Delicious! I visited for my birthday, and it definitely was a good choice. I had the Sonnet 65 drink (they were out of the Girls and Cigars). We tried the chargrilled oysters, and they were delicious. Get the potatoes...they were to die for! The steak was cooked really well and had great flavor. read more

Vestal Restaurant - Ribeye, Potatoes, Sparkling Lemonade - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Lafayette, Louisiana

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On the whole, all dishes were too salty but they were still good. Boselei oysters were good, like the 3 sauces. Steak tartare was good but salt and wasabi was overpowering the dish as a whole. The spaghetti was just Devine. They really know how to do their noodles and love them. Crab and the sauce just went so well. The bread starter was good with the butter and soft which I like. The whole fish was loupe de mar and it was good but didn't like the soy with it. The fish was light and flaky and decent flavor. The jasmine rice was just refreshing and simple. The lasagna again they do nooodles so well, was great too. Didn't get the Smokey flavor but still enjoyed it. Had the steak ribeye medium rare and it was delicious in certain areas and other areas got a little tough and salty. The marrow butter was worth the extra money for another dollop. Almost ordered the wagyu but been disappointed with really expensive meats before so chose not too but still tempting considering the ribeye was good. The mushrooms were the only thing that was just bad. Not sure what it was but something unpleasant was very forward. Switched to the duck fat potatoes and the cauliflower. Potatoes great. Cauli was boring. Dessert was blueberry tart. Ice cream was delicious the crust dried your mouth out. Also tried the miso hazelnut and didn't like the consistency of it. It felt slimy which was weird and didn't even finish it. It was just ok. The drinks were all exquisite and really enjoyed the adventurous ingredients. Shame they didn't do the drunk in love but still have it on the menu. Was disappointed in that. Don't tease us with something that sounds delicious but don't serve it. Waiter was good too. Little pricey but it was a nice dinner. read more

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Went last night. Some things were great. Some things could use work. What we liked: The crudo and the tartare. Very fresh. Very good combo of flavors. Filet was very good. Maybe to Much butter? But that's me being nit picky. My wife loved the catch of the day. It was prepared perfectly. Service was also very good. What we didn't like: Charbroiled oysters. Just had much better elsewhere. Cauliflower- so i love spicy food. Love it. This was too spicy for even me. Prob could do with lowering the heat a bit. Very loud space, wouldn't be a good first date spot. Wife liked her dessert, one with lemon. I thought the blueberry tart was okay. They were also out of bread which was disappointing. Will give it another go in the future. read more

Awesome place! Never had a bad meal. Got get the food!! Wood fired steaks, tuna Crudo and tartare are amazing!! Excellent service and food. Can't go wrong!! read more

I'm taking a class in Lafayette this weekend so I checked out Yelp for a restaurant. Vestal Restaurant popped up and got my taste buds excited!! It surely didn't disappoint. What you see is the Wagyu Tartare and Chargrilled oysters. I had a Tart for dessert but the boomarang wouldn't post.. BUT Wow! Excellent choices! The oysters were a little in between raw and chargrilled for me to love but the flavor was there. I'm a little spoiled from Nola's chargrilled. Besides that, kudos to these chefs! The menu is incredible..I had to look up a few things up including the Niboshi..Great job on concept and ambiance! read more

Vestal Restaurant - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Lafayette, Louisiana

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I dined at the highly anticipated restaurant this past Saturday and was truly blown away. Every detail was meticulous, well thought out and beautiful. The interior design is impeccable- something the that Lafayette has never seen before. It transforms you to a different place. All around the restaurant were thoughtful details - beautiful plants as dividers, very comfortable cesa style chairs in the dining room and le labo and boy smell products in the restrooms. The server (whose name I can't recall) was so kind and accommodating and had great recommendations! We started with the crudo and tartar - both supered and excellently balanced. Next we had the bread and squash which we finished very quickly. I'm still thinking of the ricotta and squash combo!! We ended the night with the gulf catch and a blueberry tart and enjoyed every bite. Also special shoutout to the bartender - best old fashion I've had in a very long time. Props to Ryan and his team - you have created something incredibly special and I cannot wait to come back. Special thanks to the general manager Aaron who treated us with great kindness!!! Lafayette is lucky to have y'all! Thank you for a great dining experience. read more

