Bistro 821

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#30 of 852 Restaurants in NaplesAmerican, Seafood, $$ - $$$

What is Travelers’ Choice?

Tripadvisor gives a Travelers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.

Bistro 821

Review

At a glance

Open until 9:30 PM

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Website

+1 239-261-5821Improve this listing

About

Travelers' Choice

2024

2023 is Bistro 821's 29th year in business. All these years we have prided ourselves as being the small locally owned Bistro on 5th Ave South. Friendly service, excellent food and a great atmosphere are our specialties. We are famous for our sea bass, prawns and snapper dishes.

Features

CUISINES

American, Seafood, European

Meal types

Dinner

Special Diets

Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten free options

FEATURES

Accepts Credit Cards

American Express

Discover

Full Bar

Gift Cards Available

Highchairs Available

Mastercard

Outdoor Seating

Reservations

Seating

Serves Alcohol

Table Service

Visa

Wheelchair Accessible

Wine and Beer

Location

821 5th Ave S, Naples, FL 34102-6640

Old Naples

Is this an European restaurant?

Yes

Unsure

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Hours

Suggest an edit

Open until 9:30 PM

Sunday

4:00 PM - 9:30 PM

Monday

Closed

Tuesday

Closed

Wednesday

4:00 PM - 9:30 PM

Thursday

4:00 PM - 9:30 PM

Friday

4:00 PM - 10:00 PM

Saturday

4:00 PM - 10:00 PM

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4.4

1,634 reviews

Excellent

1,042

Very good

395

Average

115

Poor

Terrible

Alice in Naples

Naples214 contributions

Excellent for happy hour and early dinner

Jul 2023 • friends

I went with a large group (40 +/- people) for happy hour and early dinner. The cocktails and the food were on happy hour menu ($32/person for a salad and entree). I had a Bistro 821 Cosmo, the nut/berries salad, and flat iron steak that came with mashed potatoes and green beans. Everything was excellent. I took a piece of brûlée key lime pie home for dessert, too!

Written July 24, 2023

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Sarah Lutey

Hi Alice - thanks so much for the review! We had so much fun hosting your group! Can't wait to see you again!

Written July 31, 2023

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Bratwurst66

Province of Tierra del Fuego18 contributions

Ocean Drive goes 5th Avenue

Nov 2021 • friends

A great place for those with a good palate, open eyes and deaf ears. Noisy and hectic, excellent food, good service..... Since many years 821 has consistently been a place for good food on 5th. Even during Covit Times that has not changed and now it seems even louder, more hectic and the wrong place for a quite dinner with your „whatever“... Food quality, presentation and quantity should be the focus, a conversation is impossible even with tables 3 inches further removed. Our party of four complete with reservation, masks, vaccine and test certificates were promptly seatet and handed the menue, which is quite impressive and promising. Seafood linguine, bouillabaise, and sides came quickly, looked great and tasted terrific. Only the price difference of 14$ between the two almost identical dishses, when linguine were substituted with a small (and chewy) lobster tail is not justified. We were glad to sit inside. Sidewalk dining where the tourists are strolling between the tables and only some feet away the „Wannabees“ rev up their rented Lamborghinis bringing your plate to vibrate, is not our thing.

Written November 25, 2021

nick

9 contributions

A bit of constructive criticism.

Jan 2024 • friends

Let me start out by saying we have enjoyed the Bistro on many occasions and they have never disappointed us. Our last visit was equally fine, the food and the dining room service were both excellent. My only concern, and the only reason I gave a 4 and not a 5 review is the mandatory 22% tip they now automatically place on your bar bill. Please understand I normally leave at least that amount if not more but my concern is that size tip being applied , without notice. I could easily see that to me this my be an attempt at receiving a double tip. Being in the service industry myself for many years I wonder why the management would allow such an obvious turn off.

Written January 4, 2024

KentuckyGlobetrotter

Lexington278 contributions

Sadly just average food these days and it pains me to write these words.

