Stopped into Bar Tabac for dinner and went with the steak frites. The place still has that laid-back French bistro energy--dim lighting, a little hum of conversation, and servers who keep things moving without rushing you. The steak came out with a good char and cooked right to temperature. Nothing overly fancy, just a solid cut with a proper sear. The fries were classic bistro style, great for soaking up whatever sauce or juices were left on the plate. Portion size was generous without being heavy. Service was steady: friendly, attentive, and on top of refills. The vibe is exactly what you want from a neighborhood French spot--comfortable, relaxed, and consistent. read more

Bar Tabac is a beloved and staple French restaurant in the Cobble Hill neighborhood of Brooklyn. We chose this place for our Christmas Eve dinner. The place and ambiance are casual, cozy, and unpretentious. We were given a table for two at the back of the restaurant (we didn't realize the place is quite spacious). We started with freshly made escargot Bourgogne served with French baguettes and salted butter, together with a bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon. For my main entrée, I selected Les Moules frites (we were told that the mussels are from Canada), while my partner opted for lamb shank stew, which was served to him cold and he decided to send it back to the kitchen to warm it up a bit. Hands down to the mussels' freshness and the delicious sauce that goes with it, I enjoyed dipping my baguette and fries in it. We then concluded our dinner with lava cake and vanilla ice cream dessert to share. Overall, we found the dining experience pleasing; the staff are sincerely friendly and helpful. If you are craving some authentic French cuisine and happen to be in the area, this place is highly recommended. read more

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So my very French friend from France recommended this place. This was the first time he has gone as well. So let me just say before I get started it was 4:20 weekend in New York City! I don't remember the name of what I had but it had perfectly Sunny side down eggs that were running when you look into them. Underneath it was a tomato base with potatoes and vegetables. It was really yummy. My friend had the big pot of mussels with french fries on the side.The Mussels were cooked to perfection. Before I forget we had a dish of yummy succulent escargot. I could have had some more they were delicious. We sat way in the back and it was pretty cozy in the place. The service was excellent. Everyone was very friendly. You might need reservations for this place if you go at night. read more

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Cheese was too funky, arguably not good. Bread was a bit too hard. Wine was fine. If you like a cellar vibe, this is a great spot. A dark, quiet place to chat over a bottle of wine. read more

Bar Tabac - Malbec bottle and PLANCHE DE FROMAGE - French Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

The service and ambiance here are nice. The drinks were decent, acceptable, good enough. The one dish we had was embarrassing. We ordered the fried calamari and it was made from pre fried then frozen calamari rings that were not cooked properly. A rubbery mess. A real disappointment when friends told us this place was really good. read more

Bar Tabac - Rubbery Calamari - French Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

If you are in brooklyn, this neighborhood spot is great. We had early lunch on Friday. Not crowded. Sat outside on a nice early spring day. Small outdoor seating provides all the sights and sound of the city. Service was prompt and attentive. The fried calamari appetizer was a STANDOUT. Crispy, intentionally seasoned and stretchy interior. Too dam good. The chicken and salmon sandwhichs were the best we had. Everthing including the bread and toppings were fresh and flavorful. Steak frites were what you expect. A-OK. Worth coming to Bar Tabac! read more

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This spot is always so lively everytime I walk by, so finally decided to come by. There was live music playing inside, but it was too hot and loud, so we opted to sit in the outdoor seats instead. This little French spot has a nice ambiance and brings a crowd, but I found the menu just mediocre and pricey. We just had some drinks with him ordering the Boulevardier ($15) and her with the Sidecar ($15). The drinks were good, nothing too crazy. The sugar rim was a bit messy for my Sidecar though. We also got the Bread Basket ($5) and French Fries ($9) to snack on. The fries were a bit soggy, but still good. The bread was just a few slices of baguette. There wasn't enough butter for the bread, but at least the bread was toasted. Overall, just an okay spot. The service was good and everything came out quick, but nothing all too special. read more

