Bistro Two Eighteen image

Bistro Two Eighteen

Restaurant Bar French restaurant

French-inspired bistro fare such as duck confit in a brick-walled space with a warm & intimate vibe. People often mention experience, great, excellent, recommend, good, nice, table, atmosphere, service,


Address

218 20th St N, Birmingham, AL 35203, United States

Website

www.bistro218.com

Contact

+1 205-983-7999

Price rating

$$$ $

Rating on Google Maps

4.70 (453 reviews)

Open on Google Maps

Working Hours

  • Sunday: Closed
  • Monday: Closed
  • Tuesday: 4:30 to 9 pm
  • Wednesday: 4:30 to 9 pm
  • Thursday: 4:30 to 9 pm
  • Friday: 4:30 to 10 pm
  • Saturday: 4:30 to 10 pm

Featured Reviews


Frequently mentioned in reviews: experience (9) great (9) excellent (8) recommend (8) good (8) nice (7) table (7) atmosphere (6) service (6)
Reviews are sorted by relevance, prioritizing the most helpful and insightful feedback at the top for easier reference.
  • 5/5 Mackenzie P. 1 year ago on Google
    Visited here while in town & every part of the experience was 10/10. The bistro has valet, we were seated immediately with our reservation. The atmosphere inside the restaurant is very romantic. Our waiter did an excellent job, each course came out in a timely manner. We ordered the crab cakes, gumbo, BLT salad, the medallions, and the creme brûlée. All were AMAZING! Would recommend this place to anyone!
    6 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Clinton A. 2 years ago on Google
    A gem of a restaurant in B-ham! First time visiting tonight; won't be the last! From the first step through the door the ambiance is relaxed. The tables set with white linen and a single rose to set the mood. We began our meal with Charred Spanish Octopus and a bowl of New Orleans Style Gumbo. Main courses were Duck Confit and Beef Wellington. We finished with a shared Crème Brûlée. The meal was scrumptious! From the starter course to the last bite of dessert! Our server Joseph made our experience wonderful. He was prompt and professional! All in all, our experience was amazing! Can't wait to return! $$$: Total bill before the tip was $191, but we had two glasses of decent wine each. Without the wine it'd have been more like $135.
    5 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Scott C. 2 years ago on Google
    Wonderful ambiance with attentive and courteous staff. Very pleased with our dining experience. Indoor and outdoor seating available. The fried green tomatoes salad was a hit! Appetizer, salad, entrée, and dessert for 2 ~ $150 w/o alcohol. Looking forward to a return visit when lamb is on the menu. 😁
    4 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Kevin S. 1 year ago on Google
    This was best dinner that we had in Birmingham - the crab cakes were outstanding! Hospitality was excellent. The lighting is very dim in the dining area and the restroom could definitely be cleaner ( referring to the men restroom). I would go back for sure.
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Haley S. 11 months ago on Google
    Amazing evening spent with my husband on his birthday! Costumer service was impeccable! They made sure his birthday was special and I cannot thank them enough! Everything we ate and drank was delicious! Cannot express enough how wonderful this place is!
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Original Wood And Resin V. 2 years ago on Google
    We started off with a couple of drinks. Old Fashioned and a French Martini. They were both very good. We had the Fritto Misto as an appetizer. It was lightly fried and quite good. Also tried the gumbo and it was good as well. My wife ordered the Tournedos au Poivre. Though they tasted good, she ordered them medium well and they came out well done. So if they were the proper temperature they probably would have been better. She didn’t send them back because she didn’t want to wait. I had the duck confit and it was tasty, though the green beans were undercooked. The potatoes were cooked well. We had the Coconut Bavarian and the Molasses Ginger Cake. Both were very good. Our waiter was nice and the atmosphere was pleasant. Overall it was a nice experience. If the meat was the proper temperature and the green beans were cooked properly I would have given them 5 stars. I wish I could give them 4.5 stars instead of 4 🤨
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Geo H. 7 months ago on Google
    Downtown Birmingham. Superb quality ingredients, beautiful presentation, professional friendly service. Joseph, our waiter, is very nice. Crab Cakes were absolutely excellent. BLT salad with blue cheese was really good. The Risotto vegetable, also available with fresh shrimp, was nicely prepared. Dessert assorted plate was well prepared & would be loved by all. A great find. Would highly recommend to anyone.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 William G. 3 months ago on Google New
    Another superb dinner at this fine downtown upscale restaurant - my premier venue for special occasions! Tom Saab has updated his menu. We enjoyed the Brussel sprouts and steak frites tonight. Service is always excellent, and the wait staff is very professional. Many employees have been there for a long time indicating a great team spirit. We will be back soon.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Emily R. 7 months ago on Google
    Bistro Two Eighteen is the perfect place for a special occasion or a nice date night. We have been many times to celebrate birthdays, anniversaries, girls' night, and just because. Food wise: the chicken paillards is a fairly simple dish, but the creamy risotto makes it a stand out. It's a repeat dish for me. The wild Louisiana redfish is also one we have had more than once; it's delicous pan seared instead of blackened. The yellow corn grits that come with the redfish are creamy and savory and perfect with the fish. Also recommend: fried green tomatoes, honey glazed brussels, and the Bistro steak frites. On top of the food and drink selection, the service is on point with knowledgeable staff and bartenders. The atmosphere pulls it all together - brick walls, really great table lighting, a nice table layout, and an intimate upstairs area. All in all, it's one of our favorites in Birmingham.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Ryan B. 5 months ago on Google
    Where do I begin? This place fired on all cylinders. We were disappointed however that they had taken the octopus off the menu, being from out of town that's what had caught our eyelooking at the menu. Please bring that back🙏 However though we thoroughly enjoyed the menu though the flavors from everything from the crab cakes to the gumbo. The highlight for me though was the House Cured Pork Belly, Man oh man was that something else. Highly recommend this if you get nothing else. Are entrees were equally delicious. Quite impressed. Also recommend the Duck and Flounder. Would definitely come back for another excellent meal
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Tiffany W. 11 months ago on Google
    Everything was amazing….my drink The Empress was perfect. The pork belly appetizer is soooo good. I’ll definitely be back…again and again ✨
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 T L. 11 months ago on Google
    I had the chicken paillards. It was incredibly delicious and filling. I was so impressed with the atmosphere and food presentation. The brussel sprouts appetizer were so amazing! Oh my goodness! Aaron L was a great server with a nice attitude and he made the experience a pleasant one. The atmosphere was so comfortable and calm. The restaurant is beautiful. Great romantic restaurant for date night. Put this on your list of places to eat in Bham!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 kelcie c. 10 months ago on Google
    I can’t even explain how great this place was! The food was amazing and the people were so nice! I graduated college that night and they gave me a little congrats card, they made me feel so special I almost cried! Best dining experience I’ve had in birmingham in a long time!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Rami D. 1 year ago on Google
    I thoroughly enjoyed my cocktails and dinner at the bar of Bistro Two Eighteen. Jenea made the experience even more pleasant. I highly recommend the Octopus appetizer, as well as the Tuna Tartare and the Pork Belly. Yum!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Gerrilyn K. 1 year ago on Google
    We had a great experience at Bistro Two Eighteen and highly recommend it! My husband and I were visiting my parents in Birmingham for Father's Day and celebrated early on Friday evening. We unexpectedly needed to bring my sister's little boy with us, and our waiter John was extremely accommodating! He really went above and beyond to make sure that our little guest was taken care of, bringing him French fries and a scoop of ice cream which made his day! Our meals were excellent as well! The level of service and attention to detail was appreciated and we'd definitely enjoy dining here again next time we're in town!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Baylee J. 1 year ago on Google
    This is one of the most amazing restaurants I’ve been too. They made us a fantastic vegan dinner. We will definitely be back.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 bo t. 7 months ago on Google
    My son and his new wife flew in from NYC and had made the reservation. We see that our table is the worst one sitting in front of the glass front door - no ! So the lovely hostess (red hair) had them immediately set up a great table for us on the balcony. We loved it and Joseph, our excellent waiter. Dinner and service were great and now we'll be back !

