Bistro Savannah Review

Read our Savannah restaurant reviews. Or post your own.

Find more restaurants in Savannah »

Bistro Savannah

  • Address: 309 W. Congress St., Historic District, Savannah, GA, 31401 | Map It
  • Phone: 912/233-6266
Write a review | Avg. member rating: 2.8/5

Fodor's Review:

High ceilings, burnished heart-pine floors, and gray-brick walls lined with local art—even undressed mannequins—contribute to the bistro qualities of this spot by City Market. The menu has specialties such as roasted Vidalia onion soup, which has a natural sweetness and is finished with cream and served with an herbed Parmesan crisp. Going international, Thai-spiced mussels with lemongrass, coconut, and red curry will heat you up after a nocturnal pedicab ride. The hanger steak is lean and flavorful, and the seared jumbo scallops are served over fresh crab succotash. The chef tries to use mostly local, organic veggies, chemical-free meats, and fresh, certified wild shrimp. Like most everything, ice creams, sorbets, and other desserts are made from scratch. Try Chef Scott Ostrander's twist on strawberry shortcake.

  • Credit Cards: AE, MC, V
  • Closed: No lunch.

Member Reviews and Ratings

Reviewed by saxyeater from Michigan on 4/22/08
My wife and I went to some other upscale restaurants before trying Bistro Savannah our last night there. The other meals were OK but not great. The Bistro was definitely far superior and not as pricey as some of the others. After eating far too many shrimp and scallops all week we selected the very fresh Alaskan halibut and the wonderful duck breast. Both were expertly prepared and presented. Delicious! The Chef definitely knows what
he/she is doing. Also a very nice wine selection.

Member Rating: 4.6
Ratings details: Food: 5.0 Atmosphere: 4.0 Service: 4.0 Value: 5.0

Reviewed by roscoe2801 from Illinois on 2/15/08
I had heard a lot about Bistro Savannah and was looking forward to dining there while visiting the city on business. My mistake. It was not a pleasant experience. The food was not well prepared, the service was unprofessional and the tables were way too small for two people. Overall, it was not worth the time or money.

Member Rating: 1.8
Ratings details: Food: 2.0 Atmosphere: 2.0 Service: 2.0 Value: 1.0

Reviewed by doctorr from Madison on 1/12/08
After all the bad reviews, we almost skipped Bistro Savannah. Glad we didn't. As a couple, we did get a smaller table for two with no tablecloth. The maitre'd was especially welcoming attentive. The service was excellent. THe scallops were not overcooked, were tender and flavorful. The rissoto was also one of the better rissotos we have had. The temporo turbo special was flavorful and cooked to perection. Give it a try.

Member Rating: 4.2
Ratings details: Food: 4.0 Atmosphere: 4.0 Service: 5.0 Value: 4.0

Reviewed by landingsbabe from Charleston on 11/18/07
Went here for a romantic dinner with my spouse on Friday night. Hostess got us a seat without reservations although we waited for a table next door at Girabaldis (which is nicer). When the hostess sat us, she sat us at what looked to be ice cream parlor tables and old wicker seats. Not exactly what you would expect for the money. Nice charming restaurant, needs improvements! No white table cloth either, although they did silverware changes?! Service was good throughout, cannot complain about our server. ( There seemed to be alot of workers and they kinda gathered around the back?)
We ordered the calamari (very good) and crabcake and fried green tomato appetizer...both delicious. Then we had the mixed berry salad and the beet salad, both excellent again. Then we ordered the curry mussles...horrible! The mussles were sandy and the pairing with curry made them taste disgusting. The server promptly took them away and didn't seem to be suprised that we didn't like them. Next, came the entrees, I had the pork tenderloin which was very bland, no seasoning, overdone, and nearly cold. The only highlight was the turnip greens underneath the pork was good. My spouse had the $26 sirloin with red wine demi glace and it was terrible too. Tough and chewy, demi glace was lacking seasoning and it came with mixed field greens. VERY OVERPRICED for what you get, which isn't even good. We also had dessert, the creme brulee was excellent and the mixed berry flambe was to die for. Spent about $120 without tip altogether and felt like we should have spent it elsewhere. To the owners: Get a better chef who is consistant and improve your restaurant, the seats and tables are fit for grandmas front porch not an expensive restaurant.

Member Rating: 3.4
Ratings details: Food: 3.0 Atmosphere: 4.0 Service: 4.0 Value: 3.0

Reviewed by mjacquet from Atlanta on 10/7/07
The restaurant smelled musty and old. My lamb chops were tough. I'm surprised at the high marks from other Fodor ratings. We went based on these ratings...very disappointed. Go next door to Garibaldi's.Same owner as Bistro but much much better food and atmosphere. Amazing difference.

Member Rating: 1.2
Ratings details: Food: 1.0 Atmosphere: 1.0 Service: 2.0 Value: 1.0

Reviewed by jntatbeach from Savannah on 12/17/06
Service was lousy. Our waiter was either smug or unable to understand the importance of "attitude". The atmosphere was wonderful.Presentation and flavors were enjoyable BUT,we ended up with stomach problems for the next day.Since it was all of us and we tasted the food together,we wouldn't go back. It was too a high a price to pay.

Member Rating: 1.6
Ratings details: Food: 1.0 Atmosphere: 4.0 Service: 1.0 Value: 1.0
Add your own review

Get Advice From Other Travelers

Visit the Travel Talk forums for help on planning your trip



Get the Fodor's Newsletter

For more travel ideas, tips, and deals, sign up for the Fodor's newsletter here. Read the current issue. Browse previous issues.




Copyright © 2010 Fodor's Travel, a division of Random House, Inc.