North Beach Bistro
725 Atlantic Blvd,Ste 6, Atlantic Beach, FL, 32233
North Beach Bistro Menu
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Visit below restaurant in Atlantic Beach for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Atlantic Beach for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Atlantic Beach for healthy meals suggestion.
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Address :
725 Atlantic Blvd,Ste 6
Atlantic Beach, FL, 32233 - Phone (904) 372-4105
- Website https://www.nb-bistro.com/
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :4:00 pm - 10:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : No
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Classy
Noise Level : Quiet
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : Free
Has TV : Yes
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes
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Stephen S.
This place was pretty busy for brunch this morning, always a good sign. We were able to get in fairly quickly by sitting in the first-come-first-served area. There aren't a lot of seats there, but ok for a couple of people. The larger groups waiting outside seemed fairly comfortable, there is plenty of seating on the porch so they weren't crowded together like you might expect at similar small brunch places. We both had omelets, mine was stuffed with crab and shrimp and had a healthy helping of hollandaise sauce on top. Yum! The portions were perfect for the meal and the side of hash-browns was great. We also tried the grits, which we found a little bland, but I have to admit that I'm not a connoisseur, so true grits aficionados may find just what they're looking for. Overall a great place, just a short walk down from the Beaches Town Center. It'd be better if it were in the middle of things, but the staff, decor, and food more than make up for a less desirable location.
(4)Carol S.
Had fish & chips which were excellent husband had a burger which was also very good. Chips were plentiful and lots were crispy which is the way I like them. Place was very nice. It is expensive $12 for the burger and around $10 for the fish but with a $10 off coupon well worth it! Will come back again!
(4)Marie M.
I absolutely love this place! I have never had bad service. And I never had bad food. their special menu always has a great selection. You can't go wrong here!
(5)Natalie B.
North Beach Bistro is a welcomed addition to Atlantic Beach. It is owned by Chef Charles Charbonneau, who was last the Executive chef for the Sawgrass Golf Resort & Spa. North Beach Bistro is housed in the former Tree Steakhouse location. Chef Charles and his team had the space completely renovated into a warm and friendly restaurant featuring a moderately priced menu, extensive wine list and a terrific bar area. Before our appetizers even arrived, we were given a white bean/garlic tapenade with warm bread--a welcomed departure from the butter or olive oil that you typically see. My husband and I selected the cheese platter (a special feature of the evening so I'm not sure if this is always available) and the Croquettes (on the menu) to start. Both appetizers were lovely. The cheese selection rivaled anything I would have tasted while in Napa --definitely a treat!! The croquettes are a specialty of the house and are highly recommended. For our entrees, I selected the braised short rib (served with mashed potatoes) and the hubby opted for the Kobe beef burger (served with bistro frites and homemade ketchup--plus a delicious horseradish sauce). The entrees were perfectly prepared and very satisfying. The food is of extremely high quality, which is no surprise since it is a "chef's" restaurant for sure! I probably shouldn't have ordered dessert because I was so stuffed, but I couldn't resist. I selected the Chocolate Aphrodisiac cake, which was a lava cake. It is made to order and worth every second of waiting!! Service was friendly and at a good pace--we wanted a leisurely dinner and did not feel rushed. The atmosphere was so warm that I wanted our dinner to go on forever! For those of you who know what a big Riverside/Avondale geek I am, this place makes me not miss my old neighborhood as much ;-)
(5)Maureen F.
This is a great place for a happy hour. They have these great mini martinis and wine specials. The appetizers are amazing. I sampled the flatbread and potstickers. There were a lot of options that dont appear to be on their main menu online. Our waiter was very attentitive and patient considering we were there till after closing. I would try them for dinner too, there were lots of great options.
(4)Jeff H.
The executive summary of this place - exquisite. From the moment you walk through the door the place is a trip to dining bliss. The hostess had a smile and offered a warm greeting and took me to my table in the main dining area. The interior is warm and welcoming. You feel immediately at ease. The interior choice of colors, the art, and the table settings were obviously chosen with great care. Good Feng Shui here... I didn't have to wait long for my server and he asked if I had been in before and gave a wonderful explanation of the menu and asked what I liked or if he might suggest something. It was the perfect balance of just what I wanted/needed to know. The kitchen is open and you can actually see your meal being prepared which I appreciated. As starters I tried the Cold Oysters (very clean and with just a touch of briny flavor), the House Made Country Pate (rich and perfectly flavored), and The Big Eye Tuna Poke Martini (the tuna was definitely sushi grade and so fresh!) For the main course I was looking forward to a fish dish because they are known for hard to find fresh seafood (like opaka-paka - Hawaiian Pink Snapper), but saw the French Onion Crusted Angus Prime Rib with Gruyere Yorkshire Pudding. Coming from Colorado (A Beef State) I'm very picky about prime rib. After assurance from my server, I ordered the prime and was smiling when it arrived. It was a high quality cut and perfectly prepared. The onion crust only enhanced the quality cut of sublime prime. There was so much that I had to take the remainder home. For desert I chose Tony's Famous Crunch Bar - created by a famous local chef from Mezza Luna who passed. Chocolate mousse meets crispy wafer heaven... Their wine by the glass selection is good and their wine selection overall is excellent. It was apparent that someone with wine knowledge had put it together (turns out I was right - the chef/owner reallys knows the great grape as does his Sommelier GM). The chef/owner came by to ask about my meal (another great sign). I shared how impressed I was with the decor, the staff, the food, and the wine. Any time a chef/owner talks about philosophy when describing their place - I'm in... His philosophy was that if you open a place and offer an exceptional atmosphere, service, and food - "they will come." The Chef introduced me to to his GM - Vinny D'Agostino - who also is a 1st Level Sommelier. Something you don't find in a lot of fine dining establishments here. They also have a beautifully appointed full service bar on the other side from the main dining area. I hope they will be doing some more Wine and Food pairings in the near future! There aren't enough restaurants in Jacksonville who do this. You never know where a food rec will come from - I found this place through Paul who is an assistant chef in the kitchen there - while enjoying a pint at Fly's Tie close to the restaurant. Thank You Paul!
(5)Allison L.
We lived in Atlantic Beach for 3 years before a new job brought us to Tampa. We are super picky about our restaurants and before North Beach popped up we rarely went out to eat due to the horrendous options in Jax and the beaches. North beach has awesome happy hour and the BEST apps around. The croquettas, big eye tuna martini and everything is awesome. Their brunch is a great deal too, we only went once before we moved but it's something like 3 courses and all you can drink mimosas and bloody mary's! We were happy to hear they're back open for lunch many days of the week. This palce is not to be missed!
(5)Bob S.
Was there for 2010 Christmas Eve. Had to be there 3-4 days each the last 3 weeks. We had at least 1 meal per day while we were there: lunch, Sunday Brunch & dinner. Smallest party was 2, largest was 8. Can you imagine mahi mahi fish & homemade chips? That's just bragging! I'd almost move down there to be close to NBB.
(4)Brad H.
Awesome restaurant. Great food. Quick, polite service. Fairly priced. I got the Kobe burger, organic salad w hazelnut goat cheese and sliced apples, and a Rogue Dead Guy on draught. Will definitely try to make it back.
(5)King F.
Loved it! You have to try the crab cakes! Really excellent!
(5)Amy H.
I don't normally frequent this establishment, but my friends wanted to go there for Thanksgiving. I do not know if this was a particularly bad day for them, but the price was quite high (32.00+ per person, PLUS 20% added onto the check for gratuity) and the food wasn't all that great. At that price, I and my friends all expected better. The "turkey" was thinly sliced turkey roll.... a semi-processed hunk of turkey which was only okay. The ham was almost as disappointing. The green casserole was tasty, as were the deserts. The total bill for just myself, including a couple of beers was over $60.00. Will not return for any buffet that they offer. Would, perhaps, try them again when the regular menu is available.
(2)Paul M.
The restaurant has a bar on the left side and an interesting art studio/gallery on the right. Good menu, very good food, very good service. We would go there again.
(4)Diana M.
I really was impressed by this restaurant. It's weird to me that everything in Jacksonville is in a strip center so I wasn't sure what to expect the first time we came here but I was pleasantly surprised. The food was very good and the presentation and ambiance were both awesome. The server was very knowledgeable and really seemed to like his job. This is definitely a place we would bring out of town guests!
(4)Jennifer L.
Really good food, especially the seafood specials. Random location in a strip mall, but proved to be a great meal. Half of the restaurant is a rowdy, live music, bar scene. The other half is a quiet, formal dining room with an open kitchen. Lots of free parking.
(3)Joel C.
A friend and I bought a groupon for NBB, it was my first time there. saw they have a Kobe beef burger and knew I had to try it. When we got there a little after 5pm we got seated quickly. Nice atmosphere, dark wood floors and trim, cloth napkins. Very cozy. Our server was named Mark. Very professional and knowledgable, it was like I was talking with an old buddy. Dinner we got bread with white bean hummus. Pulled pork potstickers with micro greens was our app. We both ordered Kobe burger cooked med rare, which came with hand cut fries and a couple of large homemade onion rings. With homemade ketchup and a ginger mayo, for the burger and fries. I also had cheddar and bacon on my burger. Ended dinner with bread pudding. OMG, Kobe beef, I thought it would be a 3 or 4 oz patty. NO,it was a 10 or 12oz cooked and seasoned perfectly. In fact everything we ordered was seasoned and cook to perfection. This is hands down the BEST burger in town. Our waiter Mark, awesome. Do yourself a favor and try North Beach Bistro, their Kobe Burger is special. Well worth 15 bucks. Extremely enjoyable. I thought the bread pudding was Fantastic, Carmel and creamy with vanilla bean ice cream. I could continue with the accolades , chef, waiter ect... WOW , what a burger. Ask to sit in Mark's section. Joel C.
(4)Melissa H.
Went here Friday night and I ordered something on the specials of evening menu. Had the best Chilean Sea Bass on top of Swiss Chard (green leafy item slightly sauteed i think) and butternut squash Gnocchi all in a Beurre blanc sauce. Seriously it was so good and light. I really enjoyed ALL of it. My girlfriend got the Calypso Mahi Mahi with Garlic Whipped Potatoes and Mango Salsa and Tamarind Drizzle. She had nothing left on her plate and said it was obviously really good:) We will be going back for sure. Staff was very pleasant as well.
(4)Andy L.
This place is good, not great. We've eaten here three times and the food was consistently "OK", not great. None of the food impressed me, but the staff is friendly. Will we go back?.... probably, just because there are not a lot of options in Jax..... but we will probably not take out-of-town guests there again.
(3)tavia m.
Thought I'd need reservations to get into the North Beach Bistro on a Saturday night, but then I realized I was in Jacksonville and my reservations were not remotely needed. There were about 3 other tables full when we arrived, so we were seated promptly. The place has a nice vibe and the low light is somewhat romantic if you want it to be that. Our waitress was a little crazy but nice and attentive. We had beers, so I can't speak for the cocktail menu, but our entrees were good. My friend had the meatloaf and ate every last bit. I ordered the tuna, which I enjoyed. My one gripe is that the cook placed the tuna over hot veggies and put a hot sauce over the top, so my fish slowly cooked as I ate. By the time I was halfway through the tuna, it was completely cooked and no longer rare. It still tasted good so I was cool with it. There were definitely different items I'd like to try on the menu so I would go back for sure. I'll check it out again and see if they can win a star from me!
(3)Vetey D.
The food wasn't bad. It was a fairly nice place. The service was questionable. The guy seemed caught off guard that we were sitting down in his section. (It wasn't busy) He then gave us some menus. It took a while each time for him to bring the menu, then ask for our drinks, then bring the water, then bring the appetizer. He acted like he was busy and kept going back to the kitchen or the back. He was jumpy and didn't seem like he knew what he was talking about. He should've worked at Applebee's or Fridays, his mannerism was trying to be hip and energetic and the atmosphere was upscale, relaxed and intimate. I'd like to come back again and hopefully get a different waiter who knew a little about the food.
(3)Lindsay L.
It's so nice to have an option like NBB in the beaches. Like so many other places in Jacksonville, this gem is hidden in a shopping center. But once you walk inside, you are transported to a more luxurious setting. The ambiance is warm and inviting. The service was excellent. And the value!! We found coupons in the Mint for a free entree and they also had an amazing prix frixe special for $19.95 included an appetizer, steak, and dessert. I ordered the filet. It came with sweet potato gratin. The filet was cooked perfectly and the mushroom sauce on top was delish. The one thing that wasn't so great seemed like an abundance of some sort of peppercorn. I kept biting into them and my palete was not pleased. I also wasn't too thrilled with the gratin. I felt it could've been much hotter and creamier. It also had crunchy red onions that took away from the sweet, creamy flavor I'd anticipated. I would definitely go back again and try other menu items. For the value it was amazing and the ambiance is just lovely.
(4)Rachel B.
I actually broke my no-bistro rule because of the yelp reviews for North Beach Bistro. In my experience, bistro typically means overpriced smaller portions. I wasn't sure what to expect here, but I mainly wanted to eat dinner in a relaxed, dim setting. I certainly got that here. The decor inside is pleasing and the overall atmosphere was calm and conducive to conversation. Service was friendly and prompt. I absolutely loved the parmesan cheese bites - the texture was unlike anything I've had before. Delicious! The crab and corn chowder was great. I ordered a steak, which arrived cooked medium, as I ordered it. The only thing I did not like was the garlic mashed potatoes - waaay too garlicky for my tastes. Overall, a great experience!
(4)Jeff K.
After playing volleyball on the beach for awhile, we were pretty hungry by the time we finished shower and had a few drinks at the bar. Tired of us whining about being hungry, the nice bartender showed us the menu and recommended the place. She was also nice enough to make sure the place would still be open at 9:30pm. After reviewing the menu, I was totally craving for several items on it. Once we got there, the menu had none of the items I wanted. In fact, it was completely different:( That wasn't a good start. Fortunately the food we ordered were pretty good. On top of that, it was happy hour all night. We all got 2 for 1 drinks. You can't beat that:-D
(4)Mel N.
I pass by this place all the time cause I live near it, but had never been interested in eating here until recently. For the past few weeks, every time I passed by it, it seemed to call to me, wanting me to eat here. So my husband and I decided to have dinner here on Sunday. I have to say, the place looks a lot bigger on the inside than it does on the outside. The staff were very friendly and attentive. They have a regular menu and specials everyday. I had ordered their pasta of the day which was Rigatoni w/ Mayport shrimp and spinach. I can't remember what the sauce was, but I have to say it was very good. My husband ordered their Char Grilled Ribeye w/ Garlic Glazed Potatoes and Chimichurri. Hmmm Yum! All in all, we really liked their food and will be coming back for more. They do have a lunch menu, but I advise going for dinner just cause it seems like more of a dinner place.
