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.
My husband & I came here to celebrate our 10th anniversary. Food was exquisite, & service was attentive without being overbearing. The staff are young, but knowledgeable & passionate about what they do - a delight! We loved the lobster, braised leeks & hollandaise, as well as the blue fin tuna bruschetta & squid & mussel escabeche - but the hand pulled ricotta gnocchi Boscaiola was the absolute star of the night. Rounded out the evening with espresso, Valhrona Basque cake & the Peaches Eton mess, followed by a tipple of Amaro generously offered by the chef. The decor was elegant, spare, but still cosy. Chef Danny Smiles & his team have created a complete gem. Outstanding & highly recommend!
Quel coup de coeur! Mon nouveau restaurant préféré à Montréal. Nous avons fait le menu'choix du chef' & tout était délicieux du début à la fin. Mes préférés étaient le homard avec de la sauce hollandaise & les gnocchi avec des champignons. Le service est impeccable, ils sont très attentifs à des restrictions alimentaires particulières. Le restaurant en soi est très beau, lumineux, accueillant & bien décoré.
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.
A bit of an underwhelming experience to be honest. The highlight of the meal were the excellent desserts. Impressive choux & a very well-balanced spumoni cake. Props off to whoever is their pastry chef!
Perhaps this was an off night but although the flavours are generally there (except for the beef tartare), the sea bream & the gnocchi were overcooked . My suspicion is that without the supervision of the head chef Danny Smiles, the younger chefs may not have the experience to fulfill his vision.
A lot of the front of staff seemed young & inexperienced for a restaurant of this price point. Montreal is known for a more casual & friendly service, which I actually prefer, but having waiters just chit-chatting around about going out in the dining room bordered on unprofessional. Of note, there were two waitstaff who seemed more experienced, but we were not in their assigned zones.
It is a classically beautiful restaurant, but not at the top of what is available in Montreal.
I really loved my experience here from the reservation to the welcome to the food. Staff & chefs were top notch. Nothing stuffy about the place. It's a five-star restaurant that feels like a comfortable neighborhood eatery. We went there to celebrate our wedding anniversary. Never mentioned it to the staff but they treated us as though they knew & made us feel special & very welcome. Food did not disappoint either. For appetizers, we had a Quebec cheese plate served with melons & almonds & Nova Scotia tuna which was prepared as a tartare/bruschetta both were super. Main, we had Sea Bream & Lamb shanks again both excellent. Smokiness on the sea bream & the tenderness & seasoning on the lamb shanks were perfect. Portions are small but satisfying overall. Weren't going there to get stuffed but really enjoy unique flavors. That is what we got. Don't want to overhype it but I know it exceeded my expectations from an overall experience.
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!!
Absolutely fabulous meal & service. Great cocktails & deep wine list. We had the chef's tasting menu featuring highlights of menu & some special additions. We were treated as royalty. Great service & an amazing dining experience.
A total must- the vibe, the people, the food & the staff! Everyone was amazing. Highly highly suggest the chef's tasting menu. The staff is also amazing. We will be back!
J'ai tout aimé de notre soirée. Nous avons pris le « choix du chef » puisque nous étions 7 personnes.
Le service a été excellent & très chaleureux lors d'une soirée de tempête, un lundi soir, le 17 février. Les portions étaient généreuse pour le nombre de personnes. Nous avons tous mangé à notre faim. La qualité des ingrédients & la justesse d'exécution ont fait en sorte que les plats étaient incroyable. De plus, le sommelier nous a conseillé des vins PARFAIT avec les plats & en général.
Le chef Danny Smiles est même venue s'asseoir avec nous pour nous parler de la soirée & il nous a offert une tournée puisque c'était l'anniversaire d'une personne autour de la table.
Je crois que cela pourrait fort bien devenir une tradition à chaque année afin de célébrer l'anniversaire de cette personne.
