Le Crocodile by Rob Feenie in Vancouver

Everything was awesome.

My wife and I recently visited Le Crocodile by Rob Feenie and it was an experience like none weve ever had. We chose the Tasting Menu and the wine pairing. To say it was the best meal weve ever experienced would simply not do it justice. It was delightful, provocative, amazing. Absolutely sublime. The sommelier, Jill Spoor, was a perfect delight. An amazingly knowledgeable person who was able to explain the wine pairings clearly and with so much enthusiasm I couldnt wait to try them. Courses slid onto the table with elan; the high level of service was so engaging, explaining all the amazing delights being presented. I have never seen this level of service. Each wine was so nuanced and fit so amazingly well with our food! What an absolute delight. The room is engaging with plenty of excited people so the noise level is akin to a family party. We saw Chef Feenie proudly engaging the room on several occasions. It was so wonderful. Just a great big thank you to all the staff. Im so grateful to have had this experience.

In an amazing atmosphere

I had a phenomenal dining experience here recently. The food, service, and atmosphere were absolute perfection. I highly recommend the burger! You won t regret it!

Went for a birthday dinner last night as we were both eager to try the new iteration of Le Crocodile. The new decor is underwhelming and only serves to underline to limitations of the space, which even longtime fans of Le Crocodile will admit has always been awkward. When you enter now you find yourself in strange no man s land that feels like you ve entered the cloak room or a staff entrance by mistake. I m not reviewing the decor it s just something we noticed. We sit down, immediately notice the acoustics have gotten much worse. We have to lean across the table and repeat ourselves to carry on a conversation. The appetizer menu seemed more conventional than before, each item was more or less the kind of thing you d expect to see there. The old Crocodile menu had appetizers that you wouldn t expect, things you ve never heard of before. Prices have gone way up, which we expected. My kobujime hamachi was good but the sauce was watery and thin (even before the cucumber ice melted). My seafood medley tasted great but it s essentially just seafood in a butter lemon sauce (substitute yuzu for lemon) which is very conventional and nothing wildly interesting. My companion enjoyed their duck but which stone fruit composed the sauce remained a mystery. Service was excellent and our server was lovely, we were dismayed though because although we were asked on the phone and in person after sitting down if it was a special occasion (it was a birthday) nothing was done. Our neighbouring diners were clearly celebrating something so when their dessert plates came out with special messages on them it was an awkward moment. We also noticed we weren t served the sorbet course but other diners were. I still don t understand if this was an oversight or if you have to ask for it now. After we paid, our server inexplicably told us happy anniversary! before turning around and leaving. We thought that was odd because there had been no happy anniversary anything until then, let alone happy birthday . We both concluded at the end of the meal that we d rather go to Botanist next time.

This was my first time to Le Crocodile and it was a great experience. The service was warm and friendly and the food was amazing. The mushroom soup was the best Ive ever had. Our sommelier Bryant made excellent wine suggestions. Will definitely be back.

It was an exceptional dinner. Foods were solid and the duck breast dish was the best ever duck dish I have ever had. The apple tart was spectacular as well.

We started coming here last year and it quickly became one of our favourites. The original Le Crocodile had great food & prices youd never have to complain about. The food was delicious, the hospitality was awesome and atmosphere just felt right. Really nothing to complain about. We decided to come in and try the new one. They changed the look a bit inside, which looks pretty nice. Service was great throughout the night. You take a look at the menu and right off the bat youd notice the prices are higher. Whatever, youre going to a nice restaurant, the foods going to be good right? Well we ordered the escargot, it lacked flavour, it was just straight up butter. Noticeably different from the previous owners menu - Couldnt even taste the herbs that were in there. No salt at all either. We were wondering if they missed seasoning it? Server asked if we wanted bread. Well of course yes. Guess what? Bread costs money now lol I got the rib steak, medium rare. Half the steak was rare and honestly tired out my jaw chewing it. Some pieces I just had to force down lol. But at this point I didnt even want to say anything. Wifes sablefish was good. Also got a beet salad which was not bad at all. Overall, if youve been to the old one, its noticeably different. Got a more franchise feel now to it. I felt like I paid 30% more for a lot less. Wont be back unfortunately!

I have been a loyal patron of this restaurant since 1999, and when I heard that Rob Feenie had taken over, I was thrilled and excited to make a reservation for my birthday. While the food remained as excellent as ever, the service fell far below the standards expected of a high-end establishment. The staff, unfortunately, appeared poorly trained and unprofessional, which marred what should have been a special evening. A prime example was at the coat check. At the end of the evening, the staff member handling my coat accidentally dropped it on the ground. Instead of offering a sincere apology, she merely said Whoops, which is completely inappropriate language for a fine-dining experience. An upscale restaurant like this should prioritize not only the quality of its food but also the training and professionalism of its staff. Exceptional service is a key part of the dining experience, and sadly, this restaurant fell short of those expectations. I sincerely hope management takes this feedback seriously and invests in proper training for their staff to ensure that future guests receive the caliber of service that matches the quality of their cuisine.

Not as good as before. Food is alright but no wow factor as before.

The tasting menu was off the charts good, except for the pineapple dessert which was just OK. My wife got the wine pairing which was exquisite. The only downside of this restaurant is that it is slightly on the noisy side. Well be back!

Food not as good as at the old place, extremely expensive, service very good.The evening was a disappointment!

Extremely disappointed in the update. We have been dining here for years. Had high expectations of one of our (previous) favorite restaurants. Service was below average. Previous staff was 12/10. No French fries to start. Disappointing. Food was 3/10. Basic. Escargot had gone downhill. Previous options taken off of menu (bone marrow). No offer of pallet cleanser. No crocodile chocolate at the end. Will not be returning sadly.

The best service! Good portions! Nice presentation and amazing food! Steak was cooked perfectly and duck breasts too!

Gavin and Steve are the reason we come here. Amazing venue to visit!

We had an amazing lunch here. Everything from the service to the ambiance is impeccable. Dietary restrictions: Accommodating to dietary restrictions.

Initial snafu aside, the revamp of menu staples along with new experiments does not disappoint. The chef genuinely cares and goes out of his way to make you feel glad to be there as his adept kitchen staff do great work to serve terrific food. However, the chef cant be everywhere, and their host/ manager/co-owner seems to miss what the chef understands, which, in reflection, colours the experience. Time does not heal all wounds. The strength is textures (their salmon on the tasting menu was sublime); the chef understands mouthfeel and the kitchen he orchestrates know how to execute this well. Seafood and meats are melt-in-your-mouth, delivered with culinary finesse. Flavors satisfy. On the whole, the experience conveyed that the new Le Crocodile is more a place to go on occasion versus on an occasion. Whether they understand their impact regarding communications remains to be seen because prices at this level carry a reasonable expectation that fine dining usually delivers, and the finesse that the predecessor crafted may have yet to be realized in the handover. The chef gets it as does most of the staff. Its a shame its not yet more uniform at every level, and its hard to justify a gamble with ones special moments when the visit that impacts it crosses three figures to start.

The duck is super good. Great service and ambience. The apple tart is also really delicious.

November 2024: I have been dining at Le Crocodile for 37 years. I came back to try the Le Crocodile under Rob Feenie. A lot of my favorites like the lobster tempura, scallops and lobster entre are missing. Table bread is no longer free and the chocolate crocodiles are gone. Also gone are the complimentary shoestring fries. There are a lot fewer items on the menu and no specials. Prices have been increased significantly. The quality and service is still good. The food was delicious. The new renovations are impressive and nicely done. But with the missing items and increased prices, this restaurant no longer stands out for me. It is no longer a must visit, several times a year. I get that Rob Feenie has to put his signature on the restaurant. For me, it is not that special anymore for me. This restaurant has gone from 5 stars to 4 stars for me. ============================================ April 2023: Absolutely phenomenal food and service every time! I recently celebrated a birthday here and brought my own cake. The hostess advised that there would be a plating fee of $4.50 per person. Fair enough, it is a hassle for the restaurant to deal with this. They plated the cake and used piping to decorate the plates with chocolate and caramel swirls. They also garnished the plate with mint and whipped cream! Wow! So impressed. The food of course was fantastic.