Great experience last night. The decor and vibe of this restaurant is great and unique. Our reservations were for 630 and our group of 6 was sat promptly. To start we ordered the bread, caviar, crudo, and spaghetti. All appetizers were excellent but the crudo and spaghetti were above and beyond our favorites! For the main course we got all the sides and the tomahawk and whole fish. If you have a big enough party, definitely worth ordering for the experience. The fish was amazing and cooked perfectly and the steak was really flavorful. Service was great and overall a good experience. Can't wait to come back read more

Fine dining in Lafayette! Oysters, creative cocktails, excellent service, upscale decor. Eat here, you're worth it! read more

Downtown Lafayette is so lucky to have this gem. We've been a few times and we're looking forward to more visits!

An amazing new restaurant that is absolutely beautiful. The menu has a ton of delicious options including several cooked over open fire. Aside from the amazing food (and it is amazing) the restaurant itself is designed in a neat way where you can see the food prepared. The staff are all incredibly friendly and the bar is amazing. They have a great wine list and some unique and satisfying mixed drinks. I would definitely go again and recommend to friends and family. This place is worth checking out! read more

Very good food! Atmosphere is one of the best, great service. Only complaint, food is very pricey for the amount you get. read more

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The food, cocktails, and wine here are amazing. Vestal's competes (and occasionally wins) in a competition with *any* restaurant in Louisiana. And yes, I'm from New Orleans. read more

New menu. Definitely a lot more expensive. Some plates seeing a 6-10$ jump. Steaks a lot more expensive...Blueberry tart is gone...enough said. Duck potato dish taste like a breakfast potato dish. Shredded instead of cubed which changes the texture. Skip the sweet corn. Overall the sides that were to share are not anymore. They are almost 20$ a piece for some. It's crazy to me that an already very expensive place that is always full...needs such a large increase in price. Prices are in your control... read more

Immediately as I walked in I thought, "Wow, I'm in Lafayette, right?" The ambience Vestal has created is something like no other restaurant in town. Perfect lighting, just dim enough to feel as though we were the only ones in the restaurant. And the music! Not too upbeat, but also not too slow. And for the food! We started off with a dozen raw oysters, and my goodness they tasted so fresh and were a perfect appetizer paired with the focaccia bread. I could have eaten the feta butter with a spoon. For drinks we started with the Oxford comma and Dreaming of you. The Oxford comma was very light and refreshing, each ingredient paired so well together. The Dreaming of you was a fantastic tequila cocktail to start with, very spirit forward but the apricot and lavender lingered with each sip, creating a nice balance. The Random task was a great pairing with this drink. These bartenders really know what they are doing here. And they are so friendly, welcoming, and informative! The tuna crudo is also a must-try, along with the wagyu tartare and ceviche. We also had the carrots and salanova salad. Everything was fabulous. Our server was also very patient and informative, never making us feel as though we were asking too many questions. If I lived in Lafayette, I would probably dine here twice a week, at the least. I can't wait to go back and try the rest of the menus. 12/10 experience! Great job Vestal! read more

This was the best restaurant we have been to in Lafayette. The atmosphere, decor, food and service were all 5 stars. Our waiter was extremely helpful, pleasant, and professional. All of the food ordered was great and cooked perfect. This experience was very close to how restaurants feel in D.C. Definitely will be back! read more

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Chef Ryan Trahan did it again! If you've been looking for a new experience with a fresh vibe this is the place to check out. As soon as you walk through the doors it's like you've stepped into a different city, I love all the details inside the restaurant. The open grill surely brings a majestic feel to your dining experience. The New York I ordered was cooked perfectly, tender and oh so juicy. Was hesitant whenever my table ordered the Tartare, but this turned out to be my favorite appetizer! The wait staff were so friendly and kept the drinks rolling (this is a big part of my rating). I would like to compliment the staff on the ticket time! The restaurant was packed and we managed to hold a conversation about doge without having to yell across the table. By the time we looked up our apps were rolling in! Gotta love that. Downtowns restaurant scene needed something spectacular and this is it! I promise you won't regret making a reservation on any night of the week. read more