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It has been twelve years since I last reviewed Bar Tabac, and I think I appreciate it more and more with each passing year. This has gradually become one of my favorite places in the neighborhood to spend a warm evening. It's a beautiful blend of Brooklyn and France, and sharing a table outside as the live music gets going, lingering over a bottle of wine...even I can get lucky. Not that I do, but I could. In theory. Now that I have children, it's become a go-to for them as well. Especially because they have french fries. Good ones. That the whole family wants to get down with. Other winners are the very solid burger, the croque madame (my favorite thing on the menu), onion soup gratinee that hits the spot, the impossibly rich and flavorful duck salad, and the pan-roasted hanger steak with mushroom risotto which is a saucy, full-flavored alternative to the steak frites, and easily blows it out of the water. On the kids menu, I love that their chicken fingers and fries are simply non-breaded bits of chicken breast (and a generous portion), and my kids love the pasta with tomato sauce and a generous pile of parmesan on the side. These dishes are not going to blow minds, but they are consistently delicious, the service is always warm and friendly, and if you run into friends sitting at the next table, it can become a magical evening. It's an institution in the neighborhood, and a driving force behind the best Bastille Day celebration this side of the Atlantic. I'll see you there. read more

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We are very happy with our meal. Great service and nice sidewalk spot for lunch. French martini was delicious. read more

Bar Tabac - Delicious arugula beat salad, and mussels. Glass of Bordeaux, French martini. We are very happy with our lunch. - French Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

While I love Bar Tabac, there's not very much Parisian or French about this place, except for the food, I'm speaking mostly of the ambience. The escargot was excellent, and the burger was average. If I remember correctly, I got the burger medium rare, with Gruyère cheese, and bacon. It was a tad bit underwhelming, but the escargot was so good that I made up for it. The service was excellent, they accommodated me and my three dogs outside with little to no issues. read more

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Super cute bistro with friendly staff. We were happy to get a table outside and enjoy the warm weather. The food, while not extraordinary, was of decent quality, and the ambiance, as I mentioned before, made the experience worthwhile. Every once in a while, you find a restaurant that makes you think, "Now this is the place I have to show [so-and-so] when they come to town," and to me, this was one of those. My boyfriend ordered the pork schnitzel, substitute mashed potatoes for roasted, which he seemed to like, and my burger tabac was alright, though I think it would be more fun if they had a signature sauce beyond my slathering of ketchup and mustard that I had to ask for. After all, it's 2023- don't restaurants know no one (except maybe children and particularly picky eaters) wants a dry burger? Hoping to be back in the neighborhood soon to try more from the menu. read more

I came here for dinner and the service was very slow, but the main reason I'm writing this review is they served us a cheeseburger with completely raw ground beef. I called the waiter over and showed him and asked if it was intended to be like this, and he just asked "do you want us to cook it more". We said no and we'd just like to send it back and get the check. There weren't any apologies really and we still ended up paying $65 for 2 drinks and a salad. read more

Bar Tabac - Burger Bar Tabac - French Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

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Used to be good and one of our go-to places. Sadly the prices have gone up so much, and are so different from the online menu, that we're not going anymore. Steak frites $22 online, not on the menu. Burger $18 online, $23 at the restaurant. And be ready to pay an extra $3 for a sauce or blue cheese on your burger. And an extra $4 for bread. read more

This has always been a classic spot. Recently started frequenting the area and we had lunch at Bar Tabac. The Niçoise salad was delicious. The tuna was nicely cooked and the composition was good. We also had the salmon burger which was good. The outdoor seating is a bonus but beware of loud noises from the traffic. Good food And good value and nice atmosphere. Service is friendly but a bit slow since they tend to get busy. read more

Bar Tabac - Nicoise Salad - French Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

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Walked the length of Smith Street at 7:30 on a Saturday night and couldn't get in anywhere we wanted. I'd eaten a mediocre meal at Bar Tabac in, like, 2004 and hadn't been back since. But it's persevered longer than almost any other place on the street. So we decided to give it a try and I'm so glad we did. The hosts and servers were so accommodating and got us seated after a quick drink at the cute bar. Then we had absolutely perfectly prepared steak frites and roast chicken. If we'd had that meal in Paris, we'd have been very satisfied. Great food, service, and vibe. I look forward to coming back. read more