After 20 yrs of visiting LeCrocodile...Restaurant looks refreshed, service is as good as usual , food and plating is better

The two of us, spent over $1000 for dinner. There were several disappointments in both quality of service, presentation and preparation of our food. Clearly Le Crocodile V2.0 has been found entirely wanting. Im resisting turning this review into a book and will just focus on a couple of points. My girlfriend s meat was served to her medium rare instead of medium as she asked, our individual dishes for Oysters on the half shell were not served together and we ended up picking from each others plate, The steak Tartar, although tasty, the presentation was bland and uninspiring, not even a quail s egg on top to brighten it up. Our Monte Cristos were served lukewarm (they went back), our table was not cleaned of breadcrumbs, and I couldnt even get something as simple as a replacement napkin for our $1000 meal. My napkin dropped to the floor; they picked it up but neglected to give me a new one. I waited the entire evening to see if they would, but nope! I remember a time, many years ago... if you left your table, upon your return, you would find your napkin neatly folded like a hat on your table, ah..... the good old days. I was hoping for a better all-round experience under new management, with better service and a fresh new menu. Sadly, it seems that even though the food is still good, the furnishings are different, its the same old Le Crocs that does not quite live up to its gravitas.

Oftentimes, when there is a passing of the torch, especially when it involves who is to helm one of the citys most iconic and venerable French restaurants, there is much trepidation and hand-wringing from long-standing patrons of said establishment...well, rest assured, in my humble opinion, there is no need for any concern...the new chef is more than capable, having served, if memory serves, under the tutelage and mentorship of retiring Chef Jacob in his formative years...everything from the classics, to new additions (of which we hope to see more in the not too distant future), were executed to near perfection...and the service was impeccable...Le Crocodile is in very capable hands!!

Very fancy food and vibes! Make sure to dress to impress :) #ContestEntry

With all due respect, Le Crocodile needed a facelift and update. I suspect a lot of these 3 or less star reviews are from people holding onto the past. The name is the same out of respect, but it s a new restaurant guys. Happy to hear Iron Chef Rob Feenie is at the helm. Give it time and this new era of Le Crocodile will be all we talk about.

As previous regulars of the original Le Crocodile, we are sad to say it is not the same as it once was. The cozy ambience has completely changed, it is no longer the same 5 star luxury restaurant. I understand the restaurant needed a facelift but it lost the warm feeling it once had. With the food - the rich flavor, taste, and seasonings are missing. I also agree with a previous review where it seems more Asian fusion now than a true French Restaurant. It also no longer has their famous Tomato & Gin Soup which was our favorite and we are disappointed it is no longer on the menu. In our opinion, if you buy a restaurant to keep the name and stay true to the original vision, you should keep the same main items that made the restaurant so successful in the first place and only change a few small minor things. It no longer feels like Le Crocodile - to be honest, this seems like a downgrade and a Cactus Club remake. Why even buy the restaurant if you don t want to keep it the same? In this case, it s better to make a whole new restaurant concept if you want to take this route. I also read Le Crocodile s response to the previous review that I mentioned and I would like to add that saying to people that you wish them well to seek out other dining options in the city is not the appropriate way to respond.

I m the owner of multiple businesses and here are my thoughts. If I bought this restaurant I will slowly do a transition with the existing owner and ask him to introduce myself, even if I already was a famous chef. A restaurant like this should keep its identity, as that is the purpose of buying it. It is still a great restaurant but this is just my thoughts. If the plan was to give a new experience to the existing customers I would have opened a new restaurant and not buy a restaurant with this reputation. Wish you the best.

I have eaten at Le Croc for the past 20 years on occasion when I can spoil myself! This was my first experience under the leadership and ownership of Rob Feenie. The room has been tastefully updated, however the bar is now completely hidden by a somewhat imposing wooden wall. I have always loved sitting at a bar while waiting; this no longer seems like an option. Other than that minor point it was great inside. The food was underwhelming; and in my humble view, not cooked properly. I had the seafood medley. It was basically sashimi and the hot broth was served somewhat lukewarm, which as a consequence lead to the seafood remaining essentially raw. Not one special on a Friday night ! A bit shocking given the volume of specials and features that used to be the norm. Also I must say being charged for bread when spending 500 dollars seems awkward and somewhat cheap. I remember Lumiere as well! It was phenomenal. Even Feenies was bomb, the Feenie weenie I still think about. Chef Rob has it in him, it would be nice to see him on the floor like at Il Gardino you always see Umberto walking around, checking quality. Rob should be there right now, making sure this place gets off the ground right. P.s pls bring back the valet, it was such a great spot to pull in and hop out quick!

Nice atmosphere, friendly and courteous staff , excellent food.

What a lovely restaurant, the french ambient is almost authentic and i felt very welcomed! My waiter Joscha was such a lovely and knowledgeable guy, really made the whole experience!

My boyfriend and I were excited to try Robs version of Le Crocodile, having frequented this restaurant under its previous ownership. We decided to celebrate our one-year anniversary here, but the experience didnt quite meet our expectations. Despite informing the staff of our special occasion, we were seated next to the bustling kitchen, even though there were other available tables. I noticed some familiar faces that worked under the previous owner and they were lovely as per usual, our server seemed a bit out of place. We were clearly struggling with the new menu, unsure of what to order, but instead of offering guidance, she repeatedly came back to the table with the same question (are you ready to order), which created an awkward atmosphere. As for the food, it was fine, but I do miss the elegance and sophistication of the previous menu. The new menu feels more modern, but it just didn t resonate with me the way the old one did. --- My partner and I recently had the pleasure of dining at Le Crocodile without a reservation, and I was thoroughly impressed by the exceptional service and culinary delights. Upon arrival, the staff at Le Crocodile were incredibly accommodating. They informed us about a time restriction for the table, ensuring transparency and setting clear expectations for our experience. The service, from the front of the house to the sommelier, was impeccable. The staffs attentiveness and professionalism added to the overall enjoyment of the evening. As for the culinary experience, the flavor profiles of the dishes were truly amazing. We opted for the beef tartare, medallions, and duck, and each dish surpassed our expectations. The time spent at Le Crocodile was not just about the delectable food but also about the outstanding service. Despite the time restriction, we felt well taken care of, and it only heightened our desire to return. Le Crocodile has undoubtedly earned a spot on my list of favorite restaurants, and I look forward to returning for both the exceptional food and the impeccable service. Highly recommended for those seeking a memorable dining experience.

Always tasty, always fabulous! Rob Feenie doing great! Thank you

An unbelievable experience as we were fortunate enough to meet Chef Rob Feenie. Le Crocodile in Vancouver is the best as far as food, service and atmosphere goes, but Chef Feenie made it special as we relieved our experience from 1954 at Le Crocodile in Strasbourg France. Thank you chef for making it possible. Parking: The parking is underground right next to the restaurant.

I had been wanting to visit Le Crocodile for years, and finally we dined here for a special occasion. In short, we were thoroughly dissapointed. The food was okay, but as you see in the picture, some were dubious (Steak Tartare without an egg? Much different from photos by others). The worst part, however, was the service. I mean when you pay 100 or more per person, you expect some decency, right? The young server was almost rude. She would come and go without saying anything, like she had some problems with us. It was hard to enjoy anything that goes into our mouth. Even more, she was standing right behind me directly looking at the machine when I was paying. The tip started from 18%, which I was never gonna give, and when I gave her 15% (which was still over 50), she said something like have a good night, turned around and left not even bothering to hear from us. So uncomfortable and so rude. I dont think I can recommend this place to anyone really.

We ve been dining at Le Crocodile since the late 90s, when it was under Chef Michel Jacob s direction, and the French cuisine was always sublime. Unfortunately, we didn t get the chance to visit one last time before he retired earlier this year. However, when we heard that Le Crocodile would reopen with Rob Feenie, we were thrilled. We visited last night, and while the ambiance remains similar, the aesthetics have changed but are still quite appealing. Every dish we had was superb different from before, but exquisite in its own right. Our daughter thoroughly enjoyed celebrating her 19th birthday there! Our French server was fantastic! We ll definitely be back!