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This place doesn't live up to the hype. The food doesn't actually taste that good and certainly doesn't warrant the price. To start, I'm a little curious if some of these reviews are legit, but this restaurant admittedly has a lot of hype by word of mouth, so maybe so... Sorry, but the way the reviews describe the decor and atmosphere, they're just way over the top. It's not that special or unique. It's not fancy, despite the white table cloth price tag. It's very dimly lit, which is fine, but I noticed 2 other patrons using the flash light on their cellphone to read the menu. The set up by the wood fire grill is pretty cool, but you've seen similar if you've been anywhere that does oysters. Still, the grill setup is pretty ingenious and looks like something I'd love to cook on. Anyways, this place is very trendy at the moment. It's where all the hip, young money, and people on dates go. It's loud, not that romantic, but hip. The cocktails are good. The ones I've tried were all well-balanced with sweetness and bitters, but be careful, they're very strong. As far as the food goes, maybe I just happened to order all the worst stuff on the menu, but it just wasn't that good. Most, I would say are not that special, but this was the first time in years that I've eaten something at a restaurant that actually tasted bad. My wife asked me not to send the food back or tell the staff how I really felt about it because she didn't want to ruin the mood. The focaccia bread was nice and soft, but it's just bread. The butter that comes with it is very tasty and certainly the reason everyone likes the dish. The pork ribs were surprisingly good. To be honest, I'm not a big fan of ribs, but I really enjoyed these. They were tender and smokey. The soy sauce on it was a very nice change from the ridiculously sweet bbq sauce you get from most places and the peanuts were a nice addition as well. The Caesar salad was pathetic. Arugula and breadcrumbs. That's it. My wife enjoyed it, I was shocked that they charge money for that. The mushrooms were ok. They were meaty and smokey, which was nice, but after a couple of bites, it became too much. I tried eating the mushrooms in the same bites with my entree at times (lasagna) and it didn't really work together. I ate less than half and had enough. The potatoes were really good and probably the highlight of the night for the food. The toasted, crunchy garlic on them set them over the top. And now... the "lasagna". There's meat in there? Where? No beef cheek to be found. Cheese? Err... not much... a drizzle of white cheese sauce that you'll be scrounging to try and get in every bite. The pasta was fine, but it was doused in the grossest sauce I've ever had in a restaurant. Did anyone taste this? My wife said it was ok, but she was already 2 drinks in and kept insisting on being nice and not complaining. The red sauce was heavily over salted, watery tomato sauce that may have come straight from a can and they just dumped a bunch of salt in it. No herbs or spices or any other flavor to be found. Basil? lol No. Garlic? lol No. Salt and bland, watery tomato. I'm shocked that anyone would serve that. There's no way they tasted it. This clearly can't be the chef's intended product. If it is, their pallet is wrecked. For dessert, we had the "mousse". It's not a mousse. It was very tasty. A bitter, dark chocolate cake complemented with a sweet, hazelnut cream. I heard a patron next to me also taken by surprise saying, "Uh... that's a THICK mousse!" Looking at other reviews, maybe I should have just went with the steak or fish. The staff and service was great. The $200 price tag was a bit of a shock. I'd gladly pay that at fine dining restaurants, but this isn't fine dining - not even close. I'm shocked that with their wood fire setup up, they don't do any pizzas or flatbreads. The menu is underwhelming. I literally felt like I settled for every item that I picked. There's nothing on the menu that I read and was excited to try. The "spaghetti" with blue crab sounded cool, but when I seen it come out for other patrons, it looked pretty lame and I changed my mind. Certainly not worth the hype and I'm actually pretty surprised that it's the current trendy restaurant in the city. Maybe I'm just getting old. read more

