Amazing vegetarian meals. Best cauliflower of my life!
What guests say about Île Flottante
Île Flottante is often praised for its creative tasting menus, beautifully presented dishes, and well-executed food and wine or cocktail pairings. Several guests highlight warm, attentive, and professional service, along with a great experience for special occasions. That said, a few reviews mention portions that can be uneven, service that is sometimes too slow, and an occasional lack of consistency.
Reviews / Ratings for Île Flottante
What a difference three years can make. This was my fourth visit to the restaurant, as it had been one of my favourites. I should have known something was up as I was able to book the same day (Friday) and there were empty tables throughout the night. The creativity of the food has really declined, making the majority tired and unimaginative- I did enjoy the beets and the final dessert with popcorn ice cream. I was honest regarding the dishes and thought it would have been nice if they had at least comped one glass of wine, considering the cost. Hopefully, the chef will review his old recipes and not try to make things so complicated with so many unnecessary ingredients.
Big portions, maybe even a little too big for 7 courses. Notthe most common complaint in fine dining I must admit.. Menu based on fresh seasonal products, prepared creatively without trying too hard to look expensive. No random caviar or gold leaf. Chicken is always difficult to make interesting, they got it right. The semi open kitchen remained surprisingly calm all evening. The chef moved around quietly, almost introverted, clearly focused on the task. Not The Bear or Gordon Ramsey.... The service was warm and casual. Wooden floors, modern metalwork on the walls and a relaxed atmosphere. Very Montréal. The pacing was perhaps a little too relaxed at times, but overall an excellent evening.
Absolutely splendid 🙌 every bite was beautiful and amazing. I will be 100% back here with family and friends
The beetroot with caviar and herb foam was a total win tonight. I am usually the most interesting thing at the table anyway, so if you are a sharp guy who appreciates a good night out, you should find a way to say hello. I am worth the conversation.
Mood Jazz has performed there few times and thanks all the staff, owner. The cooking .... wow, what an experience! Nice vibes too. Highly recommended.
Easily one of the best dining experiences I’ve ever had. Every course was beautifully presented and packed with creativity, but more importantly, every bite was genuinely delicious. The tasting menu strikes the perfect balance between innovation and comfort, making each dish feel like a surprise worth savoring. The service was impeccable—knowledgeable, warm, and perfectly paced without ever feeling rushed. The atmosphere is intimate and welcoming, making the entire evening feel special. If you’re in Montreal and appreciate exceptional food, this is an absolute must-visit. An unforgettable experience from start to finish.
Amazing dining experience from start to finish. Every course was beautifully presented and full of flavor. The wine pairing was surprising and complemented each dish perfectly. One of the best tasting menus in Montreal. We can’t wait to come back!!
We went to this restaurant a handful of time and it was always a near perfect experience. We went back yesterday and it is liked if they changed owner. it is terrible and more expensive .The service was terrible, the sommelier kept forgetting which table to go. The dish were good, nothing special and The dishes are no longer looking like an œuvre d'art The pairing experience is not of all dishes like it used to be, they now skip 2-3 plates. And the pairing is not fantastic. The main meal was chicken breast with brown sauce and grilled zucchini......! They make you wait forever in between each meal..For a 250$ bill each person we really felt like we have been extorted. Will not go again. For way less you have more in a lot of places in Montreal.
The Water I ordered was much Wet
The food was decent, but not particularly memorable except for the curry pea soup, which was surprisingly excellent. It ended up being the highlight of the entire meal for me. Unfortunately, the service was memorable for all the wrong reasons. We waited at least 30 minutes between every course, our waiter seemed forgetful and not particularly hospitable, our cutlery was forgotten for one of the dish, and getting our water glasses refilled felt like a quest in itself. For a tasting menu with wine pairings at this price point, you expect the service to elevate the experience, not test your patience. Fine dining is about more than just what’s on the plate about the entire experience. Sadly, this one left us with plenty of time to reflect… while waiting for the next course.
