Bistro 214

Great food. I really enjoyed the tomato basil soup. My husband liked his ribeye. Drinks were ok. Disappointed that a 20% gratuity was included on our bill when we received it. I prefer to reward service on my own rather than have it forced on me. So although we enjoyed it, we likely won’t be back. Sorry.

As a fellow business owner, I’m more disappointed by the owner’s defensive response than by the poor service from Meredith. My review was meant to raise a valid concern — one shared by six other customers in the past month — yet it was met with zero apology and a statement that the owner “stands behind staff” regardless of a customer’s account. I wasn’t looking for free food or money, only for an attitude change from a staff member whose behavior is damaging the restaurant’s reputation. Great food and atmosphere, but when obvious service issues are dismissed and customers are made to feel wrong for speaking up, it shows misplaced priorities. My conversation with this Owner will continue to be made publicly known as I will not allow myself or others to be disrespected.

Great meal. We tried the warm goat cheese salad. It had the most delectable crunch to the cheese with an added fresh, flavorful crisp of apples. The filet mignon was cooked to my preference of medium. Even to the non mushroom lovers you may enjoy the jus served with it, just order it on the side! The salmon was served on a bed of a citrus orzo with tomatoes. Great flavor profile! I would recommend this place if you find yourself in Shelby.

As a nearby resident, I’ve always appreciated the convenience of this restaurant and the warm atmosphere it once had. Unfortunately, my recent experiences have been disappointing. During a visit, our server, Meredith, was openly rude, and when a family member brought these concerns to the owner, the response was dismissive and unprofessional — including negative remarks about myself and my friends. After we placed our order it took over hour for our food to be served. Regretfully, since the change in ownership, the hallmark Southern hospitality that once made this restaurant special has diminished. I hope management takes this feedback seriously, as there’s still great potential for this place to thrive again.

Everyone ss friendly. Filet was cooked to perfection. My server Susan did an outstanding job explaining menu as well as her service.i will definitely be back

My husband and I went yesterday and it was absolutely amazing. Definitely a 10 out of 10 for the service and the food. We will definitely be back!

This place was INCREDIBLE!! I have been to a lot of the high end places in Charlotte (Beef n Bottle, Ruth's Chris, etc) and my partner and I agreed this was the best steak we have ever had in our lives!! We started with the mushroom tart and it was amazing - flaky pastry, savory mushrooms, gooey cheese, basically everything you could want in an appetizer. We both ordered the ribeye special, it came with asparagus and mashed potatoes, but I subbed mine for the potato croquette. The steak was literally the best steak I've ever had in my life, perfectly cooked, perfectly seasoned... Yum. Even the side items were amazing, which often isn't the case. The asparagus was also well seasoned and charred perfectly and the croquette was crispy and delicious. We ended up each getting a dessert (we took half of the steaks and potatoes home - it was even amazing heated up for lunch the next day!) He got the chocolate cake and I got the creme brulee. Perfect, perfect end to one of the best meals in my life

The gentleman providing live guitar music was great. I got sick after eating here and they charged me a 20% tip on my ticket without regard for my wife nor I. They didn't even serve what I paid for... sad really... 😔 It's hard to trust restaurants anymore

