Ryu specializes in contemporary Japanese cuisine characterized by a focus on sustainable seafood and precise culinary preparation. The menu features an extensive selection of artfully arranged sushi, including signature maki rolls and fresh nigiri crafted from responsibly sourced ingredients. Beyond traditional sushi offerings, the restaurant incorporates vibrant poke bowls that prioritize raw fish quality and diverse texture profiles through crisp, seasonal vegetables. The kitchen employs refined techniques to balance subtle umami flavors with clean, modern presentations that define the brand identity. Each dish emphasizes the natural integrity of the marine harvest while maintaining a consistent aesthetic across all menu items. The establishment provides a focused environment centered on high-quality seafood consumption, reflecting a modern approach to classic Japanese culinary traditions and dietary trends.
Ryu consistently delivers an outstanding dining experience characterized by incredibly fresh, high quality ingredients and beautifully presented dishes. Guests frequently praise the exceptional flavor of the sushi, sashimi, and specialty items like the wagyu dumplings, while noting that the cocktails are expertly crafted and well balanced. The atmosphere is described as stylish, elegant, and energetic, often enhanced by talented DJs and a welcoming, cozy vibe that makes it perfect for both lively nights out and intimate dinners. Service is a recurring highlight, with staff members consistently described as attentive, knowledgeable, and professional, ensuring that guests feel well taken care of from start to finish. Whether visiting for a date night, a social gathering, or a business meal, the overall consensus is that Ryu provides a top tier experience that remains a favorite staple in Montreal.
Exceptional! Rudy our waiter was super helpful & knowledgeable about the fish. We enjoyed his conversation & service. Food was amazing, ambiance was great. I highly recommend Ryu for nigiri.
Last night, I had dinner at Ryu Griffintown with my daughter, & we both had such a lovely evening.
The food was excellent. Everything tasted fresh, especially the fish, & the dishes were beautifully prepared without feeling overly complicated. It certainly isn't an inexpensive restaurant, but in my opinion, the prices are quite reasonable for the quality of the food & the care that goes into it.
Partway through our dinner, a very large group of about twenty people arrived, many of them young children. Naturally, the restaurant became quite busy all at once. There were only two people handling most of the service, so you could see that they had their hands full, but I was genuinely impressed by the way everyone worked together.
Our waiter, Rudy, was wonderful. He continued checking on us throughout the evening & made sure we had everything we needed. The manager was helping by bringing out food & assisting wherever necessary, & even the hostess who had seated us was carrying plates & bringing water to tables. Everyone simply pitched in.
Having eaten in many restaurants over the years, I tend to notice these little details. A sudden group of that size, especially with so many children, can be very challenging for any restaurant. The service may have slowed slightly at moments, which was completely understandable, but we never felt forgotten or poorly treated.
Later, I came to understand that the large group was the owner dining with his family. What impressed me even more was that the staff still continued taking care of the rest of the restaurant rather than focusing all of their attention on that one table.
I also happened to read the recent negative review, & I must say that it simply does not reflect the experience my daughter & I had. I certainly would not describe the staff as rude or the service as poor. Quite the opposite. I saw a small team working very hard under difficult circumstances while remaining pleasant & attentive.
We had a wonderful evening, enjoyed very fresh food, & were especially impressed by the effort of Rudy & the entire team. I would happily return.
I had a reservation at RYU this past Saturday night. I went with my wife & three other couples, we're visiting from NYC & everything from start to finish exceeded expectations.
The fish was some of the freshest I've had in a long time-every dish was beautifully prepared & full of flavor. They definitely prioritize quality ingredients.
The service was impeccable. The staff was attentive, professional, & made the entire evening feel seamless & enjoyable, their drinks are excellent-definitely worth trying a few.
If you're looking for a place in Montreal with a great atmosphere, outstanding food, & top-tier service, I highly recommend Ryu.
I went here for Valentine's Day & we had the fixed menu.
To start with the positives: the food was tasty. The cod in particular was excellent-easily the best cod I've had. Very juicy & well cooked. One of our servers also did a good job.
Now the downsides.
I left starving. The portion sizes were honestly shocking for the price. Everything was tiny & meant to be shared between two people:
- One beef slider… split between two people
- One fish dish… split between two people
- Overall portions that felt like they were meant for a child
- Bathroom was dirty, trash was overflowing
Have you ever split a single slider between two adults? At nearly $400 for two people, that's absurd. I shouldn't be leaving a restaurant at that price point still hungry.
The sushi rice was also cold. At a lower-tier place, fine. But not at this price. Sushi rice should be fresh & around body temperature, not cold.
Our seating area was cold from the door opening & closing, even though we weren't right beside it. Not a great way to spend a long dinner in the middle of winter.
Service at the end was frustrating. We finished eating & then sat there for about 30 minutes waiting for the bill. I made eye contact with the server multiple times trying to signal that we were ready. Nothing. Eventually the bill came, but it shouldn't take that long.
So overall: yes, the food tasted good. But it was nowhere near worth the price. At ~$400 for two people, this should be a flawless experience where you leave full & happy, not hungry & feeling like something was missing. Being busy on Valentine's Day isn't an excuse for tiny portions, cold sushi rice, slow billing, & a cold table.
I wouldn't return unless the restaurant has a good explanation. Being busy is not an excuse.
It's my favorite place, a hidden gem in Montreal . I wish they had it in nyc. You would think it would be easy to find something similar in nyc given the volume of restaurants, but I could never find anything that matched the vibe, price point & quality of the fish .
I ordered online & let me tell you! The packaging was absolutely gorgeous. The food on another level. Wow, the sashimi was second to none, their makis so perfectly rolled & cut & the fish as fresh as it gets. They have amazing hot food as well. Their wagyu dumplings DELICIOUS! & their crispy taquitos with the salmon tartare... foodgasm! This is definitely the best delivery sushi I've had so far in Montreal. I will be going to try them in person because the pictures of the place look so beautiful !
