Bistro St. Michaels

We had the pleasure of dining at Bistro St. Michaels during our stay at The Oaks, and it was one of the highlights of our trip. From the moment we arrived, we were charmed by the restaurant's inviting atmosphere. Every dish was delicious and the service was fantastic. The shrimp and grits were perfectly executed - rich, creamy, and bursting with flavor. The fried green tomatoes topped with fresh crab were beautifully crisp with a delicate sweetness that complemented the crab beautifully. For our mains, their famous braised beef short rib was absolutely sublime - fork-tender with deep, complex flavors and gorgeous presentation. The pan-seared tilefish with red quinoa and broccolini highlighted how fresh and simple ingredients can really shine. We couldn't resist ending with the bread pudding à la mode, and we're so glad we did. Warm, indulgent, and drizzled with butterscotch sauce, it was the perfect finale to an outstanding meal. Bistro St. Michaels truly captures the essence of exceptional Eastern Shore dining with fresh ingredients, thoughtful preparation, and warm hospitality. We can't wait to return on our next visit to the area. Highly recommended!

Excellent dining ! Food and service were amazing. Food with great finesse and taste and service also with a heart. The meat platter was amazing! And their breadpudding with homemade butterscotch was so irresistible that I had no time to make a picture ;-). The atmosphere is really nice and cosy. We will come back!

First visit and would def return!! Staff and waitress were all super nice. Space is very inviting. Lastly, food and drinks were terrific!! I was still a little full from a heavy lunch but ate every drop of my gumbo cause it was that good! Partner got the crab cakes which she also enjoyed. Dessert was a nice highland scotch for me(Oban) and the strawberry panna cotta for her. On a scale of 💯, I give them 110!

It was our 3rd time visiting the area from Long Island. Each time, we stop here for dinner. The staff is kind and attentive. The atmosphere is cozy and the food is delicious. We come from an area with a lot of great restaurants and the Bistro ranks among the very top in comparison. Our server Christian was excellent! He’s very knowledgeable about the menu and able to help us make the perfect choices for our wine /meal. I would definitely recommend this place. p. s. They have a really nice outdoor space to enjoy ur meal out back.

The bread pudding was so good. I had two other dishes, the shrimp and grits and the bone marrow. I really enjoyed them but once I had the bread pudding, it was incomparable. It was so unbelievably good.... I can't say enough about the texture, flavor, density of the bread pudding. It was so out of control delicious. Good portion size as well. I am so happy I decided to stop in.

We were pleasantly surprised as we ended up at this restaurant based on a recommendation from another restaurant that had to close unexpectedly. They had probably ten or more patrons show up and they all made excellent choices on seating as had plenty of food as well. We sat near the kitchen and it was fun to watch the chefs in action. I would back for sure.

Easily the best meal I've had in St. Michaels was here. I highly recommend sitting at the chef's counter--it really added to the experience. The staff was attentive, kind, and on point the entire evening. We went with a few off-menu specials: fried green tomato appetizer, scallops with house-made pasta, and veal ribeye. Everything was cooked perfectly and full of flavor. Cocktails and appetizers were just as strong, unique and well-executed. Doug and Jenn, the owners, made us feel genuinely welcome and gave great menu recommendations when we were unsure of what to have (everything sounded so delicious!!!) Our server Peter was extremely professional and on top of it the whole evening. Every staff member we met was super conversational, professional and friendly, and they made us feel welcomed. I'll definitely be back every time I am in town!!! I'm already thinking about hosting a private event here. The outdoor patio space with bistro lights looked like a great setup for it, and I've got a birthday coming up. My local friends had raved about how lovely the ambiance, food, and service is and I’m so glad I checked it out! They’re consistent!!!

Great food and service. The crab cakes were excellent. The kitchen was extremely accommodating. My wife asked if she could get salad Nicoise but substitute crab salad for the traditional tuna (We were on the Eastern Shore, after all!). Our server checked with the chef, who kindly agreed. My wife absolutely loved it. Maybe if a few people reading this review order it, they'll add it to their menu and it will become a staple. Oh, the chocolate mousse is terrific, too. Anyway, you can't go wrong with a meal at the Bistro.

We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves at BSM. Excellent food and excellent service. Will definitely be returning back.

What a cool place in this little town. We loved and loved the food. Service is amazing too.

Food and service were soooo good! All 4 of us enjoyed immensely. Desserts were great as well!