If you've never been to Shelby, NC you are missing one of the prettiest downtown areas a small town can offer. I was so charmed by all of the quaint restaurants along the strip frequented by the locals of the town, everything within walking distance. On this night we chose to dine with Ni Fen Bistro and had one of the best dining experiences I've had in a while. Ni Fen has a very open feel, with few tables and high ceilings. I was struck by the large front door as we entered, very welcoming! We had a reservation, and were quickly seated at a spacious table. Our waitress took the order for our drinks and was very knowledgeable about wine selections. We ordered appetizers and salads and then our lovely server brought us some of the best bread we'd ever put in our mouths. Crusty on the outside, chewy on the inside, we ate two basketfuls with the olive oil and balsamic vinegar they brought out as soon as we sat. I ordered the Spinach Salad which was enormous! Fresh spinach leaves topped with shaved red onion, bacon, chopped hard-boiled egg, blue cheese crumbles and candied pecans and dressed with a sherry vinaigrette. It was fresh and delicious with just the right touch of richness from the cheese and eggs offset by the sharpness of the vinaigrette. A simple dish done perfectly. My date ordered Pot Stickers for his first course. The homemade stickers were filled with a spicy chicken mixture speckled with ginger and green onions. The tipping point came when we dipped the little gems into the ponzu sauce. When Dustin finished his pot stickers he poured the ponzu sauce out on his plate to sop up with his bread. It was that good! Our friends got steamed mussels, which was a special on this night. They were succulent! They were tender and seasoned so deliciously, full of parsley and garlic. And truly, the best part was the broth that collected at the bottom of the plate that we all helped sop up with that wonderful bread. The portion was enormous, too! My entrée was a special for the night: Lobster Thermidor. Who does that?? I rarely see it on menus (at least around here) anymore, but after eating it Friday, I think it deserves a resurgence. This one was lighter than ones I've had before, with a light wine broth enrobing the chunks of lobster and sliced mushrooms. Again, the bread came in handy. The men both got another special that night: Seared scallops with a beurre blanc sauce. It was served with mashed potatoes and haricots vert. The scallops were cooked perfectly with a light sear on the outside and creamy firm insides. And they tasted so fresh! The sauce was amazing and delicate, a perfect accompaniment. The mashed potatoes were creamy and rich, with plenty of seasoning. The haricots vert (you know, green beans) were bland, but who cares? I will say that the rest of my tablemates loved them, but you can't trust them. My friend got the third special of the night: Filet Mignon. Oh, it was a perfect slab of beef with just the right amount of color. It is rare that we leave a restaurant when my friend doesn't need a doggy bag, but on this night, she ate the whole steak. It was just that good. After all of that delicious food, there was just no way that dessert could compete. But, to make a completed review, we all took one for the team and ordered them anyway. I had a flourless chocolate cake which ended up being more like a Torte that a cake. It was very dense and rich and I could only eat a few bites. We got Bananas Ni Fen which is bananas in a rum glaze, reminiscent of Bananas Foster, atop a scoop of ice cream in what tasted like a Phylo dough bowl. It was fresh and yummy. We all agreed that the chef of this restaurant uses a deft hand with the spices and has the experience to cook the food correctly and with perfect timing. It was a well-orchestrated experience. But it goes beyond that. The staff worked as a team. We were completely taken care of by our server for the night, but we were also visited by the owner and helped by other servers. We felt welcomed and spoiled. I can't wait to get back. **posted from a review on my personal blog

Food is way overpriced. Could get a better Caesar salad & steak at Texas Roadhouse for less money. & why can't you get more complimentary bread?? Service was subpar. Wouldn't recommend.

As a fellow business owner, I'm more disappointed by the owner's defensive response than by the poor service from Meredith. My review ( I left originally to call attention to the owner) was meant to raise a valid concern -- one shared by six other customers in the past month -- yet it was met with zero apology and a statement that the owner "stands behind staff" regardless of a customer's account. I wasn't looking for free food or money, only for an attitude change from a staff member whose behavior is damaging the restaurant's reputation. Great food and atmosphere, but when obvious service issues are dismissed and customers are made to feel wrong for speaking up, it shows misplaced priorities. Remember, a business owner's representation is a direct reflection of their staff. My conversation with this Owner will continue to be made publicly known as I will not allow myself or others to be disrespected. And just seeing how rude she is the way she responds to negative reviews ... she definitely needs some "Help." Very concerned about her mental health.

Scrumptious food and attentive, friendly service. We started w the Chacha shrimp (w sauce on the side). I had the ribeye (well done, which took a bit longer to cook) with green beans and mashed potatoes. Beans were perfectly cooked and flavorful. Steak was tender and cooked exactly as ordered. my husband had the pork chop. It was huge. I am not normally a fan of pork, but this was perhaps the best chop I have ever tasted. perfectly seasoned tender and flavorful.

