Definitely enjoyed my meal - friendly staff (a bit understaffed, but definitely did a good job), great appetizer followed by a delicious main made for a great evening. We will definitely try again.
Got a delicious lunch in a small portion at an outrageous price. Counter and wait staff had their attention elsewhere.
Great example of a simple menu done to perfection. Instead of a huge menu, they do a small (but still sufficient) menu extremely well. The atmosphere is outstanding, and the desserts are out of this world. It is not as pricey as other restaurants of this quality.
Just went in for a cuppa and a piece of cake while taking a break from walking around this beautiful city. The cake was divine, coconut and mascarpone, and the chai was good to. Did not have a chance to try the food but the restaurant was packed and all the food seemed very good. A place to go back... more
Myself and a few friends went to Bistro Sofia for dinner on a Friday night. I've been here for lunch and the food is always delicious, but my dinner experience was exceptional! The service was very attentive and our drinks never went empty. The filet mignon was cooked perfectly, compliments to Felicia, our chef that evening. Make sure you save... more
Whenever I want to treat myself for a nice lunch, Bistro is where I go. May 23rd was no different. My girlfriend and I went out for my birthday lunch, and like always it was absolutely delicious. That Schwarzwald Sandwich is a total game changer, and the Bistro Sofia Cake is my ultimate favourite. I take everyone I know to... more
Great food and excellent service. Caesar salad was superb. Dessert is a must. Excellent servers who know the menu.
Hands down! Mine of the best steaks I've ever had! Service was really good and I enjoyed my experience! I really recommend this place
Last minute decision to eat out on a Friday night, we got a reservation no problem.
Staff is very friendly and make you feel comfortable, no attitudes here, just good, professional service.
I ordered the beef rib, it was cooked to perfection, meat was moist and fell off the bone, sides of potato and vegetables were cooked perfectly, I enjoyed...
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Went to Bistro Sofia for a meal with friends before a concert. The service was very good and the meal excellent. The portions were good and the value was exceptional for what we received. The desserts were fantastic!
I've been twice now. The atmosphere is what really pushes it to favorite for me. The food is amazing, great quality, and too big proportions. The atmosphere is great for a date, quiet with plenty of space between the tables, which isn't common down town. The service quality is in the top three for downtown areas. This is also a... more
Excellent food, well presented. Good wine, friendly wait staff, world class desserts. Lamb shank and fresh Cod were excellent.
Love love the "Bistro Sofia" cake! Keeps me coming back for more...I've also had the chocolate cupcakes which are to die for. The staff aren't super friendly but they aren't unfriendly either (not sure if that makes sense, ha!) In any case, it's worth it for that cake.
This is a super little restaurant in downtown St John's. The menu is excellent, the staff very attentive, the prices very reasonable, the ambiance super. Tables can usually be got even though not booked earlier. Try it - you won't be disappointed.
The boyfriend and myself went out for my birthday dinner and it was amazing! For the appetizers I had the tomato soup(delicious!!) and he had the duck salad - which was unreal for our mains he had the braised beef rib and I had the steak. It was cooked perfectly! The drinks kept coming and the service was great- every... more
The atmosphere is so relaxed and the staff is so friendly, we just love going there. It is EXACTLY what I want in a high end bisro environment. And 6 times running between my wife and myself, the desserts seal the deal. It's the one place we could go to spend all day. It will be one of our fondest... more
My wife and I were looking for a comfortable, relaxing place for a light meal for our first night in St. John's. Bistro Sophia completely exceeded our high expectations. The shopska was very flavourful and the scallops we had were seared and cooked perfectly. And the desserts; well I'd go just for them. I can't imagine leaving for home without... more
I found a hair in my food. Which, ok, sometimes that stuff happens. But not ONCE did I hear an apology or them give any compensation. The waitress looked at my food, said ok, and took the plate away from me. My friend finished her food before they brought me a new plate. When the waitress finally returned with my... more
This restaurant has a wonderful atmosphere, friendly service and top-notch, consitent, delicious food. We have tried dozens of high end restaurants inclding Blue on Water, Bianca, and more but this place just takes the cake. Absolutely fantastic, whether it it for coffee and dessert, lunch or a 3 course fine-dining experience, this place is a must try. My personal favourites... more
This was once my favourite lunch spot. The food was great. However, my last few visits have been disappointing. The tomato soup looks and tastes different. Also, the chicken Schwarzwald sandwich is not as tasty. This is too bad as the food used to be great.
