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Hours
Sun
12:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Mon
4:30 PM - 9:00 PM
Tue
4:30 PM - 9:00 PM
Wed
4:30 PM - 9:00 PM
Thu
4:30 PM - 9:00 PM
Fri
4:30 PM - 9:00 PM
Sat
12:00 PM - 9:00 PM
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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.
Ratings and reviews
4.5
Travelers' Choice 2024
RATINGS
Food
Service
Value
Atmosphere
Food and ambience
Local cuisine, American, Steakhouse, Seafood, Contemporary, Vegetarian friendly
Can a gluten free person get a good meal at this restaurant?
Details
About
With a fresh take on American cuisine using the finest ingredients, Jo's serves classy food in a casual setting. We prepare delectable seafood, numerous gluten-free options, and natural meats raised without hormones or antibiotics wherever possible. Prix fixe menu Sunday through Thursday and half-price bar menu Friday and Sunday evenings.
CUISINES
American, Steakhouse, Seafood, Contemporary
Special Diets
Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten free options
Meals
Lunch, Dinner
FEATURES
Takeout, Reservations, Outdoor Seating, Private Dining, Seating, Parking Available, Street Parking, Television, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Wine and Beer, American Express, Mastercard, Visa, Free Wifi, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service, Gift Cards Available
Contribute
4.5
873 reviews
Excellent
583
Very good
207
Average
52
Poor
18
Terrible
13
Scott S
18 contributions
Oct 2020 • couples
We visited this well-reviewed restaurant and were pleasantly surprised to not only enjoy a great meal, but also a great deal with their prix fixe dinner menu. Our beef barley soup appeared to be homemade, as advertised and our main dishes were generously portioned and handsomely plated with fresh, perfectly cooked vegetables. The pork medallions were cooked as requested and were accompanied by a sweet potato purée and a bacon jam which was awesome. The chicken piccata featured a bone-in chicken breast and garlic mashed potatoes. Between the homemade soup and main we shared a bistro salad (a la carte) which was separately plated in the kitchen for us... much appreciated. A glass of wine was also included and both the red and white were more than passable...we liked them both.
All covid19 safety procedures seemed to be followed and we observed the table next to us being thoroughly cleaned after the guest departed.
Too full for dessert but they sounded great!
Written October 16, 2020
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.
JoannC1033
Thank you for this great review, Scott! We are happy to hear you enjoyed your meal with us and hope to serve you again soon.
Written October 24, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Dion D
8 contributions
Nov 2019 • none
Stopped into Jo's Bistro after our trolley tour and mansion visits during Thanksgiving recess. The trolley driver recommended Jo's as an affordable gourmet restaurant. So glad we wrapped up our weekend at Jo's because we caught the Sunday 3-course prix-fixe $21 special and it was amazing! Great food for the money. Never had Salmon prepared like this. We'll be back when we return to Newport during the warmer weather.
Written January 25, 2020
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.
JoannC1033
Thank you for the great review, Dion! We hope you enjoyed your visit to Newport, the trolley and mansion tours are always fantastic. We are so happy to hear you enjoyed your meal with us, our prix fixe menu is a guest favorite! We look forward to serving you again the next time you're in town.
Written February 11, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Dawn B
15 contributions
Feb 2020 • family
We had seen many positive reviews about this restaurant and following a dance competition decided to give it a try. We were a party of seven leaving the dance menu and starving. Being unfamiliar with the area, we decided to chance this restaurant and locked in expecting we would have no difficulty being seated. we did not realize the popularity of the restaurant! The minute we walked in the host just asked us if we had a reservation to which we replied, " Did we need one?" The hostess chuckled and examine the books and was able to immediately seated us with the condition that we finish our meal before the arrival of the expected reservation for that same table! We agreed, had phenomenal service and a most outstanding meal! The staff was fun, constantly checked in on us, made sure that our dancers were happy and that the adults were happy. The lobster carbonara had huge pieces of lobster meat and the portion was so large I had to take leftovers home! Everyone had a phenomenal meal and the desserts were a perfect way to end. We highly recommend the cappuccino cheesecake! All in all, they squeezed in a party of 7 with no reservation ... we left happy with bellies full, and the restaurant was left with a great review, a sizable check, and hopefully a satisfying tip! We will be sure to return the next time we are in Newport and this time we will know enough to make a reservation!
Written March 3, 2020
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.
