Reviews of Bistro 501 (Restaurant)

Zuul the destroyer

Excellent lunch experience

Robert E Jansen

This is the best restraiant in Lafayette.They have an outstanding menu and wine list and their desserts are to die for.

Brett Clark

Great food, good prices, and fantastic services. Great place for a business lunch or a dinner date.

Michael Labek

Excellent brunch. The breakfast tamales were delicious!

Ryan Schlueter

Great food and service. I came here for a graduation dinner with family and everyone loved it!

S. Lee Gooding

Delicious. Unique. Nothing else like this in Lafayette.

David Watkins

Nice experience. We haddnt been in years as it was always to stuffy for us. The atmosphere and dress code are much more relaxed. The food was very good.

YC L

The food was very pricy but tasted just meh

Rob G

Another great meal served today. Place was packed, but they gave us a table in the bar, which we love anyway. Food was great, service was even better. Thanks Dakota and Mary for today!

Nishit Banka

It was great. Went to buffet Brunch with family and thoroughly enjoyed it. Great place and great service.

Bruno

Best Clam back ever. Sat at the longest table of my life! They closed the street and set up a 92 seat table. Perfectly done authentic decor with white table and burlap top. Buckets of butter with lemon for fresh lobster dinner. Great time so many friends. Just a blast! Bistro always fun excellent food. White cloth tables. Great service and food. This resturant is an all women / girl /lady owned and operated. Chef excellent food excellent. Must try.

Tobi Akerele

The food is pretty good, I had the chicken something and it was splendid

crelte

Brunch is excellent

V del Real

You must try the biscuits and gravy on Sunday mornings!

Kevin Baker

Have had brunch and dinner here. Food is.excellent, service has always been great. Reservations are recommended even on a week night.

Prajakta Waghmare

Loved their desserts! Good service

Tom Hansen

Good food & service. Enjoy eating with friends there.

Sneha B

Wow. Just WOW! definitely #1 in town! It should be in everybody's list!!

Ashima Krishna

Good food-- I wish they had more vegetarian choices.

Sandra Boone

Exquisite food options, very good service, and great atmosphere!

Mike H

Really nice atmosphere and service, but the food was a bit disappointing. Seasonings and sauces could be better, and my entrée was overcooked. The cheese for the wedge salad was poor quality, and the prices were pretty high for locally sourced foods. It could use more attention to detail and used to be better.

Crystal Mart

Prices are fair for the food quality, close parking, good service.

Ram Subramanian

Great food. Wonderful hostess.

Lucia Rodriguez

Was a great place to eat at! At first I thought it was an Italian place and when I found out it was French I was really intimidated by the menu but it turned out to be pretty good, even the snails. Although it still grosses me out thinking I ate a snail. Service was a little slow but it was a really good time, I would definitely recommend

Andrew Trinh

Great place, server was nice and friendly. I ordered the pad thai, which is coconut milk based... wasn't my cup of tea. But everyone else did have an enjoyable time.

Sylvia Gordon

The best restaurant in Lafayette. I drive 9 minutes to eat here! Try the bone marrow on bread.

SM

Mary and the girls hit a home run with their Easter Brunch. As usual they went above and beyond in every aspect of delivering nothing less than stellar. Thank you and don’t ever leave Lafayette.

Melony Ramsey

It is one of the most amazing restaurants in this area. Food was superb and so was the service. We love going there on date nights.

jeananne Stephenson

Outstanding, food is absolutely the best. Presentation is always very special. Atmosphere is lovely and desserts are unique and devine. Today they were very busy and service very slow which was very disappointing but these things happen from time to time. I will always recommend Bistro as top spot in Lafayette.

Jakob Knigga

I came here for brunch and it was excellent! The food was great and the staff are super friendly. At the time I was on a strict diet from my doctor and they were very accommodating to that as well!

Linda Myers

Everything was perfect. My taste buds were dancing.. I had a French martini which was made just right. Hot bread just out of the oven. Carrot coconut soup with just enough spicy flavor. Barrata and blueberries with Steak that was bursting with flavor. Sticky carmel carrot cake left you wanting more but I was stuffed. Very welcoming atmosphere. This will be a lasting memory for my son's graduation. Thank you Bistro 501!