Apr 2024 • couples

Disappointing beyond words just how far this restaurant has fallen. Once was one of the best on 5th now it’s simply average. Won’t be back! They delivered a pork cop that honestly was nothing but a discombobulated mound of fat. There’s zero chance the chef didn’t know it was a terrible piece of pork. And the seafood risotto was dry—and that has always been their signature dish.

Written April 25, 2024

Rick D

Monticello220 contributions

Bad experience for the first time.

Feb 2022 • none

We sat on the patio for dinner. First, it was 45 minutes before we were served our entrees. My wife had the nut and berry salad (had to ask for the nuts) and it was a disappointment due to the dressing which was not like the previous times there. I had the ribeye ($58.00) and it was dry, tough, and tasteless and not the cut of meat that was previously served there. The bread was another disappointment as it was like a store-bought hard roll. I complained to the waiter and then the manager did come by and offer another entree as it was explained to him that it was not edible. By then we had been there for 90 minutes and were ready to leave. DISCLAIMER-This has been my go to restaurant on 5th avenue for years and this was the only bad meal ever there. I felt like they should at the least have deducted the price of the uneaten ribeye from my bill.

Written February 23, 2022

A T

Naples1415 contributions

Memorable Experience

Nov 2021 • none

We have usually enjoyed dining at Bistro 821. With both indoor, outdoor, and bar seating available, diners had many options. We were taken to our table immediately after receiving a warm welcome. The restaurant was filled with diners. Our table was small and had a small light that lit the table nicely to help us read the menu. Our waitress had a huge personality and told us about two specials. When the bread was brought to the table, I moved the bread plate a bit and felt something underneath it. It was a glob of butter that was on the bread plate when the table was set because I hadn’t touched the butter. Our waitress came when called to the table, removed it, wiped the remaining butter from the table, and brought a new bread plate. By that time my appetite was starting to diminish. We ordered and the couple next to us left. A fellow came to clear their table. I watched him put the used napkins in the pocket of a black apron he was wearing. When he returned to reset the table, he pulled the silverware rolled in clean napkins out of the same pocket he just put soiled ones in. The dinner I ordered was beef tenderloins with pasta and mushrooms. It should have been called mushrooms with pasta and some beef tenderloins. Needless to say I didn’t eat much.

Written November 15, 2021

Citiesandsand

United States59 contributions

Way too loud....

Nov 2021 • none

Based on numerous recommendations we went to Bistro 821 on a weeknight in November. We were a party of (2) and were seated at a small table in between two other small tables. There was hardly any room between the tables to get to the seats and as soon as we sat down we could hear the conversations on either side of us very clearly. The rest of the restaurant was filled with larger (and louder) tables. People standing up to take selfies and "group" pictures, wait staff navigating the tight spaces between tables. Our server was nice but he was very rushed. We had to ask for bread. And water. We had barley finished our appetizers when our dinner arrived and my salad was taken away from me while I was eating. The bus boy didn't hear me say I wasn't finished. We were "in and out" in less than 45 minutes. The food was fine. But the whole hectic, loud, rushed vibe was not for us. Not at that price point. Will not return.

Written December 7, 2021

shess10

Rehoboth Beach106 contributions

Slipping

Mar 2022 • friends

We recently visited Bistro with a group of friends as it has been one of our go to restaurants in Naples for the last several,years. It was busy as usual and full of energy. The wait staff seemed stressed and struggling to maintain. Our group ordered sea bass and grouper which was good as always. The pasta with mushrooms and beef tips was bland. The food was solid but it seemed something had slipped and things had changed. That was confirmed when we received our bill. Our waitress charged us each extra for the risotto side after telling us it was inter changeable. In addition, our gift certificate was dismissed by the wait staff with “we don’t do that anymore”. As our go to spot we had joined the Bistro rewards program which offers gift certificates once spending limits have been achieved. Bistro has stoped honoring their gift cards and reward program for repeat diners. Maybe due to their prime location they are focused on serving the tourist crowd vs repeat business. It’s disappointing to see your favorite restaurant slipping and turn their back on loyal locals.