JoannC1033
Thank you for your kind words, Dawn! We strive to provide excellent customer service and send our customers out the door full and happy and are so happy to hear that was just your experience. We thank you for taking the time to write this review and look forward to serving you again when you're back in Newport.
Written March 13, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
rnmassage
122 contributions
Oct 2021 • none
We chose Jo's because we couldn't easily find a place to eat near the water. This bistro is in an easy to find/park location and is lovely inside. The menu is not huge, but offers a mix of high to mid-priced items that all sounded appealing and interesting.
My husband ordered clam chowder which was good, but nothing special. I ordered lobster bisque. It was beautifully presented, with a nicely sized lobster piece in the center. Unfortunately, it was little more than a bland tomato soup with that delicious piece of lobster in the middle. Disappointing for sure, compared to two other lobster bisques we'd had at much more modest places. I had a salad which was good and my husband had a pizza like offering which was also nice.
All in all, a lovely restaurant with pretty mediocre food, but with good service. After this eating experience, I would be leary about ordering a high-priced offering.
Written October 22, 2021
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.
GranolaGal
249 contributions
Jul 2021 • none
We've dined here on our last three visits to Newport and always leave saying we'll be back again. We walked in without a reservation but they were able to accommodate us with a seat at the bar which worked out fine. The food is prepared with finesse, is fresh and healthy. The prix-fixe starter salad was a flavorful, lightly dressed salad of fresh greens, dill, cucumber and tomato. The bourbon glazed salmon over farro, tomato and shaved brussel sprout was delicious - a delectable glaze and fish perfectly cooked. Would get this again. The lobster roll was fresh with light mayo, the coleslaw also was light on the mayo which we appreciated. Would order this again, too. Management seems very engaged with the staff and runs a tight ship. Everything seems extremely clean, staff is friendly and still wearing masks for the safety of customers. Restrooms are attractively appointed and spotless. We'll be back! Highly recommend.
Written July 8, 2021
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.
Joann C
Thank you for the awesome review! We are so happy to hear that you've chosen to dine with us during your last three visits to Newport! We look forward to seeing you again soon.
Written July 28, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Julie P
Connecticut41 contributions
Feb 2021 • none
On a recent trip to Newport, my daughters and I were looing for something other than the usual places like Brick Alley and Red Parrot, Through recommendations on Instagram we chose here and we were very glad we did. We were greeted at the front door and politely advised of their COVID protocol which was the usual "wear your mask when not at your table" and additionally "please put your mask back on when staff approaches your table". Reasonable requests in my book. We were shown to a table upstairs where the tables were well spaced with plexiglass between them.
We started with the Southern Fried Chicken Bites which were good and gave us some time to choose our entrees. Two of us chose our dinners from the Prix Fixe menu and our meals were delicious. I chose the salad and hangar steak. The salad dressing was very tasty. The steak was cooked a little on the rare side for me but it was still flavorful. The other Prix Fixe meal we had was the clam chowder and Chicken Piccata. My daughter said both were excellent. My other daughter enjoyed the Grilled Shrimp on a bed of BLT Risotto. She loved both. I tried her Risotto and was very impressed. Shout out to Kaylen, she was our server and very good. Overall we loved this place and will definitely be back.
Written March 4, 2021
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.
Joann C
Thank you so much for your thoughtful review, Julie. We are so happy that you and your daughters enjoyed your meals and Kaylen's excellent service. Additionally, thank you for sharing your appreciation for the extra COVID-19 precautions we take. We look forward to serving your family again soon.
Written March 15, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
rikster29
Lafayette Hill179 contributions
Jul 2021 • couples
My husband and I were up in Newport for a long weekend getaway and brought our 2 year old German shepherd Max. For our last night in town we wanted to bring max as he gets anxious when traveling and were told Jo's was dog friendly. They have a small outdoor seating area and were able to give us a table that was set apart from other diners on the side of the restaurant which was perfect. We went with the fixed price special menu and were very happy with the quality of our meals. I had the salmon and my husband got skirt steak and both were perfectly cooked with delicious sides. Our waitress loved Max and brought him a bowl of water right away and a whole carafe of ice cubes when we told her he loved chewing ice cubes. We got the creme brulee for dessert and it was amazing. Can't say enough good things about this place! Highly recommend and will definitely be back when I'm in town.
Written August 23, 2021
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.
Joann C
Thank you for the wonderful review! We're so happy to hear how much you, your husband, and doggies enjoyed your experience :) We look forward to serving you again next getaway in Newport.