I've been to Bistro at least a hundred times and it just keeps getting better. Was there a few nights ago and had the best appetizer ever!! Pork belly confit served with a generous slice of foie gras, shrimp and grape tomato compote.This is one of the only places in town that has great food,service and reasonable
I’m generally pretty easygoing when it comes to restaurants, but I have to give a thumbs down. We had reservations for a group of 8, and our table was ready when we arrived. It took about 20 minutes for the server to take our drink orders, followed by our food orders. Appetizers came out after about an hour, following which we sat there waiting…and waiting…each time the server would pass by we... more
Went to dinner here with my friend a few weeks ago. It was both of our first time. We never had an appetizer because we wanted to have room for dessert because we heard how good they were! I had the filet and carrot cake and my friend had the chicken and cheesecake. Neither of us had any complaints. I... more
We were walking about down town St. John's at mid day and were looking for a place to have lunch. We pasted this place up it did not look inviting when looking in but then walked back to it and went inside. Looked plain, it needs to have a little decorating and dressing up. Service was not that great, lunch... more
Arrived at 6:45pm on a Monday night. This was just before most other folks arrived so we got a nice window table for two. Waiter was very friendly and attentive. It's always nice when the server makes you feel like your satisfaction is very important to him/her...which he did. Food was excellent. Best part was the visit to the dessert... more
Disappointing, really. The place is decorated in a quirky way with lots of little cherub heads and some cool artwork, but they could step it up with the service. We got very little guidance on the menu, and the girl at the counter was clearly new as she didn't know where to find a beer once ordered, or that it would have helped to explain what came with the sandwiches.
There were three of us...
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We had a great dinner at the Bistro. Service was excellent, and the food was perfectly prepared. There was no problem with the quantity or quality of the meal, and we really enjoyed ourselves. If I have any quibble at all, it is that there are a limited number of choices on the menu, and there were only a few... more
Our salads (caesar and garden or green) basically consisted of leaves on a small plate. Disappointing. We had planned on having dessert as they looked quite nice but decided not to in protest. We were still quite hungry when we left. This restaurant has a good thing going; it is well located and the atmosphere is great. The menu also... more
Our experience at Bistro Sofia was top notch. We have dined at other fine St. John's establishments (Blue, Aqua, Magnum and Steins, Bianca's and so on) but the food at Bistro Sofia beats them all, hands down. Contrary to another reviewer I found the fish chowder to be complex, creamy and with a hint of spice - with beautiful and... more
I was expecting a French bistro but the atmosphere is more Italian than French. The meal consisted of a fish chowder that was more like a broth and salmon on lentils - lentils are way too strongly flavoured to be an accompaniment of salmon. Not worth the price.
I was able to have dinner at Bistro Sophia twice. The food is undeniably great. The service is, at best, rather uneven. On my first visit the waiter replied "not a problem" to absolutely everything we said. He was very hard to find - I was unable to tell if he was messing around, slow or had too many tables... more
I liked the quality of what I had but the portions were small for the prices. I started with a salad that cost $9.95. For that I expected a decent size salad but this was a small salad that I would have expected to pay $6 for.
Many entrees were in the $28--32 range. We had a large party which...
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Not realizing that having Sting in town would necessitate reservations on a Wednesday evening we had struck out at three previous locations! While the Bistro Sofia was equally busy with the pre-concert crowd the gentleman who met us at the door made an effort to find us a table which worked out extremely well. The effort... more
Last minute reservation on a busy Friday night, but ened up with a wonderful window table that allowed us to catch all the action outside.
Place was packed, staff was run off their feet.
First the not so good; waiter sat us down, and then nothing for 15 minutes, no menus, no water, no waiter, table beside us was seated...
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Based upon other recent reviews, Bistro Sofia seemed a good choice; however the atmosphere was dated and the food only fair. The mussels were fresh, but lacked flavour. The beet salad with feta lacked elegance with its (few) squares of beets and oversize pieces of lettuce. With a little bit of attention, it all could have been better. The desserts... more
The food was fantastic and our server was very friendly and professional. Best dinner and service we have had in a long time! Call for a reservation or you won't get it.
