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Bay Street Bistro, Lakeland, FL

Bay Street Bistro

4.7
4.7
939 Reviews
$50 and over
French

Make a booking

2 people
19:00
Booked 7 times today

About this restaurant

  • Good for special occasions
  • Neighbourhood gem
  • Romantic
The Bay Street Bistro is an eclectic restaurant and art gallery serving French, Italian and American cuisine, as well as displaying the areas most talented artists.

The Bay Street Bistro is your destination for top quality dining in a relaxed atmosphere, located conveniently in downtown Lakeland, FL. We pride ourselves on making everything possible from scratch, using the highest quality ingredients we can find!

We are also available for private bookings, dinner parties, business meetings and catering for your next event.

NOTE: Reservations of a party of 6 or more, please call us directly at: 863-683-4229.

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Price
    $50 and over
  • Cuisines
    French, Contemporary American, Contemporary French / American
  • Hours of Operation
    Dinner Tue–Thu 17:00–20:00 Fri, Sat 17:00–21:00
  • Phone number
    (863) 683-4229
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Business Casual
  • Executive Chef
    Kevin Smith
  • Catering
    We are available to cater your next event no matter how big or small. You can choose items from our existing menu or create your own custom menu with our chef Kevin Smith. Please contact us to find out more.
  • Private party facilities
    We are available for private bookings, dinner parties and business meetings. Please contact us to find out more.
  • Area
    Lakeland
  • Cross Street
    N. Kentucky Ave.
  • Parking details
    Free parking is available after 5pm in the parking lot on the ride side of our building. Private lot signs are posted in the parking area, however there is free public parking in the lot after 5pm every day.
  • Public transit
    We are located within a short walk from the main bus station for our local public transit system Citrus Connection, on South Florida Avenue.
  • Entertainment
    We support and display various works from the areas most talented artists in our dining room.
  • Additional
    Banquet, Beer, BYO Wine, Corkage Fee, Gluten-free Options, View, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Private dining

What 939 people are saying

Bay Street Bistro reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.7
4.7 based on recent ratings
  • 4.8Food
  • 4.9Service
  • 4.6Ambience
  • 4.4Value

NoiseModerate

Loved For

  • Tampa / Central Florida West

    French

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
Bay Street Bistro in Lakeland is a cherished dining spot known for its "amazing food," "great service," and "romantic" ambiance. Diners rave about the "excellent seafood," especially the Chilean Sea Bass, and the "creative desserts." It's a perfect venue for "special occasions" with its "attentive staff" and "cozy" atmosphere.

939 Reviews
  1. Debra VIP

    Lake of the Ozarks28 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 3 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We love dining here when in the area. Always a great experience. Recently enjoyed the stuffed mushrooms, tomatoe bisque, butternut squash soup, beef bourguignon, and my husband claims one of the best ribeyes ever! We ended with delicious chocolate layer cake. Our server Lauren was wonderful. Highly recommend this quant cafe!

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  2. Dale

    Tampa1 review

    1.0

    Dined 6 days ago

    1. Overall 1
    2. Food 1
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 4
    This restaraunt used to be one of our absolute favorites. But this last experience left much to be desired. It is supposed to be a FINE DINING establishment complete with “Fine dining” prices. But for a restaurant that charges $60 for a salmon plate one would think the Salmon would be cooked perfectly. Mine was undercooked, and it inedible. Because the restaurant was cold, I didn’t want to wait while they re-fired it, prolonging my stay. Another small pet-peeve is when I ask a server for something and they forget to bring it. I asked my server for more butter for our bread and it never came. I did mention it and she apologized, since she pawned the request off to another server who took our extra butter to another table. For the HIGH PRICE the service and the food should have matched, and frankly it didn’t. I don’t think we’ll be back. I don’t mind paying extra if I’m getting what I pay for, but I can no longer trust that’s what I’ll be getting here. This was our 22nd anniversary dinner so it was a special occasion for us and tho this experience can never ruin the blessing that we have. It will leave a lasting impression.

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  3. OpenTable Diner

    Washington DC1 review

    5.0

    Dined 7 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Fantastic food and wonderful service. A bit pricey but worth it for the quality of food and preparation!

    Is this helpful?

  4. OpenTable Diner

    Orlando8 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on 27 February 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Went with friends on our first visit. Parking was convenient just next-door. We were seated at the table by the window. On a Thursday night the restaurant was quiet and so was the street outside. The round tables were perfect for conversation and the noise level was low. Each couple chose to split a meal and my husband and I split the 20 ounce prime rib. It was perfection! In fact, every item we were served from the pre-appetizers to the soft rolls and butter to the pear salad to our entrée of prime rib, mashed potatoes, and vegetables served hot and delicious. The pepper crust on the prime rib was to die for! Everything on our place was crave worthy. Can’t wait to go back!

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  5. Marie

    Orlando1 review

    4.0

    Dined on 15 February 2025

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Very quaint very intimate amazing servers very clean. Food was awesome. Couldn’t ask for a better little place to go.

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  6. Bryan

    Tampa3 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on 15 February 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Always great food... Sydney was an excellent server... fantastic service....

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  7. Diane

    Tampa2 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on 13 February 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Love this place. The mussels and the herb crusted lamb are always perfect. Great date night upscale restaurant.

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  8. Pete

    Atlanta3 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on 12 February 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Great food, great experience and great service! Ileana was awesome!!!

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  9. steve

    Yosemite3 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on 8 February 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Wonderful restaurant sort of hidden on north end of downtown Lakeland. Beef Wellington the best in Central Florida!

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  10. Mark

    Tampa6 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on 5 February 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    It's a tad pricey, but if you are willing to pay extra, it's the best food in Polk County.

    Is this helpful?

FAQs

Bay Street Bistro is rated 4.7 stars by 939 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a booking

2 people
19:00
Booked 7 times today
Google Map for Bay Street Bistro

211 E Bay St, Lakeland, FL 33801

Additional information

  • Cross Street
    N. Kentucky Ave.
  • Area
    Lakeland
  • Hours of Operation
    Dinner Tue–Thu 17:00–20:00 Fri, Sat 17:00–21:00
  • Price
    $50 and over
  • Cuisines
    French, Contemporary American, Contemporary French / American
  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Dress code
    Business Casual
  • Parking details
    Free parking is available after 5pm in the parking lot on the ride side of our building. Private lot signs are posted in the parking area, however there is free public parking in the lot after 5pm every day.
  • Public transit
    We are located within a short walk from the main bus station for our local public transit system Citrus Connection, on South Florida Avenue.
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Executive Chef
    Kevin Smith
  • Entertainment
    We support and display various works from the areas most talented artists in our dining room.
  • Additional
    Banquet, Beer, BYO Wine, Corkage Fee, Gluten-free Options, View, Wheelchair Access, Wine
  • Phone number
    (863) 683-4229
  • Catering
    We are available to cater your next event no matter how big or small. You can choose items from our existing menu or create your own custom menu with our chef Kevin Smith. Please contact us to find out more.
  • Private party facilities
    We are available for private bookings, dinner parties and business meetings. Please contact us to find out more.
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