(5)Ashley D.
This is a date night staple for my husband and I! The food is amazing and the staff is even better! This is a beaches hidden treasure!
(5)Brett S.
The hummus was nothing special. It tasted like mashed up chick peas with chives, surrounded by olive oil. The bread it was served with was good though. The mussels were in an uninspired white wine sauce. Very average. Everyone in our dinner party had decent entrees, probably a bit overpriced, though, for the quality. I expected alot more based on the other reviews. NBB is a decent meal, but by no means spectacular.
(3)Elena R.
I don't believe I've given any other place 5 stars... North Beach Bistro is getting my first perfect rating! My boyfriend and I were toying with where to go for a nice dinner one Saturday night. He mentioned NBB, we went online and made a reservation and were on our way. It's located in a shopping center, but don't let that be a turn-off. When we walked in, the ambiance was great. We were promptly greeted and seated. The whole experience was flawless. Our waitress was pleasant and attentive, without being overbearing (some "nicer" restaurants have someone hovering over you, pouring you water after each sip you take). The overall service was exceptional. Now to the food. We started with the risotto croquettes ($9), and they were good. However, my boyfriend ordered the sirloin au poivre ($21) and it was to die for. He couldn't get enough of the fingerling potatoes that came with it, either. He declared them to be the best potatoes he's ever had. I had the veal osso buco ($27). It was tender, moist, flavorful... overall, divine. The mushroom risotto was the perfect compliment to the osso buco. I couldn't stop eating long after I should have. This dining experience was one of the best I've had in a long, long time. We eat out all the time, and I still think about the exceptional experience we've had almost two weeks ago. I highly recommend it. We will definitely return!
(5)Jenna M.
My friend and I were looking for a place to eat after the gym and thought NBB would be sort of like Panera since it's located in a strip mall but we were pleasantly surprised! Even though we were yucky looking, fresh from LA Fitness, we were treated very well from the door to the check. The wait staff was attentive but not annoying and very knowledgeable about the menu. I had the filet mignon with butternut squash risotto and sauteed mushrooms in a red wine reduction. It was probably the best dinner I've had out in a year. The risotto will have me coming back. I don't know exactly what was in it, but I could eat it everyday. Very smooth, creamy, and just straight up delicious. The steak was tender and cooked perfectly. I also enjoyed the side of chef's vegetables, thinly sliced zucchini, squash, and carrots sauteed just enough to be firm to the bite but not too crunchy. My friend, who is a vegetarian had the Brussels sprouts and macaroni and cheese. Being a vegetarian, she has had about every plate of macaroni at the beach and raved about NBB's. Without gushing too much, this place was a definite hit, great food and great service.
(4)Robert T.
A group of us met at this restaurant for dinner, and it was a grand success. The restaurant is beautiful inside, decorated throughout with new and original art (presumably from the attached gallery next door). Dark wood and light walls complement the art nicely, and tables are spread enough that you don't feel like so many places these days, where you are in someone else's lap through the whole meal. I had the steak au poivre, which was phenomenal - moist, cooked to perfection, and the pepper sauce was a religious experience. Others at the table got the veal osso buco (also phenomenal) and the lamb porterhouse. Everything was amazing. Service was excellent, and our waiter was closely attentive without being obtrusive - he never interrupted the conversation, but was always handy to fill a glass or answer a question. Dessert was a dark chocolate cherry bread pudding with creme anglais... and really, that was about as close to food porn as it was possible to get. The only reason that I deducted a star from perfect (5 stars) was that one of our party ordered the special red snapper (cooked whole), and it never arrived... it wasn't on the bill, it was never mentioned again. Ghost fish? Despite the fishy vanishing entree, this was a phenomenal place and I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a good meal ($$) in Jacksonville Beach.
(4)Chris G.
Had Thanksgiving lunch here. Our first visit to the Bistro. Food was excellent...totally stuffed myself with turkey, prime roast, ham, dressing and more. The dessert table was out of this world. The bread pudding we heard about was awesome. Service was great. Cool art gallery. Best part was that the owner gave both of our kids some activity books to keep them busy and they loved them. Thanks NBB for a wonderful Thanksgiving lunch! We will definitely come back.
(5)Heather D.
Their brunch is one of the best kept beach secrets - $10 bottomless mimosas and delicious food. Shrimp and grits are recommended. Nice special occasion space in the gallery next door.
(4)Little B.
Amazing, savory, bless-my-soul deliciousness! Ohhh North Beach Bistro, you have my heart for life! When I told my friends that we were coming here, they all responded with unintelligible "ahhhhhhs" of envy. We celebrated a family birthday tonight. NBB had a cute coloring book for the kids -- our picky eater devoured the CHICKEN FINGERS -- while we enjoyed a KOBE BURGER that melted my sense of self into meaty madness, and FILE MIGNON for the birthday woman, who's a culinary expert and was delighted with the meat quality. Our server provided a complimentary BIRTHDAY COOKIE SUNDAE warm from the oven. I'd love to tell you how thoughtful our server Kent was, but I am transitioning into the most glorious food coma right now. What a great night. Farewell, good people of Yelp! Be brave and eat Beach Bistro!
(5)Courtney K.
Bread with white hummus and olive oil.. so delicious. And unique pre-meal combo, too. Loved that. Food was exceptional. I had Chicken Milanese and my husband had Mahi tacos. The prices were a little higher than expected, but the portions were sized well. Atmosphere was very nice, and they were accommodating to us having an infant. Four stars was for the service. Hostess was a bit rude. Server was abrupt. Neither were very friendly. Could've been their personalities? But other than that, great experience!
(4)Dawn G.
Nice for brunch but a little pricey for the portions but the food quality was good. We also found the dining area to be a bit loud-needs something to baffle sound.
(4)Samantha K.
I went to this restaurant for the first time tonight. I wish I could give 3.5 stars, but I unfortunately can't. So, my review, and the removal of stars, are based on both the expectations I had for food and service. Regarding the food....it was pretty good but not as good expected based on price and yelp reviews. The meal began with the crab and artichoke dip. I thought the dip was good but not great, and that the crostini that came with it was either stale or not toasted enough. For entrees we ordered the pork chop special and the seafood boulibase (sp?). Both were very tasty but neither knocked it out of the park. I really enjoyed the bread service with a white bean tapenade...but as I'll explain service was lacking in that department. Okay so service was acceptable but I thought I would get more for the cost and reputation of the place. Our server appeared to be busy but did what she needed to to make sure we were adequately taken care of. Unfortunately, she did not bring us bread prior to our appetizer until we requested it (only knowing based on yelp reviews how good the tapenade is). I understand being busy but it made me feel bad having to ask, although it was totally worth asking. Also she seemed in a hurry any time she came by. Finally, I had a gift certificate from restaurants.com for $25...and after I presented it when we received the bill I was informed that the happy hour wine I received (2 for 1) would not be applied and instead I had to pay for each glass--she was unable to combine discounts. Not a big deal but it left a bad taste in my mouth.
(3)Steve G.
My wife and I made our first trip this past Saturday night... And we are glad we did. The restaurant is very charming, with a warm atmosphere. Stephanie our waitress was very attentive and knowledgeable on the menu. She made some great recommendations. The owner, Lori, stopped by and chatted with us for a few minutes. I started with the French Onion soup... Very rich and delicious! Lots of gooey mozzarella cheese and onions. I had the meatloaf, mashed potatoes, and green beans for my entree. The portions were large. What made the dish for me was the mushroom gravy.. Very good. My wife had the salmon, with mozzarella and tomatoes. It was cooked perfectly, nice crust, and very moist. Also a nice sized portion. Now... My favorite part of the meal... Hands down was the Apple cinnamon bread pudding with caramel sauce and vanilla ice cream!!! OMG! It was wicked good! I can't wait to go back just for this dish. Service was spot on. Prices reasonable for the quality of ingredients and portion size. 5 stars easy.
(5)Ashley F.
Best Hot & Dirty Martini with blue cheese stuffed olives I've had in forever. Great food. Nice bar while you wait for your reservations. Great service too.
(5)Diana M.
I really was impressed by this restaurant. It's weird to me that everything in Jacksonville is in a strip center so I wasn't sure what to expect the first time we came here but I was pleasantly surprised. The food was very good and the presentation and ambiance were both awesome. The server was very knowledgeable and really seemed to like his job. This is definitely a place we would bring out of town guests!
(4)Jennifer L.
Really good food, especially the seafood specials. Random location in a strip mall, but proved to be a great meal. Half of the restaurant is a rowdy, live music, bar scene. The other half is a quiet, formal dining room with an open kitchen. Lots of free parking.
(3)Paul M.
The restaurant has a bar on the left side and an interesting art studio/gallery on the right. Good menu, very good food, very good service. We would go there again.
(4)Joel C.
A friend and I bought a groupon for NBB, it was my first time there. saw they have a Kobe beef burger and knew I had to try it. When we got there a little after 5pm we got seated quickly. Nice atmosphere, dark wood floors and trim, cloth napkins. Very cozy. Our server was named Mark. Very professional and knowledgable, it was like I was talking with an old buddy. Dinner we got bread with white bean hummus. Pulled pork potstickers with micro greens was our app. We both ordered Kobe burger cooked med rare, which came with hand cut fries and a couple of large homemade onion rings. With homemade ketchup and a ginger mayo, for the burger and fries. I also had cheddar and bacon on my burger. Ended dinner with bread pudding. OMG, Kobe beef, I thought it would be a 3 or 4 oz patty. NO,it was a 10 or 12oz cooked and seasoned perfectly. In fact everything we ordered was seasoned and cook to perfection. This is hands down the BEST burger in town. Our waiter Mark, awesome. Do yourself a favor and try North Beach Bistro, their Kobe Burger is special. Well worth 15 bucks. Extremely enjoyable. I thought the bread pudding was Fantastic, Carmel and creamy with vanilla bean ice cream. I could continue with the accolades , chef, waiter ect... WOW , what a burger. Ask to sit in Mark's section. Joel C.
(4)tavia m.
Thought I'd need reservations to get into the North Beach Bistro on a Saturday night, but then I realized I was in Jacksonville and my reservations were not remotely needed. There were about 3 other tables full when we arrived, so we were seated promptly. The place has a nice vibe and the low light is somewhat romantic if you want it to be that. Our waitress was a little crazy but nice and attentive. We had beers, so I can't speak for the cocktail menu, but our entrees were good. My friend had the meatloaf and ate every last bit. I ordered the tuna, which I enjoyed. My one gripe is that the cook placed the tuna over hot veggies and put a hot sauce over the top, so my fish slowly cooked as I ate. By the time I was halfway through the tuna, it was completely cooked and no longer rare. It still tasted good so I was cool with it. There were definitely different items I'd like to try on the menu so I would go back for sure. I'll check it out again and see if they can win a star from me!
(3)Vetey D.
The food wasn't bad. It was a fairly nice place. The service was questionable. The guy seemed caught off guard that we were sitting down in his section. (It wasn't busy) He then gave us some menus. It took a while each time for him to bring the menu, then ask for our drinks, then bring the water, then bring the appetizer. He acted like he was busy and kept going back to the kitchen or the back. He was jumpy and didn't seem like he knew what he was talking about. He should've worked at Applebee's or Fridays, his mannerism was trying to be hip and energetic and the atmosphere was upscale, relaxed and intimate. I'd like to come back again and hopefully get a different waiter who knew a little about the food.
(3)Amy H.
I don't normally frequent this establishment, but my friends wanted to go there for Thanksgiving. I do not know if this was a particularly bad day for them, but the price was quite high (32.00+ per person, PLUS 20% added onto the check for gratuity) and the food wasn't all that great. At that price, I and my friends all expected better. The "turkey" was thinly sliced turkey roll.... a semi-processed hunk of turkey which was only okay. The ham was almost as disappointing. The green casserole was tasty, as were the deserts. The total bill for just myself, including a couple of beers was over $60.00. Will not return for any buffet that they offer. Would, perhaps, try them again when the regular menu is available.
(2)Stephen S.
This place was pretty busy for brunch this morning, always a good sign. We were able to get in fairly quickly by sitting in the first-come-first-served area. There aren't a lot of seats there, but ok for a couple of people. The larger groups waiting outside seemed fairly comfortable, there is plenty of seating on the porch so they weren't crowded together like you might expect at similar small brunch places. We both had omelets, mine was stuffed with crab and shrimp and had a healthy helping of hollandaise sauce on top. Yum! The portions were perfect for the meal and the side of hash-browns was great. We also tried the grits, which we found a little bland, but I have to admit that I'm not a connoisseur, so true grits aficionados may find just what they're looking for. Overall a great place, just a short walk down from the Beaches Town Center. It'd be better if it were in the middle of things, but the staff, decor, and food more than make up for a less desirable location.
(4)Carol S.
Had fish & chips which were excellent husband had a burger which was also very good. Chips were plentiful and lots were crispy which is the way I like them. Place was very nice. It is expensive $12 for the burger and around $10 for the fish but with a $10 off coupon well worth it! Will come back again!
(4)Bob S.
Was there for 2010 Christmas Eve. Had to be there 3-4 days each the last 3 weeks. We had at least 1 meal per day while we were there: lunch, Sunday Brunch & dinner. Smallest party was 2, largest was 8. Can you imagine mahi mahi fish & homemade chips? That's just bragging! I'd almost move down there to be close to NBB.
(4)Brad H.
Awesome restaurant. Great food. Quick, polite service. Fairly priced. I got the Kobe burger, organic salad w hazelnut goat cheese and sliced apples, and a Rogue Dead Guy on draught. Will definitely try to make it back.
(5)King F.
Loved it! You have to try the crab cakes! Really excellent!
(5)Natalie B.
North Beach Bistro is a welcomed addition to Atlantic Beach. It is owned by Chef Charles Charbonneau, who was last the Executive chef for the Sawgrass Golf Resort & Spa. North Beach Bistro is housed in the former Tree Steakhouse location. Chef Charles and his team had the space completely renovated into a warm and friendly restaurant featuring a moderately priced menu, extensive wine list and a terrific bar area. Before our appetizers even arrived, we were given a white bean/garlic tapenade with warm bread--a welcomed departure from the butter or olive oil that you typically see. My husband and I selected the cheese platter (a special feature of the evening so I'm not sure if this is always available) and the Croquettes (on the menu) to start. Both appetizers were lovely. The cheese selection rivaled anything I would have tasted while in Napa --definitely a treat!! The croquettes are a specialty of the house and are highly recommended. For our entrees, I selected the braised short rib (served with mashed potatoes) and the hubby opted for the Kobe beef burger (served with bistro frites and homemade ketchup--plus a delicious horseradish sauce). The entrees were perfectly prepared and very satisfying. The food is of extremely high quality, which is no surprise since it is a "chef's" restaurant for sure! I probably shouldn't have ordered dessert because I was so stuffed, but I couldn't resist. I selected the Chocolate Aphrodisiac cake, which was a lava cake. It is made to order and worth every second of waiting!! Service was friendly and at a good pace--we wanted a leisurely dinner and did not feel rushed. The atmosphere was so warm that I wanted our dinner to go on forever! For those of you who know what a big Riverside/Avondale geek I am, this place makes me not miss my old neighborhood as much ;-)
(5)Melissa H.