Written August 24, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Travelview5523
Boston11 contributions
May 2020 • none
We had as take out the salmon dinner and everything was wonderful! From the fresh rolls with flavorful whipped butter to the exceptional bourbon glazed salmon with farro and vegetables that was so flavorful! The peach bread pudding, with instructions for heating and adding the glaze was fantastic. We have been to Jo's Bistro many times and love the food. Our recent experience with take out at many "good" restaurants has been disappointing. This is certainly not the case with Jo's. We will be back again soon!
Written May 10, 2020
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.
JoannC1033
Thank you for the excellent review! We strive to give the same experience whether our guests choose to dine-in or take their order to go and we are happy to hear you experienced just that. We look forward to serving you again soon!
Written June 11, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
dnaddeo1
Franklin Lakes6 contributions
Nov 2020 • family
Rushed! We had made an 8pm reservation for Saturday 11/21/2020 bc restaurant showed no availability. Was told by hostess on phone to try to come at 7:45 since we really wanted an earlier reservation. When we were greeted by 2 people at the hostess stand. We were spoken to like children regarding the safety precautions. We are all well aware to wear our masks! We were wearing them properly. Use sanitizer etc. We were escorted to our table in an almost empty downstairs dining room next to the bar. Besides having to wear our masks even after our drinks arrived. Our waitress made us feel like she wanted to go home before taking our order. Commenting she felt as tired as my daughter. I get that we were the only table however, we were told to come at 8pm and we were 15min early. Aren’t you there to make money. Especially during a pandemic when so many are out of work. I even offered to pay early so she could leave and she abruptly told me she had to stay until we left. It was frustrating because it is not an inexpensive restaurant and we wanted to enjoy ourselves in peace. We chugged our last bits of wine and left. Not a totally bad experience. The food was delicious but service was below average! Not sure I would return. I hate being rushed!
Written November 23, 2020
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.
Joann C
We're so sorry to hear about your experience. We're typically known for our exceptional service and are sorry to hear we missed the mark for you. We strive to treat each guest like family and hope you'll give us another chance to impress you.
Written December 12, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
luv2trvl09NY
New York City460 contributions
Jul 2020 • none
We made a last minute reservation at Jo's Bistro for dinner and luckily, they were able to accommodate our request for an outdoor table. We were seated almost immediately on the second floor patio wherein social distancing was practiced with tables amply spaced apart and partitions installed in between.
The ambiance of Jo's Bistro was casual but elegant. The owner, the hostess and the waitstaff, were professional and friendly.
As for the food, it was excellent throughout. The presentation of each dish was well executed and the accompaniments were well thought out. For starters, we had the clam chowder which was creamy and delicious. It was so good we cleaned our bowls with the freshly baked bread served with it. For entrees, I had the salmon and it was cooked perfectly. I loved the farro and the vegetables it came with. My husband, on the other hand, ordered the hanger steak which was cooked medium, sliced thin and was juicy and tender. For dessert, the cappuccino cheesecake with oreo crust was a wonderful ending to our meal.
We absolutely enjoyed our entire dining experience at Jo's Bistro that we look forward to going back there for an amazing meal when we return to Newport.
Written July 16, 2020
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.
JoannC1033
Thank you for the wonderful review! We appreciate you taking the time to write this detailed review and are so happy to hear you were pleased with your visit from start to finish. We look forward to serving you the next time you're in town!
Written September 5, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Eats Alot
2 contributions
Jun 2020 • none
Jo’s Bistro was a last minute choice for us during the first week open with COVID crisis. The staff went above and beyond to ensure our dining experience was safe and enjoyable. I was happy to be so close to the downtown area, but still be able to enjoy a quieter outside dining experience with less hustle and bustle. Staff was personable, drinks were made well and the food was fantastic. Staff and chef were also extremely considerate to my families gluten allergy and did not let accommodations affect the foods quality. I highly recommend it and look forward to returning.
Written June 13, 2020
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.
JoannC1033
Thank you for this great review! We have always, and will always, put the safety of our guests and staff first and we're so happy to hear we were able to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience in regards to COVID-19 and allergies. We hope to serve you again soon!
Written July 11, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Jessie B
New Britain18 contributions
Jun 2020 • couples
They are doing a great job with the covid social distancing! the service was absolutely wonderful!
Wow.
So, this place, Jo's American Bistro the Cesar salad, tasty, but the chowder,
Y'all, I'm a picky chowder eater.... I usually add a squeeze of lemon and pepper. I added the pepper, but it really didn't need it and I didn't even bother with the lemon. This was AMAZING. The winner for the weekend so far.