What is this? Food for ants? The price of the food for the small ration you get, could swear you're in Paris, but you in Lafayette baw. My piss has more alcohol in it than these over priced cocktails as well. read more

My favorite restaurant around! We usually visit for special occasions and try to try at least one new thing. The chargrilled oysters and steak are always great. The cocktails are so balanced, please never stop making Easily Amused! And try a dessert, you're already there just go all in. read more

Magnificent! Very energetic vibe with exciting plates and thrilling cocktails! We were very fortunate to be guided by Zachary, and his recommendations were en pointe. Lafayette has some wonderful places to eat at - who remembers Dark Roux - and Vestal is a place not to be missed. Just go! read more

Vestal Restaurant - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Lafayette, Louisiana

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Seriously, one of the best meals I've ever had. From the moment I walked through the doors, I was blown away by the decor. The ambiance was so inviting, and the staff were incredibly welcoming! We started with the crudo, the tartar and the focaccia. Every bite was incredible! We ordered the whole fish for the table and devoured every bit! Can't wait to go back to try more!! read more

Vestal Restaurant - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Lafayette, Louisiana

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The best restaurant experience I've had in a long time and I eat out pretty often. The ribeye was cooked perfectly. Highly highly recommend everybody give it a chance. Also the aesthetic was great, they did a great job with this restaurant!!! read more

This is a very cool place to dine. Very trendy. The steaks are pretty good. The lasagna is ok.

My wife and I just dined at Vestal for the first time last night and we were both blown away! I love the ambience of the dining room. Whoever remodeled the place did an excellent job. If you love cocktails, the pillow talk and girls and cigars will not disappoint. Our favorite dishes were the crab spaghetti and the tuna crudo. I also had the pleasure of trying the Wagyu strip which melted in my mouth like warm butter. The service was outstanding. Our waitress was delightful and was well educated on the menu. This is a smaller space so it will get a bit loud during prime hours, but no louder than most places on a Saturday night. Be prepared to drop about $100/person if you like cocktails and have an appetite, but it's well worth it. We will definitely be coming back sooner rather later. read more

Absolutely the best experience! Most new businesses take time to iron out the kinks, but on the first day of service Vestal was amazing! The food, the drinks, the service, the ATMOSPHERE! You have to experience it to understand! I wish I could recommend one must have, but my list includes the bread with feta whipped butter, spaghetti, rib eye, oysters, the mushrooms, the potatoes....and wow, their twist on the Cesar salad is deeeeelish!!! Try all the drinks, you'll have a hard time picking your favorite. Pillow Talk, Girls & Cigars, and Middleton Mule are our faves! Do not wait! Make your reservations NOW! read more

Our table shared oysters, carrots, squash, tartare, credos, feta bread, crab spaghetti, grilled fish, ceviche and pork ribs. The only item that we would not get again was the ribs. Everything else was exceptional. We finished the meal with the strawberry cake and almost licked the plate. We are going back!! read more

I was so excited about this place initially however I left feeling really underwhelmed and disappointed. Good points: staff really kind and courteous, good cocktails, atmosphere, dessert was innovative and great. Now the real deal the quality of the food was not in line with the price point. Menu on website is not the current menu. Steak (filet) ordered medium served medium well to almost well it was dry. The crab pasta lacked flavored, salt and the yuzu that is mentioned on menu is non existent. Oysters were salty. The whole menu hints a Cajun with a Asian flare. Which means strong flavors. I couldn't taste any Asian flare. I'm sorry to say but I wouldn't recommend for dinner. Drinks and dessert is the only way I would go back. read more

Vestal is an experience. Excellent wait staff, very professional...when you walk in, the aroma from the open flames tease you....the art and lighting are lovely....the menu is perfect, small enough that all dishes are well prepared. I love this restaurant...it was warm, aromatic, delicious...competent wine menu and drinks menu...very romantic...! read more

