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    Gulf Bistro

    4.7 (157 reviews)
    PriceyFrench, Seafood
    Closed 5:30 pm - 9:00 PM

    Gulf Bistro Photos

    Business Info

    GULF BISTRO ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Romantic
    Classy
    Moderate noise
    Good for groups

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    Recommended Reviews - Gulf Bistro

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    Onion Soup Gratine. Tasted great!
    Nataliya Z.

    Tonight we came back for dinner to our favorite restaurant at its new location. It is absolutely the best French restaurant in Florida. Everything is outstanding and authentic: the exceptional cuisine, the welcoming and personal service and the charming ambiance. I highly recommend!

    Creme brulee!

    I love this incarnation of Gulf Bistro!! They're in the old Cafe Largo spot. The food is superb! We had the beet carpaccio which was lovely and delicious! Then we had the halibut/scallop special served with yellow rice and sauteed green beans and asparagus. The sauce was wonderful with savory bits of mushrooms, peppers and olives and garlic!! Yum!! For dessert we had a perfect creme brulee and profiteroles with vanilla ice cream and chocolate syrup. Every thing was superb!!!

    Filet mignon
    Amanda M.

    The food quality and seasoning is 5 star quality. The sauces are great. However, the portions are almost child like. Based on portion size it is 3 star. The filet mignon and salmon were ok sized and really well seasoned. But the potato medallions and veg portions were so small it almost looked like leftovers. Really cheap of the restaurant unless they just screwed us for getting take out on New Years. It's a shame because the owner/chef seemed really nice and the food is good. But the portions are pathetically small.

    Duck confit- not my favorite
    Mia L.

    The service was great and the owner was very friendly, walking around chatting with guests. The food was mostly amazing. Intimate setting.

    Lobster Bisque
    Becca C.

    The best fine dining in Madeira beach, possibly even in all of Pinellas county. Food: Lobster bisque - I've eaten a lot of lobster bisque but I think this may be my favorite so far. Creamy and decadent with great flavor. The lobster chunks were perfectly cooked and as tender as butter. House salad w/ house dressing - the house dressing is so incredible! I only wish it was a bigger serving so I could've eaten more of it. Duck confit special - the rich balsamic port sauce paired perfectly with the tender, crispy duck. I had to stop myself from eating everything so I could save room for dessert. Crème brûlée - I finished off dinner with a favorite. The sugar was perfectly caramelized and the custard was wonderfully balanced. I sampled the chocolate mousse too which was delicious but very rich. Ambiance: The space is small and intimate but feels homey with beautiful decor. I loved that they have such unique and pretty plates. Every dish was beautifully presented. Service: Excellent service. The staff very clearly loves what they do and take pride in the restaurant. We'll be back soon!

    My wife Carol...
    Allen C.

    The food is incredibly good...pleasing to both the eye and the pallet...the French sauces prepared by the chef to flavor the seafood dishes are the best I have ever sampled during a lifetime in pursuit of fine French dining... This was our second time dining here. We were accompanied by our close friends visiting from Atlanta to celebrate their 47th anniversary...they enjoyed the selection of this restaurant as much as we do...

    Duck confit with pack and walnut sauce
    Chris S.

    I give very few five star ratings, but this lovely restaurant nestled in an area full of restaurants serving fried seafood, pizza and fast food is fully deserving of recognition. This is a small place with 15-20 tables run by a husband and wife. The husband is in the back running the kitchen and the wife takes on all of the duties in the front of the house. She is charmingly friendly, welcoming and very efficient. The chef came out and visited tables and spent time with valued returning customers as well as us first timers. If you want a quick bite, i'd go elsewhere. But if you want to take the time to enjoy a meal prepared with care and attention to detail this is a great choice. Four of us dined together. My wife and I shared the country pate appetizer which was served with spicy mustard and small pickles. Our friends shared the lobster bisque appetizer. These were both accompanied with warm sliced baguette. A small salad dressed with oil and vinegar came with our entrees. Two of us had the confit de canard (duck confit) served with a peach and walnut sauce which complimented the richness of the duck. This was accompanied with some lightly cooked vegetables and a very nice puck of gratineed potatoes (thinly sliced potatoes cooked with butter and cream). The entree was well balanced, perfectly seasoned and very satisfying. My wife had a pork tenderloin dish. This was served as rounds of tenderloin topped with a slice of Brie and a berry sauce. Vegetables and potatoes as above. The slightly sweet, fruity sauce was a nice counterpoint to the lean pork and rich cheese. The fourth diner had a veal dish which she liked very much, but which I didn't get a good look at from across the table. I think it came with similar sides. For dessert our friends had the special pineapple upside-down cake which given the speed with which it disappeared must have been quite good. My wife and I shared the nougat glace...a frozen connection that was not too sweet but hit just the right spot to be a perfect dessert. We shared a couple of bottles of one of their featured wine specials which proved to be very drinkable and a very reasonable value. If you are in the areas and want a meal that really stands out from other local offerings you can't go wrong here This is a small place, so reservations are recommended especially during busy seasons.