3.5 stars. Bar Tabac is a solid staple in Boerum Hill for a number of reasons and I could see why. I had brunch and dinner in the past and remember being satisfied. I'm just getting the opportunity to write a review now. I recently had dinner at Bar Tabac funnily enough, craving Mussels. Yup, it was on the menu. Actually the menu prices posted on the door differed from the prices on the menu via the QR code. That was a hmmm moment. In addition, there seemed to be a discussion among the staff about the end of HH. They verbally said 6 but the chalkboard stated 7 pm. Once 7 pm was confirmed, someone else said it was 6 but then it was back to 7 pm again. This ping pong exchange was kind of off putting. Our first round of wine wasn't to out liking so we exchanged it for something else which the waitress was accommodating. We were sold on the Mussels & Frites in the white wine sauce. Also served with bread. The Mussels arrived with the frites--a generous portion. The bread for dunking and savoring the delicious wine sauce was nowhere to be found. Service was a bit lackluster and by the time the bread arrived, I was halfway through my meal. The fries were also a bit soggy. Overall, the meal was above average except for the details I outlined. And there were several. It could have been an off night, but prices should be consistent when accessing all menus. Despite this, I'd return. read more

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Went in for a nice glass of Chablis at the bar and to watch the baseball game. Quaint little spot. I loved it.

I love this place. Great corner location. It's in one of my favorite locations in Carroll gardens/ Borem Hill. Even after I moved away I always come back to this area. Across the street there is my favorite nail salon Dashing Diva ( see my Sep review). So after I get a mani pedi, I stop by here for happy hour. Except on 7/14! I stopped by n it was Bastille day! There was live Caribbean mystic outside, and no happy hour. I found out too late, No matter, I was already seated, the place was decorated w French flags "viva la France", very festive! Je adore ! My daughter had the tuna tartar, she said it was very good. Tuna tartar was over bed of seaweed topped w guac & chips. I only had Fries w sparking Rosé. Perfect for summer afternoon. See you next time. Au revoir ! read more

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This is a tough one. Bar Tabac recently dropped down to a "C" sanitary inspection grade. We need to understand that from a hygiene perspective, this is no easy feat. I can secure a sous chef position at a bar and grill, drop a deuce in my hands and clap as I prepare fajitas, in front of the inspector, and still come out with a "B". Then why does the hanger steak in demi glazed shallots slap every time? The Tanqueray (sponsor me) dirty martini with extra olives succulent? At what point do we cast away our preconceived notions of what hygiene SHOULD be and open our hearts to an acceptable level of what is? Not here. Pancreatitis, the maternity ward and this stomache ache crack the Mount Rushmore of abdominal pain. My Postmates courier is calling from CVS, he doesn't know what to do with "yellow gatorade in syringe form". But honestly, live music daily and 10/10 service has me ready to be hurt again. Life's short, C you again Bar Tabac. read more

Update: sadly the place is again on the decline. The C rating on the front door that's unchanged for a year is concerning. I thought it was a fluke. And the food is no longer the same, just had a very mediocre burger there. Why can't we have good things? read more

The service was very good and the staff was friendly. The steak was properly grilled as requested and the risotto was excellent. I went in because the store looked lively from the outside. I was very satisfied. read more

Bar Tabac - Beef steak & mushroom risotto - French Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

A shell of the restaurant it once was, we just had our first shameful meal at bar tabac in 20 years. We can only assume (hope) that it may have changed hands, because the $46 steak arrived RAW after 40 minutes, and the moules frites no longer have any flavor. Oh, and a basket of bread to go with it is $4. Disgraceful. The service was atrocious to match. Very sad indeed. Bar Tabac has been our neighborhood 'go-to' since the day they opened, but no mas. read more

