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Featured Reviews


Frequently mentioned in reviews: menu (20) Bardo (18) tasting (12) experience (11) amazing (11) dish (9) good (8) courses (7) server (7) full (6)
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  • 5/5 Karla F. 2 years ago on Google
    I’m so behind reviewing my birthday dinner at Bardo last month! I came in with my parents for a 7 course dinner and LOVED my experience. My parents aren’t well versed in the food scene so they didn’t understand why it was so expensive but, keep in mind, you’re also paying for the experience that’s outlined on their website! The Good: I mean, the food. It’s incredible. Each course, a tasting menu experience, is only a couple of bites. You don’t get a menu and don’t get to pick what you want but you CAN specify foods to omit when you make reservations. I don’t eat veal so they subbed the veal course for a vegetarian course that was delicious. I wish I could remember what everything was but I do remember the beef tartare, a farro dish with an egg, hearts of pal m with a strawberry mousse…I can’t remember everything but I really loved each dish. The dessert course was fantastic- it was a red bean ice cream with a type of cake and mousse-like cheese - incredible (I’m so sorry for butchering the descriptions of these courses!!). Service was ON POINT. Our server rattled off the details of each dish with amazing recall and always kept our drinks full. Loved the ambience as well - artsy, intimate, cozy. The Meh: if I had to dissect one thing, I was a bit disappointed in the cocktails I had. I ordered the Bartenders Choice because I love when mixologists get creative and go nuts on cocktails. Our server told us Bardo’s mixologists were some of the best in Charlotte. For the first drink, I told our server they could do whatever they wanted but I didn’t care for sweet cocktails. Well, The cocktail was sweet. It was good, but sweet. Similar thing happened with the next round. I still enjoyed both drinks, as much as I can for sweeter ones, but didn’t find them to be particularly inventive. Oh well! The Bad: nothing noted. Again, do keep in mind this is a tasting menu so if you have a huge appetite, you may want to nosh on something beforehand. We were delightfully full after 7 courses but I think we would’ve still been hungry with 5 (I think it’s the smallest course available). Would love to come back some time to try the full tasting menu!
    6 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 2/5 Paul P. 1 year ago on Google
    They tried. We had the pleasure of going to Bardo when they first opened. It was a wonderful gastronomic experience! We were excited to return now that they have converted to a full tasting menu. However, our excitement waned immediately upon arrival. The new street graffiti aesthetic is a far cry from the simple elegance the space previously embodied. It's not that the art on the walls is bad, it just seems so forced - out of place. I actually really enjoyed the music selection. They played several of our favorite songs and several throwbacks I hadn't heard in years. The problem is the music is SO LOUD 📢. Most tasting menu restaurants give you a menu so you know what you are eating. Bardo does not. The servers attempt to explain the menu, but the music is so loud you can't hear them. When we asked the server to repeat herself, she said "WHAT?!" Then I asked if they always keep the music this loud. She responded, "WHAT?!" It was like talking to Lil Jon. "Have you ever considered turning it down so we can hear each other?" To which she just shook her head and walked away. Okay, not a great start, but we'll roll with it 🤷‍♂️. I ordered an old fashioned. The server talked me into trying "Bardo's version of an old fashioned." It was not good. An old fashioned is sweet. This was bitter, closer to a Manhattan than an old fashioned. The first course arrived shortly after. I'd love to tell you what we ate, but they didn't give us a menu and we couldn't hear our server. It was good enough, but not magical. The next dish was good, but a small portion (tasting menu, obviously). I started thinking about how much I would enjoy being somewhere else and eating something else. That is a BAD SIGN 🛑. The star of the menu was the jellyfish noodle curry. It was FANTASTIC! It was followed by a fried rice that was the most lack-luster course of the night. It looked unappetizing and tasted like frozen store-bought fried rice with wasabi peas thrown on top. It reminded me of the food people made when they were stoned in a dorm during college. Again, it tasted fine, but it looked and tasted like it cost less than a dollar to make. Finally, dessert: a cream covered cookie. It did not look good or taste good. After the meal came to an end, I couldn't WAIT to leave...but I had to, because our server was off helping other tables. I couldn't get her attention, because the restaurant had filled up since our arrival and now everyone was SHOUTING 🗣️ so they could converse over the music. It was like being at Suite in the Epicentre (anyone remember THAT place?!) I realize this is a long review. I don't mean to come across as harsh, but I had very high hopes for Bardo and was completely let down. They have so many independently cool elements going for them, but when combined they just don't fit. It feels like they are trying so hard, and it just isn't working. If I'm going to spend $300+ on a meal, I want to know what I'm eating and I don't want to have to shout at my date. The whole point is to enjoy the food; the service and ambiance should enhance the food. At Bardo, these elements detract from the food. I can think of a dozen restaurants in Charlotte that are twice as good for half the price. I believe Bardo will survive on the fact that its location is in the trendiest part of town, and it has one of the few tasting menus available nearby. However, until they change the menu AND turn the music down a few notches, I won't be returning to Bardo.
    5 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Cilena s. 2 years ago on Google
    Absolutely phenomenal. You must give this place a shot of you claim to be a foodie! I surprised my S.O. with a fancy night out and we were so lucky to be placed right by the open kitchen. We had so much fun watching the passion flow through the chefs. Everything tasted amazing, drinks are gorgeous! Do yourself a favor and check out Bardo.
    4 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Spencer H. 2 years ago on Google
    We did the full tasting menu with drink pairing. An absolutely stunning event. So many dishes were like a flavor journey. If you love super high end food and want to ball out, this is it.
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Joseph D. 2 years ago on Google
    This was our 12 course tasting menu with beverage pairing. The food is amazing and visually stunning. If you are searching for a true high-end dining experience you need look no further. The staff is extraordinary, accommodating and exceptionally knowledgeable about each and every dish as well as the cocktails that are served. The bar staff is extraordinary, far beyond any I've seen in Charlotte yet. If you have the opportunity to spend the evening with these guys I suggest it, you will thank me for the recommendation! Riley was our host for the evening, he did an amazing job.
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Robert 2 years ago on Google
    This place is incredible. The food is amazing, the drink pairings are perfect, and the wait staff is exceptional. We did the seven course tasting, and we will definitely be back for the twelve.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Vince R. 2 years ago on Google
    This was an amazing experience! The creativity behind each course and each cocktail was unbelievable. The service was great and everyone was so nice and knowledgeable. Keep up the awesome work and thank you for an awesome experience!
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Joy R. 2 years ago on Google
    If you are really into eclectic dining, this is an awesome experience! I definitely tried lots of dishes I haven’t ever experienced before. Cocktails were gorgeous, creative & powerful! We did the 7 courses and needed up leaving with a full belly. Service was also stellar. Very fancy food! If you’re a chicken tenders type person, this is not your spot. But if you’re into fine dining, I highly recommend.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Bran C. 1 year ago on Google
    Outstanding dining experience. This is by far the best restaurant in Charlotte. Inventive and amazing food, and unparalleled service. Being able to witness the artistry in the prep kitchen adds to the overall theatre of the entire meal. I most recently went to dinner for Valentine's Day, and was thoroughly impressed from beginning to end. The cocktail pairings also perfectly complemented every dish. Bardo feels like a restaurant that is in NYC or Miami, not Charlotte, NC, and it has easily become my favorite restaurant here. Not only is the food outstanding, but so is every single person that works there. Ambiance, phenomenal staff, amazing food, high-end dining with zero pretention. Outstanding job Bardo! Update for 2023- Bardo continues to be my favorite restaurant in Charlotte. There is pure magic in the delicate nuance of flavors, which highlight and amplify the ingredients in each dish. Service is outstanding, with some of the best staff I have ever experienced. I visited again for this valentine's day, and every dish was perfection. The thought and preparation is very evident with the beautiful menu of flavors and experiences from the beginning to end. I didn't think I could love Bardo any more than I already did, but they have proven me wrong.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Joli G. 1 year ago on Google
    We loved, loved, loved Bardo! The food was amazing! We really enjoyed the creative tasting menu. The night we were there, the menu was based on "nostalgia" and the 10 courses were upscale, delicious takes on various childhood favorites. In addition to creative, beautifully presented and delicious food, the service at Bardo was wonderful! The staff were kind and engaging. And the atmosphere at the restaurant was very cool. Our party ranged in age from 52 down to 15 and a great time was had by all. Definitely check Bardo out! It's well worth the money and the trip.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 ian w. 3 years ago on Google
    We had dinner at Bardo last night (5 people) and did the 5 course tasting menu with pairings. We had one gluten free, one pescatarian, and one no red meat eater and they were able to easy accommodate our party and adjust courses. The ladies had a bottle of bubbly to start and we had cocktails. The food was amazing and the service was top notch. I wish I had a menu of all the dishes but all were amazing. Our waitress Rielly was well versed in all the dishes and the drink pairings. Highly recommend for special occasion. 👍🏻👍🏻
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Michelle A. 2 years ago on Google
    Stop asking yourself whether you should go to Bardo tonight. Start asking yourself "Don't I deserve just once in my life to have the perfect meal? Don't I deserve plate after plate of culinary perfection?" Then visit the menu page, figure out how many courses are in your budget and make a reservation. We were a few minutes early for our seating and the tables on both sides of us were just finishing up. BOTH tables were discussing how soon they could make it back to try all 12 courses. We had 5 with the beverage pairing and wished we'd done 7. Stop wondering, just go!