    Blue cheese terrine

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    6 days ago

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    11 months ago

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    Marie H.

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    3 months ago

    Everything about Gulf Bistro - food, service, , ambience.- equates to a wonderful dining experience.

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    1 year ago

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    5 months ago

    Love supporting local and post hurricane they need it more than ever. Lovely dinner tonight. Great food and drinks, attentive service.

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    Marie H.

    Thank you very much, see you again soon!

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    9 months ago

    Sweet breads were awesome as well as were the wine choices. Service was friendly and efficient.

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    3 years ago

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    1 year ago

    This place is true 5 stars. Tremendous atmosphere great service and delicious food and dessert.

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    Marie H.

    Thank you so much for your review, hope to see you again soon

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    9 months ago

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    9 months ago

    Excellent food with warm friendly service! A must for anyone who enjoys authentic French Food!!

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    4 years ago

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    2 years ago

    The main courses are excellent and so is the service. Their salad is sparse but could be much better with a little imagination

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    6 years ago

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    Page 1 of 4

    Ask the Community - Gulf Bistro

    Does this restaurant have oceanview/water view outdoor seating?

    No we Don’t

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    Cafe de Paris Bakery - Spinach, Parmesan, and garlic quiche, coffee

    Cafe de Paris Bakery

    4.4(556 reviews)
    1.5 mi
    $$

    Wow!!! I'm so excited to find this wonderful French bakery in Indian Rocks!…read more We went in for chocolate croissants, and discovered that and so much more. In addition to pastries, they have cookies, macaroons, quiches, crepes, breakfast sandwiches, beverages, and more. You can dine there or take away. Parking can be tough, but there are some free spots in front and alongside. If you are studying nearby and can walk there, that's what I would suggest. They have an efficient service process where you order the counter. The place feels both beachy and French. Such a wonderful find!

    Well third time wasn't the charm. We tried 2 times driving from Tampa. First time it was closed and…read moresecond they were closing early and stop serving. It wasn't bad but also disappointingly not great food wise. Service was pleasant and they brought items out quickly since it wasn't real busy on a Saturday lunchtime. Parking up front was easy. Staff was nice and friendly. Order at the counter and they bring it to your table. Quiche with bacon mushrooms was just ok. Lacked seasoning, richness and depth of flavor. Not bad but not great. The pressed pâté panini with cornichons had a crunch and iceberg lettuce. The croissants missed the laminated butter pastry taste and flakiness. The raspberry beignet wasn't overly sweet but tasted more bready than donut beignet. After that, we still ordered a lemon sugar crepe that missed the mark. It leaned more savory undertones without the lightness, tart and sweetness. More meh. I tried adding more sugar. Was it the lemon in the jar instead of fresh squeezed? The batter? The whipped cream didn't help. Oh well, we tried. All in all folks seem to like it, but I wouldn't really say it's a Parisian cafe or a patisserie that I'd make a long drive. If you haven't had a great French bakery or staying in Pinellas or just want some for the beach, it's great. We were disappointed by expecting more than it was. Unfortunately.

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    Chez Colette

    Chez Colette

    4.3(87 reviews)
    2.8 mi
    $$$

    We went after Thanksgiving to celebrate a birthday and an anniversary. It all started out well with…read morea couple of glasses of wine and a shared cheese plate. The restaurant was not full. We like to eat early so we went at 6:30. First, the server came out with the wrong food, took it back. Then a different person came back with a menu and said they were out of the duck... mind you we are now an hour in. Another choice was made. Five minutes later our original server came back and said we actually do have the duck. So we wait. The food finally arrives at 7:45! I can't eat late, most of mine came home with me. The food was delicious, the kitchen was just underperforming I guess . They offered to comp dessert. And when it came it had sparklers because of our celebrations, which was nice but it was 8:30 at least by the time we left. So, of course we will try again, the place is very good and certainly one of the best restaurants in the area. But I feel like if your entrees are in the $40-48 range, the execution should match. This visit was a disappointment overall.