Perfect thickness, plenty of clams and taters and the flavor was just ideal.
The salmon was PERFECTLY cooked, the farro and sprouts and I think lima(which normally, ew) was all perfect.
The lobster carbonara was delicious, oh so rich, and huge portion!
The cocktails were tasty, but daaaaamn the food!
Go here, make your reservations! and go!
Written June 21, 2020
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.
JoannC1033
Thank you for this great review, Jessie! We strive to meet customer expectations and we're happy to hear we hit the mark for you in every way. We appreciate your support and hope to serve you again soon.
Written July 11, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
CiaoBella112
Highland74 contributions
Sep 2020 • none
Our first night in Newport we had dinner at Jo’s. The Inn where we were staying made the reservations for us and we were seated outside (our request) on a lovely upper terrace which was above the noise of the street and very pleasant. Our server, Pearson, was attentive, knowledgeable and efficient.
I had the scallops. They were fabulous. Five perfectly cooked scallops on a bed of smooth corn-potato puree with the freshest tomatoes, corn niblets, peas and herbs of the season. My husband had the lobster carbonara which was surprisingly light, smokey and delicious, and filled with chunks of lobster, bacon, peas and tomatoes. Outstanding! We finished the meal with a deeply flavorful raspberry sorbet. The perfect ending of a perfect meal.
The proprietor, Jo, stopped by to chat with us and we had a lovely conversation. She was warm and welcoming and justifiably proud of her restaurant.
We thoroughly enjoyed our dinner and highly recommend Jo’s American Bistro.
Written September 26, 2020
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.
JoannC1033
Thank you for this wonderful review! We strive to meet customer expectations and are so happy to hear we hit the mark for you during your visit. We hope to serve you again the next time you're in town.
Written October 24, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Cusetravellady
Syracuse418 contributions
Feb 2020 • none
Cozy, casual atmosphere. They offer live music in the bar on some nights. Excellent food (upscale tavern food) and a lively vibe. Recommended dishes are burgers, the half chicken, the duck, and the lobster carbonara. It is VERY popular and it is wise to make reservations in advance. We love Jo’s!
Written February 19, 2020
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.
JoannC1033
Thank you for the great review and your kind words! Your recommended dishes are some of our guest favorites so we cannot help but agree. We thank you for your continued support and look forward to serving you again soon.
Written March 13, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Dreamer773576
7 contributions
Jul 2022 • family
First, we were greeted at the sidewalk rudely by the owner as we were leaving off my 90 year old mother …she barked everyone has to be in your party or we don’t seat you. With no parking for miles and there was three out of four of us present. We go inside and the hostess sits us…we are on time for our reservation and hostess is surprised that the owner told us that. We begin to order. My son has numerous food allergies …we go down the list and everything we asked if he could have was a no. Finally, find grilled chicken then the incorrigible owner comes out …she can only give us grilled chicken and veggies …no potato…no oil.. she didn’t have any…and told us she had to go in the basement for a potato…the kitchen was too busy for that..what???? Ask if they can give us a side of olive oil …she cannot doesn’t have any olive oil…everything suggested was contaminated …why? One can assume that Almost everything on menu had to be prepackaged ..nothing made on premises …everything comes prepped…processed…or frozen…no chef came out…can bet there is no chef..just food line cooks…the owner interjected herself from sidewalk to table with attitude and rudeness never seen by anyone ever…she was mad when I questioned her and told me not to question her …I was was shocked an appalled …they charge $38 for lobster carbonara too and not fresh …if you cannot accommodate a person with food allergies don’t serve them and list it on your website…and don’t ask for allergies on reservation site and then ignore it. This is an overpriced revamped rendition of a chain style restaurant. The owner has no manners, no customer service, no bedside manner, and to enrage and speak to a customer in such a condescending manner was appalling and shocking…we walked out..we have traveled the world and have had chefs cook from scratch …off menu for my son with no issue…to her I was demanding and awful…well good for you…you had lots of empty tables for a reason and people should know you food is processed, frozen, and pre made offsite…you’re a sham.
Written July 8, 2022
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.
Joann C
Hello, I am sorry to hear about your experience with us. We try our very best at all times to try to find an accommodation to guests' allergies. Our guests' health and safety is always foremost in our mind when addressing allergies. There are times when guest food preferences and allergies limit our safe options to offer as in this case.
Written July 11, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
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