Jessica Woodruff

Great food, great service, great atmosphere. I've been eating at Bistro for almost 15 years. It has new life since the new ownership/management. The seasonal menus are amazing. Brunch is excellent on Sundays and the outdoor seating is so welcoming. Start to finish an excellent experience. Will be a regular customer for the next 15 years! You will not be disappointed choosing Bistro 501.

Tamzin Malone

I wish I could give this restaurant more than 5 stars. Every experience I've had at Bistro 501 has been wonderful. The food is inventive, thoughtful, and always delicious. The wine selection is varied and well-chosen. The servers are professional and competent. I can't say enough good things about Bistro 501. Did I mention the desserts? Everything there is top-notch.

Robert Kirchubel

Very good, had the pork chops. I appreciated the Laphroaig!

Jason Vance

I have dined at this fine establishment 100 times. They are still great. you wont be disappointed. Order the Caprese salad appetizer for sure....

Nicole Morris

Wonderful cocktail selection! We only had cocktails and dessert, but plan to return for more! Bartender was great and service was excellent!

Claude Foreit

I travel from Chicago to Lafayette and Indy frequently and this restaurant is outstanding! As good or better than what we have in Chicago or Indy.

Mick La Lopa

Used to be the best but inconsistent on food and service

Elise Lenehan-Geurs

What a NEAT experience! So glad that we tried this place, I have been wanting to go for years. Wonderful service and amazing food. Well worth the money.

Susan Schechter

My favorite special occasion dining location in Greater Lafayette. Cozy atmosphere, an interesting food and drink menu that is updated seasonally. The food is reliably delicious.

Heather Lavey

The food was amazing. Something for everyone. Meet some vegan friends there and we all found several items we feel in love with. Staff was great and very helpful when we couldn't decide! Will definitely return.

Helen Wheels

Favorite! Great family. Servers are smart and well informed. Love the atmosphere!

Russell Kaspar

Bistro 501 provides a respite after a long day or a great place to punctuate a celebration. The French flair is adds welcome variety to the palate and my wife and I look forward to our next visit. The fact that Bistro 501 is a family-owned enterprise adds another reason to try it out. Service is generally very good...but if I had to pick one area that was not always 10 out of 10, service would be it. I can’t tell you exactly what I am talking about, but I know it when I see it at this level.

Amy Vance

The best martinis in town and the food is always great too, along with the service!!

Breanne Elko

Great atmosphere. Great food.

Ethan Crites

Waitress didn't check on us once and the $18 burger wasn't worth $12.

Victoria Huang

I would have given this restaurant five stars as the food was *so amazing*, except for the terrible rudeness of the hostess. Our reservation was for 6:45, which the restaurant had called to confirm that day, but when we arrived there had been some mistake and our name was written for 7. This would have been fine, mistakes happen and we weren’t in a hurry. However when I told the hostess that the reservation was for 6:45 she basically accused me of lying, in front of all my in laws, insisting that I couldn’t be right because that wasn’t what she had in her book. She then told me to sit and wait in the rudest possible fake-polite way. It was incredibly embarrassing. Edit: I updated this review after a thoughtful response from the restaurant. The hostess accusing me of lying put us off to a bad start, so a joke from the manager was interpreted the wrong way. I also added one star. The food really is delicious!

R Gwin

In my long years of eating lunch out at various places I, as everyone, have had a range of experiences. But, I can say that I have had only two "memory burn" experiences. This is my second. Everything was exceptional. Beginning with Justin, my server. He was attentative and had great suggestions when asked. I had the three cheese quiche-perfection. I would have never thought to put blue cheese in a quiche -but it works on so many levels. I did suggest that their raspberry poppy seed dressing be bottled. It definitely would be my "go to" dressing. Since it isn't I have a great reason to return in the future. The only disappointment was that they no longer offer the Earl Grey chocolate pot. I was shocked that clients didn't appreciate the dessert. But I wasn't disappointed with the suggested substitute. The carrot cake with homemade cream cheese ice cream-thank you Justin. The weather was perfect to sit outside and enjoy. I truly was sorry it had to end. Thank all for this "memory burn" lunch!

Mary Edith Butler

Excellent, cheerful service. Food was great, especially the desserts. I need the recipe for the Crooked Branch Pear Cocktail! Beautiful decor.