    Chez Colette is a charming little French bistro in Bel Air Bluffs, run by a delightful…read morehusband-and-wife team. He's the talented chef working magic in the kitchen, while she keeps everything humming along with a warm smile. We met friends for dinner and started with a charcuterie board packed with cool options, including a couple of new-to-us items we really enjoyed. For starters, I dove into the French onion soup--rich, cozy, and just perfect. My friend couldn't get enough of her fresh arugula salad, and the escargot was a total hit, with every bite bursting with flavor. For mains, I had the wild-caught shrimp risotto, which was super creamy and delicious. My husband's beef bourguignon was hearty and packed with rich flavor. Our friends went for the duck leg confit, which she raved about, and the special--a 16-ounce Delmonico steak (really a ribeye) cooked to absolute perfection. Dessert was a so good! We shared the decadent chocolate mousse and an espresso over vanilla ice cream with salted caramel drizzle--both were out of this world. I noticed a few people enjoying the filet mignon, and it's definitely on my list for next time. Chez Colette's cozy vibe means you'll want to book a table ahead of time. It's totally worth the drive to Bel Air Bluffs for a meal that feels like a warm hug from France!

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    Chez Colette - Cafe Liegois similar to affogato but better!

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    Alsace french bistro - French onion soup

    Alsace french bistro

    4.7(194 reviews)
    16.0 mi
    $$

    Delicious- just go!…read more The vibe is pretty homie gives French bistro vibes and feels like an old living room throughout most of the restaurant. Service was friendly, quick and helpful and prices were more than fair for the flavor. We went for brunch and everything we had was very tasty- I didn't use a single condiment, which is rare the French toast was amazing. It's honestly the perfect amount (non American portion), but you will want that more. We also had the crêpe V something and the rustic omelette both exquisite. I will be happy ordering this every time, but I'm also curious to explore a few of the other options. The menu isn't super dense, but we're thinking of trying the sweet crêpe next time and maybe a desert. Pro tip add some of the syrupy whipped cream from your French toast to a cappuccino and enjoy. Better than most lattes. 10 out of 10 would brunch again!

    Quaint French Restaurant in Tierra Verde. Authentic feel of a bistro when you walk in. Very…read morefriendly staff. All of our dishes were very tasty but the Steak Tartare would've benefited by toast points to add a crunchy layer of flavor. The French fries helped a little bit but I'm used to always getting toast points or similar when eating a tartare. We have friends in the area and may revisit here the next time we're in Tierra Verde. This seems like a great regular visit option for people living in the area.

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    Alsace french bistro - Front dining area

    Front dining area

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    Parlor House Bistro - Chateau and Shrimp

    Parlor House Bistro

    4.4(218 reviews)
    10.1 mi

    We actually dined here for our anniversary, December 30th. I wanted to write a glowing review then…read morebut I sadly can't remember my servers name. He was FABULOUS! I'm so sorry, wish I knew his name. He was the only male server there at the time so hopefully he gets credit. We made a reservation for dinner & walked in about 6:30pm. We waited only a minute maybe at the podium. It's in a strip mall which is odd for such an upscale place but it was kind of business casual not formal. We were seated in a comfy booth by our server. There was even a card sitting on the table, signed by the staff for our anniversary. Very sweet. This was our first time here so he showed us various specials on the menu. They had NYE specials since it was the 30th so we ordered from that. The drink menu is very small but I'm confident the bartender could have made me anything I asked for. We did not order bread, it's not included but we also did not want to fill up on it. I was dying to try the onion soup & was actually glad he recommended the mini size. It allowed us to try the soup but not fill up on it. I would totally return just for this soup! It wasn't long before our dinners were ready. Once it was in front of me I was honestly shocked at the raw beef but, it was truly seared & sliced to give it that presentation. I normally will not touch rare beef but this was actually delicious! The food was so good & fresh. The drinks were strong, not watered down at all. I actually had to get a Togo box for half my meal but it was a great lunch the next day. We did take home desserts as well which were also perfect. Our dinner was $200 which is quite steep but it was our anniversary & we truly enjoyed it. We will definitely return. I wish they did carry out for the soup. I think I'd order it every week if they did.. Overall I have zero complaints. The ambiance is not overly stiff either. They've made it so it's a mix of casual & elegance combined. If you'd like to dress up, go for it! Thank you, Parlor House for an amazing anniversary dinner.