Our service was perfect! The atmosphere is nice with an unassuming air and as our dinner arrived a fellow showed up with his guitar and started playing music. The volume was ideal for conversation and it really was a nice touch. Dinner was good. The sauce that came with my pork was delicious and my green beans were fabulous! Jackie's steak was cooked perfectly but she wasn't impressed by the Demi glaze. We had dumplings for our appetizer and they were tasty. Nothing about dinner blew me away but everything was solid and I would eat here again.

This is a fabulous spot in downtown Shelby! I'll be dreaming about this steak salad for a long time. The fried onions were a delicious touch. Service was fast and friendly and we enjoyed the live music playing.

First time trying this restaurant since the name change. We had a great experience. Sherilyn was super nice. Gave us a wonderful window seat. Our server, Susan, was very attentive. The food and the service were good. Only issue was salads came out late and shortly after our entrees arrived. Will definitely be back.

Bistro that does not disappoint, top notch service, exceptionally good food, and ambiance! Highly Recommended!

A nice treat for a special occasion. It's the best fine dining in town. We were invited by some friends and enjoyed our dinner very much. The atmosphere is very nice and we enjoyed the live music too. We ordered the pecan crusted trout which was great. I enjoyed the goat cheese salad. There's great service and friendly help. They have full bar and wine menu too. Our friends say it's the best place for steak too. We hopefully will be able to visit again.

Very good food service and atmosphere every time we go there. I reccamend almost everything on the menue !

Filet and Rib Eye were absolutely fantastic. Meredith was an amazing waitress. In my opinion, Bistro 214 would be one of the top restaurants in any major city in the US. Shelby, NC has a gem!

We had an amazing dinner here during our vacation to North Carolina! The filet mignon was amazing! Wow, wow, wow!! So classy. Everything was so yummy. We all raved about the meal. The service was also great. Can't wait to dine here again when our travels once again bring us to this charming city!

He had the rib-eye special with mashed potatoes and asparagus and said it was excellent. My pecan-encrusted NC trout in buttery sage sauce was a huge crispy delicious filet atop sautéed spinach and sweet potato chunks. The sweet potatoes were flavorful but a little firm and not very exciting. We shared the cha cha shrimp which was served in a Chipotle cream sauce on a thin edible shell with lettuces. His cab was good; my red wine blend was better, smooth and deep. We finished with the chocolate mousse Gamache. Altogether a superb meal with very good service. Oh, and the bread was thick and warm with a Balsamic olive oil.​​

We set up a reservation to celebrate our birthdays ( my husband and I are a day apart). We requested a table by the window. There are two big windows in the front. We were seated at a side table technically by a window. My husband was literally next to a wall and his seat went into a main walkway. There was music playing way too loud. When we were seated the hostess said here. I said I guess this has to do. She shrugged. The waitress tried very hard and the food was okay. The seating was terrible and the table was way too small. The only reason I am giving any stars is because of the hardworking waitress. They have a long way to go for us to come back. We used to love coming here and it was our special place before this last changeover. My husband just told me he TOLD them it was a special occasion and there was nothing said or done to make it special. Notice the response below as an example of how management handles difficult situations. When my husband requested the table by the window, if he had been told they were booked, we could have changed our time or day to help everyone. Also, I removed my statement of the 20% because I have no proof. We didn't take a picture or our check, but my husband swears it was there and was very surprised. A simple "happy birthday" or" thank you for joining us on a special occasion" would have sufficed. Response: Business owner information Bistro 2. Business Owner Feb 5, 2024 First, There is NO STATEMENT of not leaving a gratuity, you will be charged 20% automatically!!! A window table was reserved for you for a party of 2, with note of birthday, no special requests other than window table, There were other larger parties with window reservations before yours, which filled up window section, but we kept your table for 2 guests. Tables are seated according to number of guests, so you had a 2 seat table. We always have guitarist on the weekends playing background music, which our guests enjoy and ask for him to be there. There has been NO "change over", just a remodel, redecoration, upfitting and rebranding of name. All else is still the same. That was 2 1/2 years ago. Not sure what you wanted to make it "special" as you did not speak with wait staff or manager on duty to address. Read less