Mercy Festus

My fiancé made a reservation for my birthday and I was excited to go. The place is nice inside and quiet which is good, the food is pricey so keep that in mind, the size of food they have was so tiny, the crab ball appetizer we had was so good but then I had lobster and fish with some potatoes for mains course and it wasn’t that good, I couldn’t even eat half of it, I was definitely disappointed to pay that amount to get a food like that, my fiancé had burger and that was definitely so good. Also as a French restaurant I was expecting really good French flavored food but I think it tasted like American food. The bread they gave was also really good. The waiter wes a little bit weird, he probably only said 3 words to us and was kind of rushing us to order. So I’m only giving 3 starts for the burger and bread.

Bob

Fantastic food & Service! We'll Definitely return

Craig Girton

Great food in a nice environment, nestled in busy downtown! Always great food and service. Brittany does a wonderful job as a server and making you feel comfortable, will definitely be back!

Hope Zink

Great service and Beautiful environment. They food was outstanding and it is always great to see the owner walking around mingling with guest

Ashley Clark

Celebrating our anniversary, we got sat (with a reservation) the minute we walked in. Our server (Ryan) was absolutley delightful and helpful in our choices for pairing a nice bottle of wine with our dinner. The food we had, no substitutions of course, was absolutely perfect. The steak was cooked wonderfully, the aioli on the calamari hit home, and the carrot cheesecake was absolute. The 501 is never a disappointment and we were so happy to have shared our wonderful evening in this beautiful place.

Nickolas Zoffman

We love Bistro 501. We happened to pick it as for the anniversary of the first year we started dating and have made it a tradition each year. They are always amazing. The food is great and the staff patient and friendly.

Claudia Hanau

The service is always great. The atmosphere is incredibly cozy and inviting. They are so willing to accomodate any dietary need no matter how busy thay are. There was a white bean stew as a side dish for the duck entree. I asked to have it alone in an entree portion and voila! It was probably the tastiest bean dish I have ever eaten!! Bravo to the amazing chefs!!

David Frushour

Unparalleled service and food. The atmosphere is over the top.

LAFFY BOYS

Best UPSCALE Restaurant in area

Shazia S

We have been going there for years and it’s just a great restaurant. Great service, good food and superb ambiance.

Carolyn Butera

Excellent meal, amazing service, and warm inviting atmosphere

Kathleen Jones

Amazing atmosphere, family-friendly, and nothing but Exquisite food. My #1 recommendation to anyone local or visiting in the area. No mistakes!

Rusty Paver

It was great. The food and service was wo fearful. We will be back the next time we are in town.

Ben

Excellent food and service. Nice atmosphere. Acoustics are poor, cannot hear across your table at dinner times.

Michael Haan

Food is excellent. Service is excellent. Atmosphere is excellent. Just go. You won't be sorry.

Dennis Meador

Service was great. Limited menu. My lady loved the food. I ordered the same main course and thought it was okay. Personally, I thought it was way overpriced but there isn't much competition in Lafayette for high end dining.

Nicolas Thorel

Finally - a place in America that does appropriately-sized portions! With excellent quality to back up their mouth-watering menu, the service is friendly and the setting is formal and impressive. Well-priced for the food quality on display.

Dmitriy Martynov

The best food i have had in a long time

James Drury

I will come back from Chicago for a meal here. Rack of lamb 5 stars. I feel at home. I cannot say enough great things 2 say about bistro 501. Oh yes...my server was superb. Take some time 2 talk 2 Mary. Key lime pie just arrived...Nutrisytem diet is out the window 2 night and I do not care.

Sarah Hemmer

We had a special celebration for my mom's 96th birthday. There were 7 of us, and we got a nice, quiet area. Food was fabulous and service was on top of things! We will definitely be back, both before, and for, her 97th!

Marsha Derry

Everything was PERFECT!!!! The staff and food were amazing! So happy to have my nieces graduation lunch here. The Christmas decorations were so beautiful! Perfect place for a special celebration!!!

Ct Pham

What a fine place to eat the staff is very fast very professional bartender gets you your item very quickly the food is top notch

Saurabh Misra

Had a nice ,cozy dinner with close friends The ambience was comforting. The service was pretty good - courteous and quick. The menu offers a wide selection and the food we ordered was delicious. Not to mention, filling .

