All the food and service was done, very professionally and friendly, felt like I was in a real French bistro

While down here for the Sunscreen Film Festival, we kinda found this spot between the AMC Sundial and the Green Light Cinema. What a find! This place is a must for Happy Hour - 3pm for $3 4pm for $4 and 5pm for $5. Nice deal!! So nice to sit outside and chill while sipping on my nice glass of Cabernet... we had a croque monsieur which was delicious! We will be back!! And at 3pm on the dot! read more

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Cognac just celebrated their first anniversary and we finally got to try it, and are glad we did. Gracyn was a wonderful server and added to our enjoyment. We came because we like French food and their menu had many of the things we like. We started with the Gazpacho, escargot, and oysters. No French onion soup! The gazpacho wasn't my favorite. It almost looked like slush and the taste wasn't what I expected. However, we expect differences in our expectations at a good restaurant. The escargot was a trip back in time by coming in shells with the tool to hold them. It was a trip to the past and they were fantastic. The half dozen of oysters were only $16 and outstanding. My wife ordered the burger...at a French restaurant, and it was juicy and tasty. I got a bite and agreed. Trout is something you don't see at many restaurants, if you do they are often French restaurants. Theirs was pretty good. We had a nice diner in their spacious space! read more

hostess, to the wait staff, runners and manager were all smiling and hospitable. They were slammed, but still took the time to ensure our evening was special, and that is great. The food was spot on and worth it every time. Might be time to update the cocktail selection as it isn't on the same level as the rest, but the wine pairings were well matched. Highly recommend visiting read more

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Had the most romantic dinner here with my sweet baby! Our server was great, and able to manage the table that were both inside and outside however i do think him working im two very different sections added to the very high wait times. This place is truly authentic french cuisine and the drinks were absolutely superb. The food is undeniable decedent and cooked to perfection. Just look at those lamb chops! The creme brulee was good but I have had better. . read more

Cognac - My sweet baby and his lamb chops. - French Near Me - St. Petersburg, Florida

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Very cute little cafe with friendly staff and good food but the ambiance is a little loud. We had to yell to hear each other. The menu is broad so there's something for everyone but mainly French inspired cuisine. The prices are very affordable and the size of the entrees are decent. I opted for the clams with garlic white wine butter sauce. The sauce was delicious but the clams were sandy and may have needed to be cooked longer and 3 of them didn't open. The escargot was nicely seasoned with garlic and parsley but the size were a little smaller than I'm used to seeing. My friends who ordered scallops said they were a bit salty and overcooked. The chicken breast with potato puree was delicious. They were accommodating with our party of 9. read more

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Update: November 2025 Brought friends for their first visit here. Again, quickly seated on a very busy Friday night. Once drinks and appetizers arrived, things went downhill pretty quickly. 3 of our entrees came out, though a bit delayed. When we inquired about the fourth entree; Grouper, our server went to check on it. Meanwhile, our friend told the server just to forget about, as we were nearly finished. They attempted to serve us Mussels, were never ordered, then went ahead and brought out the grouper after our friend had told them to forget it. They insisted on boxing it up to go. Not sure what was happening in the kitchen that night, but things sure seemed off. For example, having to ask for ketchup 4 times for the french fries. Our server, apologized and tried to make things right. We'll probably try them again and hope for a better experience, Our friends ; probably not. read more

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Cognac was delightful! The location is great, being situated right across from the Sundial Shops, it benefits from the downtown St. Pete vibe. I went with a smaller group of friends, we were all craving steak frites and we were not disappointed in the slightest. The steak was juicy, tender and cooked to medium-rare perfection. The fries were crispy and puffy on the outside, but smooth and airy on the inside. 10/10 recommend getting a side of garlic aioli to dip your steak and fries in- it was zesty, garlicky and tangy. For dessert, we shared crème brûlée, which had a glassy, sweet shell with a sweet, smooth vanilla custard filling. All in all, the service was great and we really enjoyed the Parisian ambiance. Cognac is the perfect spot for a date night, intimate group outing or if you're looking to treat yourself! read more

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Had such a great experience at Cognac! The food was amazing and the service was excellent. We came to celebrate my friend's birthday and everything from start to finish was perfect. Definitely recommend! read more

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We walked by Cognac this weekend and decided to pop in for a few appetizers. The food was really good--everything we ordered was flavorful, and the fresh bread they brought out with the Escargot was warm and delicious. The space itself is nice, but it was really loud inside. Between the bar crowd, the music, and the staff moving around, it was hard to hear each other. I was hoping for a bit more of a relaxed, cozy vibe for dining. Still, the food made up for it. Both the Escargot and the Foie Gras were so flavorful! I'd definitely go back for the brunch and happy hour! read more