Made reservations early 5:30. place empty, within two hours barely filled. I do not understand as the food was fabulous. Of course perhaps too early for a Tuesday but we were starving. Fried oysters and mussels better than those offered in my home town of RI. Trout dish delish but needed a light sauce. sweet potato and perfectly lightly sautéed spinach wonderful. Rib eye cooked well but a bit dry for medium rare so next time I will ask for rare. but still wonderful. No room for dessert. but next time going for banana ice cream dessert. Waitstaff wonderful and attentive. Table flower bouquet totally Paris. Background music eclectic - fun and romantic. we knew the music. I come from RI. People . . you MUST go!!

Witnessed the worst customer service I've seen in my lifetime. Waitress and manager were totally rude to two ladies because they asked about their food. We had been waiting over 45 minutes for our own food. The staff seem like they didn't care basically told the ladies to get out that they were refusing them service. For a place supposedly supposed to be upscale is totally unacceptable. Will not be coming back to this establishment so food and poor service.

We had the Cha Cha Shrimp for an appetizer which was delicious. The "shell" was awful. This would have been better served on a bed of lettuce. My husband had the Shrimp & Chorizo Pasta which was really delicious. I had salmon with sautéed sweet potatoes & spinach. The sweet potatoes were the star of this dish for me. The dessert with the homemade caramel sauce was my favorite. I'd go back but only for the desserts and appetizers.

We love the fried oyster salad and the fried goat cheese salad. Quant atmosphere and great service.

Very nice atmosphere, attentive waitstaff, and great wine list! Food is quite good and affordable.

Great service! Food was wonderful and they were able to give attention to my gluten allergy and offer acceptable options. Definitely will go again!

I was the one that visited on Saturday, March 16th, per the review posted from Shawn D previously. My daughter and I had reservations at 7p and were sat in the area by the window. We were greeted by the waitress and placed our drink order and appetizer order at that time. 10 minutes later the waitress came by and stated, 'we have a large party that is about to order and I recommend you get the order in before they do' so we proceeded to order a salad, fish entree and chicken entree, which again we ordered because the waitress recommended we do so because of the large party of 18. 25 minutes later, yes I kept track of the time, our appetizer and salad came out to the table at the same time. I NEVER said a word to the waitress about the timing of the service at that time however, any upscale restaurant/server would know that you DONT EVER take the appetizer out at the same time as the salad...its called 'pacing diner' for your customer experience. We finished our starter and salad and at 815p... still no entree. Yes, that's an hour after the order was placed. No word from the waitress at this time even though she passed our table many times. I feel that a 'I'm sorry your meal is taking so long and its coming shortly' would've gone a long way after such a long wait, but NOTHING. I got up to go to the restroom, passing the waitress on the way (not stomping across the restaurant) and asked if she thought our entrees would be coming in the next 10-15 minutes. She commented, no they wont because the big table just now got their food. I said, 'But you told us if we ordered now, we would be ahead of them' and she commented 'well, they got their order in first'. I did say, 'well, that sucks' and walked to the bathroom. NO Spitting occurred, how rude of the owner to make this up in her reply to Shawn D., and by the way she is hearing this second hand as well because she wasn't there either. When I came out of the bathroom, the waitress approached me and told me I was very rude to her and that I shouldn't be complaining because I already had an appetizer and salad. I proceeded to say, 'For the price of your entrees, I would expect better and that it was 2 entrees taking over an hour to make. If the kitchen can't handle a room full of tables, then don't allow a big party because your regular customers suffer.' I went to sit down at my table and the other waitress came over, handed me my bill, and told me that I was longer allowed to come here for dinner because they don't tolerate people treating their staff in a disrespectful manner. If asking where my entree is after waiting over an hour is disrespectful, you all are in the wrong business. As others can see from many other reviews, I am not the first customer complaining about the bad service or lag in dinner service. I am more than happy to take my $200+ dinner business somewhere else. I tried to eat local, but you all have a long way to go to call yourselves UPSCALE. Back to the WEBB I go. And I am certain that the owner will have plenty to say about my above comments, because she seems to always make it someone else's fault when a bad review is posted about her business. SHAME ON YOU. I recommend you be present more at your restaurant so that you can control your staff and provide better customer service. You have bigger issues than my happiness.

