The Bistro
A sophisticated bistro in a restored 1893 home, offering Italian & American fare and martinis with impeccable service.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
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Blue hour photography, calmer galleries
The Bistro
Highlights
Must-see attractions
A sophisticated bistro in a restored 1893 home, offering Italian & American fare and martinis with impeccable service.
"The Bistro is a hidden gem with amazing food, atmosphere, and service!"
Reservations Recommended
Secure your table in advance, especially for weekend dining and popular times.
Lunchtime Thursdays/Fridays
Visit during lunch on Thursdays or Fridays for an excellent menu selection.
Quick Facts
Cuisine
Italian & American
Price
$$$
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Shrimp & Grits Perfection
Indulge in some of the best shrimp & grits you'll ever taste, featuring plump, flavorful shrimp.
Charming Historic Ambiance
Dine in a beautifully restored circa-1893 home, offering an intimate and inviting atmosphere.
Exceptional Service
Experience top-notch service from friendly, attentive, and knowledgeable staff.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Menu
Most Popular Items
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Reservations Recommended
Secure your table in advance, especially for weekend dining and popular times.
Lunchtime Thursdays/Fridays
Visit during lunch on Thursdays or Fridays for an excellent menu selection.
Dress Code Flexibility
Both casual and fancy attire are welcomed, making it suitable for any occasion.
Avoid Chicken Parmesan
One reviewer advised against ordering the chicken Parmesan.
Tips
from all over the internet
Reservations Recommended
Secure your table in advance, especially for weekend dining and popular times.
Lunchtime Thursdays/Fridays
Visit during lunch on Thursdays or Fridays for an excellent menu selection.
Dress Code Flexibility
Both casual and fancy attire are welcomed, making it suitable for any occasion.
Avoid Chicken Parmesan
One reviewer advised against ordering the chicken Parmesan.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
The Bistro is highly praised for its exceptional shrimp & grits and its inviting atmosphere within a historic home. Diners consistently rave about the top-notch service provided by friendly and attentive staff, making it a recommended spot for special occasions and casual meals alike. While most experiences are positive, some find certain dishes to be bland or overpriced for the quality.
"We went to The Bistro on a Friday night. We got a nice table in the beautiful heritage home. I had shrimp and grits — some of the best I’ve ever had. Large portion and full of flavour and luscious shrimp. My husband had the veal with piccata sauce and it was tender and delicious. What a hidden gem! Totally enjoyed the meal, atmosphere and service was very good. Highly recommend."
Beth Murray
"We had a lovely lunch at The Bistro in Bowling Green. I was especially pleased to see the brunch menu available, as it gave me a great option, steak and eggs, that aligned with my carnivore diet. It was a much better fit for me than the usual steak and fries, and everything was cooked well and served hot. It also came with some breakfast potatoes and onions, that my husband loved.
My husband ordered the breaded chicken sandwich, which he said was fresh, flavorful, and really satisfying. The portion of fries that came with it was huge, definitely generous for a brunch plate and great for sharing.
The atmosphere is relaxed and comfortable, and service was friendly without being rushed. Overall, it was a great spot for a weekend meal with quality food and a menu that works for a variety of dietary preferences. We’d absolutely return and recommend it to others."
Sherry C
"It was my wife & I first time dining at “The Bristol Restaurant” here in Bowling Green, Ky. We were out for the evening to try a new place, and possibly a new variety of cuisine we have never had before. We arrived at the restaurant at 6pm on a Saturday evening an extremely busy time for the restaurant. So when we entered it was apparent that the hostess was expecting a reservation from us and we had none. However we were very lucky and she went ahead and seated us very promptly regardless of not having a reservation. She proceeded to place us in a good location with a good atmosphere, and a very nice table in the main dining room. From here I observed most of the tables were taken with happy casual dressed customers enjoying their drinks and fine meals. Now once seated we were assisted by Wayne our waiter for the evening. He was very polite, extremely cordial, and a fine young gentleman with great skills of an experienced waiter. He described whatever entries we required about effortlessly in great vivid detail. He also had all the chef’s specials and unlisted entries memorized to great perfection. Well the waiter then gave us a little time to decide and he said he would return shortly. Upon his return we made our uncertain selections. Well my wife chose to try the Voodoo Pasta dish, and I decided on the Short Rib Risotto. Now these are meals we have never tried, or experienced before. So we were not sure what to expect, or whether or not it will please our taste buds. Our entrees arrived hot and very pleasing to the eyes. The meal presentation was quite good. They both looked very appetizing in their display and preparation. Well we both ate pretty much all of our meals. Our final consistence was that we agreed they were ok to good, but we probably wouldn’t order either of them again. I’ve never had a beef short rib meal before. It just looks and tastes like an expensive pot roast meal on broth flavored rice to me. It was okay, but nothing to write home about. The wife’s Voodoo pasta was about the same to her. She said she wished she got the salmon entrée instead . So now with that being said the entree’s might be delicious to other customers who have a different taste or style of food."
Ronald McPherson
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, reservations are highly recommended, especially for weekend dining, as the restaurant can fill up quickly.
The Bistro welcomes both casual and fancy attire, making it suitable for a variety of occasions.
The Shrimp & Grits are frequently highlighted as a must-try, with other popular dishes including their burgers and Chef's Choice specials.
Absolutely! Its intimate and beautifully decorated interior makes it an ideal spot for romantic dates or special celebrations.