  • 4/5 Shane E. 10 months ago on Google
    The gumbo was absolutely fantastic! The drinks and duck were both good but not necessarily fantastic. The duck was perfectly cooked and crispy but relied heavily on the brown gravy for flavor.

  • 5/5 M. Bennet B. 8 months ago on Google
    This was the 2nd visit for us. We wanted to sit outside, but the weather didn't cooperate; so we substituted a window table. For starters we shared the Brussels Sprouts and foraged mushrooms. Their presentation was beautiful, and both, though especially the sprouts, were delicious. Next, my wife had the Redfish, and I chose the Duck. Here too, presentation was artistic. My spouse found her dish excellent. She also ordered a side of fries and insisted they be crunchy; and they were. They were a bit too salty, and I found them slightly too oily. My duck was rare as ordered, but would have benefited from additional seasoning. Nonetheless, I was satisfied with the dish. We will go back.

  • 5/5 Coe A. 3 months ago on Google New
    First time here after receiving some great recommendations! Friends were right! This place was fantastic!! Interacted with the hostesses, bartender, gm and our waitress Sarah (Sara, perhaps). Great evening, wonderful food, terrific service!

  • 5/5 Andrew M. 2 years ago on Google
    We were able to make reservations for bar seating via OpenTable. The Blackened Louisiana Redfish was fantastic. This was my first visit and I hope that they have the redfish on my next visit. The signature cocktails seemed a little pricey for what they are, but that is not too surprising these days.

  • 5/5 Derek B. 3 months ago on Google New
    Amazing atmosphere for a work event. Quiet enough to hear everyone at the table. My complements to the chef!

  • 5/5 Charles C. 6 months ago on Google
    Absolutely fabulous! It was our 29th wedding anniversary. We were given a VIP table. A toasting glass of bubbly. And a personal writen not from the chef. The food was exquisitely prepared and presented. Overall, one of the most pleasurable experiences I have had. I would highly recommend them for special occasions and just when you want to treat yourself.


Call +1 205-983-7999 Open on Google Maps

Amenities


  • Parking
    • ✓️ Valet parking
    • ✓️ Paid street parking
  • Payments
    • ✓️ Debit cards
    • ✓️ Credit cards
    • ✓️ NFC mobile payments
  • Offerings
    • ✓️ Beer
    • ✓️ Wine
    • ✓️ Coffee
    • ✓️ Alcohol
    • ✓️ Spirits
    • ✓️ Cocktails
    • ✓️ Small plates
    • ✓️ Healthy options
  • Popular for
    • ✓️ Lunch
    • ✓️ Dinner
    • ✓️ Solo dining
  • Accessibility
    • ✓️ Wheelchair-accessible toilet
    • ✓️ Wheelchair-accessible seating
    • ✓️ Wheelchair-accessible car park
    • ✓️ Wheelchair-accessible entrance
  • Dining options
    • ✓️ Lunch
    • ✓️ Dinner
    • ✓️ Dessert
    • ✓️ Seating
  • Service options
    • ✓️ Dine-in
    • ✓️ Delivery
    • ✓️ Takeaway
    • ✓️ Kerbside pickup
    • ✓️ Outdoor seating

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