Went here Friday night and I ordered something on the specials of evening menu. Had the best Chilean Sea Bass on top of Swiss Chard (green leafy item slightly sauteed i think) and butternut squash Gnocchi all in a Beurre blanc sauce. Seriously it was so good and light. I really enjoyed ALL of it. My girlfriend got the Calypso Mahi Mahi with Garlic Whipped Potatoes and Mango Salsa and Tamarind Drizzle. She had nothing left on her plate and said it was obviously really good:) We will be going back for sure. Staff was very pleasant as well.
(4)Marie M.
I absolutely love this place! I have never had bad service. And I never had bad food. their special menu always has a great selection. You can't go wrong here!
(5)Elena R.
I don't believe I've given any other place 5 stars... North Beach Bistro is getting my first perfect rating! My boyfriend and I were toying with where to go for a nice dinner one Saturday night. He mentioned NBB, we went online and made a reservation and were on our way. It's located in a shopping center, but don't let that be a turn-off. When we walked in, the ambiance was great. We were promptly greeted and seated. The whole experience was flawless. Our waitress was pleasant and attentive, without being overbearing (some "nicer" restaurants have someone hovering over you, pouring you water after each sip you take). The overall service was exceptional. Now to the food. We started with the risotto croquettes ($9), and they were good. However, my boyfriend ordered the sirloin au poivre ($21) and it was to die for. He couldn't get enough of the fingerling potatoes that came with it, either. He declared them to be the best potatoes he's ever had. I had the veal osso buco ($27). It was tender, moist, flavorful... overall, divine. The mushroom risotto was the perfect compliment to the osso buco. I couldn't stop eating long after I should have. This dining experience was one of the best I've had in a long, long time. We eat out all the time, and I still think about the exceptional experience we've had almost two weeks ago. I highly recommend it. We will definitely return!
(5)Jenna M.
My friend and I were looking for a place to eat after the gym and thought NBB would be sort of like Panera since it's located in a strip mall but we were pleasantly surprised! Even though we were yucky looking, fresh from LA Fitness, we were treated very well from the door to the check. The wait staff was attentive but not annoying and very knowledgeable about the menu. I had the filet mignon with butternut squash risotto and sauteed mushrooms in a red wine reduction. It was probably the best dinner I've had out in a year. The risotto will have me coming back. I don't know exactly what was in it, but I could eat it everyday. Very smooth, creamy, and just straight up delicious. The steak was tender and cooked perfectly. I also enjoyed the side of chef's vegetables, thinly sliced zucchini, squash, and carrots sauteed just enough to be firm to the bite but not too crunchy. My friend, who is a vegetarian had the Brussels sprouts and macaroni and cheese. Being a vegetarian, she has had about every plate of macaroni at the beach and raved about NBB's. Without gushing too much, this place was a definite hit, great food and great service.
(4)Maureen F.
This is a great place for a happy hour. They have these great mini martinis and wine specials. The appetizers are amazing. I sampled the flatbread and potstickers. There were a lot of options that dont appear to be on their main menu online. Our waiter was very attentitive and patient considering we were there till after closing. I would try them for dinner too, there were lots of great options.
(4)Jeff H.
The executive summary of this place - exquisite. From the moment you walk through the door the place is a trip to dining bliss. The hostess had a smile and offered a warm greeting and took me to my table in the main dining area. The interior is warm and welcoming. You feel immediately at ease. The interior choice of colors, the art, and the table settings were obviously chosen with great care. Good Feng Shui here... I didn't have to wait long for my server and he asked if I had been in before and gave a wonderful explanation of the menu and asked what I liked or if he might suggest something. It was the perfect balance of just what I wanted/needed to know. The kitchen is open and you can actually see your meal being prepared which I appreciated. As starters I tried the Cold Oysters (very clean and with just a touch of briny flavor), the House Made Country Pate (rich and perfectly flavored), and The Big Eye Tuna Poke Martini (the tuna was definitely sushi grade and so fresh!) For the main course I was looking forward to a fish dish because they are known for hard to find fresh seafood (like opaka-paka - Hawaiian Pink Snapper), but saw the French Onion Crusted Angus Prime Rib with Gruyere Yorkshire Pudding. Coming from Colorado (A Beef State) I'm very picky about prime rib. After assurance from my server, I ordered the prime and was smiling when it arrived. It was a high quality cut and perfectly prepared. The onion crust only enhanced the quality cut of sublime prime. There was so much that I had to take the remainder home. For desert I chose Tony's Famous Crunch Bar - created by a famous local chef from Mezza Luna who passed. Chocolate mousse meets crispy wafer heaven... Their wine by the glass selection is good and their wine selection overall is excellent. It was apparent that someone with wine knowledge had put it together (turns out I was right - the chef/owner reallys knows the great grape as does his Sommelier GM). The chef/owner came by to ask about my meal (another great sign). I shared how impressed I was with the decor, the staff, the food, and the wine. Any time a chef/owner talks about philosophy when describing their place - I'm in... His philosophy was that if you open a place and offer an exceptional atmosphere, service, and food - "they will come." The Chef introduced me to to his GM - Vinny D'Agostino - who also is a 1st Level Sommelier. Something you don't find in a lot of fine dining establishments here. They also have a beautifully appointed full service bar on the other side from the main dining area. I hope they will be doing some more Wine and Food pairings in the near future! There aren't enough restaurants in Jacksonville who do this. You never know where a food rec will come from - I found this place through Paul who is an assistant chef in the kitchen there - while enjoying a pint at Fly's Tie close to the restaurant. Thank You Paul!
(5)Lindsay L.
It's so nice to have an option like NBB in the beaches. Like so many other places in Jacksonville, this gem is hidden in a shopping center. But once you walk inside, you are transported to a more luxurious setting. The ambiance is warm and inviting. The service was excellent. And the value!! We found coupons in the Mint for a free entree and they also had an amazing prix frixe special for $19.95 included an appetizer, steak, and dessert. I ordered the filet. It came with sweet potato gratin. The filet was cooked perfectly and the mushroom sauce on top was delish. The one thing that wasn't so great seemed like an abundance of some sort of peppercorn. I kept biting into them and my palete was not pleased. I also wasn't too thrilled with the gratin. I felt it could've been much hotter and creamier. It also had crunchy red onions that took away from the sweet, creamy flavor I'd anticipated. I would definitely go back again and try other menu items. For the value it was amazing and the ambiance is just lovely.
(4)Brett S.
The hummus was nothing special. It tasted like mashed up chick peas with chives, surrounded by olive oil. The bread it was served with was good though. The mussels were in an uninspired white wine sauce. Very average. Everyone in our dinner party had decent entrees, probably a bit overpriced, though, for the quality. I expected alot more based on the other reviews. NBB is a decent meal, but by no means spectacular.
(3)Robert T.
A group of us met at this restaurant for dinner, and it was a grand success. The restaurant is beautiful inside, decorated throughout with new and original art (presumably from the attached gallery next door). Dark wood and light walls complement the art nicely, and tables are spread enough that you don't feel like so many places these days, where you are in someone else's lap through the whole meal. I had the steak au poivre, which was phenomenal - moist, cooked to perfection, and the pepper sauce was a religious experience. Others at the table got the veal osso buco (also phenomenal) and the lamb porterhouse. Everything was amazing. Service was excellent, and our waiter was closely attentive without being obtrusive - he never interrupted the conversation, but was always handy to fill a glass or answer a question. Dessert was a dark chocolate cherry bread pudding with creme anglais... and really, that was about as close to food porn as it was possible to get. The only reason that I deducted a star from perfect (5 stars) was that one of our party ordered the special red snapper (cooked whole), and it never arrived... it wasn't on the bill, it was never mentioned again. Ghost fish? Despite the fishy vanishing entree, this was a phenomenal place and I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a good meal ($$) in Jacksonville Beach.
(4)Rachel B.
I actually broke my no-bistro rule because of the yelp reviews for North Beach Bistro. In my experience, bistro typically means overpriced smaller portions. I wasn't sure what to expect here, but I mainly wanted to eat dinner in a relaxed, dim setting. I certainly got that here. The decor inside is pleasing and the overall atmosphere was calm and conducive to conversation. Service was friendly and prompt. I absolutely loved the parmesan cheese bites - the texture was unlike anything I've had before. Delicious! The crab and corn chowder was great. I ordered a steak, which arrived cooked medium, as I ordered it. The only thing I did not like was the garlic mashed potatoes - waaay too garlicky for my tastes. Overall, a great experience!
(4)Jeff K.
After playing volleyball on the beach for awhile, we were pretty hungry by the time we finished shower and had a few drinks at the bar. Tired of us whining about being hungry, the nice bartender showed us the menu and recommended the place. She was also nice enough to make sure the place would still be open at 9:30pm. After reviewing the menu, I was totally craving for several items on it. Once we got there, the menu had none of the items I wanted. In fact, it was completely different:( That wasn't a good start. Fortunately the food we ordered were pretty good. On top of that, it was happy hour all night. We all got 2 for 1 drinks. You can't beat that:-D
(4)Andy L.
This place is good, not great. We've eaten here three times and the food was consistently "OK", not great. None of the food impressed me, but the staff is friendly. Will we go back?.... probably, just because there are not a lot of options in Jax..... but we will probably not take out-of-town guests there again.
(3)Mel N.
I pass by this place all the time cause I live near it, but had never been interested in eating here until recently. For the past few weeks, every time I passed by it, it seemed to call to me, wanting me to eat here. So my husband and I decided to have dinner here on Sunday. I have to say, the place looks a lot bigger on the inside than it does on the outside. The staff were very friendly and attentive. They have a regular menu and specials everyday. I had ordered their pasta of the day which was Rigatoni w/ Mayport shrimp and spinach. I can't remember what the sauce was, but I have to say it was very good. My husband ordered their Char Grilled Ribeye w/ Garlic Glazed Potatoes and Chimichurri. Hmmm Yum! All in all, we really liked their food and will be coming back for more. They do have a lunch menu, but I advise going for dinner just cause it seems like more of a dinner place.
(5)Ashley D.
This is a date night staple for my husband and I! The food is amazing and the staff is even better! This is a beaches hidden treasure!
(5)Allison L.
We lived in Atlantic Beach for 3 years before a new job brought us to Tampa. We are super picky about our restaurants and before North Beach popped up we rarely went out to eat due to the horrendous options in Jax and the beaches. North beach has awesome happy hour and the BEST apps around. The croquettas, big eye tuna martini and everything is awesome. Their brunch is a great deal too, we only went once before we moved but it's something like 3 courses and all you can drink mimosas and bloody mary's! We were happy to hear they're back open for lunch many days of the week. This palce is not to be missed!
(5)Bryan S.
Awesome!
(5)Meghan K.
This has become one of our regular(ish) places. It started because they always have restaurant.com deals, but we've had so many good meals there it just keeps growing on us. The staff is always friendly, but not overbearing. The food is always DELICIOUS. I get so excited for the white bean hummus that they give you (their version of bread and butter) that I can never eat my whole entree. We haven't had a meal that we didn't like - maybe one dish that we didn't LOVE. The things that finally sealed the deal: they have (truffle) poutine! It's a tad on the salty side, but good luck finding it even close to this delicious anywhere else within two hours of Jax. They are constantly changing the menu, so it's had to give recommendations other than you should definitely try it!
(5)Josh B.
Went here for Mother's Day brunch and was not impressed. Only option was a buffet that was overpriced and the food was no better than any hotel banquet/reception hall. Just meh all the way around and for almost $100 at brunch, I certainly expect more.
(2)Anthony G.
Great place for a special meal at Jax Beach. Nice space, tastefully decorated with a good feel. All of the food was deliscious! Great daily specials, mussels were to die for! Eat here when you want to step it up from the average franchise fare!
(5)Tammy B.
Tonight I had the crab dip; that I would not recommend to anyone since I couldn't taste or see any crab and the cheese tasted like it came from a can. The lamb was good, but not good enough to buy again for the price. The bread was stale and I would have liked butter as requested over the bean dip. The martini was not good and I couldn't even drink it with extra juice in it. It was supposed to be high shelf but tasted like it came from a plastic jug. The server however, was great. She did an amazing job. I won't go back as the food was disappointing as was the lack of wine and or overpriced wine.
(1)Megan P.
They catered our wedding! Food was outstanding. We have been here twice while visiting! My husband is definitely partial to the Mac and cheese with blackened chicken. The cheese plate was delicious. Burgers look crazy good!
(5)Glenn B.
"You down with NBB? YEAH, you know me.." NBB is worthy! AMBIANCE: This restaurant was much nicer than I was expecting. My usual experience with bistros is they invest in their food more than their decor. Not so here. Great, up-to-date look and nice areas to accommodate all types of diners...single, luvvy-duvvy couples and families/groups as well. WHITE BEAN HUMMUS: OMG, where do I start? This is a little "here, have some bread and this dip while we're preparing the stuff you've ordered" -type of thing...what would you call that? iDunno...no matter. What matters is that this was OUT OF THIS FRICKIN' WORLD. I can't even describe it, other than to say, it's delicious. CALAMARI: This is a win. I give it 5/5 stars. Not greasy, lightly breaded and fried, and you'll encounter fried spinach as well, which is a nice extra. RIBEYE: Great on flavor, not the best grade of beef, IMO. It was obviously not prime, but I'm wondering if it was even choice. My steak was heavy on gristle. I'm not a beef expert, but I expect a steak I can easily cut if I'm paying over $30 for it. The quality of this steak was something i would expect to see on a plate of steak and eggs. Like I said, though...the flavoring was excellent. At the end of the day, I give North Beach Bistro 4/5 stars, and if they were to improve the quality of their meat, it would be an definite out of the park home run. Regardless, I would absolutely come back.
(4)Virginia M.
I had a wonderful dinner here last night. I sat in the bar because I didn't have a reservation. There was live music and football which was perfect. I had the prime rib sliders and mussels. Both were excellent. I also tried the grouper and fresh green salad. This is a nice spot near the beach, I'm glad I finally got to try it and I would return!