We've been to Newfoundland a few times - there are many great restaurants in St. John's, and there are several great places to dine in other areas of the province as well, but once again, another perfect dinner at Bistro Sophia confirms the reasoning behind making this a repeat restaurant of choice whenever visiting the province.
The quality of the...
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Good food, but limited menu (you order/pay at the counter). Likely better for just a dessert and coffee. Good location on Water Street.
We were there last night for a catered event and as a result, we got to sample quite a bit of the dinner menu. We had lamb, steak, scallops, shrimp and tons of other stuff until we were quite literally stuffed. We also had the chocolate strawberries and the peanut butter mousse triangle covered in chocolate. Everything was cooked to... more
My party of three each had appetizers, entrée (filet minion, rack of lamb, and duck breast), and dessert. We loved every bit of it. Cooked to perfection. Desserts were mouth watering. Service was fantastic. I totally recommend this place.
Bistro Sophia was recommended to me for lunch, and specifically the Chicken Schwarzwald sandwich. It was terrific. Would go back for it for sure.
Like everything else downtown St John's, it was way too expensive, but hey - it's clearly just what the market will support. Go to a fast food chain if you want cheap I guess; go here...
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What a lovely surprise to have walked into Bistro Sofia this afternoon. I had lunch there shortly after arriving into town. The chicken vegetable soup was light, delicate and flavourful. The salad of organic greens was dressed with a tasty balsamic reduction, and served with chopped egg and aged cheddar - delicious. You order at the counter and the server... more
This little gem never fails to please me! I had a delicious Red Curry Chowder served with a little fresh bread roll and then as much as I love the German Chocolate Cake went for the Gluten Free Chocolate Cake, but it was still FANTASTIC!!!!
Love the coffee and the whole place is a delightful venue... Visit if you are...
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Reminds me of Coffee matters but with a European twist! Very classy! A nice spot for a first date! :) Amazing deserts and cute friendly staff
I absolutely LOVE Bistro Sophia. I think it's fair to say I have an addiction to the gin tomato soup. Staff and owners are very friendly. I have pretty much tried every sandwich on the menu and have not been disappointed. The chicken schwartzwald and the pork are my favorites. Have yet to try the dinner menu because the lunch... more
First of all I had to wait about 15 - 20 minutes for a small bowl of soup approximately 6 - 8 oz ($10.00). The wait wouldn't have seems so long if the bread had been delivered early instead of with the soup. It was a wild rice, rabbit and mushroom...tons of mushroom but skimpy on the rabbit...tasty, none the... more
You gotta try the Schwarzwald (SP?) Sandwich and the tomato soup. Yum. Poke your head into the tiny kitchen and see the professionals hard at work. I have only been here during the day so cannot speak to the evening dinner experience.
Great dining experience. Friendly staff and outstanding food in a very relaxed non-stuffy atmosphere.
This restaurant has very good food, especially if you like slow cooked European dishes such as lamb shanks and beef ribs for instance. However, they are just as good at preparing seafood. The scallops are wonderful and they never over cook cod or halibut. The prices are very good as is the wine selection. Desserts are the best in town... more
The food at Bistro Sofia was very very good and the service matched it. My only complaint was that the restaurant was extremely noisy which made it difficult to talk during dinner. The music was a tad too loud and the area we were in did not seem handle sound well. If you can get a table in the front... more
We went there as part of our honeymoon and were hoping for a nice romantic dinner. It didn't happen. We had made reservations earlier that day, and when we got there, they didn't have the reservation. It was overlooked and they didn't have a table reserved for us. But after a eventually the waitress sat us at a table and... more
Excellent food! We have eaten at Bistro Sofia a few times this year (both for luch and dinner). We always enjoy the food and the servers are attentive and knowledgable about their menu.
I love Bistro Sophia, but I find their Caesar Salad to be very inconsistent. That is what I usually order, and at times there’s so much salad it’s perfect and filling and so delicious. At other times the plate barely has anything on it. Last time I got the salad I actually had to ask them to put crotons in since there was absolutely none in it. They told me they had to run downstairs to get a... more
If you are ever on Water Street in downtown St. John's, you have to check out Bistro Sofia. This is a lovely spot for lunch. The food is excellent and the atmosphere has real old world charm. It's not table service, but that's ok because you don't feel obligated to leave a tip. The coffee is great and although I... more
Bistro Sophia is my new fave spot to grab lunch downtown! I had a terrible experience with the previous (and unrelated) business in this location and guess I hadn’t given Sophia a fair chance till now.
