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 is described as a sophisticated culinary destination where the tasting menu offers inventive French-inspired dishes and the kitchen delivers with precise execution; the service is generally impeccable and the atmosphere is lively and stylish, though some guests find portions small for the price and a few evenings can be noisy or inconsistent. Overall, reviews portray Le Violon as a standout Montreal experience that many would recommend, with notes about value and occasional service quirks.
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 $450. Def had better experiences at that price point.
very nice service, delicious dishes in those some were scrumptious but some with less layered taste, quite noisy later, still a wonderful dining experience on the whole.
May 22, 2026
on Google
🍽️
Know where to eat in Montreal before everyone else.
Get the first look at the hottest openings, secret menus, and RestoMontreal.ca's weekly top picks. Join 50,000+ foodies.
I am very disappointed with my experience at Le Violon we had such high expectations. We got seated at the bar & right from the beginning the server was not friendly at all with us. We told her it was our first time in the hope to get some guidance, she told us we should get this specific amount of dishes, did not explained the menu we had to ask her what are the really good stuff, she goes on to mention every most expensive items on the menu without providing any additional details on the dish to help us make a decision while there are literally 3 ingredients listed for every dishes ?! Also sure the most expensive plate may be the best but like tell me more ?! Obviously with her attitude we didn't wanted to bother her with questions so we just ordered…
We ordered some wine & the wine came after we got the appetizers which I find unacceptable for a restaurant with such a reputation.
She set us up for the pasta dish with only a fork no knifes so we had to cut our ravioli with the side of our forks, which I'm sorry but why do I have to ask the server for proper ustensils with a 40$ 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.
Le Violon is sophisticated culinary experience where the vibrant ambiance of Le Plateau converges with Montréal's gastronomic excellence. The tasting menu showcases exceptional dishes, featuring innovative (& sometimes surprising) ingredient combinations that are expertly prepared & will leave you with a full stomach. Excellent service paired with delightful food in this trendy spot.
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!
Definitely overrated, especially for a city like Montreal with such a strong food scene.
Out of five dishes, only two met expectations (the agnolotti & the boeuf). The other three were very disappointing: asparagus with a poorly executed hollandaise, scallops that were tasteless with an unbalanced sauce, & a crudo that was visually beautiful but lacked flavor. Overall, quite underwhelming given how overpriced it is.
Service felt pretentious & more focused on upselling than genuinely guiding us toward the best choices.
Not worth the price or the effort of planning weeks ahead to get a reservation.
Too much inconsistency in the quality of the dishes, some were thoughtful & well prepared, others were lacking in execution. Some awkward service moments. Wanted to like it but left disappointed!
Nov 17, 2025
on Google
🍽️
Know where to eat in Montreal before everyone else.
Get the first look at the hottest openings, secret menus, and RestoMontreal.ca's weekly top picks. Join 50,000+ foodies.
I thought the food, ambiance, & service were all phenomenal. I'm from NYC, the home of Michelin star restaurants & every cool place is a degustation concept now, but this one was phenomenal. Me & my gf shared 7 plates & 2 desserts & had drinks. Everything was excellent. Every server had a vast amount of knowledge on every dish served, what it paired well with, & the order the dishes were brought out & they explained why. Kudos to everyone there, but especially our server Melissa, she was phenomenal. My gf isn't really a wine person but felt like having a glass & Melissa went into detail about each wine & let her sample a few before she settled on one. Well done to everyone at Le Violon. I will absolutely be back.
Visited for my 40th birthday from out of town. Built our trip around the restaurant. Was amazing but saddening that we won't be able to return as soon as we would like. The mushroom gnocchi was awesome & the lobster dish was one of the best dishes I have ever had. Service was great but if I am going to be picky with something it was that the server wasn't attentive to the occasion. The above & beyond service wasn't fully there. Still a solid 5/5 & a memorable 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!!
Very cozy atmosphere, vibrant & cheery! Wonderful cuisine.
The lamb & lobster dishes were cooked to perfection & bursting with flavour. Salad crispy & fresh!
Jul 5, 2025
on Google
🍽️
Know where to eat in Montreal before everyone else.
Get the first look at the hottest openings, secret menus, and RestoMontreal.ca's weekly top picks. Join 50,000+ foodies.
We were 6 people total & decided to get the tasting menu. It was a delicious & well rounded meal, all dishes were delightfully presented & the wine we had was a perfect match. Thank you!
One of the top restaurants I have ever been to. The menu is seasonal, varied, & perfectly seasoned. I have found some other restaurants may be heavy handed with salt/sweetness/acidity, but bravo to Le Violon for finding the right balance & made each dish shine with perfect execution. We had the tasting menu & found dishes to be creative, comforting & very enjoyable. Thank you for a memorable experience!
Loved our experience at Le Violon. We had to wait 10 minutes for our table but the host made sure we were comfortable outside & checked in on us a few times. Enjoyed all our dishes - sourdough bread & butter, citrus (cara cara) salad, asparagus/lobster with hollandaise, seabream & affogato tiramisu. Standout was for sure the affogato tiramisu - the perfect blend of creamy, rich & sweet with a delicious note of bitterness from the coffee. A week later & I'm still thinking about it! The lobster was also some of the best I've ever had. Service was excellent & atmosphere lovely.
Le Violon - a wonderful gastronomique experience! Chapeau to the chefs, especially Chef Mitch who passionately shared with us (table of 8) the "behind the scene experience" for each course - truly appreciated Chef Mitch! An innovative menu - dishes curated mainly from locally sourced ingredients, with a multi-cultural touch, a wonderful experience in a chique, without being pretentious, environment. Highly recommended!
Jan 24, 2025
on Google
🍽️
Know where to eat in Montreal before everyone else.
Get the first look at the hottest openings, secret menus, and RestoMontreal.ca's weekly top picks. Join 50,000+ foodies.
I recently dined at Le Violon & was thoroughly impressed with the entire experience. The chef's exquisite dishes showcased a perfect blend of flavors, making every bite memorable. The staff were attentive & warm, adding to the overall welcoming atmosphere. The location was perfect, offering a stunning Montreal aesthetic that complemented the delightful decor. It was an unforgettable evening, deserving of all five stars!
Really like a 4.5/5. Food was mostly very good but a couple dishes weren't quite there for us to make it a 5 star. Service was amazing! Try & grab a seat at the far end of the bar for a great look into the kitchen & chef Danny at work.
Right out of a Parisian neighborhood, Le Violon takes you on a beautiful voyage of taste & sight. The decor is stunning, fresh & welcoming. The original artwork of Dan Climan is a feast for the eyes & the incredible, fresh dishes a feast for the palate! Congratulations to the entire team.