(4)Anna J.
Ok I'm a brunch girl through and through, but I've eaten here enough times and had enough things on the menu. I know they have brunch down to a tee, but after eating the buffalo wings, poutine and tuna tacos (both new additions), I really think they have it all. They can cook a variety of cuisines with success, and breakfast lunch or dinner. I'm biased to my servers in the bar (Mike, Don, Jeremy) so I can't speak to the others in the dining room. But I had to kick my favorite spot up to a 5!
(5)Tiffani I.
We come to North Beach for lunch and dinner but love their buffets for special holidays. The food and service are superb. We were just there for Easter and it was delicious. We also came for Father's Day and Mother's Day as well. This way we can enjoy great food and family without any cleaning up. The hostess even helped my sister in law make her reservation from MA. She remembered her area code with her name when we arrived. THIS IS AN ATLANTIC BEACH GEM. Local spot with local owners and custom service.
(5)Chris B.
Great place, great food, and great people. Can't ask for much more.
(5)Kim B.
Very nice place, the dining room was quiet & perfect for conversation; the night I was here was Trivia Night in the bar. It was crowded & quite loud; but the noise didn't carry into the dining room. Had the chef's specials: arugula salad with gold beets, pumpkin seeds with fig balsamic vinaigrette and penne pasta with baby spinach, sun dried tomatoes, and shrimp with a white wine sauce. The salad was very good & fresh; a nice mix of Fall Flavors. The pasta was okay, not much spinach, the sauce was quite watery. I did enjoy the warm French bread served with roasted garlic spread instead of butter. The service was good, dining room had a nice atmosphere. A nice place for couples, business meetings or girls night out. Not a place kids would enjoy, also a little pricey for families or kids.
(4)Brian W.
Excellent food and service. The mahi fish tacos were delicious. The Sunday happy hour is also great (buy one get one). Also had a mahi special that was superb. Try the crab artichoke dip as an appetizer and the bread pudding dessert (they're both incredible). Excellent service too. Definitely will return here.
(5)Anthony C.
I love everything here but i think my favorite dish is still the braised short ribs. But you can't go wrong with anything there. Even the mac and cheese is fantastic. Give them a chance.
(5)Christy C.
If ever a place deserved 5 stars, its this one! My boyfriend works here and so I know first hand how fresh and creative all their dishes are! They are constantly running new specials, so youre always trying something new! Though, if you want a specific recommendation, Id say their prime rib sliders (with home made ketchup for the fries!!) are where its at. Their cheese plate is also a constant feature in my daydreams, though thats not exactly "cooked", just made of extremely high end ingredients. And if you happen to be blessed with a sunday morning off work, you simply MUST have their crabcake eggs benedict. They only serve it one day a week, so you dont want to miss out!! I eat here practically every day, so heed my words: if you dont try this place at least once, youll regret it ;)
(5)Peter C.
Our first time visiting Jacksonville and decided to try North Beach Bistro. Didn't look like much from the outside and at first my wife and I were hesitant but the inside is whole other story. Nice decor, quiet on the restaurant portion (seperate from bar portion). Aside from them not serving complimentary bread till a little later, the staff was very attentive and helpful. The food was great. Rib meat was soft and practically melts in your mouth, Mussels was on point, and the parmesan grouper was tasty. The banana pudding creme brulee was a great and delicious way to wrap up our dinner night out. If you are ever in the area and looking for a quiet atmosphere with a loved one or friends, I would highly recommend this spot.
(4)chris h.
The Kobe beef bacon cheese burger topped with onion rings may be the best burger in town! There is a good selection of menu and appetizer and dessert items with daily specials. Check it out! Come Wednesday for trivia night.
(5)Rob V.
We decided to try this because of the Teal Deals and what a great surprise. The food was very tasty and at a resonable price. We sat in the bar area and had great service with the manager stopping by to make certain everything was fine. We'll be back again.
(4)Mark B.
I will start with the poutine Rocks. I walked in a little after noon and it was empty. I mean me and the bartender empty. After reading many reviews and check ins from Anna I stuck around. I'm really glad I did to. We have enjoyed many different plates of poutine at many places. This one is way up the list if not the top spot. Black Sheep be ware. This stuff had a gravy that had a little twang to it. I also ordered the American Kobe Beef Burger. Med rare to boot. This thong came out and it was huge. The picture doesn't do it justice. It was topped with a shredded phyllo (Kataifi) dough and then fried so it appears to have hair. A lot of hair but it was this burgers down fall. It left the onion ring just about tasteless. The burger was cooked just the way I ordered it and that's not normal anywhere. Most places are scared to as they call it undercook a burger. Now the burger was good and the bacon was very tasty. Not over done the bacon still had some limp to it. Just right in my book. So the food was great I really liked it. Now the downside of my visit. The service. Not much of it. The bartender/server came over and greeted me and took my drink order. Then he went other to the other side of the restaurant and started reading his book. He did return to take apps order and back to his book. After checking in on yelp, checking my facebook, and my mail I asked him to come over and take my lunch order. I first wanted the fish and chips. He returned with my poutine and asked. Are you sure you want the fish n chips? Oh yea ok well maybe the burger then. Confused he later thought it would be too much fries for me. To tell you the truth I really didn't care about the fries I wanted the fish. But the burger was good anyway. There was absolutely lousy service but I will return and maybe they will have other servers available.
(5)Michael C.
Definitley worth the visit. Great twists on casual dishes and the veggie pasta was incredible. Service was friendly and knowledgeable but not overbearing. We had a short wait to be seated and I think they tale reservations. The only negative is that it also has a live music area and certain parts of the premises get crowded/loud for those just trying to enjoy dinner. Parking was easy and the location convenient to much of the beaches and suburbs.
(4)Maisha R.
The one thing that I've noticed since moving to Jacksonville is that many times, the food lacks one thing...seasoning! North Beach Bistro unfortunately also fell prey to this pitfall. Otherwise, this would have easily been a five-star review. From the enthusiasm of our waitress to the visit by the owner to our table to the three courses that we enjoyed, this was a wonderful evening. We stuck to the nightly special options, starting with the hoisin ribs, followed by the tuna and ending with the chocolate cherry cheesecake. The ribs were sticky, a little sweet and there was enough meat on the bone to enjoy them. Our waitress was kind enough to bring out a side of hoisin sauce for me to douse the ribs in. Although they never really got covered in sauce the way that I was hoping that they would, and the hoisin sauce didn't really taste like the kind that I've had at vietnamese restaurants, they were still good. The entree came to the table looking very aesthetically pleasing. The tuna was served with a corn puree, carrots and zucchini, sticky rice and a tropical salsa. The bread went well with our appetizers and entrees as we spread the white bean hummus on it and dipped it in the olive oil. Although I was getting pretty full, I couldn't pass on dessert. The chocolate cherry cheesecake was speaking to me. It reminded me of the chocolate cherry bon bons that I knew and loved during my childhood. All in all, North Beach Bistro certainly has the potential to be a great restaurant. The live music, great service and friendly owner are all necessary components of a great restaurant but the focus has to be on the food!
(4)Kristen D.
they're food was good. Service was great. There was even live music, not the best but it was eclectic. The hummus was to die for.
(4)Matt M.
On Labor Day I picked up my mother, and with my wife and youngest daughter we decided to give North Beach a try. While it was crowded, we got seated inside fairly quickly and we started to scan the menu. We wanted to sit outside, but the wait would have been too long. Selections were mostly seafood with a Southern twist. My daughter had a kids menu item and loved it, while my wife got scallops and my mother got fried oysters (her fave) and they too loved theirs. I had shrimp and grits and I really did not care for them, but it was well prepared and the presentation was particularly good. For me, the sauce was a bit too heavy and it over powered the shrimp. All in all everyone loved the food.
(4)Leilani G.
Yesterday I was spoiled and it ended with the most amazing Bistro. nb-bistro.com/menu if you ever are here in Jacksonville for ANY reason, try it and ask for Mark, our amazing waiter I tried to take him home!!! We happened to luck out and got MARK as our waiter, we've read about him in a few of the reviews and they are right, he's absolutely PERFECT!! Very knowledgeable, helpful and there when you needed something. I had the best filet mignon, my husbands Kobe Burger screamed for me to take a bite but the bread & garlic hummus [did someone really call it herbed butter], cannelloni [sp] bean soup and risotto croquette did me in. This was an amazing Birthday meal and I got a B'day Chocolate Crisp treat at the end - courtesy of Mark. I mentioned he's amazing, right? Thank you Paul [husband] and Mark [amazing server] for a wonderful evening.
(5)Joseph A.
We've been to this casual bistro many times, and just love the atmosphere. The seafood is always fresh and prepared expertly. The only downside on the food I can say, is we have consistently been disappointed by the soups. Needless to say, we have always opted for a salad before dinner the past few times we visited. Service in the restaurant has ranged from very good to excellent. The only problem we've ever had in the service department is at the hostess counter, where we have had to wait before being greeted on more than one occasion. Thankfully, when we get past there, it has been great. One of our favorite things to do in this place is finish dinner and head over to the bar area for dessert. They often have live music in there, and even when they don't, it's a fun atmosphere. North Beach Bistro is one of our go to places when we want a surefire quality experience. P.S. Thank you for a great Thanksgiving dinner the past couple of years, terrific!
(4)Shauna C.
All around this was a delicious meal. The ambiance is beautiful : low lit, spacious yet cozy, and believe at or not a restaurant in Florida where I do not feel as though I am trapped in a freezer! The service was great - our server was quick with excellent wine recommendations and knowledgeable about the menu. The food itself was very good. After wolfing down the delicious Italian crusty bread with white bean hummus, I started with the soup du jour which was a corn and crab chowder. The flavor of the broth was buttery and delicious but the corn was slightly under cooked and lacking a bit in ingredients I then split the calamari and mussels. The Mussels were incredible - served in a white wine garlic lemon broth - easily my favorite of the two. While a few of my dining partners loved the calamari, I thought they were ok - but the breading was a little too thick in my opinion. I tried bites of the rib eye which was huge (as are all of the portions here) - and the Tail fish- both were excellent. If you want a higher-end dining experience with a price tag to fit everyone's budget you wont be disappointed with North Beach Bistro !
(4)Robert J.
We been to NBB for quiet couples dinning and with groups of 8 for early or late snacks and it works great for either. Excellent wait staff and good choices on the menu.
(4)Chelly S.
The bar at North Beach Bistro has got it going on. Great tapas and small plates, happy vibe, and a fun crowd. Don't miss it. It's getting better all the time!
(5)Kimberly M.
I had such high hopes after reading other reviews, but the food was bland and overpriced. My boyfriend and I hadn't been out for a date night in a while and were looking forward to something new, cozy and romantic. All I can say is that it was new (to us). When we arrived, I was encouraged by the awards on the wall from years' past, but when we entered the almost empty dining room at peak dinner service, I started to wonder why it wasn't busier. While waiting for our dinner, we were served a complimentary white bean hummus and bread, which was tasteless - and I've never met a hummus I didn't like... until now. We ordered the special scallop appetizer - something like $15 for two scallops - which was not bad (except for the price). A little too sweet, but not offensive. Our entrees is where it went totally wrong. I got the lettuce wraps with steak, which was the worst excuse for this dish that I've ever seen. There was maybe a fourth of a cup of stir fried cabbage, but it - and the entire plate - was overtaken with a massive pile of steamed zucchini slices and carrot rounds with no butter, seasoning or even salt. This pathetic side wasn't suitable for the lettuce wraps or edible as a side dish. But that wasn't even the worst part. My lettuce wraps were served with a dozen stalks of romaine (rather than butter, Boston or other soft-leaf lettuce) that made it basically impossible to wrap without breaking the lettuce. The watery ginger soy made it an absolute mess to eat. And the steak that came on top was cut into rather large pieces that I had to cut down to be sizable for the wrap. My boyfriend had better luck with his steak and sweet potato risotto, but he also got the unseasoned steamed zucchini and carrots. Like my dish, it wasn't listed on the menu as a side, which made us wonder if they were trying to get rid of some food stock or just trying to beef up the appearance of the dish size. It was curious to us both and neither of us could make them edible. We went for dessert, since they claimed to have a world-class bread pudding. It was massive - too much for two people, actually. I wasn't convinced it was made that day, but it was good. Nothing I would rave about to friends. The best thing I can say about this place is that we had a nice waitress, so nice in fact that I didn't want to mention what a collossal disappointment my dish was. I still regret not telling them what a disgrace those lettuce wraps were - and for $17! They should be ashamed of themselves. The whole meal was $100+ (and that's no alcohol since we don't drink) and I consider that to be the most offensive part of the experience. We will never go back here.
(2)Alex V.
One our favorite spots to have a few appetizers and a drink. Staff is friendly and not so clogged with tourists in the summer months. Try the seared tuna martini appetizer - very tasty!
(5)Michael Hosto H.
Most underrated restaurant on the beach. Great food. Great staff. Have used them for catering three Christmas parties.Thanks for setting the standard for others.
(5)Diana P.
I was really surprised with the food and how good it tasted. Also, how it was prepared and really really fresh. The people there are so nice and very efficient. I highly recommend Seafood Boulibaisse, Fried Calamari and the Fish Bites. One side of the restraunt was fine dining and on the other side it was a sports bar type with TV. We watched the first Jaguars preseason game there. It was a great experience!
(5)Kim B.
Very nice place, the dining room was quiet & perfect for conversation; the night I was here was Trivia Night in the bar. It was crowded & quite loud; but the noise didn't carry into the dining room. Had the chef's specials: arugula salad with gold beets, pumpkin seeds with fig balsamic vinaigrette and penne pasta with baby spinach, sun dried tomatoes, and shrimp with a white wine sauce. The salad was very good & fresh; a nice mix of Fall Flavors. The pasta was okay, not much spinach, the sauce was quite watery. I did enjoy the warm French bread served with roasted garlic spread instead of butter. The service was good, dining room had a nice atmosphere. A nice place for couples, business meetings or girls night out. Not a place kids would enjoy, also a little pricey for families or kids.
(4)Brian W.
Excellent food and service. The mahi fish tacos were delicious. The Sunday happy hour is also great (buy one get one). Also had a mahi special that was superb. Try the crab artichoke dip as an appetizer and the bread pudding dessert (they're both incredible). Excellent service too. Definitely will return here.
(5)Anthony C.
I love everything here but i think my favorite dish is still the braised short ribs. But you can't go wrong with anything there. Even the mac and cheese is fantastic. Give them a chance.
(5)Diana P.