After a day on the water, we ended our evening at the Bistro. Service was very good, and we were able to get seated without a reservation. They have a nice patio area outside where furry friends can join you for a meal. Roasted Bone Marrow: it was okay. I think the chimichurri masked a lot of the flavor. Shrimp & Grits: shrimp was huge and cooked perfectly, but was a little salty. on the other hand, the grits were not seasoned at all and it was bland. Seafood Gumbo: good portions of seafood Braised Short Rib: probably our favorite dish of the night. fork-tender and delicious! We will most definitely return if we visit St. Michael's again.

Service and dinner was excellent! Cream Brûlée was just ok. Will definitely go back!!

Delightful French restaurant is relaxing St Michael's Meal Quality: started off the meal by ordering a bottle of Domaine Girault Le Grand Moulin Sancerre wine, which was aromatic and well suited for my meal. Ordered a most wonderful Cream of Crab soup which is now my all-time favorite! It was simply perfect! Followed it up with my entree of Pan Seared Scallops which perfectly prepared with pine nuts, diced carrots, and radishes! Then there was dessert, which was Creme Brulee and a Framboise Tart with ice cream which I paired with a a delicious Sauternes wine, which goes so well with most desserts! The dessert pairing was marvelous and throughly enjoyed! Aesthetic Appeal & Atmosphere: Enjoyed a table on the front porch in relaxing town of St Michael's Service: Service was decent and attentive RATINGS: Meal Quality: 5 Aesthetic Appeal & Atmosphere: 5 Service: 4

We were celebrating and this restaurant was recommended to us. We got a reservation for a place at the chefs table area by the kitchen. That was a great choice for anyone that loves the vibe of the kitchen. Our server Char was absolutely wonderful. My husband and I request a vegan menu and Char found out exactly what was vegan or vegan optional. We got the winter vegetable risotto, butternut bisque (no dairy), crispy mushrooms, and pommes frites. Everything was delicious! They do seasonal cooking well! We will be back! We got a late night reservation so we also got a glimpse of the kitchen turn down. Professional kitchen for sure! Must try in St. Michaels. The staff were all awesome!

First time here. Foie gras, gumbo and short ribs were surprisingly good. Wine list is also very good. Service in back was perfect. Hostess seemed a bit bitter at having to seat another customer but she made it happen.

Never disappoints! The service is always great and friendly. The food was amazing. Hubby had the halibut special and I had the braised short rib. All perfect. The best place in St Michaels!

The service was incredible, the food exquisite, and the ambiance had a sweet charm to it. We ate here for our ten year wedding anniversary, and our server helped make it special from start to end--even with a complimentary champagne toast. The crab cakes were delicious! Husband got the steak frites and loved it. The chef there caters at the Oaks Waterfront, where we stayed, and we got to try other dishes from him. It was all excellently prepared and so flavorful.

What a gem we found while visiting St. Michael's. The server was kind, knowledgeable and attentive. The food was unique and delicious. I am gluten free and there were several very good choices. We ordered the shrimp and grits for an appetizer and the crab cakes and short ribs for dinner. They were each delicious! We also had the best margaritas- a blackberry margarita. My husband was not a big fan of his dessert, which the waiter took off of the bill unexpectedly. The atmosphere was quite and charming. There are only a few tables inside and out so a reservation would be wise. It was pricey, but we were celebrating our anniversary so we felt it was worth every penny. We will definitely be returning.

Bistro St. Michaels is a great restaurant. No doubt. The quality of the food is outstanding. Cream of crab soup had the most intense flavor of any I've ever had; it was, however, a little thick for my taste. My main course was red snapper with mussels in a spicy lobster sauce. Omg divine! I used my bread to get every delicious drop of that sauce. My spouse had the scallops and he reports that they were excellent! Of course, he didn't leave even a crumb on his plate so I kinda knew what he thought before he said anything. The waiter Alex was friendly and lively. We have been to Bistro St. Michaels a number of times and they have managed to keep the quality high over the years. It's like the grande dame of St. Michaels - you cannot go wrong here! Highly recommend a meal here!!!

100% delicious 100% of the time. We are locals and love the Bistro. Ask for the Chef's table where you can watch the magic happen. The oysters are special raw or baked they are worth a try! You won't regret your decision to visit, unless it's March when they are closed. :)

Solid three star restaurant. Our server was engaging and knew the menu. The food was fresh and well prepared. I had the baked oysters and enjoyed the oyster soup as well. The veal chop was a delight. Although we made reservations, I will say the seats were not the best but we would return.

