Le Violon presents a sophisticated market-driven approach to seafood, sourcing the freshest catches to showcase their inherent quality and flavor. The culinary team expertly transforms premium fish and shellfish into elegant dishes that highlight regional influences and seasonal availability. Patrons can expect a focused menu featuring expertly prepared seafood preparations, from delicate crudo to robust grilled entrees, all designed to celebrate the ocean's bounty. The environment is curated to provide a refined yet approachable setting for enjoying exceptional aquatic ingredients. It is a destination for those who appreciate the art of seafood preparation at its peak.
Le Violon consistently earns praise as a standout culinary destination in Montreal, celebrated for its intimate, warm, and elegant atmosphere that makes it a perfect setting for special occasions. Many diners highlight the food as exceptional, noting the creative, flavor-packed dishes and the superb mastery of sauces that define the menu. The service is frequently described as top-notch, with staff often noted for being passionate, knowledgeable, and genuinely welcoming, which significantly enhances the overall dining experience. While some guests find the pricing high for the portion sizes or encounter inconsistencies, the majority of visitors are captivated by the unique, high-quality ingredients and the vibrant energy of the space, leading many to plan their return to this highly regarded establishment.
It was by far our favourite tasting menu we've done in the city, & we highly recommend sitting at the bar.
The service & food were truly outstanding & we already want to go back for another celebration.
absolutely fabulous experience sitting at the bar at Le Violon. Hype is well earned - not just from perfect dishes, wines & cocktails, but also incredible service. Warm, welcoming, & very knowledgeable.
Visited Le Violon on a Wednesday evening after hearing plenty of praise & recognition. We were seated at the bar with a view through the window of the kitchen.
The food was good, but arguably safe & one-dimensional. Everything was very well cooked; the fish was flaky with a crispy skin, & the gnocchis very soft & peas still fresh with a light pop. Yet, each dish felt like it was just missing an element of surprise, whether a contrast in texture, flavor or aroma; something that stands out to make the dish more memorable for the price point.
The decor & the vibe of the restaurant is undoubtedly beautiful. Le Violon embodies the ambiance of an elevated resto de quartier. That said, the noise level was high & at times, it became difficult to have a conversation.
All in all, Le Violon was good, but perhaps not good enough to justify the cost. I was more blown away by the bill than the food.
Jul 8, 2026
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I am very disappointed with my experience at Le Violon we had such high expectations. We got seated at the bar & right from the beginning the server was not friendly at all with us. We told her it was our first time in the hope to get some guidance, she told us we should get this specific amount of dishes, did not explained the menu we had to ask her what are the really good stuff, she goes on to mention every most expensive items on the menu without providing any additional details on the dish to help us make a decision while there are literally 3 ingredients listed for every dishes ?! Also sure the most expensive plate may be the best but like tell me more ?! Obviously with her attitude we didn't wanted to bother her with questions so we just ordered…
We ordered some wine & the wine came after we got the appetizers which I find unacceptable for a restaurant with such a reputation.
She set us up for the pasta dish with only a fork no knifes so we had to cut our ravioli with the side of our forks, which I'm sorry but why do I have to ask the server for proper ustensils with a 40$ pasta plate.
Food was good, maybe a little overrated, maybe I just had too much expectation, but the attitude the server had towards us completely ruined our night. I genuinely wonder if we did anything wrong because 2 people got seated next to us while we were having desserts & they got a beautiful smile from her so I'm clueless as to why we got this cold attitude since the moment we got sat.
Honestly most of the small issues could be totally forgave if it wasn't for the server attitude we really felt not welcome. 400$ for two people, I am never going back there.
This was an excellent experience. The service we received the moment we walked in the door was top notch. The staff made you truly feel welcome, we sat at the bar near the kitchen & the chef caught us eyeing dishes as they came out, he was so friendly & explained what the dishes were in detail. Mel truly made the experience special, she took time to visit & help us pick out the best coffee shops & restaurants for the rest of our trip. Le Violon is a special place & a must if you are in Montreal, the food is incredible!
Had an absolutely beautiful meal here last night. Services was on point & the food was excellent. A seat along the bar on the left side is fun as there's a great view of the kitchen. Better than the food though was the atmosphere. I noted on the way out that everyone was always smiling, & having a seat with a full on kitchen view, the chefs / cooks were as well. Everyone working in this restaurant seemed legit happy to be there & that makes all the difference. Amazing space as well, looking forward to heading back.
Nous avons découvert Le Violon pour un dîner en couple & l'expérience a été vraiment agréable. L'ambiance est conviviale avec un petit côté bistronomique parisien. Nous avons été installés au bar ce qui apportait un peu d'animation & finalement c'était très sympathique.
La carte des vins est excellente tout comme le cocktail que nous avons essayé. Côté plats nous avons goûté au thon rouge plus bruschetta, à la pintade & à la dorade : des assiettes bien préparées & savoureuses. Pour finir le gâteau basque accompagné d'une crème anglaise à la pistache a été une belle conclusion au repas.
Un endroit qui vaut le détour surtout si vous parvenez à obtenir une table même au bar ou l'expérience reste réussie. Une adresse à garder en tête.
Everything here (start to finish) was phenomenal. We like to go out for nice meals & some of the top restaurants just don't live up to the hype but chef Danny Smiles & his team definitely do. We had lobster & tuna tartare to start then the sea bream & gnocchi as mains & were mind blowingly good. I 10000% recommend. Go there for those two mains in particular. Service was also excellent. We sat at the bar accross from the kitchen. I like what they've done with the place (post Maison Publique). The bar looks like it's made of pink salt. Very appropriate. Anyway, congrats team! You have a great restaurant.
Le Violon does not disappoint! The service was impeccable & you can tell that each person truly wants you to have a positive experience. It is evident that the staff works as a team to make this place come alive. The renovations to the building are fantastic. The interior offers 3 main seating areas, including the bar in which you can watch the chefs work. I was told by the staff that the art is one of a kind, which is neat. When you get a chance, check out the washroom as well - trust me. Of course the food was phenomenal. With Le Violon being rated as #11 in all of Canada (2025) & #1 best new restaurant (2025), I was not surprised. I asked for the chef to cook for me instead of picking items off the menu myself. Some items I had are the scallops, the beef tartare, the gnocchi dish, the tonata & a pastry dessert. Each meal was gorgeous to look at & taste. You can tell that all flavours & textures were carefully considered. I can't forget the bartender who whipped up an amazing cocktail to suit my dishes. THANK YOU to Le Violon team for giving me a memorable culinary experience. I will be back!!