Written March 26, 2022

Debbie A

Buffalo160 contributions

Sea bass and snapper are delish

Dec 2024 • family

Love the pick two or three! The snapper and sea bass are both excellent and it would be difficult to choose just one. Everyone enjoyed their meals. Restaurant is very loud. And not much space between tables making it hard for staff to serve the food. Have been many times and look forward to another great meal at Bistro 821!

Written December 28, 2024

Hrocks

Cleveland115 contributions

Returned for the Best Sea Bass on The Planet!

Jan 2023 • none

Bistro 821 is consistently excellent. There are other dishes on the menu (like a GIANT tomahawk ribeye) but we seem to gravitate to their sea bass...it literally melts in your mouth! Have met local friends and out of town visitors here, and all have raved about whatever entree they have ordered. I don't know if they changed their wine list, or if I hadn't noticed it before, but the mark ups were very inconsistent. For example: Bonanza Cab, a good cheap wine ($17-$19 retail) by Chuck Wagner of Caymus fame, for $48--almost 3X retail. We had Prisoner at $100, at the pretty standard, 2X retail. In any case, we will be back!

Written February 6, 2023

KandC_Crowthorne_UK

Crowthorne96 contributions

One of the best in Naples, Florida

Sep 2022 • couples

Another lovely meal at Bistro 821. It’s one of our favourite Naples restaurants that we enjoy each time we visit. This time however they had a special ‘Sizzle’ set menu option that was not only good value for money, but really tasty. Backed up by great service as always made for a very enjoyable evening. Thanks Bistro 821 and Jake our server

Written September 21, 2022

Sandy S

East Amherst17 contributions

tasty food but ended up sick afterwards

Feb 2021 • none

We went here with another couple and everyone enjoyed their meal. However i got violently sick later that night. Woke up the next day perfectly fine. When I talked to the manager the next day he said he really didn't think it could have been anything wrong with the food ( I had the pork chop) that I must just not be used to rich, spicy foods. He told me he would send me a gift card anyhow. I asked that he just refund my meal ($34) instead as I threw out my leftovers, because I was not going to take my chances and we live over a 1000 miles away not sure we would make it back. He said he was doing both. He sent $25 gift card ( not worth much. Our bill for the two of us was $150) And when I never saw the refund on my card, he claimed he never said he was going to do that. Gift card getting thrown away.

Written March 20, 2021

frank c

17 contributions

Paula

Nov 2023 • couples

Sat at the bar for happy hour, in the interim they gave our requested table away, knowing we were at the bar waiting. Food is always good, have been going here for over 20 years. They've now added "Paula" an automated answerer who says she'll send you a text so that you can make your reservation. Then you try to text your request and it tells you to call the restaurant. Then you call "Paula" and it starts all over. I told the hostess about this the last time in and she was aware of the problem, but nothings been done.

Written January 4, 2024

Jeangenie

1 contribution

Yesterday’s lasagna leftovers?

May 2022 • couples

We’re residents of Naples for 15 years. Friends have spoken of Bistro 821 kindly so with a summer menu at $28.99 for two courses, we thought we couldn’t lose. First off, there was a discrepancy between the happy hour drink prices on the restaurant website and those in restaurant. Bait and switch, who knows. In the end they honoured the price on the website. As for the food. My lasagna, which should have been a dependable dish came as a bowl of dried out pasta, mince and LOTS of red sauce. Too much red sauce. No béchamel. After arguing about the price of the drinks, I just ate what I could. Nice ambiance and friendly service. It’s fifth avenue, Naples. But people, you can do better.

Written May 31, 2022

kbcibelli

Naples16 contributions

Not what it used to be

Dec 2022 • none

Six of us ate here Friday night. Let me start by saying I have lived in Naples since 1996 and been a long time customer. I had the special. It was a blackened grouper with mango salsa. It was undercooked and looked like a McDonalds filet of fish. The rice patty on the side was inedible. On top of that it was the most expensive meal at the table ($49.00). I would have told the waiter how bad it was, but he never checked on us once. A different person cleared the table and never asked about why I left ALL the food on my plate. The waiter never showed up to pour wine or anything. It was a disaster from start to finish. Many other choices in Naples....I would try somewhere else if considering a meal downtown!

Written December 5, 2022