I was really surprised with the food and how good it tasted. Also, how it was prepared and really really fresh. The people there are so nice and very efficient. I highly recommend Seafood Boulibaisse, Fried Calamari and the Fish Bites. One side of the restraunt was fine dining and on the other side it was a sports bar type with TV. We watched the first Jaguars preseason game there. It was a great experience!
(5)Christy C.
If ever a place deserved 5 stars, its this one! My boyfriend works here and so I know first hand how fresh and creative all their dishes are! They are constantly running new specials, so youre always trying something new! Though, if you want a specific recommendation, Id say their prime rib sliders (with home made ketchup for the fries!!) are where its at. Their cheese plate is also a constant feature in my daydreams, though thats not exactly "cooked", just made of extremely high end ingredients. And if you happen to be blessed with a sunday morning off work, you simply MUST have their crabcake eggs benedict. They only serve it one day a week, so you dont want to miss out!! I eat here practically every day, so heed my words: if you dont try this place at least once, youll regret it ;)
(5)Mark B.
I will start with the poutine Rocks. I walked in a little after noon and it was empty. I mean me and the bartender empty. After reading many reviews and check ins from Anna I stuck around. I'm really glad I did to. We have enjoyed many different plates of poutine at many places. This one is way up the list if not the top spot. Black Sheep be ware. This stuff had a gravy that had a little twang to it. I also ordered the American Kobe Beef Burger. Med rare to boot. This thong came out and it was huge. The picture doesn't do it justice. It was topped with a shredded phyllo (Kataifi) dough and then fried so it appears to have hair. A lot of hair but it was this burgers down fall. It left the onion ring just about tasteless. The burger was cooked just the way I ordered it and that's not normal anywhere. Most places are scared to as they call it undercook a burger. Now the burger was good and the bacon was very tasty. Not over done the bacon still had some limp to it. Just right in my book. So the food was great I really liked it. Now the downside of my visit. The service. Not much of it. The bartender/server came over and greeted me and took my drink order. Then he went other to the other side of the restaurant and started reading his book. He did return to take apps order and back to his book. After checking in on yelp, checking my facebook, and my mail I asked him to come over and take my lunch order. I first wanted the fish and chips. He returned with my poutine and asked. Are you sure you want the fish n chips? Oh yea ok well maybe the burger then. Confused he later thought it would be too much fries for me. To tell you the truth I really didn't care about the fries I wanted the fish. But the burger was good anyway. There was absolutely lousy service but I will return and maybe they will have other servers available.
(5)Maisha R.
The one thing that I've noticed since moving to Jacksonville is that many times, the food lacks one thing...seasoning! North Beach Bistro unfortunately also fell prey to this pitfall. Otherwise, this would have easily been a five-star review. From the enthusiasm of our waitress to the visit by the owner to our table to the three courses that we enjoyed, this was a wonderful evening. We stuck to the nightly special options, starting with the hoisin ribs, followed by the tuna and ending with the chocolate cherry cheesecake. The ribs were sticky, a little sweet and there was enough meat on the bone to enjoy them. Our waitress was kind enough to bring out a side of hoisin sauce for me to douse the ribs in. Although they never really got covered in sauce the way that I was hoping that they would, and the hoisin sauce didn't really taste like the kind that I've had at vietnamese restaurants, they were still good. The entree came to the table looking very aesthetically pleasing. The tuna was served with a corn puree, carrots and zucchini, sticky rice and a tropical salsa. The bread went well with our appetizers and entrees as we spread the white bean hummus on it and dipped it in the olive oil. Although I was getting pretty full, I couldn't pass on dessert. The chocolate cherry cheesecake was speaking to me. It reminded me of the chocolate cherry bon bons that I knew and loved during my childhood. All in all, North Beach Bistro certainly has the potential to be a great restaurant. The live music, great service and friendly owner are all necessary components of a great restaurant but the focus has to be on the food!
(4)Michael C.
Definitley worth the visit. Great twists on casual dishes and the veggie pasta was incredible. Service was friendly and knowledgeable but not overbearing. We had a short wait to be seated and I think they tale reservations. The only negative is that it also has a live music area and certain parts of the premises get crowded/loud for those just trying to enjoy dinner. Parking was easy and the location convenient to much of the beaches and suburbs.
(4)Joseph A.
We've been to this casual bistro many times, and just love the atmosphere. The seafood is always fresh and prepared expertly. The only downside on the food I can say, is we have consistently been disappointed by the soups. Needless to say, we have always opted for a salad before dinner the past few times we visited. Service in the restaurant has ranged from very good to excellent. The only problem we've ever had in the service department is at the hostess counter, where we have had to wait before being greeted on more than one occasion. Thankfully, when we get past there, it has been great. One of our favorite things to do in this place is finish dinner and head over to the bar area for dessert. They often have live music in there, and even when they don't, it's a fun atmosphere. North Beach Bistro is one of our go to places when we want a surefire quality experience. P.S. Thank you for a great Thanksgiving dinner the past couple of years, terrific!
(4)Rob V.
We decided to try this because of the Teal Deals and what a great surprise. The food was very tasty and at a resonable price. We sat in the bar area and had great service with the manager stopping by to make certain everything was fine. We'll be back again.
(4)Kristen D.
they're food was good. Service was great. There was even live music, not the best but it was eclectic. The hummus was to die for.
(4)Matt M.
On Labor Day I picked up my mother, and with my wife and youngest daughter we decided to give North Beach a try. While it was crowded, we got seated inside fairly quickly and we started to scan the menu. We wanted to sit outside, but the wait would have been too long. Selections were mostly seafood with a Southern twist. My daughter had a kids menu item and loved it, while my wife got scallops and my mother got fried oysters (her fave) and they too loved theirs. I had shrimp and grits and I really did not care for them, but it was well prepared and the presentation was particularly good. For me, the sauce was a bit too heavy and it over powered the shrimp. All in all everyone loved the food.
(4)Leilani G.
Yesterday I was spoiled and it ended with the most amazing Bistro. nb-bistro.com/menu if you ever are here in Jacksonville for ANY reason, try it and ask for Mark, our amazing waiter I tried to take him home!!! We happened to luck out and got MARK as our waiter, we've read about him in a few of the reviews and they are right, he's absolutely PERFECT!! Very knowledgeable, helpful and there when you needed something. I had the best filet mignon, my husbands Kobe Burger screamed for me to take a bite but the bread & garlic hummus [did someone really call it herbed butter], cannelloni [sp] bean soup and risotto croquette did me in. This was an amazing Birthday meal and I got a B'day Chocolate Crisp treat at the end - courtesy of Mark. I mentioned he's amazing, right? Thank you Paul [husband] and Mark [amazing server] for a wonderful evening.
(5)Bryan S.
Awesome!
(5)Kimberly M.
I had such high hopes after reading other reviews, but the food was bland and overpriced. My boyfriend and I hadn't been out for a date night in a while and were looking forward to something new, cozy and romantic. All I can say is that it was new (to us). When we arrived, I was encouraged by the awards on the wall from years' past, but when we entered the almost empty dining room at peak dinner service, I started to wonder why it wasn't busier. While waiting for our dinner, we were served a complimentary white bean hummus and bread, which was tasteless - and I've never met a hummus I didn't like... until now. We ordered the special scallop appetizer - something like $15 for two scallops - which was not bad (except for the price). A little too sweet, but not offensive. Our entrees is where it went totally wrong. I got the lettuce wraps with steak, which was the worst excuse for this dish that I've ever seen. There was maybe a fourth of a cup of stir fried cabbage, but it - and the entire plate - was overtaken with a massive pile of steamed zucchini slices and carrot rounds with no butter, seasoning or even salt. This pathetic side wasn't suitable for the lettuce wraps or edible as a side dish. But that wasn't even the worst part. My lettuce wraps were served with a dozen stalks of romaine (rather than butter, Boston or other soft-leaf lettuce) that made it basically impossible to wrap without breaking the lettuce. The watery ginger soy made it an absolute mess to eat. And the steak that came on top was cut into rather large pieces that I had to cut down to be sizable for the wrap. My boyfriend had better luck with his steak and sweet potato risotto, but he also got the unseasoned steamed zucchini and carrots. Like my dish, it wasn't listed on the menu as a side, which made us wonder if they were trying to get rid of some food stock or just trying to beef up the appearance of the dish size. It was curious to us both and neither of us could make them edible. We went for dessert, since they claimed to have a world-class bread pudding. It was massive - too much for two people, actually. I wasn't convinced it was made that day, but it was good. Nothing I would rave about to friends. The best thing I can say about this place is that we had a nice waitress, so nice in fact that I didn't want to mention what a collossal disappointment my dish was. I still regret not telling them what a disgrace those lettuce wraps were - and for $17! They should be ashamed of themselves. The whole meal was $100+ (and that's no alcohol since we don't drink) and I consider that to be the most offensive part of the experience. We will never go back here.
(2)Alex V.
One our favorite spots to have a few appetizers and a drink. Staff is friendly and not so clogged with tourists in the summer months. Try the seared tuna martini appetizer - very tasty!
(5)Michael Hosto H.
Most underrated restaurant on the beach. Great food. Great staff. Have used them for catering three Christmas parties.Thanks for setting the standard for others.
(5)Shauna C.
All around this was a delicious meal. The ambiance is beautiful : low lit, spacious yet cozy, and believe at or not a restaurant in Florida where I do not feel as though I am trapped in a freezer! The service was great - our server was quick with excellent wine recommendations and knowledgeable about the menu. The food itself was very good. After wolfing down the delicious Italian crusty bread with white bean hummus, I started with the soup du jour which was a corn and crab chowder. The flavor of the broth was buttery and delicious but the corn was slightly under cooked and lacking a bit in ingredients I then split the calamari and mussels. The Mussels were incredible - served in a white wine garlic lemon broth - easily my favorite of the two. While a few of my dining partners loved the calamari, I thought they were ok - but the breading was a little too thick in my opinion. I tried bites of the rib eye which was huge (as are all of the portions here) - and the Tail fish- both were excellent. If you want a higher-end dining experience with a price tag to fit everyone's budget you wont be disappointed with North Beach Bistro !
(4)Robert J.
We been to NBB for quiet couples dinning and with groups of 8 for early or late snacks and it works great for either. Excellent wait staff and good choices on the menu.
(4)Chelly S.
The bar at North Beach Bistro has got it going on. Great tapas and small plates, happy vibe, and a fun crowd. Don't miss it. It's getting better all the time!
(5)Little B.
Amazing, savory, bless-my-soul deliciousness! Ohhh North Beach Bistro, you have my heart for life! When I told my friends that we were coming here, they all responded with unintelligible "ahhhhhhs" of envy. We celebrated a family birthday tonight. NBB had a cute coloring book for the kids -- our picky eater devoured the CHICKEN FINGERS -- while we enjoyed a KOBE BURGER that melted my sense of self into meaty madness, and FILE MIGNON for the birthday woman, who's a culinary expert and was delighted with the meat quality. Our server provided a complimentary BIRTHDAY COOKIE SUNDAE warm from the oven. I'd love to tell you how thoughtful our server Kent was, but I am transitioning into the most glorious food coma right now. What a great night. Farewell, good people of Yelp! Be brave and eat Beach Bistro!
(5)Samantha K.
I went to this restaurant for the first time tonight. I wish I could give 3.5 stars, but I unfortunately can't. So, my review, and the removal of stars, are based on both the expectations I had for food and service. Regarding the food....it was pretty good but not as good expected based on price and yelp reviews. The meal began with the crab and artichoke dip. I thought the dip was good but not great, and that the crostini that came with it was either stale or not toasted enough. For entrees we ordered the pork chop special and the seafood boulibase (sp?). Both were very tasty but neither knocked it out of the park. I really enjoyed the bread service with a white bean tapenade...but as I'll explain service was lacking in that department. Okay so service was acceptable but I thought I would get more for the cost and reputation of the place. Our server appeared to be busy but did what she needed to to make sure we were adequately taken care of. Unfortunately, she did not bring us bread prior to our appetizer until we requested it (only knowing based on yelp reviews how good the tapenade is). I understand being busy but it made me feel bad having to ask, although it was totally worth asking. Also she seemed in a hurry any time she came by. Finally, I had a gift certificate from restaurants.com for $25...and after I presented it when we received the bill I was informed that the happy hour wine I received (2 for 1) would not be applied and instead I had to pay for each glass--she was unable to combine discounts. Not a big deal but it left a bad taste in my mouth.
(3)Steve G.
My wife and I made our first trip this past Saturday night... And we are glad we did. The restaurant is very charming, with a warm atmosphere. Stephanie our waitress was very attentive and knowledgeable on the menu. She made some great recommendations. The owner, Lori, stopped by and chatted with us for a few minutes. I started with the French Onion soup... Very rich and delicious! Lots of gooey mozzarella cheese and onions. I had the meatloaf, mashed potatoes, and green beans for my entree. The portions were large. What made the dish for me was the mushroom gravy.. Very good. My wife had the salmon, with mozzarella and tomatoes. It was cooked perfectly, nice crust, and very moist. Also a nice sized portion. Now... My favorite part of the meal... Hands down was the Apple cinnamon bread pudding with caramel sauce and vanilla ice cream!!! OMG! It was wicked good! I can't wait to go back just for this dish. Service was spot on. Prices reasonable for the quality of ingredients and portion size. 5 stars easy.
(5)Ashley F.
Best Hot & Dirty Martini with blue cheese stuffed olives I've had in forever. Great food. Nice bar while you wait for your reservations. Great service too.
(5)Heather D.
Their brunch is one of the best kept beach secrets - $10 bottomless mimosas and delicious food. Shrimp and grits are recommended. Nice special occasion space in the gallery next door.
(4)Courtney K.
Bread with white hummus and olive oil.. so delicious. And unique pre-meal combo, too. Loved that. Food was exceptional. I had Chicken Milanese and my husband had Mahi tacos. The prices were a little higher than expected, but the portions were sized well. Atmosphere was very nice, and they were accommodating to us having an infant. Four stars was for the service. Hostess was a bit rude. Server was abrupt. Neither were very friendly. Could've been their personalities? But other than that, great experience!
(4)Dawn G.
Nice for brunch but a little pricey for the portions but the food quality was good. We also found the dining area to be a bit loud-needs something to baffle sound.
(4)Chris G.
Had Thanksgiving lunch here. Our first visit to the Bistro. Food was excellent...totally stuffed myself with turkey, prime roast, ham, dressing and more. The dessert table was out of this world. The bread pudding we heard about was awesome. Service was great. Cool art gallery. Best part was that the owner gave both of our kids some activity books to keep them busy and they loved them. Thanks NBB for a wonderful Thanksgiving lunch! We will definitely come back.
(5)Meghan K.