You order your food at the counter and they deliver it to you. I had the spicy tomato soup and the chicken schwartzwald sandwich, both were very good. The service is a cafe, order at the counter and that's the last time you'll probably see anyone but for what it is, I really enjoyed it. The atmosphere is a little... more
We ordered 3 cakes and a few dozen desserts for a party.... wonderful! Great staff and very tasty treats!
We had dinner at Bistro Sofia two nights out of the five that we stayed in St John's, so clearly we enjoyed our meals. The food was really delicious, from the Shopska salad to the tomato-based chowder (unusual for this area) to the fish entrees. Both nights, our waitstaff were extremely friendly and attentive. Recommended.
We enjoyed two meals at Bistro Sofia during a recent trip to Newfoundland. Service was attentive and friendly and our meals were delicious. We're fans of the Shopska salad and the chowder, which is tomato-based (not traditional for this area). The seafood (scallops one night and pan-fried cod on another) were really good. Highly recommended, but it's a small place so it's a good idea to call... more
Great fresh food and interesting flavours in a well appointed and casual setting. The seafood is very fresh and prepared in very flavorful dishes!
Sorry I cannot agree with my fellow Yelpers on this place. I found it on Yelp, usually a good source for food ideas. They advertise as the only late dining venue in St. John's. Since I was finished touring at 9 o'clock and didn't want to go to bed hungry, I walked down from the Foggy Rock Hostel.. It is in bustling Water Street and most restaurants were closing.
The interior is charming, but...
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While visiting St. Johns on a familiarization trip my bf's co workers chose Sofias as our dinner destination and I must say Im SUPER glad they did! Visiting from the states, working in the restaurant industry myself, and growing up in California, I feel its pretty fair to say that Ive partaken in some pretty darn wicked food in my time. Sofias didnt even fall a tinge behind in being anything... more
3 stars? are you kidding me? this is why good restaurants never survive in St. John’s. Bistro Sophia is one of the best restaurants in the city. It is not your classic “enter, be seated, have your order taken, wait for food”. etc. And it is not intended to be! Note the word “bistro”. You order at the counter, seat yourself, the food is usually quite quick and is delivered to your table. Who... more
We are loving Bistro Sofia these days! Had a fantastic supper there again last week. Absolutely fantastic food at reasonable prices, and there service has improved so, so much over the past year – they really deserve kudos for that.
All i have to say is Holey Moley Unreal. the food is soo delicious. The Scollops are to Die for, the Filet was the best i ever had, beats the keg anyday !!!!
This is a great place for lunch or dessert. I'd avoid it again for dinner though as it feels a bit like dining in a cafeteria (I know it's a bistro -- they keep reminding me).
This restaurant has been on my recommended list since it opened. I consider it excellent quality / value.
Sarah, Ive been hooked on that sandwich since trying it. I even ask for extra sauce and put it on my salad. :)
AMAZING food! The Chicken Schwartzwald Sandwich is unlike anything else I’ve ever tasted, it’s unique and delicious. Unlike many others here, I’ve never had a problem with rude servers or slow service. Definitely one of my favorite restaurants in the city.
We have enjoyed the food, whether it be lunch or dinner. The quality is consistently high, with thoughtful specials, and loads of tempting desserts. It is a go-to place to eat with friends from St. John's, or to introduce to visitors to our beautiful city. The lamb is excellent, the sandwiches are unique and tasty, and the Shopska Salad is delicious. Not to mention the Tomato Jinn soup. Diners... more
The vaulted ceilings in this lovely restaurant really set the tone for a scrumptious lunch or a delightful dinner. We came across this bistro after flying into St. John's late one Friday night, only to find it completely full. Luckily, a return to Bistro Sofia later in the evening resulted in a late evening dinner when a table finally opened up. I ordered the Tomato Jinn soup (yum) and the... more
Mom made a reservation for us both for 7:30 but due to inclement weather conditions and the Pitbull concert, we found it really tricky to find a parking spot. I called Sofia’s and pleaded that they not give our table away. “Promise,” she said. At 7:55 when we finally entered the restaurant our little table was ready and waiting for us!