Great daily deals/specials. The food is definitely enjoyable. Great little vintage euro vibe in this place. Dumplings, Warm goat cheese (YUM) salad and salmon on top all tasted flavorful.

We had dinner here two nights in a row, it was so delicious! Their warm bread will melt in your mouth. I highly recommend the crusted trout, mashed sweet potatoes, and sautéed spinach. And, wash everything down with a glass (or two) of sangria. Waitstaff were very friendly and responsive to our needs.

The food was really good, but the service took forever. Just stopped in to get a quick bite and the food took about 30 to 40 minutes. good spot to go to if you have time on your hands

What's in a name? When it comes to Ni Fen Bistro, my first impression is that it is more like a winery than a restaurant. As my friends and I walk into the bistro for lunch, we are greeted by a smiling face. This is a good sign. Everything is so elegant; from the white table set up with the dim lighting to the classical music. The reason I say that it has a winery feel to it is because the pride in their wine is very evident. Wine is practically a part of the decor. As our server (whose name is Tamara) hands us the menu, she informs us of the specials. She is very polite and knowledgeable about the menu and has no problem answering the questions that we have to the best of her ability. Tamara made the whole experience run more smoothly with us being first timers. Having her as a server was definitely a breath of fresh air. The one page menu was a little difficult to read. The font could stand to be a little bigger. There is only a few selections on the menu (that does not include vegetarian/vegan choices) nor does it have a kid's menu. How can your mission state that "it extends the welcome of family" when children are not even included in the menu? However, the wine list is at least four pages. This is another reason for my winery reference. To me, Ni Fen is more of a wine and dine your colleagues or significant other type of establishment. Compared to the table, the glassware and plates are massive. I ordered the chef selection, which was the grilled salmon topped with cucumber and dill relish on top of fried mashed potatoes with seasoned green beans. In order for me to get the full experience, I decide to try each food separate then together in one bite. Individually, the salmon is a little dry for my taste. The green beans are succulent and seasoned perfectly. The potatoes are a burst of happiness in one bite. The crispy outer crust combined with the creamy center is a celebration for the tongue. To put it all together in one bite, I saw hearts and stars! The cucumber and dill relish really compliments the salmon. At one point, I think my feet danced a jig as I continued my meal. The wine I chose is called Mamamango. It is a mixture of Moscato and mango, so if you enjoy a sweeter wine it is a great choice. I enjoyed it so much that I ordered a bottle to go. For the dessert portion, I ordered a Bananas Ni Fen, Tiramisu, Creme Brulee, Flourless Chocolate Cake, and a Caramel Apple Empanadas for all of us to try. The Creme Brulee was my favorite with its creamy texture. The Bananas Ni Fen and the Caramel Apple Empanadas equally tied for second. The Tiramisu was okay, but there was something in it that did not agree with my taste buds. As for the chocolate cake, it was too rich for my blood. Considering everything, nothing can compare to the Ni Fen experience. The food is fresh and made to order. The atmosphere is relaxing and the food tastes amazing. The visual appeal along with the flavors made it memorable. Everyone who lives in Shelby, North Carolina or is visiting should experience Ni Fen Bistro at least once (if you can afford to). Just don't bring your kids.