The Bistro is known for its expertly mixed martinis and also offers a selection of wine and spirit-free drinks.
The menu offers some variety, and reviewers have noted options like steak and eggs that can cater to different diets. It's best to inquire directly for specific accommodations.
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Bistro, European, $ Located in a restored late 19th century house, The Bistro offers a small but perfectly-formed European menu just two blocks away from the beautiful Fountain Square in central Bowling Green. Its warm and intimate atmosphere makes it a perfect choice for a date, enjoyed over a few of its signature martinis.You are guaranteed a delectable dinner with great food from France, Spain and Italy, as well as perfectly mixed drinks.
Dining Locations
Located in Bowling Green, Kentucky’s historic downtown district, just two blocks from serene Fountain Square, The Bistro welcomes you to one-of-a-kind dining. The two-story restored 1893 Fletcher House plays host to both first rate meals and service whether you are enjoying dinner for two in the restaurant, drinks with friends in the bar or a private function in the upstairs meeting space. 1129 College Street, Bowling Green, KYVisit The Bistro’s Website
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Valentine weekend is filled with live music and show performances, perfect entertainment for after the dinner!. Southern Kentucky Performing Arts Center located in downtown hosts Christian artists Big Daddy Weave, Ben Fuller, and Megan Jones on Feb 14 and a night of Motown with Orchestra KY on Feb 15. Enjoy a free rock performance from Six Gun Five during Winterfest at the Capitol, or catch a musical performance of Annie Jr at the Xclaim Center.
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After our cave tour, we headed to lunch at The Bistro, located in a restored late-nineteenth-century house just two blocks away from the beautiful Fountain Square in central Bowling Green. It has a warm and intimate atmosphere, a perfect choice for a date enjoyed over a few of its delicious martinis. Chrissy Allen, the manager, greeted us, and recommended the soup and sandwich special from the small but perfectly formed menu.
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Our second day in Bowling Green started early with the tail-end of sunrise from Reservoir Hill Park, a five-acre park perched over downtown that served as a bastion fort during the Civil War and was designed to withstand attack from any direction. Being the highest point in the area, it’s a great spot to take your dog for a walk or to admire the surrounding neighborhoods.
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There’s no better place to finish a culinary tour de Bowling Green than at the Bistro, another favorite of mine. A couple of blocks down from Fountain Square Park is a Kentucky food oasis — a one-of-a-kind dining experience in the historic, restored 1893 Fletcher House. Locally-inspired, high-end, yet very comfortable — the Bistro is a shining star of the 270 region.
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For one of the best downtown Bowling Green restaurants, you have to check out The Bistro!. The interior is intimate and beautifully decorated and the perfect place for a date or to celebrate a special occasion. The menu includes rabbit which is always an interesting choice and worth trying if you have not had it before!
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Also located on College Street, just down the road from Spencer’s, The Bistro is one of Bowling Green’s best restaurants. There is plenty of parking across the street from the restored Victorian house. Inside, several paintings and fireplaces line the exposed brick walls of this quaint, upscale eatery.
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Located in Bowling Green, Kentucky's historic downtown district, just two blocks from Fountain Square in the historic 1893 Fletcher House. The Bistro plays host to both first-rate meals and service whether you dine in the private upstairs dining rooms, on the main floor, in the…
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1129 College StBowling Green, KY 442101(270) 781-9646 Visit Website See Menu Open in Google Maps. This dining establishment inside a building built way back 1893 is one of the best restaurants downtown that serve Italian and American fare plated in artful presentations.
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The Bistro is located in Bowling Green, Kentucky’s historic downtown district, just two blocks from serene Fountain Square. The restaurant is located in a two story restored home from 1893. This quaint ambiance offers fantastic meals for every occasion.
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Indulge in a romantic dinner at The Bistro, known for its cozy ambiance and delicious dishes. Enjoy a quiet evening together, savoring gourmet meals and fine wine. The Bistro is the perfect place to unwind and reconnect with your partner.
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Offering a diverse menu with elegant dining options, The Bistro showcases a fusion of flavors and impeccable service. From perfectly cooked seafood to tender cuts of steak, every dish is created with precision and creativity.
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Restaurant menu map for The Bistro located in 42101 Bowling Green KY 1129 College Street. 657 reviews Open Now. Shogun Bistro Bowling Green 761 Campbell Ln Bowling Green KY 42104 Phone.
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Located in the historic downtown district of Bowling Green, The Bistro sits just two blocks from Fountain Square. Enjoy some sophisticated and fine dining right in the heart of town.
Bowling Green Restaurant Recommendations - CorvetteForum
I may be late to the party, but The Bistro in Bowling Green is amazing. Locally owned, great atmosphere in a historic building downtown, and extremely well priced for the quality.
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The Bistro1129 College St., Bowling Green, KY More Less Info. Steaks, seafood, pasta, and pizza with gourmet topping combinations inside a historic downtown cottage built in 1893
Immigrant-owned restaurants provide international flavors
Since coming to the United States in 1996, Mandrapa has opened multiple Bowling Green restaurants including The Bistro, Pub by Novo, Burger and Bowl, Toro and Speeza.
Highest-rated Restaurants in Bowling Green by Diners
- Rating: 4.3/5 (147 reviews)- Price level: $$- Address: 1129 College St. Bowling Green, Kentucky - Categories: American, Mediterranean- Read more on Yelp
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