Great experience! Thanks Rob Feenie for personally coming over and checking in on the meal. Great rebrand and fantastic food!

It just isn t the same since it has changed hands. The staff are not as professional as they once were and the food is not particularly outstanding. Sadly there are no shoestring fries and the fries we ordered were very salty. The noise level was high and this was just at lunchtime. There is no longer that truly French feel but perhaps these days, this is diner s choice and Rob Feenie certainly does have devoted followers who must be delighted to have him taking on this space. Parking: Very crowded parking under building which is shared by IGA

It checks all the boxes. We had a fantastic lunch, great menu and food.

Food was great as was the service. Great ambience. We would definitely go back.

Went here for my Birthday and had an amazing time. The food was great and the service was even better. Will be going back.

Unprofessional staff. Visibly pointing and whispering amongst themselves at me and my date (we are an age-gap couple). Very uncomfortable.

Nice ambience, excellent service and fine food.

The original Le Crocodile was better. The food was tastier, and it was more adventurous. I cant quite define it, but something was missing when I was there.

Mr Feenie should run a hospital not a restaurant. It would be an exceptional hospital. Service: this kind of service would be excellent in a hospital setting; friendly, observant, speed of light fast. But in a relaxing classy restaurant? Not so much. There were at least three women standing there scanning the room constantly, very obtrusive, staring at people. By the way they were dressed, they were some sort of management. Wait staff- they are very nice and friendly. However too many per such a small room, looking, coming over for nothing. It felt like we were under a microscope. Was asked if we enjoyed our meal at least 2 times per course, both by server and by other staff. Why do they need such reassurance? Tone it down. Plus lots of friendly small talk. However, this isn t a sports bar- most people come to enjoy the meal and talk to the people they came with. In a way, I felt sorry for them, constant attention and smiles , that must take a lot of emotional labour and they will be exhausted and burned out Now- in the old Crocodile, sevice was impeccable- very old school, they wore classic clothes (new wait staff wears aprons), they understood that people don t want to be interrupted, they came to eat, talk and just be. The waiters were quiet, didn t buzz around the tables, could tell from people s behaviour what was needed and when. Food: seared foie gras- excellent Butter lettuce salad- mehh. Dover sole- good but not excellent Seafood medley- medium Apple tart- medium Cocktails- very good Over all- food was very good, but not exceptional enough for $400 Atmosphere: louder, louder music too, feeling of rush: staff was almost running, and there was no need for that. The intimacy of the old restaurant, old world completely gone.

I ve wanted to dine at this place since I first heard of it back in 2003. It s now run by Rob Feenie, who took over from Michel Jacob in May 2024. The first thing we noticed were their management and staff they re a well-oiled machine. Courteous, gracious, unobtrusive, yet attentive. I perused their extensive wine list and chose a 2020 Pommard 1er Cru Les Chanlins from Monthelie Douhairet Porcheret ($390). It was full of red fruit, earthy, with hints of clove. Bread and Butter ($7) were next while we continued to read through the menu. Even the butter was formed into a kiss . Our server (Miguel) noted some specials, and I opted for one of them ...Breaded Sweetbreads in some type of green sauce ($28) while my sister-in-law (SIL) chose the Escargot de Bourgogne ($30). For entrees, we chose the Seafood Medley ($70) and the Grilled Veal Tenderloin Medallions ($55). SIL demurred on trying the sweetbreads, which I found to be sublime. I love sweetbreads! But it was the sauce! My SIL used bread to sop up every bit of sauce from my plate It was that good! She didn t really care for her escargot; the Pernod parsley garlic butter didn t have enough garlic for her (or me). SIL s seafood medley was a beautiful presentation of lobster, Hokkaido scallops, prawns with pieces of zucchini and asparagus. Our server finished the dish by pouring in the tomato saffron broth. My veal medallions came in a sea of morel sauce It was so flavorful and delicious. My SIL sopped up the sauce from my plate with more bread. There s always room for dessert and we chose the Classic Le Crocodile Alsatian Apple Tart ($14) and the Tarte Robuchon ($18). The apple tart was the more successful of the two, more a slice of pie than a tart (to me); it came with a quenelle of brown butter cardamom ice cream which I gave to my SIL. Her Tarte Robuchon was a visual treat A round of chocolate ganache served with a scoop of chocolate sorbet. I finished my meal with an Americano Coffee ($6). What can I say? To me, it was a Michelin star worthy experience. The food, service and atmosphere made this one of my best meals of 2024.

Amazing food! Second to none service A little noisy Food : 5/5

I go here for my birthday six years in a row. Why did you get rid of the chocolate-molded crocodies?? Just, why??? Also, please bring back the julienned fries, please please, I beg you. Please bring back the bisque and lamb rack, please, please. Just, why???

A very great restaurant :) Be sure to reserve a seat! One of the best places for dinner in Vancouver. Prices are rather high, but the food on offer is really very good. The staff is very friendly and accommodating: As Europeans, we like to sit and chat after dinner, but it is common practice in the USA and Canada that the bill comes straight after the meal. Otherwise really highly recommended. We look forward to visiting you again next time: A really great restaurant. Make sure you reserve a table! One of the best places to eat dinner in Vancouver. Prices are a bit high, but the food is really good. The staff are very friendly and accommodating: as Europeans, we like to sit and chat after eating, but it is well known in the USA and Canada that the bill comes straight after eating. Otherwise, I really recommend it. We are looking forward to visiting again next time we visit.

I only went for dessert. EXQUISITE!! All the staff very friendly!!! Places like this, they must all be!!! Thank you

We had a super delicious dinner last night from the bread to the dessert. We ordered the tasting menu which was just amazing. Very attentive service and also took a photo with Chef Feenie. Cant wait to go back and try other items on the menu.

We dine out 2-3 times per week, but Le Crocodile is one of those places we go to for the most special occasions, once or twice a year. We were excited to see what changes had been made since Mr. Feenie took over. I had a 6:30 reservation, and I called an hour ahead letting them know we were going to be about 10 minutes late. I had requested a table by the window, which I always have in the past and was always accommodated but always knowing that its not guaranteed. We were indeed 10 minutes late, and were told we could have a table in the bar area or wait 20 minutes for one in the main area, but not by the window. We opted for the bar area, as the main area seemed more crowded, as all the decor that was there previously (such as the big potted plants) was no longer there, and seemed a little less warm and more crowded than before. The service from everyone was excellent (nice that some places still remember to serve from the right side), attentive without hovering. The food was excellent as well (lamb saddle and sable fish) However, when we inquired when the bread was coming, we were told that it is now something you order. While not a budget breaker, the complementary bread assortment previously was something we always looked forward to. It definitely wasnt the same experience we had before that we loved, and which kept us coming back. I am aware that a new owner must put their own stamp on a place, but Im unsure if this is going to remain the place we go to for our most significant celebrations.

This cant be the same Le Crocodile that we used to go Please remove this steak from your menu the sauces taste is awful with whole black peppers seeds in the sauce? Also, is there any salt left in the kirchen coz the french fries were so salty that I only had 2 pieces I was so offended when they asked to refill the bread, but they didnt bring butter (coz it had additional charge??)what a cheap behavior! A restaurant that makes thousands of dollars everyday and becomes cheap when it comes to a spoon of butter??