The food is always delicious. And the service is excellent. Reservations would be a recommendation.

Highly recommend Ni Fen. Great filet, great charcuterie and cheese, delightful staff. I enjoyed the wine selection. Check it out!

Thursday they have $5 dollar house martinis great for a nice date! And on Tuesday $2 dollar domestic beers! And not to mention the amazing food!! The service is astounding and the owner is really sweet! Such a cute restaurant!

Walking in, Ni Fen has a very modern and bright interior. They had our reserved table ready for us (party of 8) right on time. Our server (Devin I believe) was attentive and extremely helpful with pairing wines with the dishes we ordered. The food came out at an excellent pace and was absolutely delicious! The Cha Cha Shrimp was the best appetizer in my humble opinion and I enjoyed every bite of my grilled salmon (pictured and cooked to perfection). The Coconut Cake was the perfect way to finish a remarkable meal; perfectly moist and utterly delicious. Can't wait to come again!

Nice space with attentive service. We tried the black bean cakes and potstickers for appetizers. My husband enjoyed his oyster salad and I liked the asparagus salad (I put the dressing on the side) The asparagus was perfectly cooked so it was still slightly firm. I've had too many overcooked veggies at restaurant nearby so that was refreshing. We saw several entrees being served that looked good....think it was a sea bass special. We'll definitely stop by again in the future. We also appreciated the talented guitarist playing Saturday night. Definitely added to the ambiance of the place.

Delicious dinner and great service! The owner is super friendly and attentive. Would definitely eat here again. I had a salmon dish and my husband had the filet special.

I absolutely love this place! My parents and I have gone here 3 years in a row on Mother's Day. We always have amazing service and the food is exceptional. This is a great place to eat is you feel like getting fancy in Shelby. I highly recommend it.

This food is sooooo good! Must try the mushroom tart! Seafood cooked to perfection! Great service! We will be back!

Another great find in "downtown" Shelby. We got there early and that allowed us to eat the early bird special 20 bucks for three courses. We started with a salad I got ranch and a creamy balsamic dressing. Both on the side so I was able to try them both. They both were very good, to good to ever chose one over the other. The main course that we both chose was beef tenderloin with mashed potatoes and asparagus. Plate presentation was beautiful. Everything was prepared to perfection. The last course was dessert was divine. I had the bananas ni fen and my husband had the chocolate cake. While both are very good I recommend the bananas ni fen. This was so sinful and heavenly at the same time. Just take my word for it and get it. The decor is lovely and the music playing is very elegant. And my husband discovered that the water glasses could be played. So while I was enjoying my dessert he was serenading me with his water glass. Will definitely be returning and can't wait to take our out of town guest to this awesome restaurant.

Awesome small intimate bistro. Never disappointed. Wish we had discovered it during my daughters freshman year

Went to Ni Fen last night and sadly, it was terrible. We had reservations at 6:30 and once seated, we were told that their wine selection was low because of a crowd the previous two nights. What wine was left was limited and only US vineyard selections by glass. While this should not spell disaster by any means (US vineyards can be excellent), my Malbec was barely drinkable. It actually tasted like it came from a long opened bottle and had "turned." On to the food, service and ambiance: the restaurant was attractive but unbearably hot and humid. We were told the air conditioning was broken and that they were cutting the AC off and on. Our table of four ordered pimento cheese toast, which arrived after a 30-minute wait and was cold and greasy. The top had a skim on it from sitting out awhile, and the toast was soggy. We then waited an additional hour to get brown lettuce in our salads, a shrimp swimming in a mayonnaise glop, overcooked dry fish, rice that was ice-cream scoop shaped, and out-of-the bag shoestring potatoes. In fairness, the hamburger meat was tasty though small, and mashed potatoes were good though served lukewarm. We waited over an hour for our main courses. By the time it arrived at 8 pm, we were all starving. Our server was kind but bumbling. She did not appear to know her menu or wine list. I never write reviews, but wanted to advise prospective diners that this venue needs major work in every area. I also hope that the restaurant itself will take this review to heart and up its game. There is no excuse for this level of bad food. We were so disappointed, as we had hoped to have a pleasant evening with friends we hadn't seen for awhile. We don't eat at McDaonalds but it would have been an improvement over Ni Fen.