  • 4/5 Hazel S. 1 year ago on Google
    We did the 5 course experience and the tier 2 wine pairing. Our servers - both named Crystal - were outstanding. The vibe is a bit different than we were expecting. Outkast bumping and graffiti and an overall minimal setup. If you’re coming here expecting a ton of food you should go elsewhere. We were here for interesting food and a unique experience. It delivered. Everything was good, no bombs anywhere. The best part of our meal was the mushroom meringues in the leek dish. They were fantastic and we could’ve eaten those by the handful and been very happy.


Call (980) 585-2433 Open on Google Maps

Amenities


  • Payments
    • ✓️ Debit cards
    • ✓️ Credit cards
    • ✓️ NFC mobile payments
  • Offerings
    • ✓️ Beer
    • ✓️ Wine
    • ✓️ Alcohol
    • ✓️ Cocktails
    • ✓️ Hard liquor
    • ✓️ Small plates
    • ✓️ Organic dishes
    • ✓️ Happy hour food
    • ✓️ Vegetarian options
  • Accessibility
    • ✓️ Wheelchair accessible seating
    • ✓️ Wheelchair accessible entrance
    • ✓️ Wheelchair accessible restroom
    • ✓️ Wheelchair accessible parking lot
  • Dining options
    • ✓️ Dinner
    • ✓️ Dessert
    • ✓️ Seating
  • Service options
    • ✓️ Dine-in
    • ✓️ Takeout
    • ✗ Delivery
  • From the business
    • ✓️ Identifies as Black-owned

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