Le Violon is a neighbourhood restaurant tucked away in Montreal's Le Plateau. The menu by chefs Mitch Laughren and Danny Smiles and team focuses on seafood-forward dishes and seasonal Quebec produce. Our wine list is refined and approachable, plus find new spins on classic cocktails.
Le Violon in Montreal is widely praised for inventive, beautifully executed dishes and attentive service in an elegant, cozy setting, with standout items like lobster, beef tartare, gnocchi, seabream, and lamb chops frequently cited; the bar and the kitchen view add to the experience, though noise levels can be high and some nights show inconsistencies in dish execution or portion sizes for the price. The dining atmosphere, wine and cocktail program are highlighted, and many guests say they would return, with several calling it one of the top experiences in Canada, while a minority note that portions are small and service can be uneven during busy periods.
No wonder Le violon is #1 in Montreal. Fantastic service, every single dish was carefully plated & tasted amazing! The portion sizes were perfect. The attention to detail is second to none, amazing kitchen & service!
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.
May 10, 2025
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Really beautiful spot for a date night. The staff were all so friendly & the ambiance of the restaurant was amazing. Really great music & lighting. The cocktails are amazing. Highly recommend!
Le Violon was a spectacular dining experience all every level & well worth it recently been called the best new restaurant in Canada by Canada's 100 Best! The'Seabream with English Peas & Beurre Blanc' absolutely blew my mind, & the'Raw Beef with Bulgur, Tahini, Green Sauce, & Birri Tomatoes' is a must that packs a punch of flavour. Try the delightfully surprising flavour combinations of'Blood Orange with Fennel, Zachary Cloutier, & Marcona'! The service goes above & beyond the call of duty, & the atmosphere is warm & cosy. I will return!!!
I really enjoyed my experience at this restaurant. I would say the food is good, not quite exceptional. There was nothing to complain about execution wise, but I have had a more inspired or impressive version of each dish elsewhere for a similar price. The decor & the atmosphere are top tier; they clearly took their time with the re-design of the space. The service is casual & cool without being too laid back or inattentive. The restaurant has earned its best new restaurant title, but I think there is room for improvement should they hope to impress all guests.
Nice & cozy atmosphere with excellent service. The portions are however small & definitely on the pricier side, even compared to other fine dining places in Montreal. Also tips start at 18% (like a lot of restaurants), & it's impossible to put 15% unless if you put the exact amount.
Vraiment une belle expérience culinaire, directement quand nous sommes arrivé nous nous sommes faite accueillir chaleureusement. Du beau personnel, de la bonne bouf & une belle ambiance! Je dois dire que ce n'est clairement pas la dernière fois que nous allons vivre l'expérience Le Violon. Mention spécial à Dylan & Andrew pour votre beau service mais aussi aux autres personnels pour votre beau travaille. Les cuisiniers ont géré aussi. Petit parking payant en plus pas trop loin, la marche à aider à la digestion. Glazer #1
May 3, 2025
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The beef & bulgur was good. The white asparagus & crab was delicious but maybe a little overpriced. The guinea fowl was perfect. Lamb chop is worth adding. The off-men snow crab tagliatelle was kinda disappointing, needed more seasoning. The custard pie needed more rhubarb, the tiramisu was delicious, the tiramisu flavoured affogato was great, though I think adding a lady's finger biscuit or its crumbs would have helped. Could have put more effort into garnishing their cocktails but they were good.
Friendly, efficient service. Nice decor.
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.
What a great experience. The food was obviously incredible (the tagliatelle was actually the best pasta I've ever had) & very creative. The wine selection is very fun, the cocktails were amazing. The staff there were an absolute highlight, laughing & joking with us & they all seemed to be really enjoying themselves.
The only down side was feeling judged in the bathroom by the fancy French ladies (this was a joke - see my pictures!)
Nothing not to like. Great food with a changing menu. Great cocktail & wine list. Food is simple ingredients done really well. Seafood focused but vege & meat options too. & the wait staff are incredible…seems like they're all very happy & have a great time. They really want to ensure you enjoy your time there. Sit at the bar & talk to the servers & you'll have a blast.
Excellent menu dégustation, délicieux vins, ambiance parfaite & bon service. Seule ombre au tableau, lors du paiement, on force le pourboire à 18% min. Si on veut mettre 15% on doit calculer le montant nous-mêmes. Je trouve ça dérangeant quand un resto décide pour nous le pourboire qu'on a envie de donner.
Impeccable service, homey yet classy ambiance & a menu that takes you on a journey. A combination of flavours & creativity offered through hyper fresh seasonal ingredients make Le Violon a must on everyone's list.
This is not just food- this is edible art.
Mar 25, 2025
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Bonjour Andrew & à toute la chaleureuse équipe de votre restaurant Le violon,
Nous avons eu le privilège de déguster un délicieux repas où la créativité, la qualité des plats, des saveurs, du service sont à l'honneur! Tout était parfait! Andrew, un des propriétaires nous a accueillis chaleureusement comme si nous faisions partie de la famille. Tout le personnel est bienveillant & attentionné. Le décor est doux, feutré & chaleureux. Nous étions bien fiers de voir tout le travail réalisé par notre fils William & ses collègues de Promel Construction. Le restaurant est magnifique! Déjà deux semaines sont passées & nous avons déjà hâte d'y retourner. Nous avons encore en mémoire les saveurs & les beaux moments de cette magnifique soirée. Merci à vous tous de nous partager votre passion de la gastronomie.
À bientôt, Josée & Sylvain xx
Bonjour Andrew & à toute la chaleureuse équipe de votre restaurant Le violon,
Nous avons eu le privilège de déguster un délicieux repas où la créativité, la qualité des plats, des saveurs, du service sont à l'honneur! Tout était parfait! Andrew, un des propriétaires nous a accueillis chaleureusement comme si nous faisions partie de la famille. Tout le personnel est bienveillant & attentionné. Le décor est doux, feutré & chaleureux. Nous étions bien fiers de voir tout le travail réalisé par notre fils William & ses collègues de Promel Construction. Le restaurant est magnifique! Déjà deux semaines sont passées & nous avons déjà hâte d'y retourner. Nous avons encore en mémoire les saveurs & les beaux moments de cette magnifique soirée. Merci à vous tous de nous partager votre passion de la gastronomie.
À bientôt, Josée & Sylvain xx