Im writing this review because I hope it can be an open call to Le Crocodile to wake up and realise that they need to rethink who they are and what they need to do to get repeat customers. Lets note what this restaurant has now become. Its an Asian fusion restaurant, not a French restaurant. So many Chinese flavours in the dishes, as a deliberate choice. If thats what you want to be, fine, do it, but dont call yourself a French restaurant. No traditional French restaurant in France would ever have many of these dishes. The restaurant used to be 6 or 7 stars out of 5. Now its just okay. Not worth the money to return. The insanely decadent soups are gone. The food is fine, I guess. The shoestring fries, which used to be amazing, are now replaced with drab, soft, embarrassing schlock which remind me of microwaved Harveys fries. Seriously. What are you even thinking?? Our table was just mumbling disappointment throughout. Each of the dishes were uninspired. The decor is so drab, now. All of the personality of the restaurant is gone. That cant be re-done, but the food could still be brought back to its once stellar glory, and no one would even care or speak about the decor. I miss the steak the way it used to be under Michel. Each dish before the change-over had an exceptional magic flair. Rob used to have a reason for his pride and personality... now I think he needs a firm grab of the shoulders. The laurels are no longer there to be rested on. Too much wandering around the restaurant doing not very much. I had no desire to speak to him, whereas even a glimpse of Michel was like meeting a class-act celebrity after what wed tasted. I know its a true effort of the soul to run a high-end restaurant. Its a game of passion and pride. But if you want the glory of what once was, thats what you have to return to. The service was still excellent, I will note. One more point... Stop charging for bread, and I wont feel insulted to the point that I decide not to spend an extra $80 on a great quality bottle of wine. Gain $3.50 in profit on the bread, lose $200 in wine sales and repeat visits. Its just so... kitschy. Feels like youre trying to squeeze some scam dollars out of ignorant guests. Bring back traditional French-style haute cuisine with a dynamic flair and youll get back your appreciative clientele who will be happy to drop the real cash on wine where the dishes merit the pairings. These new dishes... dont. Im not the only one who has this perspective. I had been at least fifteen times before the cross-over and loved every moment and every bite. Im just one of dozens who feel this way, but Im actually taking the time to write instead of just saying Well, thats sad. I guess this place is done, and were never coming back again like the multitudes of people are quietly saying as they leave. I only write this because I think theres still a hope that the high-tier spark can be re-ignited. Thank you, and when I get word that the flame is returning, we too shall return.

A bit of a different ambience than Michelle s classic look, the dishes similar to what it once was but also pushing for a difference in artistic taste. But the service and hostility is still as welcoming as before, a warm goodbye to Pierre and Michelle. Thank you to Sarah for giving us an exciting introduction to the beginning of a new era of Le Crocodile. - Lorraine

New ownership/stewardship? Excellent service, warm bread, soft butter, all indicators of what would follow. Starters of oysters & foie gras, followed by sable and a seafood medley, excellent. Yes a beautiful meal, in an updated space, (maybe lacking flora).

Went there tonight. Our server Jesse was amazing! He was fun, entertaining and knowledgeable. There was also an old staffer there who deboned my sole table side., I thought I recognized him from my history with this place and sure enough, he had left Le Croc and was tempted back by the man with the beatific Daliesque moustache. There is nothing that can beat that beurre blanc sauce! While I mourn the loss of the mushroom soup, I was fully satisfied by what these men served up .cant say that about any other men in the last few years! And best of all, I sleep alone in my own bed tonight. Go, you won t regret it. Oh .aNd I learned something .truffle much ado about nothing, I ll take mataki over truffle any day.thanks for a wonderful evening!

We found the renovation to be bland and uninspired versus the original décor which was reminiscent of a French bistro. The food was not up to the 5-star standard to which wed grown accustomed to previously. Service was generally excellent and attentive but not quite up to the standard in our experience. Overall, it was surprisingly disappointing experience.

The staff/Maître d did comp my food plates that were bland, and the service was good. The frog legs we did finish as I presumed there was some complexity to the flavour and I was waiting for it to come out in my bites. The roast chicken I sent back as I was now aware that there was no complexity to the flavour, the food was just bland. Chef Feenie did come out and ask what was wrong with the frog legs, and listened attentively to us. Dont come here expecting Le Crocodile from a few months ago. Its The Crocodile now - the French food we desired here no longer exists.

It was my first time to experience a restaurant. The oysters I ordered may not be due to the season. They were very small. Instead, the foie gras mousse was very silky and tasted good. The steak for the main course was good, but the fries were very salty and greasy. The seafood plate tasted bad. Delicious but not too much. Not recommended for men. What I like most is that every employee in the store is very polite and professional. The plates and dishes served are warm and very attentive, which is the standard of a high-end restaurant

Visited after the chef changed to Rob Feenie. Great service, delicious food. The menu got a lot shorter. Generally more modernized compared to before. Need a bit more finesse to become a really special place.

Superior service and fantastic food!! One of the best restaurant in Vancouver. Food

What was once my favourite restaurant is no more. Why try to fix something that isn t broken? No more complimentary tart to begin the meal - shoestring fries are a thing of the past and the classic Le Crocodile chocolates with the bill do not exist. Seriously? Prices have all gone up throughout the menu and you couldn t continue to give your customers the few items that they have come to know and love over the years? This was my favourite restaurant for the past 10 years or so. And now here I am debating whether or not I ll ever come back. Amazing. I guess it just goes to show how great of a job Michel did over the years. Classic French with class.

Great food great service. I can say it is well worth the price.

Weve been loyal customers of Le Crocodile for the past 5 years and have always loved it. However, we were overall disappointed with the recent chef change . The new space looks beautiful, but the food quality has gone down. The dishes we used to love lobster bisque (which lacked the lobster flavor and was too salty), escargot (was not like before), and veal medallions (I liked the morel mushrooms but missed the pasta we loved before) just didnt measure up. There was something off with each of them. We only liked the seared foie gras and the desserts. Additionally, I mentioned in my email and reservation that we were celebrating our first wedding anniversary, but this was sadly not acknowledged. It feels like the soul and comfort of Le Crocodile have been lost. We also noticed shrinkflation, as there were no complimentary shoestring fries, sorbet, or after-dinner chocolates which we always enjoyed before. Unfortunately, well need to find a new restaurant for our celebrations and likely wont be coming back.

My review was too long for google review. If you want to read, please go to Yelp: https://yelp.to/jIcvWnl_I9

Unfortunate menu Changes. Shrinkflation has affected the new menu. No more complimentary shoestring fries, after dinner sorbet and classic Le Crocodile chocolates. The things that made this restaurant stand out from the rest are sadly gone.

If you were to the old crocodile restaurant you are lucky, because it s gone for ever now! The new place is no boutique French cousine, its iron chef corporate kitchen. Take it or leave it. Food

This place is fantastic and Sarah B is the best it s been great having her serve us and she is very friendly. This place feels the same as the other location and I would love to eat here forever

From welcoming to the vibe, it was just wonderful. Sarah, our friendly server, was amazing her warm service and great recommendations really stood out throughout the meal. The food was great Oysters, Seared Foie Gras and Escargot de Bourgogne were all spot on, and I had the best steak of my vacation here, a 20 oz Côte de Boeuf. Took me a while to finish it, but it was really good, with no regrets whatsoever. Will definitely be back for more.

Incredible dining experience at Le Crocodile by Rob Feenie! The food was exquisite, the service impeccable, and the ambiance perfect. Highly recommend the hamachi and seafood medley. A true culinary gem in the city!

Wanted to try out the reopening since the new chef and a newly renovated restaurant. It looks beautiful and the service was great! Appies and dessert were good but the same as before the reopening just more expensive. The mains are overpriced, very small, quite bland. We wont be coming here again.

Excellent dinner a few weeks after opening. Granted, the menu is being tweaked a bit still but the food was excellent. We started with lightly dressed hamachi and fois gras. Our main dishes were beautifully prepared sablefish and beef wellington. We finished our meal with a decadent cherry, champagne and chocolate mouse dessert. Yum! Our server Sarah was great. Service started a little fast paced but slowed down so our meal could be enjoyed. The restaurant is a little noisy but its impossible to avoid in the space.

The new decor is blah. No more chocolate crocodiles. Duck was excellent. Best dessert. Seafood was undercooked and lacking anything to set it apart as you would expect. Disappointed.