Food is excellent, great selection of wine and cocktails, the perfect French bistro menu, great service, and the ambiance is retro French . Another Perfect spot when you missing Paris. read more

Been coming to this place since the early 2000s. Always enjoyed the standard French faire almost always coming for the mussels and croque Madame. Smells and cleanliness were always a bit of an issue but today couldn't overlook such things as we were also served by impersonal and edgy waitstaff who insisted that the mussels never came with bread. I had to correct her, since I've been coming to this restaurant long before she was old enough to work there. This place is going downhill. It was hard to get attention for coffee refill, when asked, other empty coffee cup was ignored. Had very little cream and when asked for more was given very little more. Felt understaffed, felt like poor management, and a new weird and stingy greed, cutting standard things like the bread that comes with the mussels and cream for your coffee, As in France, this dish is traditionally served with bread to soak up the sauce. Look it up. To not serve it this way is an insult to French cuisine. So let me recap....New Year's Day surly staff...dramatic price changes... The bread we ordered was a 5$ up charge making the mussels a 32$ dish. Croque Madame was cold and egg had very little run. Latrine like smells in back, near bathroom, over all looked dirty. We're not coming back. There are at least 4 other French restaurant in the area and I'd rather not get ripped off and have a pleasant experience for these outrageous prices. read more

3.5 stars rounded up. One of the few French food restaurants open late during this odd transition from post-Covid to normal times. I was craving duck (as you do) so my French friend in Brooklyn found this spot. I got the duck salad ($23) and a carafe ($22) of the house wine to share. Daughter got the half chicken ($25) and my friend got the goat cheese salad ($14) with a side of truffle oil fries ($8). Both said their meals were good! The duck came with pieces of meat atop a bed of greens. Lightly crispy and tender, it cured my craving for duck. Confit du canard this is not, but for the price point, it's a decent salad. Reminiscent of the typical French brasseries, it's common French food which does the trick. The table next to us outside had a rat run across their feet which provided some entertainment and that authentic New York experience. read more

Bar Tabac - Duck Salad - French Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

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sooooo goooodddd love the energy and vibes yessssssssss yum yum yum!!! friendly people :3 read more

Bar Tabac - Free Range Chicken Breast Sauted String Beans Side Mashed Potatoes sooooo goooodddd - French Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

Great food and ambience. Servers always wonderful. I'm a regular for a reason! Get the escargot

Husband and I walked in to enjoy a nice dinner- have been here before for many lunches - the place was hopping so we went to the back to find a table - there were two or three empty tables ( 4 top) we asked the host if we could sit - he would not allow us since we were two and then he said anyway these are reserved ( no reserve sign). He wanted to seat us all the way in the back room in the left corner....not being part of the restaurant. We saw he wouldn't accommodate us and didn't really care. Too bad - we won't be back. read more

Great spot for a late-summer afternoon happy hour drink. Open air bar space is the best of both worlds for someone looking for a cozy, indoor space, but who wants to experience fresh air and city-street energy read more

spent 3 days with FOOD POISONING after my boyfriend and I had the calamari (it was the first and only meal of the day for us) while watching the eurocup on tuesday afternoon. BE CAREFUL! read more

This is my new go-to happy hour in the neighborhood if I'm able to make it! 4p-6pm Mon-Fri for $6 drinks and food items! I tried a couple different spritz that they had but my favorite was the aperol spritz (classic, I know). I also ordered the chips and guac (also $6 on the HH menu) and it was delicious! I've been realizing a lot of French restaurants make really good guac?? The service was a little slow but they were pretty busy so I didn't mind. I still need to try food from their full menu but I can't wait to go back! read more

Bar Tabac - HH chips and guac and aperol spritz - $6 each! - French Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

Been a while since we came here and glad we did. They now take Visa and MasterCard, not just AmEx and cash! I wasn't super-hungry, so I had the mushroom risotto. Perfectly good. My wife had the pan-seared salmon, as any reader of my other reviews may have guessed, and she really enjoyed it. It's served with lentils, greens and a mustard sauce. Our guests had tuna tartare and the mussels with fries. The only feedback I got was from the mussels-eater, who complained that it was too hard to get at the sauce. She shelled basically every mussel and then let the meat marinate a bit before eating. There was a jazz trio jamming when we went, on a Tuesday night. They took a decent number of breaks, so even though we were seated right next to them, it didn't make it too hard to converse. read more

