Île Flottante is a tasting-menu restaurant at 176 Rue Saint-Viateur Ouest in Montreal‘s Mile End neighborhood, a fine dining room that formerly operated as Les Deux Singes de Montarvie and now draws diners with a seasonal, vegetable-forward menu, an approachable style of service, and a dining room hung with eclectic local artwork. Open Wednesday through Saturday evenings only, it suits travelers who want a single, unhurried night of creative cooking in one of the city’s most walkable and food-obsessed districts.
What to Expect at Île Flottante
Dinner at Île Flottante is built around a single seasonal tasting menu, served from 5:30 PM to 10:00 PM and priced at $130 per person. The kitchen gives preference to vegetables, supported by a selection of meats and seafood, and the stated aim is a meal that balances flavors while drawing on the styles and inspirations of several cuisines. The restaurant describes its cooking as a fusion of multiple cuisines, and the French technique behind the dishes shows in sauces, textures, and plating rather than in a rigid classical format.
The room matters as much as the plate. Walls carry rotating, locally sourced art, and the lighting and layout give the space a polished but relaxed feel, closer to a neighborhood dinner party than a formal dining hall. The restaurant asks guests to mention dietary restrictions when booking so the kitchen can adjust courses, which keeps the experience cohesive for vegetarians and diners avoiding specific allergens.
- Seasonal Tasting Menu: A single multi-course format at $130 that changes with the market and the kitchen’s current inspirations.
- Vegetable-Forward Cooking: Produce leads the progression, with meat and seafood courses placed around it rather than at the center.
- Fusion of Cuisines: French foundations blended with flavors from other culinary traditions, a hallmark of the restaurant’s approachable fine dining identity.
- Local Artwork: Eclectic pieces by Montreal artists decorate the dining room, giving the space a gallery-like character.
- Gift Cards: Digital gift cards are sold through the restaurant’s website and delivered by email within one to two business days, a practical option for Montrealers gifting a special dinner.
Île Flottante at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 176 Rue Saint-Viateur Ouest, Montreal, Quebec H2T 2L3, Canada |
| Neighborhood / Area | Mile End, Plateau-Mont-Royal borough area |
| Operating Hours | Wednesday to Saturday, 5:30 PM to 10:00 PM; closed Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday |
| Admission / Price Range | $$$$: Seasonal tasting menu at $130 per person, before drinks, tax, and gratuity |
| Recommended Visit Duration | 2 to 3 hours |
| Nearest Transit / Parking | Bus routes along Avenue du Parc and Rue Saint-Laurent; Laurier and Place-des-Arts metro stations are a short bus or taxi ride away; limited metered street parking |
| Official Website & Phone | restaurantileflottante.com | +1 514-278-6854 |
Visiting Tips, Getting There & Nearby Pairings
Because the restaurant serves dinner only four nights a week and runs a single tasting format, advance reservations are strongly advised, particularly for Friday and Saturday seatings. Book through the restaurant’s reservation page or call +1 514-278-6854, and note any dietary needs at the time of booking. Arriving at the start of the 5:30 PM service gives the most relaxed pacing; later seatings still run a full tasting sequence, so plan on at least two hours at the table.
Rue Saint-Viateur Ouest sits in the heart of Mile End, a flat, pedestrian-friendly stretch where most of the sidewalk is level and the restaurant entrance is at street level, though travelers using mobility devices should call ahead to confirm interior layout and restroom access. Parking is limited to metered street spaces and nearby residential blocks with restrictions, so many diners take a taxi, rideshare, or a bus along Avenue du Parc and Rue Saint-Laurent. Within a 5 to 15 minute walk, you can pair dinner with a pre-dinner stroll past the bagel bakeries on Saint-Viateur, the shops and cafes of Avenue Fairmount, or the green space and hilltop views at Parc du Mont-Royal’s northern edge.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Île Flottante’s opening hours and the best time to visit?
Île Flottante serves dinner Wednesday through Saturday from 5:30 PM to 10:00 PM and is closed Sunday through Tuesday. Weeknight seatings on Wednesday and Thursday tend to feel calmer, while Friday and Saturday are the liveliest evenings.
How much does dinner cost and do I need a reservation?
The seasonal tasting menu is $130 per person, before beverages, tax, and gratuity. Reservations are strongly recommended and can be made through the restaurant’s online booking page or by phone at +1 514-278-6854.
How long should I plan for dinner?
Budget two to three hours for the full tasting menu. The pacing is unhurried, so avoid scheduling anything tight immediately afterward.
Can Île Flottante accommodate dietary restrictions, and is it suitable for families?
The kitchen asks guests to share dietary restrictions in advance, and its vegetable-forward format makes vegetarian adjustments straightforward. The multi-course, adult-oriented format and evening-only service make it better suited to couples, friends, and special-occasion dinners than to young children.
When planning your Montreal travel guide or comparing verified restaurants and nightlife in Montreal, pair this stop with standout local spots including Le Filet, David Hotel, Vieux-Port de Montréal, and Musée du Montréal juif – Museum of Jewish Montreal (0.4 km away).