Wow! Food was delicious and beautiful! I was excited to try it out during the restaurants soft opening (ready to forgive a bit if needed) and the entire experience did not disappoint. Thoroughly enjoyed an outstanding evening. Ill admit, fan of RF since being wowd by his flavours in the 2000s but I think anyone should be able to clearly taste the deliciousness resulting from the care and attention that goes into them. So therell be a set of longtime Le Croc regulars who will be loudly missing exactly the way it was, but please do not listen. This is a new era and its fabulous (and still pays abundant homage to the previous). Especially with a soft opening, Im going to include feedback and suggestions for areas in the spirit of being helpful to the restaurant. However, as a fellow diner, I have no hesitation in fully recommending this restaurant (provided you can afford it, but I think for me, its good value for this level food and service. So many staff involved). My personal favourite was the saucing (so much flavour) but everything was beautifully cooked too and flavours made sense together. Possible tweaks: consider, even if its not very traditional or very French, to include spoons in the cutlery left for dishes with a lot of that beautiful sauce. Ive been to some high-end restaurants around the world, so I dont think its tacky. I wound up having to ask for our table and then ask again (something a top-level server might anticipate for the next course). At this price point, felt possible coldness when I asked for a cup of ice for my water when I was looking for something that felt like absolutely no problem and when I asked about my checked purse, youll have to talk to the hostess. Maybe checked visually, but I didnt feel like our main server asked me how I enjoyed each dish, not as personable. I had to ask her to describe a dish after she put it down and started leaving. This is just one person and maybe shell feel more relaxed in a couple of months. However, when I was greeted and was hoping for a spot at the bar, a few staff at the front were exceptional. Maybe best in Vancouver! Lots of staff around, so in the end, I still feel the service was accessible and very special, but brand new staff may need a little seasoning. I loved the sweatbreads/morel stuffed with shrimp paste?/truffle ? jus special (specials might change weekly). Veal medallions came with generous amount of amazing sauce, morels, and with a lovely mixed veg on the side including cute and yummy Tokyo turnips. I like a decent amount of veg with my main and enjoy the more unusual ones. Used to getting just a tiny bit, so the side bowl was unexpected and appreciated. And the white chocolate creme brûlée with black pepper, coriander biscuit was so creamy and delicious with a beautiful thin burnt sugar top and I loved the spicing on the biscuit. Proportions were perfect - it was wide/thin instead of deep/narrow, and garnished with nice berries. I tasted my dining companions dishes, no losers. But I loved mine most. Other possible tiny tweaks: bread and butter was $7 (Good. Tiny. Small Victory bread and PEI butter? Some in our table of 4 only had one slice) but I blame those low carb people for killing the complimentary bread basket in Van. Le Crocodiles influence is French, so what is more French than having baguette offered freely and refilled? You could always require that tables order it to get it in the first place, and then only charge for the refills. Or maybe for the comp basket, dont outsource and have simple puff pastry twists and charge for the other basket. Also, would love to see complimentary amuse bouche. Cost can be considered kitchen training/enrichment/reducing food waste/testing ground. The palate cleanser sorbet that we received was a delight (pear, Calvados). Thank you! Cocktails were nice. I loved the energy in the room - lots of excited, happy people, one you can feel comfortable in and not so formal that you find yourself whispering. Hoping they continue to feel free to explore new dishes! Excited to return.

Id been coming here under Chef Jacob for over 25 years, dating back to when they were at smaller first location. Its been the site of many birthdays and other special occasions. The service has always been friendly and professional, and the food is consistently amazing classical French cuisine. Rob Feeney has just taken over the restaurant. The new decor does not detract at all from the old atmosphere, and its actually quite lovely. As for the rest, Im writing this as of July of 2024. I would respectfully recommend you give the restaurant 4-6 months to put its best foot forward. The service was still good, but oddly disorganized given they have FIVE floor managers. In a two person table they confused who ordered what, and first brought, then took away our wine glasses before the sommelier brought our wine. The foie gras bruleé was light and flavourful, wouldnt change a thing. My app was the bone marrow which was just unremarkable. I ordered the duck breast, with caramelized stone fruit, & sweet soy duck jus. This dish overall was delicious, but only because its sum was far more than its parts. Ill start with this, I was never asked how I wanted my duck cooked, response of which would have been, medium rare. I instead was served by default duck medallions that were beige and entirely devoid of flavour. Now dont get me wrong, when you built up your fork to include the duck, the amazing vegetable puree, the perfectly grilled vegetables and the sauces, every bite was a delight. But on its own the duck was like eating medium well veal. Rob Feeney is a sweetheart and is at the restaurant 24/7 trying to make it work so I imagine hell make the place amazing again. For now though, Id say give the restaurant 4-6 months to get its act together.

Got to visit the new Le Crocodile during the grand opening week! The space felt more bright and spacious than before and we found it interesting how it was separated into two areas with different vibes. They introduced a few more creations to the menu while keeping some of the classics, and we really enjoyed the seafood dishes!!

Even though Rob Feenie worked at Le Crocodile early in his career I was very uneasy when I learned that he would be taking over the restaurant. My concern was that the charm and understated elegance of the dining experience would be replaced with a celebrity chef style of restaurant which I dislike The renovation has lightened up the restaurant and is a noticeable difference from the older, heavy and darker atmosphere and I think it is a positive change. There are a lot of staff on the floor. Our server was great and while there were a few hiccups that is not uncommon with a new opening. The sommelier was knowledgeable and helpful and overall the service was professional without being overbearing Ordered a gin martini with blue cheese olives only to be later informed they no longer have blue cheese olives or perhaps they were simply unwilling to prepare them We had the Burrata Salad, Watermelon soup and Foie Gras Brulee for starters. The first two were good but quite modest servings while the Foie Gras was excellent and the portion generous. As is often the case with Foie Gras there was not enough of the toasted brioche so we of course ordered more bread. Here was the first serious irritant of the evening. Seven dollars for five tiny pieces of bread. Was this not an old school French restaurant and as such are they unable to provide complimentary bread as they once did or at least at not such a ridiculous cost. It is difficult not to be cynical about such a charge. Mains were Cote de Boeuf, Dover Sole and the old favorite Veal and Morels. The first was good , the second was excellent but the Veal and Morels was over salted but still tasty. Fries were okay. Desserts were fine My overall impression of a seven hundred dollar dinner for three (thirty dollars on the few morsels of bread alone) which included a modest bottle of wine is mixed. As this was one of my favorite restaurants I really wanted to like this new interpretation. It seems that so far a lot of the charm, flourishes and value for money that I loved are gone. Perhaps there is enough fine dining money here in the city to support this new version long term or maybe Le Crocodile By Rob Feenie will adapt. As one of my dinner companions pointed out: what was Mr. Feenie suppose to bring to such an established successful restaurant. So far I guess less for more

Unique place to discover absolutely

Lucky to get a table before owner changes hand! Top notch French food from start to finish, every dish was solidly executed and delicious! Especially enjoyed the frog legs and the duck confit. Hope the new owner will continue the great quality and success!

My favourite restaurant! I love the Chef specials, but my favourite menu item are the Haida Gwaii scallops!

u must try their daily special!

Fantastic service and delicious French food. We were warmly greeted by the hostess Sophia at the door, she offered to change us to a window seat for better ambiance which was thoughtful of her. Our server Alexandre was super attentive and friendly as well. We ordered the escargot, scallops, rack of lamb, duck confit special, and foie gras duo (not pictured). The dishes came out in timely manner and were full of flavour. The escargot was one of the best I ve ever had. Scallops were big and juicy, lamb was perfect medium rare and not gamey at all. Honestly I d choose the duck breast on the menu over the duck confit special next time, as the legs were a little dry, but the marinated oranges on the puff pastry were really good. At the end we were given complimentary sorbet for our special occasion. I booked this reservation over a month ago, and it did not disappoint!

Food was good as usual but the waitress aloof and sommelier asleep. Service was weak. Bread used to be fresh. Super busy and the noise level not pleasant. Last hurrah before it closes under the old ownership. Either way not in a hurry to go back.

Its really hard not to love a Vancouver institution.

Great service, amazing cocktails. Great old school ambiance.

Absolutely incredible food. Hopefully the new chef will be as good as the old one. Happy retirement!

You have to spoil yourself and go here for dinner. We went as a group of 4, the steak tartar was amazing as was the frois Gais brulee. As for my main, I went with the special of the night which was tempura lobster on top of a seafood pasta with fish. The star of the show was definitely the duck and sweet bread. The service was attentive and amazing.

End of an era. Wonderful experience at Vancouver institution. Happy retirement chef.

Great last meal at Le Crocodile before the change in ownership. Very excited to see what the new rendition of this restaurant will be when it is taken over by Rob Feenie.