Hostess needs some customer service training as they don't know how to communicate with waiting customers. Food was ok but didn't find it a good value for the price. This is my second visit and probably won't return.

BEST scallops I've ever had! Cute cozy casual spot in the center of town. Highly recommended

Great food. Great service. I highly recommend the chefs table experience. The staff was amazing and made us feel very welcomed.

Wow, just had the best meal ever here. I started with the cream of crab soup and it was heavenly and gone in one minute. My husband had the mussels and seriously wanted to drink the broth. My seafood gumbo was incredible as was his etouffe! We left full and happy!

St. Michael's is a small quiet town on a Tuesday evening, even (surprisingly?) in July. We rolled in for one overnight getaway and left our B&b in search of cocktails. Popped into this place for a quick martini, intending to head to another seafood place for dinner, but the vibe at the "chef's table" (the bar overlooking the open kitchen/serving area) enticed us - a couple of self-proclaimed foodies - to cancel our other reservation and stay for dinner. SO GLAD we did! Peter- our bartender and server - gave us the best recs all evening. From martinis to wine to entrees to dessert, he guided us like a familiar friend and we weren't ever disappointed. We think they "squeezed us in" amid a full complement of reservations but we never felt as if we weren't completely welcome. We left delighted and full and so happy we stumbled onto this gem. We are already plotting our return.

It was pricey. But it was very delicious. The profiteroles were particularly good and the braised short ribs were amazing.

Visited this quaint restaurant a few times during trips to St. Michaels and the food is always excellent. The gumbo was a perfect composition of seafood, sausage, basmati, and spice. And the halibut (on special) was perfectly prepared-- makes you want to have halibut every day if possible. The service was extraordinary -- everyone is exceptionally kind and attentive. Tip-- can be hard to get a table but be open up to the bar seating with view of the open kitchen. Can be fun watching the chefs in action.

Such a wonderful experience! Fresh homemade gazpacho topped with crabmeat was amazing! Short ribs were so tender you could eat them with a spoon. Hubby had the fluke special, so delicious! Highly recommend the Bistro if you are in or near St. Michael's!

Our experience at Bistro was fantastic. We were lucky to get a spot on the books last minute and we were welcomed and treated like regulars! The service was impeccable, professional, and prompt. We greatly enjoyed the Rumskey Old Fashioned, the mussels were cooked in the best broth we've ever tasted, and the redfish special entree was amazing! Will definitely plan to return to try more of the delicious looking items next trip!

Bistro St Michaels. Food, wine list, service all excellent. We were 5 women from NYC and we were impressed. All of our choices were very tasty and perfectly executed. The staff , Alex for us, was informative, professional and very charming. It was a memorable experience. Ho, go , go.

Great food and service in a wonderful old home ....specials are always fresh and interesting with the duck breast being of the best prepared I've eaten !

Wow, what a wonderful experience at Bistro St. Michaels. My wife and I were traveling through St. Michaels on Monday after Christmas and just happened to see the Bistro on Yelp. We made a reservation based on reviews and photos. What a great restaurant! We were seated at the middle bar booth looking across the bar into the kitchen. Probably the best table in the restaurant, in my opinion (Thank you Hostess, sorry I didn't get your name). The table location was part of the entire great experience. Watching the 3 chefs work calmly and expertly preparing amazing food was such a treat! I was amazed that the three of them were turning out 5-star quality dishes from a relatively small kitchen. I guess when you're good, you're good. Thanks Chefs! Our server, PETER, was outstanding! Attentive, hospitably, friendly and helpful with suggestions and recommendations. The food? AMAZING!! We started with the Mussels. We have eaten Mussels at probably a hundred restaurants (including dedicated Mussel Bars) and this dish was in the top FIVE!! For Entrees, my wife had the Coq au Vin and I had the Veal Chop, an off-menu special that night. Peter warned me it was "the most expensive item on their menu". I didn't ask and didn't care. (Ended up being $70) It was worth EVERY PENNY!! We have had many great experiences at many great restaurants over the years, but Bistro St. Michaels will always be remembered as one of the best. Thank you Peter and everyone at the Bistro. We hope to return someday.