Dan Huber Dan Huber

Not real French cuisine.They do the American thing and over complicate all their dishes.I am only giving them two stars because they good service and outstanding pommes frites

Donna Lane

Went for the Sunday Brunch. The eggs Benedict were so good. The mimosas wonderful. Jim had breakfast tamales he ate to all Better bacon was yummy. We will go back. Nice relaxing atmosphere.

Bridgette Hirsch

We had a fabulous time! We were a large party celebrating a graduation and the food and service were amazing! The best salmon ever! ❤️❤️❤️

Rohan Tikmany

Went there for brunch. The rice bowl was amazing and so was the shrimp cocktail. Really good ambience and service !

Fiona Akomolede

The food and atmosphere are both phenomenal! Great wine list, amazing service, and delicious food. The hubs and I were both thrilled with our meals- he had the duck, and I had a spinach and ricotta cannelloni, which was some of the best pasta I'd ever eaten.

Angela Bennett

Love this place. Great cuisine. Servwra and atmosphere are more than amazing!

Rob Pietsch

Overpriced place with so-so food. Always a wait. Service isn't the fastest.

Keith Axtell

Great corner bistro! I’ve had brunch and lunch here, and everything I’ve had has never disappointed.

Valerie Johnson Renk

Best breakfast wrap EVER. Excellent service also. Too full for the fun list of desserts. Our local friends rave about thirs place!

Stephanie Szemetylo

Loved the smoked salmon crêpe!

Mindy Strumpf

Awful service and awful food. Better off at Triple X Dinner

Curtis Young

Wow! Why did it take so long to discover this place? This is the quintessential French bistro... the real deal. My Pancakes were devine... any time you're in Lafayette... this is a must stop!!

Hoda Ehsan

Long long waiting time, but the food is awesome! Beautiful place. A very good choice for having a date!

Jonathan Fisher

I'd go again, but I think they must have recently cleaned. It's an older building, so perhaps some scents stick around longer than desired.

Trevor Lardinois

I have had two dinners at Bistro 501. The ambiance is high-quality, but the food was underwhelming, especially for the price. Of all the lauded restaurants in Lafayette, don't try this one first.

Jim Farrell

Great place and a very friendly staff

Abhishek Ravikiran

The one star is because the only things good there were 2 of the appetizers. Our risottos were well below the standards to justify the price tag, the scallops and the poutine had more salt than the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans and the steak was served very rare and cold when ordered for medium rare. Now for the orders, we had ordered a couple of soups which was never served and we were charged for them and I had to wait 1.5hrs for the steak because they somehow got my order wrong and took 1hr to make the duck risotto. Overall, I'd never go there again.

TheFlawless2424

First off the food was delicious. We ate and had a waitress by the name of Brittany I believe. She went above and beyond. Usually when the food is great the customer service is not. At Bistro the food and customer service is awesome! Thank you . Will be back!

Fei Han

Great food!

Keith Farrington

Soooooo so good

S P

Nice restaurant! Great little place.

Mark Gordish

Great Food, Great Helpful Staff.

Marlise Langenhoven

Excellent Cuisine and Superb Wine Selection

Gail Gripe

Great fun and beautiful music as choirs from two churches sang Christmas music. Oh, the food was great, too.

Claire-Anne Aikman

This was a terrific discovery - found thanks to a friend - lovely wait staff, top notch food with plenty of options, all in a cozy environment. check hours bcz they are not open through an entire day (close up after lunch and before dinner)

Daniel Virden

G great food but a little pricey

Tonya Kirkendall

Bistro is my favorite place . Always delicious food. Service is wonderful. The shrimp and grits on the bruch menu is awesome. Never been disappointed

Zachary Miller

Wonderful food and an outstanding atmosphere.

Dennis Sorge

Good but pricey food; good service.

Cody Tyler

The duck poutine is the perfect comfort food.

tony cron

Great food and service. It was very loud that was the only draw back.

Jason Wornom

Great service and super good food.

Cindy Lebens

We came in for brunch and the food was good. Very friendly staff, great experience.

James Chaplin

Very good value

Marc Cohen

Enjoyed a nice Sunday brunch at Bistro 501. The atmosphere is what you would expect from a French bistro, the food was well prepared and thought out. My kids were welcomed and the staff was friendly to us all.

Nathan Riggle

Great food and great service. Our waitress was amazing as we were having a business meeting and she would come in at the perfect times to refill drinks and take our order.