This has become one of our regular(ish) places. It started because they always have restaurant.com deals, but we've had so many good meals there it just keeps growing on us. The staff is always friendly, but not overbearing. The food is always DELICIOUS. I get so excited for the white bean hummus that they give you (their version of bread and butter) that I can never eat my whole entree. We haven't had a meal that we didn't like - maybe one dish that we didn't LOVE. The things that finally sealed the deal: they have (truffle) poutine! It's a tad on the salty side, but good luck finding it even close to this delicious anywhere else within two hours of Jax. They are constantly changing the menu, so it's had to give recommendations other than you should definitely try it!
(5)Josh B.
Went here for Mother's Day brunch and was not impressed. Only option was a buffet that was overpriced and the food was no better than any hotel banquet/reception hall. Just meh all the way around and for almost $100 at brunch, I certainly expect more.
(2)Anthony G.
Great place for a special meal at Jax Beach. Nice space, tastefully decorated with a good feel. All of the food was deliscious! Great daily specials, mussels were to die for! Eat here when you want to step it up from the average franchise fare!
(5)Glenn B.
"You down with NBB? YEAH, you know me.." NBB is worthy! AMBIANCE: This restaurant was much nicer than I was expecting. My usual experience with bistros is they invest in their food more than their decor. Not so here. Great, up-to-date look and nice areas to accommodate all types of diners...single, luvvy-duvvy couples and families/groups as well. WHITE BEAN HUMMUS: OMG, where do I start? This is a little "here, have some bread and this dip while we're preparing the stuff you've ordered" -type of thing...what would you call that? iDunno...no matter. What matters is that this was OUT OF THIS FRICKIN' WORLD. I can't even describe it, other than to say, it's delicious. CALAMARI: This is a win. I give it 5/5 stars. Not greasy, lightly breaded and fried, and you'll encounter fried spinach as well, which is a nice extra. RIBEYE: Great on flavor, not the best grade of beef, IMO. It was obviously not prime, but I'm wondering if it was even choice. My steak was heavy on gristle. I'm not a beef expert, but I expect a steak I can easily cut if I'm paying over $30 for it. The quality of this steak was something i would expect to see on a plate of steak and eggs. Like I said, though...the flavoring was excellent. At the end of the day, I give North Beach Bistro 4/5 stars, and if they were to improve the quality of their meat, it would be an definite out of the park home run. Regardless, I would absolutely come back.
(4)Virginia M.
I had a wonderful dinner here last night. I sat in the bar because I didn't have a reservation. There was live music and football which was perfect. I had the prime rib sliders and mussels. Both were excellent. I also tried the grouper and fresh green salad. This is a nice spot near the beach, I'm glad I finally got to try it and I would return!
(4)Anna J.
Ok I'm a brunch girl through and through, but I've eaten here enough times and had enough things on the menu. I know they have brunch down to a tee, but after eating the buffalo wings, poutine and tuna tacos (both new additions), I really think they have it all. They can cook a variety of cuisines with success, and breakfast lunch or dinner. I'm biased to my servers in the bar (Mike, Don, Jeremy) so I can't speak to the others in the dining room. But I had to kick my favorite spot up to a 5!
(5)Tiffani I.
We come to North Beach for lunch and dinner but love their buffets for special holidays. The food and service are superb. We were just there for Easter and it was delicious. We also came for Father's Day and Mother's Day as well. This way we can enjoy great food and family without any cleaning up. The hostess even helped my sister in law make her reservation from MA. She remembered her area code with her name when we arrived. THIS IS AN ATLANTIC BEACH GEM. Local spot with local owners and custom service.
(5)Chris B.
Great place, great food, and great people. Can't ask for much more.
(5)Peter C.
Our first time visiting Jacksonville and decided to try North Beach Bistro. Didn't look like much from the outside and at first my wife and I were hesitant but the inside is whole other story. Nice decor, quiet on the restaurant portion (seperate from bar portion). Aside from them not serving complimentary bread till a little later, the staff was very attentive and helpful. The food was great. Rib meat was soft and practically melts in your mouth, Mussels was on point, and the parmesan grouper was tasty. The banana pudding creme brulee was a great and delicious way to wrap up our dinner night out. If you are ever in the area and looking for a quiet atmosphere with a loved one or friends, I would highly recommend this spot.
(4)chris h.
The Kobe beef bacon cheese burger topped with onion rings may be the best burger in town! There is a good selection of menu and appetizer and dessert items with daily specials. Check it out! Come Wednesday for trivia night.
(5)Tammy B.
Tonight I had the crab dip; that I would not recommend to anyone since I couldn't taste or see any crab and the cheese tasted like it came from a can. The lamb was good, but not good enough to buy again for the price. The bread was stale and I would have liked butter as requested over the bean dip. The martini was not good and I couldn't even drink it with extra juice in it. It was supposed to be high shelf but tasted like it came from a plastic jug. The server however, was great. She did an amazing job. I won't go back as the food was disappointing as was the lack of wine and or overpriced wine.
(1)Megan P.
They catered our wedding! Food was outstanding. We have been here twice while visiting! My husband is definitely partial to the Mac and cheese with blackened chicken. The cheese plate was delicious. Burgers look crazy good!
(5)Robert T.
A group of us met at this restaurant for dinner, and it was a grand success. The restaurant is beautiful inside, decorated throughout with new and original art (presumably from the attached gallery next door). Dark wood and light walls complement the art nicely, and tables are spread enough that you don't feel like so many places these days, where you are in someone else's lap through the whole meal. I had the steak au poivre, which was phenomenal - moist, cooked to perfection, and the pepper sauce was a religious experience. Others at the table got the veal osso buco (also phenomenal) and the lamb porterhouse. Everything was amazing. Service was excellent, and our waiter was closely attentive without being obtrusive - he never interrupted the conversation, but was always handy to fill a glass or answer a question. Dessert was a dark chocolate cherry bread pudding with creme anglais... and really, that was about as close to food porn as it was possible to get. The only reason that I deducted a star from perfect (5 stars) was that one of our party ordered the special red snapper (cooked whole), and it never arrived... it wasn't on the bill, it was never mentioned again. Ghost fish? Despite the fishy vanishing entree, this was a phenomenal place and I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a good meal ($$) in Jacksonville Beach.
(4)Carol S.
Had fish & chips which were excellent husband had a burger which was also very good. Chips were plentiful and lots were crispy which is the way I like them. Place was very nice. It is expensive $12 for the burger and around $10 for the fish but with a $10 off coupon well worth it! Will come back again!
(4)Little B.
Amazing, savory, bless-my-soul deliciousness! Ohhh North Beach Bistro, you have my heart for life! When I told my friends that we were coming here, they all responded with unintelligible "ahhhhhhs" of envy. We celebrated a family birthday tonight. NBB had a cute coloring book for the kids -- our picky eater devoured the CHICKEN FINGERS -- while we enjoyed a KOBE BURGER that melted my sense of self into meaty madness, and FILE MIGNON for the birthday woman, who's a culinary expert and was delighted with the meat quality. Our server provided a complimentary BIRTHDAY COOKIE SUNDAE warm from the oven. I'd love to tell you how thoughtful our server Kent was, but I am transitioning into the most glorious food coma right now. What a great night. Farewell, good people of Yelp! Be brave and eat Beach Bistro!
(5)Samantha K.
I went to this restaurant for the first time tonight. I wish I could give 3.5 stars, but I unfortunately can't. So, my review, and the removal of stars, are based on both the expectations I had for food and service. Regarding the food....it was pretty good but not as good expected based on price and yelp reviews. The meal began with the crab and artichoke dip. I thought the dip was good but not great, and that the crostini that came with it was either stale or not toasted enough. For entrees we ordered the pork chop special and the seafood boulibase (sp?). Both were very tasty but neither knocked it out of the park. I really enjoyed the bread service with a white bean tapenade...but as I'll explain service was lacking in that department. Okay so service was acceptable but I thought I would get more for the cost and reputation of the place. Our server appeared to be busy but did what she needed to to make sure we were adequately taken care of. Unfortunately, she did not bring us bread prior to our appetizer until we requested it (only knowing based on yelp reviews how good the tapenade is). I understand being busy but it made me feel bad having to ask, although it was totally worth asking. Also she seemed in a hurry any time she came by. Finally, I had a gift certificate from restaurants.com for $25...and after I presented it when we received the bill I was informed that the happy hour wine I received (2 for 1) would not be applied and instead I had to pay for each glass--she was unable to combine discounts. Not a big deal but it left a bad taste in my mouth.
(3)Steve G.
My wife and I made our first trip this past Saturday night... And we are glad we did. The restaurant is very charming, with a warm atmosphere. Stephanie our waitress was very attentive and knowledgeable on the menu. She made some great recommendations. The owner, Lori, stopped by and chatted with us for a few minutes. I started with the French Onion soup... Very rich and delicious! Lots of gooey mozzarella cheese and onions. I had the meatloaf, mashed potatoes, and green beans for my entree. The portions were large. What made the dish for me was the mushroom gravy.. Very good. My wife had the salmon, with mozzarella and tomatoes. It was cooked perfectly, nice crust, and very moist. Also a nice sized portion. Now... My favorite part of the meal... Hands down was the Apple cinnamon bread pudding with caramel sauce and vanilla ice cream!!! OMG! It was wicked good! I can't wait to go back just for this dish. Service was spot on. Prices reasonable for the quality of ingredients and portion size. 5 stars easy.
(5)Stephen S.
This place was pretty busy for brunch this morning, always a good sign. We were able to get in fairly quickly by sitting in the first-come-first-served area. There aren't a lot of seats there, but ok for a couple of people. The larger groups waiting outside seemed fairly comfortable, there is plenty of seating on the porch so they weren't crowded together like you might expect at similar small brunch places. We both had omelets, mine was stuffed with crab and shrimp and had a healthy helping of hollandaise sauce on top. Yum! The portions were perfect for the meal and the side of hash-browns was great. We also tried the grits, which we found a little bland, but I have to admit that I'm not a connoisseur, so true grits aficionados may find just what they're looking for. Overall a great place, just a short walk down from the Beaches Town Center. It'd be better if it were in the middle of things, but the staff, decor, and food more than make up for a less desirable location.
(4)tavia m.
Thought I'd need reservations to get into the North Beach Bistro on a Saturday night, but then I realized I was in Jacksonville and my reservations were not remotely needed. There were about 3 other tables full when we arrived, so we were seated promptly. The place has a nice vibe and the low light is somewhat romantic if you want it to be that. Our waitress was a little crazy but nice and attentive. We had beers, so I can't speak for the cocktail menu, but our entrees were good. My friend had the meatloaf and ate every last bit. I ordered the tuna, which I enjoyed. My one gripe is that the cook placed the tuna over hot veggies and put a hot sauce over the top, so my fish slowly cooked as I ate. By the time I was halfway through the tuna, it was completely cooked and no longer rare. It still tasted good so I was cool with it. There were definitely different items I'd like to try on the menu so I would go back for sure. I'll check it out again and see if they can win a star from me!
(3)Vetey D.
The food wasn't bad. It was a fairly nice place. The service was questionable. The guy seemed caught off guard that we were sitting down in his section. (It wasn't busy) He then gave us some menus. It took a while each time for him to bring the menu, then ask for our drinks, then bring the water, then bring the appetizer. He acted like he was busy and kept going back to the kitchen or the back. He was jumpy and didn't seem like he knew what he was talking about. He should've worked at Applebee's or Fridays, his mannerism was trying to be hip and energetic and the atmosphere was upscale, relaxed and intimate. I'd like to come back again and hopefully get a different waiter who knew a little about the food.
(3)Paul M.
The restaurant has a bar on the left side and an interesting art studio/gallery on the right. Good menu, very good food, very good service. We would go there again.
(4)Ashley F.
Best Hot & Dirty Martini with blue cheese stuffed olives I've had in forever. Great food. Nice bar while you wait for your reservations. Great service too.
(5)Heather D.
Their brunch is one of the best kept beach secrets - $10 bottomless mimosas and delicious food. Shrimp and grits are recommended. Nice special occasion space in the gallery next door.
(4)Courtney K.
Bread with white hummus and olive oil.. so delicious. And unique pre-meal combo, too. Loved that. Food was exceptional. I had Chicken Milanese and my husband had Mahi tacos. The prices were a little higher than expected, but the portions were sized well. Atmosphere was very nice, and they were accommodating to us having an infant. Four stars was for the service. Hostess was a bit rude. Server was abrupt. Neither were very friendly. Could've been their personalities? But other than that, great experience!
(4)Dawn G.
Nice for brunch but a little pricey for the portions but the food quality was good. We also found the dining area to be a bit loud-needs something to baffle sound.
(4)Chris G.
Had Thanksgiving lunch here. Our first visit to the Bistro. Food was excellent...totally stuffed myself with turkey, prime roast, ham, dressing and more. The dessert table was out of this world. The bread pudding we heard about was awesome. Service was great. Cool art gallery. Best part was that the owner gave both of our kids some activity books to keep them busy and they loved them. Thanks NBB for a wonderful Thanksgiving lunch! We will definitely come back.
(5)Meghan K.
This has become one of our regular(ish) places. It started because they always have restaurant.com deals, but we've had so many good meals there it just keeps growing on us. The staff is always friendly, but not overbearing. The food is always DELICIOUS. I get so excited for the white bean hummus that they give you (their version of bread and butter) that I can never eat my whole entree. We haven't had a meal that we didn't like - maybe one dish that we didn't LOVE. The things that finally sealed the deal: they have (truffle) poutine! It's a tad on the salty side, but good luck finding it even close to this delicious anywhere else within two hours of Jax. They are constantly changing the menu, so it's had to give recommendations other than you should definitely try it!
(5)Josh B.
Went here for Mother's Day brunch and was not impressed. Only option was a buffet that was overpriced and the food was no better than any hotel banquet/reception hall. Just meh all the way around and for almost $100 at brunch, I certainly expect more.
(2)Anthony G.
Great place for a special meal at Jax Beach. Nice space, tastefully decorated with a good feel. All of the food was deliscious! Great daily specials, mussels were to die for! Eat here when you want to step it up from the average franchise fare!
(5)Glenn B.