Excellent quality, everything from service to food was 100%. Its incredibly busy so its a bit noisy. Make sure you make reservations ahead of time.

Delicious from start to finish I want to come more often.

European

Dining here was one of the highlights of our visit to Vancouver. Everything was outstanding service, food, and atmosphere. And it was not terribly expensive (although the exchange rate helped). Next time we hope to try the soufflé. Oh là là, it looked amazing.

Great quality and service.

During my visit to Le Crocodile, a kind staff member, a gentleman, surprised me with a specially curated vegetarian appetizer. His thoughtful gesture showcased the restaurant s commitment to exceptional service and made my dining experience truly memorable. The food is delicious, with classic French dishes and modern twists. The staff are friendly and helpful, making you feel right at home. The atmosphere is cozy and inviting, perfect for a special night out or a casual dinner with friends. Le Crocodile is a must-try for anyone who loves French cuisine!

Best French cuisine experience

Best french food in the city. Sad to see Michel retire and a legacy end

I ve been coming here for decades and it has come to my attention that it ll be changing ownership after 40 years. With that bittersweet news, we went there one last time earlier this evening. The meal was superb as usual. We ve always been treated with the utmost hospitality and professionalism by the waiters and waitresses. The mushroom soup with truffle oil and parmesean twist has always been my go to appetizer here and will miss it dearly. We also had the crispy lobster tempura with seared scallops and endive salad which was cooked to perfection. We shared the rib eye with frites as well as the lobster which were juicy and flavourful. We ended the night w a nice gran mariner soufflé which was light and delectable. I always choose Le Crocodile to celebrate all the milestones in my life and choose to celebrate my birthday there with loved ones every year and am very sad to see it go. Thanks for all the memories and lovely meals! Will have to wait and see what happens with a transition to new ownership later this spring, but will miss the charming environment and amazing food.

First time at Le Crocodile in about 20 years. Everything was very good. Especially the staff. Veal chop was excellent. The tartar was only ok.

Best French restaurant in Vancouver! Download the ImPark HangTag app to pay for underground parking. Food : 5/5

As a lover of French cuisine, Le Crocodile has always been a restaurant on my must try list. Overall, I must say that the restaurant was glamorous on the inside, with that classic French fine dining vibe as expected. Formal wear was certainly necessary as no one in the restaurant sat in with a T-shirt and shorts. The service was impeccable too as was the food. For appetizers, I ordered the seared foie gras with potato crisps, cantaloupe balls, and topped with a grilled scallop. The foie gras was like delicate flavorful and gamey butter and together with the perfectly cooked scallop, cantaloupe balls, and potato crisps proved to be a medley of flavors and textures. For mains, I ordered the grilled triple A beef tenderloin (at the doneness of medium rare of course) that was topped off with a slice of foie gras and served with a peppercorn demi glace. The foie gras acted like butter on a steak, enhancing its flavor. The sauce had a deep and rich meaty flavor that complemented the steak. My only concern was that the steak was slightly overdone, and as a result, not as tender as I d expect a filet mignon to be. Following the steak, we were given a palette cleanser: a quenelle of pear sorbet, which was a phenomenally tasting one bite palette cleanser. For dessert, I ordered the Grand Marnier souffle which was light, fluffy, but just a tad bit overdone on the top. Overall, a great experience and I would come back for more.

Great service and great food! You will never get disappointed.

I will definitely be back for another special occasion or date night!!! Here is my review of each dish we tried: Pan seared foie gras- i was impressed with the size and it was soooo creamy and delicious and paired so well with the sweet sauce. I just love foie gras so much and I was very satisfied with this. Roasted beef bone marrow- amazing this is a must get if you love bone marrow which I do. Crusted with salt and herbs, and paired with a tomato purée that you put on top of a crostini, and also comes with a salad that cuts into the richness. Fresh oysters- Good as expected from a raw oyster fan. It depends where you like your oysters from; these west coast oysters were a bit briny, but still smooth and sweet. They gave you a lot of mignonette for the oysters which I liked. Veal medallions- So soft and tender, never had veal this good! The sauce and the morels complimented it perfectly. I usually don t get meats like veal/venison often but I was convinced to try this out from the reviews I saw, i definitely do not regret it! Duck confit- Good portion, was expecting just one leg but got two plus it came with a savoury pastry! Very soft and fall off the bone which I liked because typically it s dry and lacks flavour after awhile. This was flavourful with every bite. Passionfruit creme brulee with sorbet- interesting concept with creme brulee not in a little dish, and it also had a crust at the bottom. I thought it tasted average but it might have been because I was already very full and content from all of what i just ate

Love this restaurant!

La Crocodile is a French restaurant in the heart of Vancouver having been a staple of the fine dining of the city for 40 years. I had never had the pleasure of going but after recent news of retirement I booked the first table I could get. The experience started with the most warm welcome from a host who took our jackets and had our notes of dietary concerns ready. After being seated our incredible server presented an array of specials. The dining room is cozy and warm but does mean to expect it to be quite loud with guests. A faint music was drowned out. Our server kindly navigated me and guest through our options and was on top of any request we had. The service was top notch from start to finish. We ordered the Goat Cheese and Endive Salad as well as Oysters on the half shell special to start. The goat cheese and endive was to die for. Walnuts accentuated an already incredible tasting dish. The oysters special was served with a champagne sauce and their freshness cannot be overstated. We moved onto our mains already having been more than impressed. We both ordered specials as well, a Braised Short Rib on White Cabbage and a Beef Wellington. The short ribs melted at the fork and the wellington was perfectly MR. A palet cleanser was offered in an Apple Sorbet on a mint leaf which as simple as it may sound gave for an incredible flavour of mint and fresh apples. My guest ordered a lemon meringue for dessert and I dont think weve ever experienced a more fresh lemon taste. The passion fruit sorbet that came with must have been made by a witch for how incredibly flavourful it was. Our evening concluded with our server and host both presenting our jackets and delightfully opening the door for us to the cold Vancouver air. I had read chef Michel Jacob was retiring come April and having been a chef myself many years ago Ive followed his career closely. Hes produced some of the finest chefs in Canada out of his 40-year running restaurant and I couldnt miss the opportunity to sit for a meal. I hope him the best in his retirement and hope to see his legacy continue under chef Rob Feenie. Dietary restrictions: There wasnt much option for a very lactose intolerance but they were grateful in trying to accommodate which was very much appreciated.

I have the pleasure of dining here with my spouse usually about once a month. Service every time is excellent, food quality is excellent I wish I could just afford to go more often. Looking forward to my next visit. For me the tomato gin soup is one of the reasons I returned. Nothing I have found anywhere else compares. And lets not forget the steak and frites and chocolate mousse for dessert. Yum..

We went here for a Galentines Date and it was an amazing experience. The ambience is good, customer service is excellent and the food is top notch. Everything we tried from their menu was great. We had oysters that were on specials, beef tartare and lobster tempura for appetizers. For the main, they had Beef Wellington on specials, so we had to order that. It was probably the best beef wellington I have had in lower mainland so far. For the dessert as well, their special chocolate ganache cake was to die for They even served a complimentary lemon sorbet as a palate cleanser before dessert and that was also great. They even gave complimentary bread (even asked us if we wanted more). Their special house chocolates that come with your bill are delicious and creamy.

Went for valentines a few years back, set menu was mediocre at a premium price.

The experience was by far the worst dining experience I ve had. We felt stressed and uncomfortable from cocktails to dessert. The server was judgemental of all items ordered. I asked for clarification on a couple appetizers, in which a flat, blank response was given. I was discouraged from ordering wine without the sommelier: We were lectured on how to eat the dishes. My choice for a main wasn t approved of and was challenged. I stood by my chosen item. However, the server returned and discouraged me further. I was persuaded to add an additional appetizer. When thr food arrived, it was far too much food. The manager even stopped by and coincidentally commented on how much food there was. To end the evening, our dirty linens were left on our table in front of my partner after being placed by the server. We contacted the restaurant directly but didn t hear anything back. Nice restaurants should have good service and a regard for those choosing to dine at their restaurant.