    We returned to parlor house for Valentine's Day last night. The food was absolutely unreal- as we…read moreremembered- but the ambiance has totally flipped! When we were here last (as you can see in the attached photos) there were dark curtains blocking out the very casual plaza, white table cloths, dimmer lighting, and a stage at the front for live jazz music. It really felt transformative and intimate. This time when we walked in we were greeted by a beta fish tank which was incredibly odd lol, all of the curtains were wide open, no live music, wooden tables, confusing decor, it was super bright and so, sooo so loud. Tables were crammed together and you could tell the kitchen and bar were struggling with volume. I wouldn't mention this at all if the entrees weren't 50$. For the very pricy food and cocktails you expect an elevated interior- and the vibe felt really confusing. It's a shame because the food is exceptional- something to keep in mind if you're looking for a romantic date night. Excellent food romantic vibes Still worth trying if you're in the area- just adjust expectations. Dress code online business casual but folks were mostly in shorts and t-shirts.

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    Outside

    Marquise Dunedin - American Breakfast with a real French croissant.

    Marquise Dunedin

    4.7(38 reviews)
    10.6 mi

    I ordered the croque madam and it is delicious. Their coffees are excellent the shop is run by the…read morehusband and the wife has a shop down in treasure island. If you go on the weekend here... go early because it only seats 20 people total

    Out doing some errands in Dunedin and decided to check out places for brunch. Found Marquise and…read morelooked interesting. We found it via GPS but still almost missed it. It is a small cafe tucked behind a convenience store. This was about 10:20 on a Tuesday. It is a small but quaint cafe, only two tables were occupied, so seated right away. The server brought us waters and menus. We browsed the good number of items. Now I do love quiche, and it looked great, but my interest went to the Shirted Eggs. New to me. So I went for that. My wife chose the Veggie Omellette, but changed when they did not have Salsa. So she picked the Blueberry French Toast instead. We chatted for a bit and I took photos. Shortly our meals came. I thought the Shirred Eggs would be scrambled but they were added to the bacon and heavy cream, unbroken, so cooked but juicy, and topped with cheddar. It was delicious. And the warm, toasted, baguette was superb. My wife really enjoyed her French Toast, lots of fresh blueberries, fluffy and fantastic. I wish we tried their coffee also but already had several cups this morning. Then we looked around for a baked goods display since server told us they made their own baked goods. None out but they had fresh croissants, so we got a regular and a chocolate to go. Now my wife was driving today, so couldn't resist tasting my regular croissant. Yum. It was still warm and flaky, but I only had 1 bite. Quaint place, nice decorations, great service, great food. Check it out! Plus a nice military discount!

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    Boulon Brasserie and Bakery - Oysters, espresso martinis

    Boulon Brasserie and Bakery

    4.1(515 reviews)
    23.6 miDowntown Tampa
    $$$

    Boulon is by far one of my favorite restaurants in Downtown Tampa. The ambience is 10/10. The…read morerestaurant has something for everyone. If you want a relaxed time, a weekend brunch or week night dinner is for you. If you want an eventful night out, Friday or Saturday night is for you. The service is always 10/10. Similar to the vibes, the food is above and beyond and there is something for everyone. Boulon is constantly refining their menu with fresh and creative new menu offerings so you are bound to find something you like.

    Came here for a girls' dinner and had a really nice time overall, but mixed feelings about the…read morefood. I ordered the steak frites and honestly, it didn't hit for me. The steak was a bit dry and pretty chewy, and it lacked flavor. The sauce (some kind of brown pepper sauce) was actually really good though, and the fries were solid. One of my friends ordered the same dish and felt the same way, even though she still cleaned her plate. My other friend got a Caesar salad with shrimp and crab cakes -- both were really good. I'm usually not even a crab cake person, but theirs surprised me in a good way. She said the shrimp was cooked perfectly too. The ambiance is definitely a highlight -- we sat outside on Water Street with nice lighting and a great vibe. Service was good, and the bottle of wine we got was great as well. Overall, we had a great time, I'd just probably try something different on the menu next time.

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    Indoor area

    Gulf Bistro - french - Updated May 2026

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