"You down with NBB? YEAH, you know me.." NBB is worthy! AMBIANCE: This restaurant was much nicer than I was expecting. My usual experience with bistros is they invest in their food more than their decor. Not so here. Great, up-to-date look and nice areas to accommodate all types of diners...single, luvvy-duvvy couples and families/groups as well. WHITE BEAN HUMMUS: OMG, where do I start? This is a little "here, have some bread and this dip while we're preparing the stuff you've ordered" -type of thing...what would you call that? iDunno...no matter. What matters is that this was OUT OF THIS FRICKIN' WORLD. I can't even describe it, other than to say, it's delicious. CALAMARI: This is a win. I give it 5/5 stars. Not greasy, lightly breaded and fried, and you'll encounter fried spinach as well, which is a nice extra. RIBEYE: Great on flavor, not the best grade of beef, IMO. It was obviously not prime, but I'm wondering if it was even choice. My steak was heavy on gristle. I'm not a beef expert, but I expect a steak I can easily cut if I'm paying over $30 for it. The quality of this steak was something i would expect to see on a plate of steak and eggs. Like I said, though...the flavoring was excellent. At the end of the day, I give North Beach Bistro 4/5 stars, and if they were to improve the quality of their meat, it would be an definite out of the park home run. Regardless, I would absolutely come back.
(4)Virginia M.
I had a wonderful dinner here last night. I sat in the bar because I didn't have a reservation. There was live music and football which was perfect. I had the prime rib sliders and mussels. Both were excellent. I also tried the grouper and fresh green salad. This is a nice spot near the beach, I'm glad I finally got to try it and I would return!
(4)Anna J.
Ok I'm a brunch girl through and through, but I've eaten here enough times and had enough things on the menu. I know they have brunch down to a tee, but after eating the buffalo wings, poutine and tuna tacos (both new additions), I really think they have it all. They can cook a variety of cuisines with success, and breakfast lunch or dinner. I'm biased to my servers in the bar (Mike, Don, Jeremy) so I can't speak to the others in the dining room. But I had to kick my favorite spot up to a 5!
(5)Tiffani I.
We come to North Beach for lunch and dinner but love their buffets for special holidays. The food and service are superb. We were just there for Easter and it was delicious. We also came for Father's Day and Mother's Day as well. This way we can enjoy great food and family without any cleaning up. The hostess even helped my sister in law make her reservation from MA. She remembered her area code with her name when we arrived. THIS IS AN ATLANTIC BEACH GEM. Local spot with local owners and custom service.
(5)Chris B.
Great place, great food, and great people. Can't ask for much more.
(5)Kim B.
Very nice place, the dining room was quiet & perfect for conversation; the night I was here was Trivia Night in the bar. It was crowded & quite loud; but the noise didn't carry into the dining room. Had the chef's specials: arugula salad with gold beets, pumpkin seeds with fig balsamic vinaigrette and penne pasta with baby spinach, sun dried tomatoes, and shrimp with a white wine sauce. The salad was very good & fresh; a nice mix of Fall Flavors. The pasta was okay, not much spinach, the sauce was quite watery. I did enjoy the warm French bread served with roasted garlic spread instead of butter. The service was good, dining room had a nice atmosphere. A nice place for couples, business meetings or girls night out. Not a place kids would enjoy, also a little pricey for families or kids.
(4)Brian W.
Excellent food and service. The mahi fish tacos were delicious. The Sunday happy hour is also great (buy one get one). Also had a mahi special that was superb. Try the crab artichoke dip as an appetizer and the bread pudding dessert (they're both incredible). Excellent service too. Definitely will return here.
(5)Anthony C.
I love everything here but i think my favorite dish is still the braised short ribs. But you can't go wrong with anything there. Even the mac and cheese is fantastic. Give them a chance.
(5)Christy C.
If ever a place deserved 5 stars, its this one! My boyfriend works here and so I know first hand how fresh and creative all their dishes are! They are constantly running new specials, so youre always trying something new! Though, if you want a specific recommendation, Id say their prime rib sliders (with home made ketchup for the fries!!) are where its at. Their cheese plate is also a constant feature in my daydreams, though thats not exactly "cooked", just made of extremely high end ingredients. And if you happen to be blessed with a sunday morning off work, you simply MUST have their crabcake eggs benedict. They only serve it one day a week, so you dont want to miss out!! I eat here practically every day, so heed my words: if you dont try this place at least once, youll regret it ;)
(5)Peter C.
Our first time visiting Jacksonville and decided to try North Beach Bistro. Didn't look like much from the outside and at first my wife and I were hesitant but the inside is whole other story. Nice decor, quiet on the restaurant portion (seperate from bar portion). Aside from them not serving complimentary bread till a little later, the staff was very attentive and helpful. The food was great. Rib meat was soft and practically melts in your mouth, Mussels was on point, and the parmesan grouper was tasty. The banana pudding creme brulee was a great and delicious way to wrap up our dinner night out. If you are ever in the area and looking for a quiet atmosphere with a loved one or friends, I would highly recommend this spot.
(4)chris h.
The Kobe beef bacon cheese burger topped with onion rings may be the best burger in town! There is a good selection of menu and appetizer and dessert items with daily specials. Check it out! Come Wednesday for trivia night.
(5)Tammy B.
Tonight I had the crab dip; that I would not recommend to anyone since I couldn't taste or see any crab and the cheese tasted like it came from a can. The lamb was good, but not good enough to buy again for the price. The bread was stale and I would have liked butter as requested over the bean dip. The martini was not good and I couldn't even drink it with extra juice in it. It was supposed to be high shelf but tasted like it came from a plastic jug. The server however, was great. She did an amazing job. I won't go back as the food was disappointing as was the lack of wine and or overpriced wine.
(1)Mark B.
I will start with the poutine Rocks. I walked in a little after noon and it was empty. I mean me and the bartender empty. After reading many reviews and check ins from Anna I stuck around. I'm really glad I did to. We have enjoyed many different plates of poutine at many places. This one is way up the list if not the top spot. Black Sheep be ware. This stuff had a gravy that had a little twang to it. I also ordered the American Kobe Beef Burger. Med rare to boot. This thong came out and it was huge. The picture doesn't do it justice. It was topped with a shredded phyllo (Kataifi) dough and then fried so it appears to have hair. A lot of hair but it was this burgers down fall. It left the onion ring just about tasteless. The burger was cooked just the way I ordered it and that's not normal anywhere. Most places are scared to as they call it undercook a burger. Now the burger was good and the bacon was very tasty. Not over done the bacon still had some limp to it. Just right in my book. So the food was great I really liked it. Now the downside of my visit. The service. Not much of it. The bartender/server came over and greeted me and took my drink order. Then he went other to the other side of the restaurant and started reading his book. He did return to take apps order and back to his book. After checking in on yelp, checking my facebook, and my mail I asked him to come over and take my lunch order. I first wanted the fish and chips. He returned with my poutine and asked. Are you sure you want the fish n chips? Oh yea ok well maybe the burger then. Confused he later thought it would be too much fries for me. To tell you the truth I really didn't care about the fries I wanted the fish. But the burger was good anyway. There was absolutely lousy service but I will return and maybe they will have other servers available.
(5)Alex V.
One our favorite spots to have a few appetizers and a drink. Staff is friendly and not so clogged with tourists in the summer months. Try the seared tuna martini appetizer - very tasty!
(5)Michael Hosto H.
Most underrated restaurant on the beach. Great food. Great staff. Have used them for catering three Christmas parties.Thanks for setting the standard for others.
(5)Michael C.
Definitley worth the visit. Great twists on casual dishes and the veggie pasta was incredible. Service was friendly and knowledgeable but not overbearing. We had a short wait to be seated and I think they tale reservations. The only negative is that it also has a live music area and certain parts of the premises get crowded/loud for those just trying to enjoy dinner. Parking was easy and the location convenient to much of the beaches and suburbs.
(4)Maisha R.
The one thing that I've noticed since moving to Jacksonville is that many times, the food lacks one thing...seasoning! North Beach Bistro unfortunately also fell prey to this pitfall. Otherwise, this would have easily been a five-star review. From the enthusiasm of our waitress to the visit by the owner to our table to the three courses that we enjoyed, this was a wonderful evening. We stuck to the nightly special options, starting with the hoisin ribs, followed by the tuna and ending with the chocolate cherry cheesecake. The ribs were sticky, a little sweet and there was enough meat on the bone to enjoy them. Our waitress was kind enough to bring out a side of hoisin sauce for me to douse the ribs in. Although they never really got covered in sauce the way that I was hoping that they would, and the hoisin sauce didn't really taste like the kind that I've had at vietnamese restaurants, they were still good. The entree came to the table looking very aesthetically pleasing. The tuna was served with a corn puree, carrots and zucchini, sticky rice and a tropical salsa. The bread went well with our appetizers and entrees as we spread the white bean hummus on it and dipped it in the olive oil. Although I was getting pretty full, I couldn't pass on dessert. The chocolate cherry cheesecake was speaking to me. It reminded me of the chocolate cherry bon bons that I knew and loved during my childhood. All in all, North Beach Bistro certainly has the potential to be a great restaurant. The live music, great service and friendly owner are all necessary components of a great restaurant but the focus has to be on the food!
(4)Kristen D.
they're food was good. Service was great. There was even live music, not the best but it was eclectic. The hummus was to die for.
(4)Megan P.
They catered our wedding! Food was outstanding. We have been here twice while visiting! My husband is definitely partial to the Mac and cheese with blackened chicken. The cheese plate was delicious. Burgers look crazy good!
(5)Rob V.
We decided to try this because of the Teal Deals and what a great surprise. The food was very tasty and at a resonable price. We sat in the bar area and had great service with the manager stopping by to make certain everything was fine. We'll be back again.
(4)Matt M.
On Labor Day I picked up my mother, and with my wife and youngest daughter we decided to give North Beach a try. While it was crowded, we got seated inside fairly quickly and we started to scan the menu. We wanted to sit outside, but the wait would have been too long. Selections were mostly seafood with a Southern twist. My daughter had a kids menu item and loved it, while my wife got scallops and my mother got fried oysters (her fave) and they too loved theirs. I had shrimp and grits and I really did not care for them, but it was well prepared and the presentation was particularly good. For me, the sauce was a bit too heavy and it over powered the shrimp. All in all everyone loved the food.
(4)Leilani G.
Yesterday I was spoiled and it ended with the most amazing Bistro. nb-bistro.com/menu if you ever are here in Jacksonville for ANY reason, try it and ask for Mark, our amazing waiter I tried to take him home!!! We happened to luck out and got MARK as our waiter, we've read about him in a few of the reviews and they are right, he's absolutely PERFECT!! Very knowledgeable, helpful and there when you needed something. I had the best filet mignon, my husbands Kobe Burger screamed for me to take a bite but the bread & garlic hummus [did someone really call it herbed butter], cannelloni [sp] bean soup and risotto croquette did me in. This was an amazing Birthday meal and I got a B'day Chocolate Crisp treat at the end - courtesy of Mark. I mentioned he's amazing, right? Thank you Paul [husband] and Mark [amazing server] for a wonderful evening.
(5)Bryan S.
Awesome!
(5)Kimberly M.
I had such high hopes after reading other reviews, but the food was bland and overpriced. My boyfriend and I hadn't been out for a date night in a while and were looking forward to something new, cozy and romantic. All I can say is that it was new (to us). When we arrived, I was encouraged by the awards on the wall from years' past, but when we entered the almost empty dining room at peak dinner service, I started to wonder why it wasn't busier. While waiting for our dinner, we were served a complimentary white bean hummus and bread, which was tasteless - and I've never met a hummus I didn't like... until now. We ordered the special scallop appetizer - something like $15 for two scallops - which was not bad (except for the price). A little too sweet, but not offensive. Our entrees is where it went totally wrong. I got the lettuce wraps with steak, which was the worst excuse for this dish that I've ever seen. There was maybe a fourth of a cup of stir fried cabbage, but it - and the entire plate - was overtaken with a massive pile of steamed zucchini slices and carrot rounds with no butter, seasoning or even salt. This pathetic side wasn't suitable for the lettuce wraps or edible as a side dish. But that wasn't even the worst part. My lettuce wraps were served with a dozen stalks of romaine (rather than butter, Boston or other soft-leaf lettuce) that made it basically impossible to wrap without breaking the lettuce. The watery ginger soy made it an absolute mess to eat. And the steak that came on top was cut into rather large pieces that I had to cut down to be sizable for the wrap. My boyfriend had better luck with his steak and sweet potato risotto, but he also got the unseasoned steamed zucchini and carrots. Like my dish, it wasn't listed on the menu as a side, which made us wonder if they were trying to get rid of some food stock or just trying to beef up the appearance of the dish size. It was curious to us both and neither of us could make them edible. We went for dessert, since they claimed to have a world-class bread pudding. It was massive - too much for two people, actually. I wasn't convinced it was made that day, but it was good. Nothing I would rave about to friends. The best thing I can say about this place is that we had a nice waitress, so nice in fact that I didn't want to mention what a collossal disappointment my dish was. I still regret not telling them what a disgrace those lettuce wraps were - and for $17! They should be ashamed of themselves. The whole meal was $100+ (and that's no alcohol since we don't drink) and I consider that to be the most offensive part of the experience. We will never go back here.
(2)Joseph A.
We've been to this casual bistro many times, and just love the atmosphere. The seafood is always fresh and prepared expertly. The only downside on the food I can say, is we have consistently been disappointed by the soups. Needless to say, we have always opted for a salad before dinner the past few times we visited. Service in the restaurant has ranged from very good to excellent. The only problem we've ever had in the service department is at the hostess counter, where we have had to wait before being greeted on more than one occasion. Thankfully, when we get past there, it has been great. One of our favorite things to do in this place is finish dinner and head over to the bar area for dessert. They often have live music in there, and even when they don't, it's a fun atmosphere. North Beach Bistro is one of our go to places when we want a surefire quality experience. P.S. Thank you for a great Thanksgiving dinner the past couple of years, terrific!
(4)Diana P.
I was really surprised with the food and how good it tasted. Also, how it was prepared and really really fresh. The people there are so nice and very efficient. I highly recommend Seafood Boulibaisse, Fried Calamari and the Fish Bites. One side of the restraunt was fine dining and on the other side it was a sports bar type with TV. We watched the first Jaguars preseason game there. It was a great experience!
(5)Shauna C.
All around this was a delicious meal. The ambiance is beautiful : low lit, spacious yet cozy, and believe at or not a restaurant in Florida where I do not feel as though I am trapped in a freezer! The service was great - our server was quick with excellent wine recommendations and knowledgeable about the menu. The food itself was very good. After wolfing down the delicious Italian crusty bread with white bean hummus, I started with the soup du jour which was a corn and crab chowder. The flavor of the broth was buttery and delicious but the corn was slightly under cooked and lacking a bit in ingredients I then split the calamari and mussels. The Mussels were incredible - served in a white wine garlic lemon broth - easily my favorite of the two. While a few of my dining partners loved the calamari, I thought they were ok - but the breading was a little too thick in my opinion. I tried bites of the rib eye which was huge (as are all of the portions here) - and the Tail fish- both were excellent. If you want a higher-end dining experience with a price tag to fit everyone's budget you wont be disappointed with North Beach Bistro !