This restaurant holds a special place in my heart when it comes to French Cuisine in Vancouver. I love the ambiance, the service, the food. This is me and my husband s ride or die restaurant to celebrate. They have the best beef tartare in Vancouver. For entree, we always order the dover sole, which will be deboned tableside and served with a lemon butter sauce. Chef kiss . We look forward to coming back everytime we leave the restaurant. A true gem!

Amazing foods and wine list, great services! Highly recommended and will go back

The absolute best food I have ever had! Alexandre was an incredible waiter. He was thoughtful. Kind. Courteous and attentive. I will return until I have tried everything on the menu!!! And then, I will come back for more! To the Chef, thank you for the best food I have ever had. This is my new favorite restaurant. Leon, France was my first experience with French cuisine. You have topped them by a mile. Thank you so much for such a wonderful experience.

Fantastic French food with a long history in Vancouver! 40 years and counting is no easy feat. The frog legs were delicious and super tender, the wagyu cooked perfectly medium are despite how thin it was, desserts all classic French food youd find in France. Very enjoyable meal overall!

I don t even like French food (too heavy for me) but if I have to pick a place it would be this

Dishes were thoughtfully presented. Service was great. Venison steak was unexpectedly tender. Seating between tables was a bit tight.

Reservations: one month ahead, $25/person deposit required. Refunded after dinner is paid. Hostess: warmly welcomed us, gently took our coats, promptly seated us Server: Proper, polite, orderly, intuitive and helpful when ordering. His name is Pierre. Cocktails: classic and prepares the palate well for the first course. First course: Roasted Bone marrow, Warm Tomato gin soup, Lobster tempura with scallops, Frog Legs: Excellent! Main course: Braised Lamb Shank, Venison medallions cooked to medium, Ribeye steak cooked to medium rare: Excellent! Generous portions. Sommelier: politely asked us if we needed any wine pairing suggestions for our mains. We went with her wine by the glass suggestions. Thank you for the excellent wine recommendations. Added touches by the restaurant: Thin pomme frites during main course, Pear sorbet as palate cleanser before dessert. Thank you! Dessert: Profiteroles with warm chocolate sauce, glass of sauturnes (2018 vintage): Classic finish. Atmosphere: This restaurant is a Vancouver classic. 40 years serving beautifully made French cuisine. The hardwood floor is a bit slippery. The noise level at times can be a bit high when it gets busy especially in a tight area. Conclusion: Worth the dining experience and I hope patrons will continue to appreciate it all. Michelin must be blind to overlook this establishment.

Great choice for a coffee break on Robson Street in Vancouver. Its always busy and the staff do the best to assist. I loved the bisher muesli. Lattes are a staple. Its French so they should use French terms for coffee like cafe au lait but its more Continental. Always a great selection of pastries many of them classic. I really enjoy meeting friends here for coffee.

So, Ive been trying to visit Le Crocodile for maybe five years now. The first time I tried, I made reservations but I got bumped because someone bought out the place for a Xmas party. The next time I tried, they were closed. Then the pandemic hit and its taken this long to finally visit. I was a bit worried that it might not live up to my expectations since its been so long. Fortunately, everything turned out great. The place was busy during our visit. Reservations are a good idea. Started with the lobster bisque scented with cognac and the beet salad with fresh bufala cheese and a honey mustard dressing (I was a bit worried about the dressing but it wasnt overpowering at all). Both excellent. For my main, I picked the pan fried Dover sole with lemon butter sauce. They expertly debone this at the table. The sole was melt in your mouth tender. One of the specials was the beef Wellington. Tender meat encased in puff pastry with a nice earthy flavour from the mushrooms. We also received complimentary frites for the table. These are so good! Thin and crispy. I wanted to eat the whole plate but I had to stop because I was so full. Before our desserts, they gave us complimentary lychee sorbet palate cleanser. Dessert included the passion fruit creme brulee which I thought was a bit sweet but offset by the tartness of passion fruit. We also got the profiteroles au chocolat which is filled with vanilla ice cream. They pour the chocolate sauce tableside. Overall, service was really good and we were well taken care of. Im not a fan of Michelin guide and if I compared the service we had recently at a Michelin star restaurant with the service we received here, Le Crocodile really outshines them. Moreover, it seemed effortless... I know it wasnt. Service like this takes hard work and meticulous details. But the fact that it seems effortless to the diners speaks volumes.

LE CROCODILE (Downtown) Heard so many great things about this place, just had to try! They usually only open for dinner, but this holiday break they opened for lunch!!! LOBSTER TEMPURA AND GRILLED SCALLOPS $34 Served on curly endive salad, olive oil, lemon juice, tomatoes, and chives. This was good, but not amazing. If I were to come back Id definitely be open to trying other appies! VEAL CHOP WITH MOREL MUSHROOM SAUCE $52 served with Fries. This was definitely the star of the show! The sauce was superb! This was not on their main menu, but the Veal Medallions is very similar. I would get this again! SLOW BRAISED LAMB SHANK PROVANCALE-STYLE $38 Roasted sweet garlic, glazed shallots, and black truffle gnocchi. The meat was cooked to perfection, and overall it was a great dish, however it didnt have the same impact as the Veal in Mushroom Sauce! I would not get this again and I would try something else! Service was top notch, food was great! I would definitely come back to try their other items

Excellent food, ambiance and service. Does not disappoint. A solid gem in the ever revolving world of restaurants in the Vancouver dining scene.

the escargots were flavourful and i really enjoyed the lamb shank paired with gnocchi. the service was wonderful and we were given many complimentary sides and palette cleansers.

I was very disappointed. Le Crocodile is not what it used to be. The table is so close that I can hear what the people next to me are talking about. The server is not knowledgeable about dishes. I think its an overrated restaurant.

Every detail so perfect! Every dish incredible, rich, flavorful, perfect in texture, with delectable sauces. The hostess was graceful, keen, and efficient. Pierre was the consummate server - we really felt taken care of. The menu was intriguing and the list of specials was long. The ambience was clean, careful, and poised. Potatoes were served so many ways in one meal and each preparation was delicious. The frog legs were perfectly prepared in a rich and buttery sauce, complemented by a rich tomato coulis. The lobster tail with truffles was perfect in texture and mild enough in flavor to really highlight the truffles. Our main course was taking longer than expected so Pierre brought a complimentary plate of their signature julienne fries that are incredibly crispy. The scallops were perfectly cooked and paired with white beets and potatoes, in a heavenly sauce that was rich and tart and velvety. But the pièce de résistance was the Grand Marnier soufflé with crême Anglaise served table-side. As the souffle approached I could already see it was jiggling with superb texture. The crême had just the right subtle hint of orange flavor, and the combination was magical. An absolutely perfect dessert that melts in your mouth. A really spectacular night out in every respect. Parking: Directly underneath the restaurant, paid parking with an elevator.

Exceptional French food experience! I was wondering to visit this restaurant long time ago and finally that I went with my husband, it did not disappoint me. The service was super attentive since we arrived until we left (from the host, servers, sommelier and others). The food was amazing, incredible tasty (special shot out to the beef Wellington and also the duck legs which were so tender), my husband ordered a salad (I forgot the name and to take a picture) which came with tomatoes, burrata cheese and thin slices of fish I guess, it was nice and refreshing. We also ordered the orange creme Brule that was simply wonderful (forgot to take a picture too). The wine pairing offered by the sommelier for our main dishes was perfect. In addition, the complimentary French thin fried potatoes, alcoholic pear sorbet and chocolates (dark and milk) throughout our dinner experience were fantastic. There was just a small detail we did not like which was our table, it was located in the back of a cabinet where we can see the table towels and other stuff, it was not so pretty but besides of that, everything was good. We will need to go back to celebrate an special occasion and try other dishes for sure.

We came here for a celebration One of the best French cuisines we have experienced in Vancouver. A highly energized ambience, fully booked dining room even at 9pm reminded me of the hustle and bustle of old Hollywood glamour. The food was traditional French rich in flavor and so delicious. The service was attentive and prompt and friendly could not make you feel more welcome. We so enjoyed it and will be back.