We have been coming to Saint Micheals for 20 plus years. Not sure why we have not been here before. Well I'm glad we did! Food was awesome, service spectacular, kitchen staff cooking right in front of you was terrific! We reserved the chef table which made the whole dinner event even better! French onion soup and Marinaded olives for appetizer were excellent. The crab cakes were delightful and the Veal chop was done to perfection! We will be back!

Had the steak fries tonight asked for medium but it came out very grizzly and tough? Had a Rail martini and was charged $18...and a small glass? I will not go back to this restaurant.

Wonderful meal In adorable space. Our server was helpful and funny!! The restaurant was busy but food came out fine!!

Highlight of our trip to Saint Michaels! We took a chance and stopped in for an early dinner. The atmosphere is incredible, it's so cozy. The oysters were so fresh and outstanding. The staff was so nice and made this dining experience a perfect one.

I had world class mussels, an extraordinary veal chop, and a wonderful cherry crisp in the new patio last night. Well and cheerfully served on a busy holiday weekend.

Came here for dinner after a wine tasting at Old Brick Inn-so maybe wasn't in the best shape! During Covid, they have both seating indoors, and outdoors on the front porch and in the side under a tent with heaters. They texted asking my preference--I said outside, and it was comfortable even though the temp was in the '50s. Fall has shown up. It was also a nice romantic ambiance with twinkle lights! For apps, we had the shrimp and grits (small portion but very tasty) and foie gras--also small (as it always is) and delicious. For dinner we the braised short rib and seared scallops. Both were tasty although I wish there were more sauce with short rib (a little dry), and that the scallops would have been on something more interesting than tiny diced carrots. Still, overall it was a very nice experience and glad to see a restaurant taking such precaution and making the best of all the limitations.

Really enjoyed our meal here. 4 of us on vacation, it was our "fancy" dinner for the week. Lovely big spacious booth, great food, great service. Our only note is that a few of the cocktails were a little too acidic for 2 of our party. Bartender might want to monitor the balance of a couple. Otherwise a delightful evening, highly recommended.

We had Sarah tonight and she was amazing! Gave us fantastic suggestions that me and my boyfriend loved. Great food, great service. Check it out and ask for Sarah!

What a wonderful restaurant! I had the steak frittes, my wife had the short ribs. Both were amazing. The staff was superb. If you are in St. Michael's and you don't go, you are missing a great dinner!!! It's a must!!

The food here is fantastic but pricey! Great for a fancy date night (but not children friendly between the price, stairs to get in, and stairs to use the very tiny bathrooms). Ambiance, covid safety, and speed of service was perfect. My husband and I started with 2 raspberry aperitifs, first great choice of the night, and were impressed with how delicious they were and how much bigger they are here than in France. Definitely recommend these to start (though they can be considered an after dinner drink). Then we got 12 oysters, 2nd great choice of the evening ($14 for 6). Tables are small, so we ordered them 6 at a time. Our waiter was the perfect amount of attentive- clearing plates, etc. Then we split the braised short rib entree- 3rd great decision. It's pricey, but sooo good. Thank you, whoever plated this for putting the meal on 2 separate plates- presentation was classy. Loved the colored carrots and sauce. We sat outside on the little makeshift patio- Very cute with fires. Thanks for a delicious, fun experience! It reminded us of our honeymoon in France!

My wife and I had a delicious dinner at The Bistro on 05/15/23. We were celebrating our Anniversary and we had the best server! Cayley took wonderful care of us, and was also wonderful with her suggestions of food. I had Scallops which were amazing on top of cauliflower and diced sweet potatoes. We also split the Mussels and the broth was amazing. My wife had a Berrata Salad which was also delicious. Jennifer, the GM was also super welcoming and friendly to us as we dined at the bar. It has such a great vibe and we will absolutely come back again for dinner. Thank you for this wonderful evening with delicious food and fabulous service!

Found this wonderful spot based on internet reviews and it lived up to them! Janey was our server and provided excellent recommendations and did not skip a beat when we asked to split our entire meal from salad to dessert. The shrimp and grits, gumbo and profiteroles were outstanding. The service was on par with the finest restaurants in Charleston, NOLA and DC. A hidden gem. We will be back.

Wonderful dinner, some of the best shrimp and grits I have ever eaten. The staff was very professional, and it was obvious the kitchen was well organized and ran well, as I ate at the bar and could hear them giving instructions to each other. I would definitely eat here and have a cocktail here again. Yum!!!