The food was mostly great, but a restaurant at this price more has to also have the experience and service to match. Unfortunately, that wasn't the case. The service was a bit slow (40m per plate), and not very attentive. We had to ask for our water to be refilled almost every time, and one service they literally forgot to bring utensils. Also, we mentioned a seafood intolerance, and the server reassured us there was no seafood, only for them to bring scallops. The whole thing felt sloppy and disorganized, and honestly more stuffy than fun and friendly. For the food, the majority of the dishes tasted great, although a bit uninspired. The two dessert ending was a bit much, especially since the last one was just bitter ice cream and raspberry on meringue. A sad nite to end on after 4 hours.
we found the place on Amex recommended restaurant list that we can use our credit card meal credit, turns out they don’t even accept Amex credit card as a payment method, it got declined twice👎🏻👎🏻👎🏻
Had our first experience of blind tasting menu in this distinguished restaurant and it was spectacular. It was our 7th wedding anniversary and I suggested to my wife that we should try to eat at this place. I'm glad she agreed because she enjoyed it as much as I did. We were notified that the menu changes every season and most of the ingredients are locally sourced. As a person who has a great appetite, I understand some of the reviews pertaining to the courses not making you full. It made me satiated enough which made me appreciate the concept even more. I would advice to the people who wants to try this place to eat their lunch or go with your everyday meals the night you visit here. And also, keep an open mind and an even more open palette because it would be blown into smithereens! The waiters are professional, knowledgeable and patient that they are always enthusiastic to answer our questions. Now for the detailed dishes of that night. 1st course was I think, inspired by an Italian salad named Carpese. It had roasted basil leaf on top, a slice of Goat cheese from Chateauguay, then a mixture of what I believe is a peach compote and fresh tomato and at its base is pesto. Also serve with toast white bread on this side lightly brushed with butter. They suggested that we try to mix the salad and put it on the bread before consuming. I would say this is very mild to the palette yet inviting that makes you anticipate on the next dishes to come. 2nd course is something that when served would make you wonder, confused even on what it is. It is incomparable to any dish I've come across which made me even more anxious to try it. It is deceptively simple yet when I tasted it it was truly incredible, almost made me think if it had meat on it. It was apparently composed of pickled red horseradish, raw scallops, edible flower and what seems to be a seething foam of horseradish coulis or mousse. This for me was the best dish of that night. As someone who aspires to increase one's knowledge in the culinary field, this dish opened doors in my mind on how endless the possibilities are and how far chefs like in this restaurant are pushing the boundaries even further. 3rd course was beloved by my wife on how it was filled with leafy greens and of course the sesame seed crusted halibut with sesame oil and ginger sauce. It reminded me of sushi because of the ginger flavour. All of the ingredients are complementary to each other and it is quite unique for us and quite a new take for me on fish which I would love to add to my repertoire. 4th course for us was the weakest that night. Although a classic French dish, the beef filet mignon with pepper sauce and 3 kinds of mushroom didn't really stuck with me. Also as someone who's a meat guy the quantity of steak is a bit on the low for me. Perhaps a change of a part of beef may have made it even more noticeable. The only thing that piqued my interest in this dish was the creamy mashed celeriac but not enough to save the dish. Props to the chef though, on how flavourful and tender the steak was. 5th course is one for the books though, the 2nd impressionable dish of the entire night. An asparagus flavoured ice cream ??? I know, you've read that right. At first I was really suspicious to the point that made me doubt this dish, making me think if are they trying too hard. And tried they did and it blew me away. That's why they're the chef and I'm not.The bittersweet contrast between ingredients also with the coconut flavour and the asparagus coulis with the subtle tanginess of the fresh strawberries. It became a harmonious symphony of flavours that made my brain melt along with the sweet and savoury confection. 6th course deserves to be a finale. At its base a soft meringue covered with cream, crumbled bits with mango compote or jam topped with zany candied meringue done to perfection. The sharp sweetness of the meringue, the fruitiness, tanginess of the mango and the creamy sauce will leave you speechless and wanting for more. We will dine here once more with great anticipation.