We skipped appetizers to ensure there was room for dessert....
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Have to say, since writing this review I’ve been back several times. The service has improved significantly! And they are still rocking those entrees and desserts.
I absolutely love this place…So much that I have dreams about their Schwartzwald sammich.
I went to Bistro Sofia on the recommendation of people I trust. I went there for lunch 4 times and neither time impressed me. Mercifully,I know that most decent restaurants really don’t put the emphasis on lunch.So I went there for dinner and was blown away. The food is very rustic,you know it was cooking all day.I had a scallop appetizer-done to perfection,I had some at another place last week... more
Their employees need to be less rude, and more attentive to their customers. Also, if the place is not busy, there is no need to tap impatiently on the counter while we scan the menu. They didn’t have all 3 of the things we originally wanted available (which we were also rudely informed of), so naturally we had to browse the menu for a different option. Be patient, lady.
I LOVE the chicken schwarzwald and the cupcakes and pretty much anything else I’ve ever tried at Bistro Sofia. I agree with some of the comments on the servers but there’s a girl with long brown hair who works there and she’s sweet as pie. I wouldn’t tar all the servers with the same brush.
Hello,
Thank you for your comment. We will do all the bets to change this situation.
Husband and I had supper there last night. The food was incredible and very reasonably priced. I’ve certainly paid more for less in this town. The service was very good, typical bistro service which suits me fine. I hate to be hovered over when trying to enjoy a meal. We had the tomato jinn, chicken veg soup, shopksa and caesar salads followed by the filet mignon with scallops and the duck... more
Funny enough, I was there for lunch today…The food is always fantastic, but these gals that are hired are the pits. Nice to see someone else agrees.
Dear Tony,
As a regular customer I am begging you to hire some friendly employees. It will do wonders for your business.
My experience at Bistro Sophia was very sub-par. Three other guests and I walked in one day preparing to order lunch, but as soon as we opened the door to the place we were overcome with the smell of fumes. One of the guests was beginning to complain of a headache from the odor. We made our way to the counter and asked one or the women working there of the odor and she smiled and replied, “What... more
i believe the owners need to take a good look at their staff and suggest that they find employment elsewhere. It doesn’t take a genius to interview someone and deduce that they might be friendly and helpful and care (even a little bit) about what they are doing. The service is an embarrassment. A poor representation of customer service to any visitors that come to our fine city.
everything I have eaten there, especially the desserts, has been amazing. the chicken salad sandwich and chicken vegetable soup are my favourites hands down.
Hello I am Tony one of the Bistro’s owner and I can say only thank you,and we will do all the best to improve what we have to.
I really want to give this place a better review. The food is really amazing, and the atmosphere is nice. But the service is just awful. I’ve been there about half a dozen times, but I really don’t know if I’ll ever go back. The servers are really forgetful (waiting a half an hour on dessert, after I’ve paid for it) and they’ve been rude and made me feel uncomfortable as well (“You can SIT... more
I have a mixed review for Bistro Sofia. Which by nature then, indicates not a truly great review.
This place is situated in the location previously occupied by Coffee Matters. I don’t believe they have changed any of the decor: there are still shoes in front display window. The layout is also the same. You place your order at the counter and then the food is brought to the table. People behind the counter seemed distracted with their own thoughts and problems.
We’ve eaten here twice for supper over the past couple of weeks, so our experience is somewhat limited. I’m only giving 3 starts, but the potential is huge for this spot, so we will return and try again! But based on our two visits:
Bistro Sofia is, as far as the price/deliciousness ratio goes, at the very top in St. John’s.
I eat there a lot (usually about 3 times/week), both eat in and take out.
This is one of the best restaurants in town. The soups are amazing, squash, tomato adn chicken I’ve tasted and all were great. The greek salad has roasted red peppers in it which makes it amazing, the casear salad is wicked. The veggie panini is the best I’ve had in the city. Friends had pulled pork adn they said it was yummy.
This place has the best tomato soup in existance.
And their macaroons are sooo good!
If you're looking for amazing dishes, cakes and desserts at affordable prices, we are here BISTRO SOFIA