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.
One word: WOW. Chef Danny Smiles is a genius!!
We've followed him from Le Bremner to The Willow Inn, & his creations just keep getting better & better. The dishes coming out were simply decadent, each one more impressive than the last. Absolutely phenomenal🤩
I have a gluten intolerance, & the kitchen went above & beyond to accommodate me.
& a huge shoutout to the staff too! Their energy was incredible & made the experience even more special, especially with our group of 8.
They made us feel so welcome & taken care of from start to finish.
It's no surprise they've earned two Michelin stars back-to-back. Absolutely well deserved!!!!
In bocca al 🐺…keep creating magic✨
Love, Tris & Chris
This restaurant is stunning. I can't get over how delicious the food is. The service is attentive & approachable. We didn't have a bad dish. Let the chef guide your experience. You won't be disappointed. We will come back to Montreal just to return to this restaurant. Chef Danny Smiles is exceptional.
Very high end tasting menu/chef's choice for $125 per person. Amazing quality, creative, this is one of the best restaurants in the city today (Nov 2024, & updated June 2026). Highly recommended. Small cozy room but still upscale without being pretentious. 3 services per night, & you have to pay a $50 deposit per person, but definitely worth it. Service was excellent for our group of 5. To me it ranks up there with Vin Mon Lapin, my colleague thinks it's better. Decide for yourself. Highly recommended, great experience.
Jun 20, 2026
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Had the best fish, really loved the simplicity of flavours & textures.
The staff was great, & the chef prepared us a vegetarian dish off the menu upon request.
So we were excited to try this place because it got 8th on the list of Canada's top 100 restaurants.
So we were expecting the meal to be great.
We've done many tasting menus & so we thought that would be the best way to experience but the chef has to offer.
The first dishes were a bread dish with butter & lobster with asparagus & a bechamel sauce. They were good but nothing special.
The pate & the fish with harissa sauce were both not that great. The pate for some reason was paired with radish so you had a very very silky smooth Pate which was delicious, but the radish would add a watery texture to it. Not very appealing.
Then we got the mains. The salad was fresh with a light dressing. Once again, nothing super special here. & the pork was mixed with a bechamel & a jus. That was good , & finally the fish which didn't really stand out either.
For a restaurant getting the top 100 , you would expect something that would stand out & be different.
The desserts though were outstanding , that pastry / dessert chef deserves an award by herself 🤣. Those were epic.
Also our server was amazing & great as well.
Overall though not a place I'd recommend to spend $450. Def had better experiences at that price point.
Had the pleasure to dine at Le Violon last night. The food was outstanding, the service impeccable & the overall experience most enjoyable! The event was a fixed menu promotion with American Express. We have been to Le Violon before with a regular menu & it was also memorable. The chef Danny Smiles is a culinary genius, & a very well-know & respected chef in Montreal. I encourage Montrealers & tourists alike to try Le Violon as it really is in a class of its own!
We celebrated our 48th anniversary at Le Violon & it was a perfect choice. We told them it was our anniversary & that we'd take the Chef's choice, Tasting Menu. It was a wonderful experience these to senior Foodies.😄. The service was perfect as well. Definitely a strong recommendation for Le Violon.
Note, the tasking menu is very generous so bring a hearty appetite. Also one item was special & not available on the standard menu, which we loved.
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!
Bouffe moyenne. Le Chef était peut-être en congé quand nous sommes passés, mais j'ai trouvé nos plats très passables (peu savoureux, peu intéressants). Oui, j'avais des attentes, oui le prix est très élevé, mais objectivement, il y a beaucoup de meilleurs restos à Montréal. L'ambiance était très passable (cela dit, c'est surtout la faute de nos voisines de table parlant trop fort...). La déco est tout de même très banale. Le service, dans son ensemble, était excellent (je n'ai juste pas apprécié qu'un serveur arrive en demandant «French or English»). Le vin suggéré par notre serveuse était fabuleux. Nous n'y retournerons pas. Michelin, c'est une arnaque.
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.