The best tasting menu I've had at a small and friendly place. Incredible service and a menu that stuns and surprises with its delicious ingenuity. No pretentious, just great food and an evening of delight.
I came here with high expectations since a few of my friends really love this place, but unfortunately my experience didn’t quite match theirs, maybe they visited during a different menu. First off, the service was great. We came for a special occasion, and the staff were very sweet and thoughtful throughout. A few highlights: - My favourite dish was the first appetizer which was a strong start. - The risotto was enjoyable, with a nice Asian-inspired touch to the flavour. - The pork was good, nothing too wow - I was surprised that a bun the size of my palm with homemade butter (which wasn’t particularly memorable) counted as one full course. - The final picture was probably a palette cleanser before dessert. It was very icy - it felt a bit off to have this during deep winter. And unfortunately it numbed my mouth with acidity and smelled a bit like play dough. I couldn’t finish it. As others have mentioned, the menu felt very experimental - but for me, it wasn’t executed particularly well. Montreal has many excellent tasting menu options, and I’ve personally had better experiences elsewhere. That said, it’s possible I just happened to visit during an off menu.
Perfect dinner, I’m not sure if this folks got or Not a Michelin star but this is to me what that should all about. Very similar in value to Montreal Plaza
Had a fantastic vegan 6 courses tasting menu there yesterday for my birthday! The staff was super nice, the food delicious and the cocktails really unique. I definitely will come back again!
Had a really lovely evening at Île Flottante. It’s a tasting experience with no menu. Each course is a delightful surprise—and that’s exactly what makes it so special. Every dish felt carefully thought out, with beautiful presentation and really interesting combinations of flavours, textures, and aromas. You can tell there’s a lot of creativity and precision behind the experience. They offer pairings, but I kept it light since I was driving back to Ottawa, and it still felt complete. Also worth mentioning: the price feels very fair for the quality, especially with their Michelin recognition. Tip: go with an open mind and take your time—it’s meant to be experienced, not rushed. You will also need to make a reservation.
The Emperor Has No Tablecloth. We arrived for a birthday celebration. We left having celebrated nothing. Île Flottante charges $130 per person for a vegetarian tasting menu that mistakes visual complexity for culinary achievement. Course after course arrived architecturally composed and gastronomically hollow — flower petals standing in for flavor, smears of sauce substituting for depth, decorative crockery so aggressively mismatched it suggested less a design philosophy than a disorganized cupboard. The service was, at best, theoretical. Water glasses refilled themselves only through determined intervention. Our server existed primarily as a recurring rumor. When one diner requested a second piece of bread, they were informed this pleasure would carry an additional charge. At $130 a head, the bread is apparently rationed. No one acknowledged the birthday. Not once. The Michelin Guide has been generous to this address. One can only assume their inspector visited on an evening when the kitchen remembered to season the food, the servers remembered their tables, and management remembered that hospitality — not merely its aesthetic performance — is the entire point. Montreal deserves better. So did the birthday guest.
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Left still feeling hungry, which was disapointing.
Flavour combinations paired well with each other and tasted light and delicate. Really enjoyed the flavours of each dish. The only problem was that the sauce element of each savoury course was a little too salty. The rest of the dish would be perfectly fine but then I would get a bit of sauce and it would be too salty.
Deserves more than just a Michelin distinction. They have a rotating blind tasting menu and every course was packed with a different set of flavors. The first restaurant that I told myself I need to come back to often. Highly recommend!
One of the best meals of my life. Often fine dining is full of “interesting” bites but you’re not sure if you “like” them… in this case, the food was both interesting and comforting. Highly recommend.
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Opening hours
- Sunday Closed
- Monday Closed
- Tuesday Closed
- Wednesday 17:30 - 22:00
- Thursday 17:30 - 22:00
- Friday 17:30 - 22:00
- Saturday 17:30 - 22:00
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