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Local Favorite Finds New Life Although Bar Tabac has been in Cobble Hill for ages, my experiences there in yesteryear, were of the "serviceable but not going to seek it out" variety. Recent visits have changed my mind.. the vibe, the service and the food, have all seem to have miraculously upgraded, and it has become my go-to place to meet cherished friends and out of town visitors.. anyone, in fact, who is someoneI want to make sure has a wonderful experience. The food is as good as one of those restaurants in Paris one finds on a magical spring evening, on a secret side street.. extremely fresh ingredients, assembled with kniwledgeable attention and care. (I especially love the trout almandine). The wine list is very good indeed, and quite reasonable. Andthe staff actually seems to enjoy looking after you, and to take seriously, the idea of hospitality. So happy to have a lovely and delicious place, in downtown Brooklyn. Thanks, Bar Tabac! read more

Been here a few times. The make really great food . Very cozy inside w/ the interior itself when you visit, Yesenia and I split an order of Steak frites w/ a salad . The STEAK is soooo good and made right .not over cook just perfect for a place like this . We both ordered red wine also . We couldn't say at the bar cause a few people were taking up seats to watch football.so we sat opposite at a table and ate our dinner . It's pretty big now since they have the outside too. Last time I was here on a Sunday the had a live band by the front door ... it was smooth and relaxing music , a bit of Jazz . But try the steak frites if you dare . . And the staff is pretty good also w/ making sure you are welcome inside . read more

Bar Tabac - Steak Frites - French Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

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We ALWAYS walk by this place while looking for places to eat on Smith street and finally made it here for brunch on a Saturday. It was super super hot out so thankfully they had the AC on (and fans!) FOOD: I got the avocado toast with poached egg (you can also get it sunny side up). It came with a side baby kale and arugula salad which was nice bc I was worried I'd still be hungry. The toast was well flavored and the pomegranate seeds was a unique touch that I've never had before! Not sure the temperature it was meant to be served at, but my toast (and egg) was slightly above room temp. still tasted good tho! SERVICE: very attentive even though it got busy after we got there (I swear I always bring the crowd!) friendly and efficient. DRINK: was on my detox from drinking so didn't have anything, but they do have a few blood mary options (bar tabac, basil, spicy maria, vegan cucumber) that I will definitely have to be back to try. read more

Bar Tabac - Avocado toast (w/poached egg) + kale, baby arugula salad. - French Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

First time at this place and I really liked it. Great service, very nice setting, enjoy live music and have a nice cocktail. I ordered a burger it was good, had calamari for appetizer. Had a jalapeño margarita loved the sour spicy taste. I recommend this place to chill, relax with friends and family. Outdoor seating, the waiter and bartender were great. Thanks. read more

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Ordered the steak cheval, meat was pretty chewy for 6oz of steak at $26, although the fries were good. The wines by the glass were pretty subpar, surprising for a French restaurant...hard to get 'cote du rhone' wrong! The creme brûlée was pretty good. Servers were attentive but service seemed disorganized. I ordered from 3 different servers in the span of 30 mins. read more

When I saw the steak come to my table I was disappointed, but it turned out to be one of the best au poivre sauces I've had in New York, outstanding French fries, and tasty, perfectly cooked meat. Bravo! read more

Pleasing drinks. I love their French onion soup and friends enjoyed the burger and especially the amazing band that plays there on Thursday nights! read more

One star for a good-looking interior and exterior but that's it. Service was haphazard and they didn't seem to care --for example, wine doesn't arrive, then one person's cocktail comes; we still have to ask for the other drinks. The food was very bland, and worst was the salade nicoise, where the pile of dressed lettuce was a wet blob, totally inedible. The tuna was iffy, also. read more