I don't recommend this "upscale" restaurant. It is supposed to be the nicest eatery in Shelby, however, the food is bland. I could have had a better salad and entree at a chain restaurant at a much better price. Very disappointing.

I have been meaning to write a review for a while now. Let me say that when Ni Fen was on Warren Street years ago, it was much better. I am however happy that Shelby has a fairly upscale place you can go without having to go to Charlotte or Asheville. My first experience there (about 1.5 years ago) was definitely 2 stars. Our waitress was young (too young to drink - she said "I don't drink wine") and had no recommendations on what wine to order. It was awkward. She also began to have an attitude when we didn't want to order meals but wanted to taste wines and order several appetizers. The portions on what we got were laughably small for the price. The prosciutto crudo on one platter was shiny and didn't look appealing. Anyway, we ended up going across the street to Pleasant City, as we were starved. My second experience was slightly better. We went on Valentine's this year. They had a decent prix fixe menu. The tables were really crammed in together. We came early. We didn't like where we were being seated (keep in mind it's 5:15 PM and the restaurant is virtually empty) so we asked the hostess (very young AA female) to please seat us somewhere else. She said and I quote that " if she asked, he would say no" and pointed to a very young Cauc male at the seating podium. I almost got up and left but my wife said to forget about it. Others proceeded to come in for seating and asked for different seats and they were accommodated with different seats. That only irked me more. At least we had a nice/decent waitress with some experience. The baked brie in filo with honey and almonds was great. The shrimp cocktail was just okay and only had 3 insulting shrimp as a portion. The chicken pasta dish was solid. The first plate of prime rib they sent was well done. The second plate which had the medium rare (almost an inch thick) slice I had ordered was very good and made up for the first one. The flourless chocolate cake was the best part. Very nicely done with great texture. The creme brulee was good but I think a blueberry accidentally fell on top of it. Just kidding - again the portion issue, put three on so it seems intentional. Coffee was good and waitress again kept us happy. They also get points for OMB on tap. The live music was also a nice touch. I think this place has the potential to be an awesome place. The food selections/menu items seem solid and vary nicely. Pump up the portions of certain items a bit and improve some of the presentations. The staff is where the primary shortfall lies; if you hire young people/high schoolers, train them properly to respectfully interact with patrons. Don't make your diner feel snubbed or disrespected or they may not come back... I have eaten at places ranging from Windows on the World to Le Cirque to the Shelby Cafe. One thing for sure if that even average food can taste so much better when the service is excellent. Try Ni Fen at least once for yourself and form your own opinion.

Overpriced, service was horrible and don't ever order the airplane chicken, unless you just want a tiny chicken wing!!! Made Valentines a bust for sure.

Tried based on a recommendation. Starting with the positive...mussels were tasty, bread and oil good, greens and mashed sweet potatoes good. Service not good. Took a long time for waitress to take drink order. Waitress must have been having rough night, not friendly. Caeser salad not great but cost $6.99. Husband ordered burger came with fries and chose to order additional salad. Salad cans with burger, not as first course and fries didn't come until half way done with burger. Overall disappointed. Will not return in near future.

The food was really really good. The service was even better. Every wait person where helping each other out to take care of the guest. Highly recommend this for upscale dinning with a moderately priced menu.

Such a great little find in Shelby.. while working in the area I've had dinner here twice.. great wine selection, had the braised short rib.. so yummy. husband had the beef shoulder.. All was tender, flavorful. Great setting and excellent service.. Love Suzie! will plan to go back many times! TY for such a lovely relaxing evening with great food and service.