Very good place to have a special day to celebrate

This is the restaurant Ive been waiting for and the best Ive had in the last two years. Will definitely be back, will bring more friends, and highly recommended!

Great 16oz rib eye

Nice place

One of the best! Probably the best French restaurant in Vancouver!

Amazing food, experience, and service! Our server, Brian, was wonderful and very knowledgeable about the dishes and even where the ingredients were sourced from! We came here for a birthday + anniversary celebration and we were beyond impressed with the attention to detail put into the service as well as the dishes. The atmosphere is just the right blend of comfort, luxury, and romance for any occasion, and we will definitely be back again to try some more of the chefs specials!

The service was amazing but the food took a long time to come but its worth it I recommend the escargo, and the passion fruit Cream brulle. 10/10 recommend.

Good restaurant with a good ambiance! Good servers which are fast and present ! I would recommend to family and friends for checking out fine dining in Vancouver . Good quality food and awesome deserts .I will definitely be visiting back

Happy 8th Month Anniversary ~ The service was great and I like the cozy and warm atmosphere. Food

Everything was fantastic, and Brian was exceptional

The escargots were good, but not the best I have had. (The Keg has the best). The whole Atlantic Lobster was good and a very good value for the amount of Lobster there is, which is a fair bit. The Pumkin curry soup was very nice. The Venison medallions were tasty and tender. The Grand Marnier soufflé was pretty good. Our waiter was very gracious.

Absolutely impeccable experience. Brian was amazing. The food and service are second to none. We are world travelers and have dined in the finest restaurants around the globe. Le Crocodile is among the best. The thought that Michelin missed this fabulous restaurant is a travesty. Thank you so much for wonderful dinning experience. I will return every time Im in Vancouver.

Wonderful food and our waitress was amazing. She made the experience fun which we enjoyed. My wife had the chicken (I had a bite) it was very good. I had the Beef Wellington, that was really good too! I would definitely go back if I am in Vancouver BC again.

We had no idea how stormy it was outside, as we were so well taken care of from start to finish. It was truly a treat in every interaction, every sip, and every single bite. Thank you for a truly flawless evening on our Anniversary.

The portions are large and the duck breast tastes good

I had wanted to go here for a long time and finally did. I really enjoyed the overall experience. The team was super friendly and the food was great!

Excellent food. A must go for special occasions as it s on the pricier side. Friendly staff, just super noisy. Brian was an excellent server.

The best beef tartar

I ve been here a few times and it s always been enjoyable. The interior is clean, charming and not too loud. Service was great through and through. Food was well portioned and delicious. Would recommend the truffle mushroom soup, rack of lamb, beef bone marrow and the chef s complimentary hickory sticks. Overall, it s always been a good time here.

Such a scrumptious lunch today at Le Crocodile. Fortunately they offer lunch service (finally!) for this years holiday season. Our bites were dependably delicious, as always. And we had the great luck of getting Brian as our waiter today. His unobtrusively attentive style is a gift which he graciously shared with us. The kitchen took pity on my geriatric bones and granted me a soufflé to finish my meal with style......

I had a delightful evening enjoying the delicious food, and the server were very friendly. However, there was a slight disappointment. I had left a note with the front desk requesting a reservation for a quieter spot, but instead, we were seated near the checkout area, which was busier with many people passing by.

Most of the staff especially James was absolutely welcoming! Food was delicious, definitely recommend their Dover Sole! Thank you for a overall fantastic experience! Food : 5/5

I have been here a few times and would say it is consistent. It is a higher end restaurant but not overly priced for what you get. They do seafood well, which is why I always come back. Update: What I wrote above was four years and I now live in Vancouver and have returned for dinner and it still remains one of my favourite restaurants. I recommend the lobster tempura, anything with scallops, the snails in pastry cups and the Dover.

My wife and I came here last night Dec 1 2023 for our wedding anniversary. We were in Paris this time last year and wanted to relive the food experience. Le Crocodile did not disappoint. We ordered 2 appetizers, the frog legs and escargot and two mains, beef short ribs which were flake with your fork in a yummy sauce and lamb shank which was equally tender that came with gnocchi. Both were delectable and cooked to perfection so much so that I kept forgetting to take pictures so please excuse the fork marks haha We also had a bottle of wine. The service was equally great even though the place was extremely busy the food came quickly and with complimentary sides like fries and sorbet. For our desert we got profiterolles which was to die for and last but not least their final complimentary chocolate Crocodiles. Portions were large so we took some to go. Prices are good for the serving sizes and quality, came to a little more than $200. Highly recommend this establishment as the food was on par with some of the best we have had as Top restaurants in Paris. We will definitely be coming back. Parking: I parked down the street, paid for 1 hour because after 10pm its free.

Best food I ever Had! A must-visit place. Everything was great!!

I am writing to express my disappointment and concern about an incident that occurred during my visit to this restaurant on November 14th to celebrate my girlfriends birthday. Firstly, I want to commend the restaurant for the delicious appetizers, main courses, and desserts we ordered; the food was truly satisfying. However, our experience took a turn for the worse after we finished our main course. To our dismay, we observed a mouse in an area of the restaurant that seemed neglected at the time. I promptly informed one of the servers about the situation, but unfortunately, there was no immediate response or action from any restaurant staff. They continued to serve other guests as if nothing unusual had happened. In my attempt to address the issue, I inquired about the protocol for handling such situations. It was only then that Ms. Sandorine, the restaurant manager, stepped forward to speak with us. Regrettably, her initial response was rather surprising, as she asked, What do you want us to do about it? She went on to explain that the rodent issue was not the restaurants problem and suggested we contact pest control to address the situation. Furthermore, she mentioned that, due to the current peak season, closing the restaurant for disinfection was not a feasible option. I must express my deep concern regarding the potential impact of a rodent problem on food safety. It is unsettling not knowing whether mice have had access to the food or utensils. While I did not expect any compensation or discounts, the attitude displayed by the management, especially in a high-end restaurant, was disappointingly arrogant. Instead of acknowledging the issue and reassuring customers, Ms. Sandorine seemed more focused on asking what we wanted, disregarding the severity of the situation. I believe that such a dismissive attitude from restaurant management towards customers concerns is unacceptable. It is my hope that you take immediate action to address this matter and prevent any future occurrences.

Food and service is excellent.

Finally went here for a work Xmas dinner!This Restaurant is now my favourite!! They have some traditional and classic French dishes, great seafood and much more, also the portions are generous. The host was super entertaining and wait staff was great. You seriously feel you re in Paris for some time. It can be fancy enough to dress up for. Like most good French or European restaurants they don t play loud music, if any, and let the hum of conversations add spirit to the vibe, very classy! As for Ed Wangs one star review you can laugh at that and laugh at him. Every restaurant in vancouver has them, especially all the ones he generously gave five stars again especially those. And I commend the staffs reaction because I would have thrown him out and called him a pu$$y a$$ biatch like he is.

I was here a few years ago and have since spoken to friends I have referred to this restaurant and they tell me it is still one of the best FRENCH restaurants in Vancouver

Awesome place for romantic dinner. The atmosphere is outstanding, the food is better than this, the service is impeccable. The highlights of the evening were the cocktails and bone marrow dish as well as venison medallions.

What a wonderful experience! The food here is exceptional, cocktails were delicious and the service was so amazing. Our sweet server made my night, she was attentive and at full service you could tell she was busting her butt for all her tables while maintaining a smile. Truly props to you. Mains were delicious, I recommend the duck breast!! Overall great choice for a celebration! Small note: if you are dining at a full service restaurant during the holidays, remember to be kind to your servers and wait staff. They work hard and deserve kindness. Thank you Le Crocodile!

Pure french fine dining in Vancouver with 30 years history! I was impressed since stepped inside. Highly recommend.

Amazing amazing amazing.

Extraordinary - as always. A must visit when in Vancouver.

Ive been there a few times. It always has great service and Im usually very happy with the food. Went this week with my mom and her lobster was overcooked. Very chewy, which was surprising given the restaurants usual high standards. Might still go back in the future but have to admit it was disappointing.

Exceptional customer service and great food. Highly recommend dining here. Food