Caravelle: The Mediterranean on the Banks of the Richelieu

On the banks of the Richelieu River in Vieux-Belœil, Mont Saint-Hilaire rises on the horizon behind the silhouette of Caravelle, a magnificent new restaurant. Key players from the team behind Limousine have created a refined neighbourhood table with Mediterranean accents, designed from the outset as a destination. The idea: to offer a mini waterside getaway, like the ones we treat ourselves to in the south of France.

A Yacht Club Feel on the Richelieu

The moment you step through the door, the view takes over: the Richelieu flows right outside, with Mont Saint-Hilaire as a backdrop. “There’s a little magic in the air in this part of Vieux-Belœil,” says Renaud Lambert, one of the four partners at the helm of Caravelle, alongside Victor Collette, Maxime Lachapelle and Olivier Marchand.

The dining room is huge, a rare scale on the South Shore, and yet you never feel its size once you’re inside. The team has divided the space into sections, each with its own atmosphere. On the ground floor, a lively French brasserie spirit takes over, while upstairs, in a quieter setting, linen-dressed tables invite long, leisurely dinners and private events.

The design bears the signature of Ivy Studio, also behind the interiors of Limousine, Bowie and Dorsia, to name just a few. Inspired by the yacht clubs found along waterfronts elsewhere in the world, the nautical theme slips into the details without ever weighing down the room or tipping into kitsch. Outside, a balcony overlooks the river and, just below, a vast terrace with its own bar awaits the warm season. A marina project is also under discussion: guests will then be able to arrive by boat for an apéro facing the mountain, and the yacht club inspiration will come full circle.

As the evening goes on, the lights dim, the music shifts and the room comes alive. You can settle in for the whole evening or simply drop by late for a nightcap.

A Mediterranean Menu with Something for Everyone

In the kitchen, executive chef Michel Normand (Chien Fumant, Hiatus and, of course, Limousine) leads the brigade, backed by production chef Jérémie Marcille. True to its reputation, the team holds firm to its rigour, and everything is made in-house, right down to the bread. “We kept the same level of technique, and we even pushed some things a little further,” says Victor. The dishes were chosen to bring together a neighbourhood clientele that comes in as readily for a weeknight dinner as for a celebration.

Built on well-executed classics, the menu reads by category. A few bites accompany the apéro, oysters and crudos open the meal on a fresh note, followed by more familiar starters like grilled octopus and fried calamari. Fresh pasta, salads, meats (from filet au poivre to côte de bœuf) and fish round out the offering.

The menu leans clearly toward the Mediterranean and the sea. Whole fish is among the dishes the team wants to showcase, and fine Québec products find their place on the menu as they come in.

A brunch, already eagerly awaited in the neighbourhood, is also in the plans for Caravelle. The team intends to focus on great French classics, from eggs Benedict to French omelette to crêpes, and the house-made approach carries through, from the bread to the English muffins.

Sun-Kissed Cocktails and a No-Fuss Wine List

The cocktails, created by Jonathan Homier, who also designed the drinks list at Limousine, are a real highlight. They stay close to the great classics, reworked in his own way, with a sunny signature that suits the waterside setting naturally.

On the wine side, the list is the work of Victor and Maxime, a director whose background includes Monarque and Stellina. It relies on reliable favourites and also offers affordable wines by the glass. Concise, it draws mainly from France, with forays into Italy and Spain in keeping with the house’s Mediterranean spirit, and sets aside a few older vintages for the curious.

A Blank Slate on the Water

The project was born when friends from the Janick group, owners of the neighbouring restaurant, including Arnaud Nadeau, acquired the land. The four partners joined the project, and the Caravelle adventure was underway.

“Often, you’ve got four walls and you have to be creative within them. Here, we had the opportunity to build everything from scratch,” explains Renaud Lambert. A charming little heritage house left abandoned on the property was even rebuilt to eventually house Café Caravelle, a separate spot with its own menu of viennoiseries, sandwiches, coffees and drinks.

With its terrace and future marina, Caravelle has everything it takes to become one of the most pleasant places in the region to sit down facing the mountain, drink in hand.

Written by Jean-Philippe Tastet
Photography by Alison Slattery

Updated on October 02, 2026

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