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What a charming spot! Staff is so friendly! The decor is also beautiful. Was passing thru on our way from New Orleans, back to Austin and so glad we found this place! Such a lovely spot! Food is incredible! read more

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Our visit to Vestal restaurant was an excellent surprise. Chef Ryan has hit another home run. The decor is unbelievable. The food was extraordinary. The small dishes are something to behold especially the Spaghetti. The Zabuton Steak and potatoes were mouth watering. We tried all the Desserts and loved each one. Congratulations to Ryan, we are looking forward to our next experience read more

We were excited to try Vestal after many positive reviews from friends. We recently moved back from a few years in Houston. The interior design has a big city feel, with trendy decor and a bar/open kitchen at the center of the restaurant. The menu was appetizing as well, as we both feel that Lafayette food tends to be a little repetitive and traditional. Cocktails were good, albeit nontraditional. The waiter was well versed in the drinks and food. Starters were great, specifically Crudo. The bread was a little dry and a small portion for $9, although the feta butter was phenomenal. My whole fish was great. Her market catch was bland but well presented. The prices were stiff, and we spent around $200 with tip for two people...which is a little more than we are used to, even for Houston. Overall, it was a great experience and a welcomed change from the usual eateries here. read more

I can't say enough about the food, the cocktails, and the decor!!! It's amazing, lafayette has never had such a unique restaurant. I'm obsessed with the tartare, I've gotten it 3x already. I've tried 1/2 of the cocktail menu and I haven't settled on a favorite, although I'm leaning towards Girls and Cigars. All in all, I'm happy to have a new favorite place to go and to recommend to any and all. read more

Best dining experience I've had in a long time! They train their staff to know the menu and items offered so that they can make well informed recommendations. The drinks were good but the menu and food served was beyond amazing. Highly recommend this restaurant! I had the lone mixed drink, Girls and Cigars was a tad on the sweet side but hit the spot. Everyone else had wine. We got the oysters, crudo, and bread to start. The butter for the focaccia alone is note worthy! Then after hearing red snapper was their fish of the day the waitress talked us into having that. My wife and I shared it and my parents got the whole fish as well. We were blown away by the flavor and texture. Our only regret is that we did not save room for dessert. read more

Dining at Vestal restaurant was a delightful experience. The food,the atmosphere and the service were excellent. I look forward to my next visit. Congratulations to Chef Ryan. Pete Trahan read more

12 out of 10 Wagyu Steak was like butter. The lasagna and gave me a Ratatouille moment when the food critic takes a bite and is immediately brought back to childhood....that was me. From the comfy chairs, excellent music choices, down to the soap in the restroom. It's an experience! Excited to have this gem in Lafayette. Can't wait to go back. read more

The atmosphere and food is unlike anything Lafayette, La has ever experienced. If you are looking for a unique dining experience give Vestal a try. The open kitchen allows you to see your food being prepared over an open fire. This exciting culinary experience is something new and fresh for downtown. read more

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A group of 6 of us went for dinner on a Friday night. Hands down one of the best dining experiences we've had in a while. Food, service, atmosphere, drinks...all top notch. Tomahawk steak was an experience on its own. Get it! read more

To say this place is amazing is an understatement. Everything we ate was truly a magical experience. I HIGHLY recommend giving the raw oysters, beef tartare, and caviar a try. Those were my absolute favorite of the night. We also had the ribeye and whole fish- both were mind blowing. And don't even get me started on the drinks!!! We had 11:11 and girls and cigars. Both were absolutely AMAZING! I honestly couldn't believe we were in Lafayette and not Las Vegas or New York City. The server was super helpful and knew the menu well! Everything came out at the perfect time so that we could enjoy every bite! And the decor is beautiful- Vestal has become my favorite spot and I can't wait to go back! read more

Top notch in service, atmosphere and food. 5 stars in all aspects of what I look for in a relaxing and enjoyable dining experience.

We really enjoyed having oysters and cocktails here! We will definitely be back soon! Awesome spot for a great date! Hip atmosphere, great food, bartenders are legit! All around great experience! read more