I was at Ni Fen Bistro on a Wednesday evening. Was pleasently greated and immediately seated in a not very busy restaurant. Over an hour afrer placing my order and three questions of the wait staff and hostess I still did not have my dinner. A kitchen failure and I left. I will not go back. Yes - I was offered "compensation" in the form of a gift certificate. I declined.

I cannot begin to tell you just how amazing this place is! Their food is really out of this world and you will always find something you like. My wife always gets the blue cheese chicken wrap. I get the fried oysters salad and the Banana Ni Fen for desert. Soooo amazing!

This bistro is a gem worth a visit if you are in Shelby or a drive from elsewhere. The decor is tasteful and the settings elegant. The service was impeccable. A talented young musician played a guitar throughout the evening setting an ambiance. The menu is inspired and well-constructed. We shared the dumplings with the house sauce as an appetizer. It's a great signature plate to share. I followed the dumplings with a Caesar salad that had the right hint of sardine. For dinner, I had the special of trout with bok choy on a sweet potato purée. Wonderful! The fish was cooked and flavored perfectly. The skin had that right texture. The purée--wow. I wish that I had that recipe. There's a balance of spices that must include nutmeg. Bok choy was equally delicious. The portions are enormous and I ended up boxing half the dish. It wasn't for a lack of enjoying it. Everyone that evening enjoyed their meals. You can also buy the dumpling sauce to take home.

My husband and I were staying at a nearby B&B (Inn of the Patriots) and were meeting friends at Ni Fen Bistro that live in Charlotte and whom we originally met on a cruise. The restaurant was very nice, our waitress was wonderful and the food was excellent. We had a nice surprise in that we were there on a Wednesday evening when wines were half price for the evening! It is a hidden gem in a small town!

Came here with Mom for a Christmas Eve brunch, and they were serving the Sunday brunch menu. This place is wonderful -- the food of the highest quality, plentiful, and service very nice. Varied menu. And a beautiful space in the middle of downtown Shelby. Downtown Shelby is getting a nice selection of innovative restaurants downtown, but Ni Fen definitely stands out. Beautiful bar space as well, with a terrific (though a bit pricey, especially for Shelby) wine list. Very glad to have this great restaurant in my hometown when I come to visit.

Wow... how can I say do not eat here kindly. Haha My boyfriend had taken me to Shelby, NC for a fun Valentine weekend getaway. To make a long story as short as possible- we ate at the Ni Fen Kitchen for lunch- that was an even worse experience. Well, here goes dinner. My boyfriend originally had a reservation for 6pm and we called and changed the reservation for later to around 7:30pm. We were sat at our table and no one waited on us for a good 10 minutes. Finally, the owner came rushing to our table because she saw my boyfriend had the free appetizer card that was given to us by the bed and breakfast we were staying at down the road. Appetizer comes out- bang bang shrimp- average- per my boyfriend- I don't eat them due to food allergies. Once our waitress comes over he repeatedly asked her to describe the pasta- to confirm it was like a cream sauce which she confirms each time. The pasta comes out with chunks of vegetables that are in a water sauce- no cream to be found. The sauce has absolutely no flavor! He had shrimp added to the pasta at an additional charge. I ordered the salmon and it is more than well done. Not to mention that the salmon plate has been dusted- more like poured- in paprika all the way around- CHEAP and Double YUCK!!!!! The waitresses NEVER asks if the food tasted good or was to our liking. She only asks if we would like a box for our food. You can tell by the look on her face that she does not want to ask about our food nor does she care. She proceeds to ask if we want desert- ummm NO! If I could give this place a negative number I would. Oh yeah, and at Ni Fen Kitchen where we went for lunch- it was great listening to the waitresses bicker about how people don't leave large enough tips and there were 4 people in the restaurant and it took 30 minutes to get the worst hamburger of my life- absolutely disgusting.

If you find yourself in downtown Shelby, give this place a try. The menu is clever. The service is attentive. The food is well done.