant est un véritable plaisir.
It always takes me aback that I can step out of my door & walk a few meters to one of the best restaurants in Canada, probably North America. There's always something different & delicious to try (the crusted scallops are a must). With locally sourced fresh food & wine. The service is absolutely excellent!
Delicious food, reasonable price. They adjust the portions depending on what we order. No rush to finish the meal. They open their online reservation a day at a time, a month early. Would go back!
If you can manage to get a reservation, do it! I have been twice & could not be happier or more satisfied with the experience. Amazing food & the service is unrivaled. Don't forget the Aballe Eau de Vie, a must try!
Jun 24, 2024
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Great food!! We got lucky for our first visit in having a waitress who brought us plates of her choice that were very well-paired together & was a comprehensive take on their offerings that evening. We weren't so lucky the second visit 😅 but the food is incredible. We'll be more discerning for our follow-up visits. A great gem, that you could certainly dine on the cheap if you keep your glasses dry.
mon restaurant préféré! Tout est excellent ici, de la cuisine délicieuse aux serveurs attentifs. J'adore l'ambiance chaleureuse & l'attention aux détails. Un vrai plaisir à chaque visite
Cuisine inventive, créative & originale. Tartare de boeuf, croquant de pétoncles, couteaux, agneau braisé & desserts. TOUT était bon & préparé avec génie. Un bistro, pas un resto chic où tout est dans le décor. Pas de présentation en trois étages, avec des micro-pousse. Vaisselle dépareilée & service hyper sympa, amical & efficace. Difficile avoir réservation, mais vaut la peine.
Outstanding from start to finish. Since we were visiting from San Francisco we booked a month in advance (quite necessary) & were so happy when they called the day of to offer an earlier time. I've never been a big fan of natural wine but the somm here may have nearly converted us! Every dish was delicious & tasted of technique & passion, we especially loved the tartare. We rarely ordered dessert but were happy we did & we tasted some absolutely amazing amaro. Service was truly gracious & exceptional in all respects. This is one of the top three dining experiences we've ever had. Thank you!!!
Jun 22, 2024
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If the warmth of your grandma's kitchen somehow was met with the laughter of friends you went to school with - that's Vin Mon Lapin. Nothing pretentious, but exquisite dish that was assembled by the orchestra conductor of food. Inventive, bold, all familiar. The wait staff here is nothing short of your best friend. Sit at the bar, right in front of Dominique Lafond's plaque, which was put there as a friendly joke for the restaurant's unofficial/official photographer - only friends do this sort of thing - & watch the place bloom & unfold. Talk to the discerning bartender Dimitry. How is it possible that this place exists nestled between the Maple tree lined streets of Little Italy in Montreal. From the outside you'd never guess that a whole world of culinary excellence & hospitality was unfolding. Hear the cornucopia of languages mixing under one roof. Here the staff cares so much that they'd, on their own, suggest a vegetarian dish made to appropriate proportions. They don't just remove the meat. Here the compose an even more elevated version, just for you. Dessert is equality impeccable - they don't relent with one awesome dish. How is it they manage to fill the menu with the season's best & varied treats? This is the place you've never been to but feels like you were always here - in your culinary dreams. Bravo & grand merci!
Bonne expérience, nous avons passé un très agréable moment. Le tartare & les pétoncles étaient incroyables. En revanche je m'attendais à plus de surprise sur un des plats signature, à savoir le croc-petoncle. Cela dit, nous recommandons ce beau restaurant.
Chosen as Canada's best restaurant, Mon Lapin was a huge let down. One caveat, the temperature in Montreal was hot & humid, 93 degrees, & Mon Lapin was full. Our decision to sit at the bar facing the kitchen was stupide, because it was hot. Everyone at the restaurant was lovely, but we were miserable nonetheless. Our hope relied on the food, but the dishes did nothing to lift us out of the inferno. Sticking to a seafood theme, we chose to start with the scallop sandwich & the raw scallops from the Iles de Madeleine. Mon Lapin holds onto a small plates concept. Everything is to share. Both scallop dishes were refreshing but nothing more. For entrees, we chose poached Halibut & marinated white asparagus with lobster. The Halibut was the star of the evening, but that star isn't getting a review in Variety. In fact, our comped tiny Cannolis tasted best of all. While service at Mon Lapin was well-meaning, they were all running around frenetically. It was akin to an ADHD convention. Mon Lapin is a casual joint, & the staff goes out of their way to let you know they're down to earth, but it seemed like they were trying to go Around that World in Eighty Days. Mon Lapin has an extensive & eclectic wine list & would fair better as a wine bar that serves good food. No, Mon Lapin is not Canada's number one restaurant. Edulis in Toronto & St. Lawrence in Vancouver were infinitely better. Pricing is fair at Mon Lapin, a little over $200 Canadian for four dishes, one glass of wine & one cocktail.
Jun 19, 2024
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Great restaurant with good selection of cocktails & wine. Would recommend to celebrate special occasion. My favorite was the soft shell crab infused with lobster bisque.
Mon Lapin is the perfect restaurant for sharing plates with fellow food lovers. Dimitri was a wonderful server & walked us through the menu & made suggestions on wine & the food based on our preferences. The menus are small & seasonal so probably won't get the same thing twice expect for the delicious buckwheat cake that is a house special. Will be back.
#1 resto in Canada & well deserved! Everything was perfect. Each dish was unique & flavourful. The wine pairings were excellent. Our waitress Mayou was a gem. We will be back for sure!