Top notch! The food is terrific. The service impeccable. Started with complimentary piece of bread. It was fresh and very good. Only problem is you only get one small piece. Left you wanting more. It sounds unusual, but we got the almond appetizer. We don't eat seafood or dairy so only option. Simply, roasted almonds with oil, salt and rosemary and very tasty. The veal chop was to die for. The steak frites had an excellent flavor and perfectly cooked. The French fries were very good as were all of the sides. Will eat here every time we return to St Michael's.

Consistently good food and wonderful service. Whether it's a special occasion or just a get together with friends, we've never been disappointed. My personal favorite is the Bistro salad and then a bowl of their mussels, served with toast to sop up the delicious broth.

Great restaurant in St Michaels. Would def recommend the tomato trois which was probably the best thing we had. The naturally sweet tomato sitting on the sharp goats cheese- delicious. Steak also good. Appreciate the effort they have gone to in order to space tables out so social distancing requirements adhered to. This place is on the more expensive side but def worth it for a nice night out.

The Bistro is a quaint place with both a great gourmet menu & a nice wine selection. The chef goes out of his way to pair the meats, vegetables & starch with a delicious sauce that brings the flavors together! The staff is very friendly & knowledge about the menu. The infusion Bloody Mary's are excellent at the bar & the crab cakes are the real MD deal! It's not a big place so I wouldn't recommend a party of more than 6. Nice place if you are on a romantic getaway!

Such an amazing experience! Beautiful setting and impeccable service by Iranus (definitely ask for him!) Specialty cocktails were unique and delicious. We shared 3 appetizers and loved all of them, great combination of flavors and sauces and super fresh ingredients. We will be back for sure!

I called this a happiness platter (cheese & charcuterie). It was just SO good. Some of the best cheese I've ever tasted, the onion jam was to die for, strawberries reminded me of sweet Indian strawberries that are not tangy at all, the mustard and pickles YUM. I ordered the scallop dinner plate with sweet potato hash browns (forgot to take a picture because I just wanted to dive in), and it was the best scallop dish that I've had in a long time. The scallops were cooked to perfection, as were the hash brown and cauliflower. My friend ordered the crab cake dinner plate, she seemed to like her dish as well. The waiters were very attentive, would check on us almost a little too often. I'd probably like it cut down by a check in or two. I will definitely be back.

I'm ranking this restaurant with 5 stars because 10 isn't an option! We visited this restaurant the Saturday before Valantines Day. Arrived on time our table for six was ready - even in this Valentines Day rush. The restaurant itself is cozy and elegant. The staff here are top notch professionals. The food at this restaurant is OUTSTANDING. No exaggeration even a little... I dined with six people and all six had compliments to the chef(s) from the appetizers on through to the dessert. Oh, we did order cocktails and those were fantastic as well. As a foodie who is well traveled -having visited many top restaurants - Bistros St. Michael's has placed it high and close to my heart.

Just enjoyed a wonderful meal at Bistro St. Michaels. This is a place where the cuisine is top notch and definitely the kind of place where you go for special occasions but they manage to make a casually dressed couple who are looking for a nice meal and escape from the summertime heat feel welcome. We sat at the bar and were given excellent service and enjoyed watching the kitchen prep for dinner while the staff talked to us and made us feel most welcome. My husband and I were both craving steaks after enjoying seafood the past few days and the steak frites was excellent. My only regret was that we had no room for dessert afterwards. Highly recommend this place and we will come back again.

This restaurant is consistently great! IT never disappoints. If you want exceptional food and great service, then this is the place to go!

Eighteen of our dining group looked forward to getting together before Spring. I called The Bistro to see if they could accommodate us, even thought they were just re-opening because of renovations and some winter vacation time. Yes, was the answer. The evening we arrived we w ere greeted with smiles and courtesy. We headed to the bar for before dinner for cocktails and to chat. We dinned choosing from the basic winter menu. My husband choose oyster stew for an appetizer and I, the onion soup. Friends at our table order the spinach salad ....we did not leave leftovers. Time for the dinners. There were two specials veal chop and salmon. I order the chop, which I thought I wound not finish...aaah not the case, in melted in my mouth. A friend orderd the salmon of which he gave the thumbs up. My husband and others ordered the seafood soup and liked the 'kick' to it. All in all we all had a fabulous time. Chef Stewart is a quiet man with great culinary skills. The servers went out of their way to make sure our glasses were full and all our needs were taken care of. Once again, our dining group walked out of a restaurant laughing and smiling..a happy group. (Not always the case!). We WILL return.