(4)Robert J.
We been to NBB for quiet couples dinning and with groups of 8 for early or late snacks and it works great for either. Excellent wait staff and good choices on the menu.
(4)Chelly S.
The bar at North Beach Bistro has got it going on. Great tapas and small plates, happy vibe, and a fun crowd. Don't miss it. It's getting better all the time!
(5)Amy H.
I don't normally frequent this establishment, but my friends wanted to go there for Thanksgiving. I do not know if this was a particularly bad day for them, but the price was quite high (32.00+ per person, PLUS 20% added onto the check for gratuity) and the food wasn't all that great. At that price, I and my friends all expected better. The "turkey" was thinly sliced turkey roll.... a semi-processed hunk of turkey which was only okay. The ham was almost as disappointing. The green casserole was tasty, as were the deserts. The total bill for just myself, including a couple of beers was over $60.00. Will not return for any buffet that they offer. Would, perhaps, try them again when the regular menu is available.
(2)Diana M.
I really was impressed by this restaurant. It's weird to me that everything in Jacksonville is in a strip center so I wasn't sure what to expect the first time we came here but I was pleasantly surprised. The food was very good and the presentation and ambiance were both awesome. The server was very knowledgeable and really seemed to like his job. This is definitely a place we would bring out of town guests!
(4)Jennifer L.
Really good food, especially the seafood specials. Random location in a strip mall, but proved to be a great meal. Half of the restaurant is a rowdy, live music, bar scene. The other half is a quiet, formal dining room with an open kitchen. Lots of free parking.
(3)Joel C.
A friend and I bought a groupon for NBB, it was my first time there. saw they have a Kobe beef burger and knew I had to try it. When we got there a little after 5pm we got seated quickly. Nice atmosphere, dark wood floors and trim, cloth napkins. Very cozy. Our server was named Mark. Very professional and knowledgable, it was like I was talking with an old buddy. Dinner we got bread with white bean hummus. Pulled pork potstickers with micro greens was our app. We both ordered Kobe burger cooked med rare, which came with hand cut fries and a couple of large homemade onion rings. With homemade ketchup and a ginger mayo, for the burger and fries. I also had cheddar and bacon on my burger. Ended dinner with bread pudding. OMG, Kobe beef, I thought it would be a 3 or 4 oz patty. NO,it was a 10 or 12oz cooked and seasoned perfectly. In fact everything we ordered was seasoned and cook to perfection. This is hands down the BEST burger in town. Our waiter Mark, awesome. Do yourself a favor and try North Beach Bistro, their Kobe Burger is special. Well worth 15 bucks. Extremely enjoyable. I thought the bread pudding was Fantastic, Carmel and creamy with vanilla bean ice cream. I could continue with the accolades , chef, waiter ect... WOW , what a burger. Ask to sit in Mark's section. Joel C.
(4)Lindsay L.
It's so nice to have an option like NBB in the beaches. Like so many other places in Jacksonville, this gem is hidden in a shopping center. But once you walk inside, you are transported to a more luxurious setting. The ambiance is warm and inviting. The service was excellent. And the value!! We found coupons in the Mint for a free entree and they also had an amazing prix frixe special for $19.95 included an appetizer, steak, and dessert. I ordered the filet. It came with sweet potato gratin. The filet was cooked perfectly and the mushroom sauce on top was delish. The one thing that wasn't so great seemed like an abundance of some sort of peppercorn. I kept biting into them and my palete was not pleased. I also wasn't too thrilled with the gratin. I felt it could've been much hotter and creamier. It also had crunchy red onions that took away from the sweet, creamy flavor I'd anticipated. I would definitely go back again and try other menu items. For the value it was amazing and the ambiance is just lovely.
(4)Brett S.
The hummus was nothing special. It tasted like mashed up chick peas with chives, surrounded by olive oil. The bread it was served with was good though. The mussels were in an uninspired white wine sauce. Very average. Everyone in our dinner party had decent entrees, probably a bit overpriced, though, for the quality. I expected alot more based on the other reviews. NBB is a decent meal, but by no means spectacular.
(3)Elena R.
I don't believe I've given any other place 5 stars... North Beach Bistro is getting my first perfect rating! My boyfriend and I were toying with where to go for a nice dinner one Saturday night. He mentioned NBB, we went online and made a reservation and were on our way. It's located in a shopping center, but don't let that be a turn-off. When we walked in, the ambiance was great. We were promptly greeted and seated. The whole experience was flawless. Our waitress was pleasant and attentive, without being overbearing (some "nicer" restaurants have someone hovering over you, pouring you water after each sip you take). The overall service was exceptional. Now to the food. We started with the risotto croquettes ($9), and they were good. However, my boyfriend ordered the sirloin au poivre ($21) and it was to die for. He couldn't get enough of the fingerling potatoes that came with it, either. He declared them to be the best potatoes he's ever had. I had the veal osso buco ($27). It was tender, moist, flavorful... overall, divine. The mushroom risotto was the perfect compliment to the osso buco. I couldn't stop eating long after I should have. This dining experience was one of the best I've had in a long, long time. We eat out all the time, and I still think about the exceptional experience we've had almost two weeks ago. I highly recommend it. We will definitely return!
(5)Bob S.
Was there for 2010 Christmas Eve. Had to be there 3-4 days each the last 3 weeks. We had at least 1 meal per day while we were there: lunch, Sunday Brunch & dinner. Smallest party was 2, largest was 8. Can you imagine mahi mahi fish & homemade chips? That's just bragging! I'd almost move down there to be close to NBB.
(4)Brad H.
Awesome restaurant. Great food. Quick, polite service. Fairly priced. I got the Kobe burger, organic salad w hazelnut goat cheese and sliced apples, and a Rogue Dead Guy on draught. Will definitely try to make it back.
(5)King F.
Loved it! You have to try the crab cakes! Really excellent!
(5)Andy L.
This place is good, not great. We've eaten here three times and the food was consistently "OK", not great. None of the food impressed me, but the staff is friendly. Will we go back?.... probably, just because there are not a lot of options in Jax..... but we will probably not take out-of-town guests there again.
(3)Jenna M.
My friend and I were looking for a place to eat after the gym and thought NBB would be sort of like Panera since it's located in a strip mall but we were pleasantly surprised! Even though we were yucky looking, fresh from LA Fitness, we were treated very well from the door to the check. The wait staff was attentive but not annoying and very knowledgeable about the menu. I had the filet mignon with butternut squash risotto and sauteed mushrooms in a red wine reduction. It was probably the best dinner I've had out in a year. The risotto will have me coming back. I don't know exactly what was in it, but I could eat it everyday. Very smooth, creamy, and just straight up delicious. The steak was tender and cooked perfectly. I also enjoyed the side of chef's vegetables, thinly sliced zucchini, squash, and carrots sauteed just enough to be firm to the bite but not too crunchy. My friend, who is a vegetarian had the Brussels sprouts and macaroni and cheese. Being a vegetarian, she has had about every plate of macaroni at the beach and raved about NBB's. Without gushing too much, this place was a definite hit, great food and great service.
(4)Natalie B.
North Beach Bistro is a welcomed addition to Atlantic Beach. It is owned by Chef Charles Charbonneau, who was last the Executive chef for the Sawgrass Golf Resort & Spa. North Beach Bistro is housed in the former Tree Steakhouse location. Chef Charles and his team had the space completely renovated into a warm and friendly restaurant featuring a moderately priced menu, extensive wine list and a terrific bar area. Before our appetizers even arrived, we were given a white bean/garlic tapenade with warm bread--a welcomed departure from the butter or olive oil that you typically see. My husband and I selected the cheese platter (a special feature of the evening so I'm not sure if this is always available) and the Croquettes (on the menu) to start. Both appetizers were lovely. The cheese selection rivaled anything I would have tasted while in Napa --definitely a treat!! The croquettes are a specialty of the house and are highly recommended. For our entrees, I selected the braised short rib (served with mashed potatoes) and the hubby opted for the Kobe beef burger (served with bistro frites and homemade ketchup--plus a delicious horseradish sauce). The entrees were perfectly prepared and very satisfying. The food is of extremely high quality, which is no surprise since it is a "chef's" restaurant for sure! I probably shouldn't have ordered dessert because I was so stuffed, but I couldn't resist. I selected the Chocolate Aphrodisiac cake, which was a lava cake. It is made to order and worth every second of waiting!! Service was friendly and at a good pace--we wanted a leisurely dinner and did not feel rushed. The atmosphere was so warm that I wanted our dinner to go on forever! For those of you who know what a big Riverside/Avondale geek I am, this place makes me not miss my old neighborhood as much ;-)
(5)Maureen F.
This is a great place for a happy hour. They have these great mini martinis and wine specials. The appetizers are amazing. I sampled the flatbread and potstickers. There were a lot of options that dont appear to be on their main menu online. Our waiter was very attentitive and patient considering we were there till after closing. I would try them for dinner too, there were lots of great options.
(4)Jeff H.
The executive summary of this place - exquisite. From the moment you walk through the door the place is a trip to dining bliss. The hostess had a smile and offered a warm greeting and took me to my table in the main dining area. The interior is warm and welcoming. You feel immediately at ease. The interior choice of colors, the art, and the table settings were obviously chosen with great care. Good Feng Shui here... I didn't have to wait long for my server and he asked if I had been in before and gave a wonderful explanation of the menu and asked what I liked or if he might suggest something. It was the perfect balance of just what I wanted/needed to know. The kitchen is open and you can actually see your meal being prepared which I appreciated. As starters I tried the Cold Oysters (very clean and with just a touch of briny flavor), the House Made Country Pate (rich and perfectly flavored), and The Big Eye Tuna Poke Martini (the tuna was definitely sushi grade and so fresh!) For the main course I was looking forward to a fish dish because they are known for hard to find fresh seafood (like opaka-paka - Hawaiian Pink Snapper), but saw the French Onion Crusted Angus Prime Rib with Gruyere Yorkshire Pudding. Coming from Colorado (A Beef State) I'm very picky about prime rib. After assurance from my server, I ordered the prime and was smiling when it arrived. It was a high quality cut and perfectly prepared. The onion crust only enhanced the quality cut of sublime prime. There was so much that I had to take the remainder home. For desert I chose Tony's Famous Crunch Bar - created by a famous local chef from Mezza Luna who passed. Chocolate mousse meets crispy wafer heaven... Their wine by the glass selection is good and their wine selection overall is excellent. It was apparent that someone with wine knowledge had put it together (turns out I was right - the chef/owner reallys knows the great grape as does his Sommelier GM). The chef/owner came by to ask about my meal (another great sign). I shared how impressed I was with the decor, the staff, the food, and the wine. Any time a chef/owner talks about philosophy when describing their place - I'm in... His philosophy was that if you open a place and offer an exceptional atmosphere, service, and food - "they will come." The Chef introduced me to to his GM - Vinny D'Agostino - who also is a 1st Level Sommelier. Something you don't find in a lot of fine dining establishments here. They also have a beautifully appointed full service bar on the other side from the main dining area. I hope they will be doing some more Wine and Food pairings in the near future! There aren't enough restaurants in Jacksonville who do this. You never know where a food rec will come from - I found this place through Paul who is an assistant chef in the kitchen there - while enjoying a pint at Fly's Tie close to the restaurant. Thank You Paul!
(5)Rachel B.
I actually broke my no-bistro rule because of the yelp reviews for North Beach Bistro. In my experience, bistro typically means overpriced smaller portions. I wasn't sure what to expect here, but I mainly wanted to eat dinner in a relaxed, dim setting. I certainly got that here. The decor inside is pleasing and the overall atmosphere was calm and conducive to conversation. Service was friendly and prompt. I absolutely loved the parmesan cheese bites - the texture was unlike anything I've had before. Delicious! The crab and corn chowder was great. I ordered a steak, which arrived cooked medium, as I ordered it. The only thing I did not like was the garlic mashed potatoes - waaay too garlicky for my tastes. Overall, a great experience!
(4)Jeff K.
After playing volleyball on the beach for awhile, we were pretty hungry by the time we finished shower and had a few drinks at the bar. Tired of us whining about being hungry, the nice bartender showed us the menu and recommended the place. She was also nice enough to make sure the place would still be open at 9:30pm. After reviewing the menu, I was totally craving for several items on it. Once we got there, the menu had none of the items I wanted. In fact, it was completely different:( That wasn't a good start. Fortunately the food we ordered were pretty good. On top of that, it was happy hour all night. We all got 2 for 1 drinks. You can't beat that:-D
(4)Mel N.
I pass by this place all the time cause I live near it, but had never been interested in eating here until recently. For the past few weeks, every time I passed by it, it seemed to call to me, wanting me to eat here. So my husband and I decided to have dinner here on Sunday. I have to say, the place looks a lot bigger on the inside than it does on the outside. The staff were very friendly and attentive. They have a regular menu and specials everyday. I had ordered their pasta of the day which was Rigatoni w/ Mayport shrimp and spinach. I can't remember what the sauce was, but I have to say it was very good. My husband ordered their Char Grilled Ribeye w/ Garlic Glazed Potatoes and Chimichurri. Hmmm Yum! All in all, we really liked their food and will be coming back for more. They do have a lunch menu, but I advise going for dinner just cause it seems like more of a dinner place.
(5)Ashley D.
This is a date night staple for my husband and I! The food is amazing and the staff is even better! This is a beaches hidden treasure!
(5)Melissa H.
Went here Friday night and I ordered something on the specials of evening menu. Had the best Chilean Sea Bass on top of Swiss Chard (green leafy item slightly sauteed i think) and butternut squash Gnocchi all in a Beurre blanc sauce. Seriously it was so good and light. I really enjoyed ALL of it. My girlfriend got the Calypso Mahi Mahi with Garlic Whipped Potatoes and Mango Salsa and Tamarind Drizzle. She had nothing left on her plate and said it was obviously really good:) We will be going back for sure. Staff was very pleasant as well.
(4)Marie M.
I absolutely love this place! I have never had bad service. And I never had bad food. their special menu always has a great selection. You can't go wrong here!
(5)Allison L.
We lived in Atlantic Beach for 3 years before a new job brought us to Tampa. We are super picky about our restaurants and before North Beach popped up we rarely went out to eat due to the horrendous options in Jax and the beaches. North beach has awesome happy hour and the BEST apps around. The croquettas, big eye tuna martini and everything is awesome. Their brunch is a great deal too, we only went once before we moved but it's something like 3 courses and all you can drink mimosas and bloody mary's! We were happy to hear they're back open for lunch many days of the week. This palce is not to be missed!
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