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.
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.
An exceptional dining experience! After a long wait for a reservation at Mon Lapin, I can confidently say it was well worth it. The food was outstanding, the atmosphere was warm & inviting, & the service was top-notch. The ever-changing menu adds an element of surprise, making me eager to return & explore more of their creative dishes.
Had heard a lot of positive comments about this place prior, had big expectations coming in. Was very pleasantly satisfied! Would definitely come again!
La nourriture était très bonne, & le service excellent, dont nous remercions particulièrement Livia qui fut professionnelle, dévouée & extrêmement sympathique.
Jan 25, 2025
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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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One of the best Restaurent experiences. The food was excellent but what I loved was the design of the restaurant, the intimate atmosphere & the liveliness of the space
Nous étions curieux de découvrir Vin Mon Lapin, souvent présenté comme le meilleur restaurant du Canada. Malheureusement, notre expérience ne s'est pas révélée à la hauteur des attentes. D'abord, l'attente pour obtenir une réservation relève presque du parcours du combattant, une fois sur place, on s'attend à ce que cette patience soit récompensée par une réelle expérience gastronomique, mais ce n'est pas vraiment le cas. Certes, la nourriture est bonne - des saveurs travaillées & des ingrédients de qualité, mais, pour un établissement acclamé de cette manière, on s'attend à bien plus. En fin de compte, nous sommes restés, au sens propre comme au figuré, sur notre faim. Le service a également laissé un goût amer. Lorsqu'est venue l'addition, nous avons eu la surprise de découvrir que la bouteille de vin, commandée dans une belle gamme de prix, s'avérait coûter 40 $ de plus que prévu. La seule compensation offerte pour cette erreur a été un dessert à 12 $, une réponse bien insuffisante pour un établissement de ce standing. En résumé, Vin Mon Lapin reste un lieu agréable pour les amateurs de bonne cuisine, mais l'expérience globale est loin de valoir l'effort & les attentes élevées qu'on peut y placer. Pour une fraction du prix & sans toute cette attente, des restaurants comme Parapluie ou Anemone offrent une cuisine tout aussi inventive & savoureuse, un service impeccable & une ambiance chaleureuse qui donnent vraiment envie de revenir. Si l'endroit se targue d'être le meilleur restaurant du pays, il y a du travail à faire pour que le jeu en vaille réellement la chandelle.
My husband & I stumbled upon this gem without knowing it's ranked as Canada's #1 restaurant, & what a serendipitous discovery it turned out to be! Open for lunch only two weeks a year, we were incredibly lucky to snag a spare table. From the moment we sat down, the experience was nothing short of extraordinary. Each dish was a masterpiece - exquisitely crafted with locally sourced ingredients that the servers described in wonderful detail, from their origins to the meticulous preparation methods. The flavors were sublime, & every bite was a testament to the passion & skill behind the menu. The service was impeccable - warm, friendly, & knowledgeable, making us feel welcome & ensuring every question was met with enthusiasm. The atmosphere struck the perfect balance between energetic & casual while maintaining an air of effortless class. This was, without a doubt, one of the most memorable dining experiences we've ever had. If you have the chance to visit during their brief opening, don't hesitate - it's truly a once-in-a-lifetime treat!
Dec 12, 2024
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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!
Live in Montreal, I feel so proud that a restaurant from my city ranks number 1 in the Canadian top restaurants list. When I stepped in, I was quite surprised to be honest, because it looks like it could be any other community restaurant in Montreal, or even less "chic"or "luxury" than many of them. I have a very good feeling about it because it means that more people would have chance to taste the food since the price is just fair or even less than many other restaurants. I ordered the razor clam, beef tartare, gnocchi with ricotta filling & turnip, duck breast & striped bass. the cold dishes are really good, very original & fresh. the hot dishes I would say need a bit more breakthrough from ordinary versions.