Cognac - Duo de Foie Gras - French Near Me - St. Petersburg, Florida

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Cognac was hopping on a Friday night -- definitely a bustling, high-energy spot -- but even with the crowd, the service was warm and attentive. They were especially kind when one of our kids accidentally broke a glass, handling it with grace and zero fuss, which made a huge impression on us as parents. The food was absolutely worth the visit. The salmon was a standout: beautifully cooked, flavorful, and perfectly balanced. And the croque monsieur? Unreal. Rich, perfectly toasted, and exactly the kind of comfort food you hope it will be. Even with the busy atmosphere, the team made us feel taken care of, and the meal delivered big. We'll definitely be back! read more

I'm a huge fan of Bacchus, so was very excited to try this new sister restaurant. We went on a Sunday and has reservations inside--unlike other reviews, it was quite quiet indoors on a less-crowded Sunday night. Most guests chose to sit outside, so we could even hear the charming French music they played indoors, which definitely added to the Parisian vibe. Service was wonderful, with some experienced staff from Bacchus transferring here, so it was smooth from start to finish. The evening was paced very well in terms of the flow of ordering and receiving food. They unfortunately had a few dishes unavailable on the menu after such a busy weekend, which was a bit disappointing but shows the popularity of the restaurant (and I have faith that as they mature, they'll be able to better plan food inventory accordingly). The waiter less us know of the unavailable menu items as soon as we were seated and offered great alternatives, so it wasn't an issue. The cocktails were excellent! The entrees were stronger than the appetizers, but everything was delicious. We started with the brochette trio (one shrimp, one sardine, and two scallops--worth clarifying that here if you're hoping to split with a group) and the shrimp cocktail with a delicious zesty cocktail sauce. They were out of the escargot, which we hope to try neck time. I got the salmon in a light lemon cream sauce with stewed tomatoes. The salmon was cooked perfectly and the tomatoes were a lovely flavor and texture accompaniment. Others got the steak frites (amazing fries!) and the trout almandine (which also looked good, but with a heavier sauce and side). While Bacchus is still my favorite, I'm so glad to have Cognac as a new member of the neighborhood and can't wait to see it further develop. We'll be back! read more

Cognac - Salmon entree - French Near Me - St. Petersburg, Florida

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Cognac is a relatively brand new restaurant in the heart of DTSP. It's a *sister restaurant* of Bacchus which is one of my absolute favorites in the area. The food and ambiance is fully French inspired and they do take reservations. I came here on a weekday night and it was still quite busy. My friend and I were seated at a little bistro style table, just like what you'd get in Paris and our waitress was super nice. We were there for an early bday dinner for me and when the staff overheard, they gave us complimentary champagne and were just so pleasant all around. The food was outstanding--we got the bone marrow to start with and my friend ordered the steak and I got a fish dish. The wine (for the life of me I can't remember which white wine I got) paired with it so nicely too. I honestly can't wait to come here again soon! It's a great date night spot or for small groups too. read more

Cognac - French Near Me - St. Petersburg, Florida

Enjoyed a table outside in the shade but with great people watching. The leek pastry is a go-to with some bubbly. read more

Cognac - Brunch rose and leek pastry - French Near Me - St. Petersburg, Florida

Flying solo since my wife is elsewhere and I need to eat. Beautiful restaurant. Cute patio for the 2 weeks of the year it's pleasant outside and a very warm and comforting interior. Sat at the bar. Bartender was busy but still attentive and friendly. Beverage-Coganc drink-while I'm not usually a cognac drinker, I am in a French restaurant called cognac and they have a cognac cocktail, I had to try it. Superb. Perfect balance. Smooth, hint of sweetness while still spirit forward. Appetizer - Soupe au fromage. Pepper soup made with Gouda cheese. Rich and full of delicious pepper flavor. Probably a 500 calorie soup but who cares. Absolutely delicious Entree. I'll admit, though my wife will be disappointed in me, I was trying to decide between the chicken, the steak frites, or the filet flambés in cognac. All sounded very French but I was leaning chicken to avoid eating the beef. Thankfully, the bartender recommended the chicken, which was a leg and thigh in a "supreme" sauce and sitting in a pomme purée (which sounds so much better than mashed potatoes-English sucks). Amazing. The sauce was incredible, and while I know the skin is unhealthy, the seasoning and broiling added a fantastic taste and crunch to the dinner that I loved. I wish they had duck here, but no such luck. If I was going to take anything away-and I won't-it would be that they are a French restaurant without any canard. But they do have a number of delicious looking seafood dishes that I can always try next time. It would also be nice if they added a vegetarian dish or two so I could come with my wife. Regardless, this was a 5 star meal, no doubt. Check it out. read more

This was an amazing experience! I lived in Paris for 3 years and really liked the sidewalk dining. This place brought those memories and experiences back. Loved sitting outside. So this is the 3rd restaurant that we know of in this spot. I am sure there have been more, and each has been unique and good in their own way. When this one opened, we had to go. We made reservations just to make sure we got in since new places in the burg tend to be very busy. Checked in and waited a bit for a table outside on the sidewalk. So glad we did! We were here for happy hour so we dove right in. Starting with drinks I had a smoked old fashioned. Simple and delicious. a really nice drink list with very good bartenders. For food we tried so many good things from the happy hour menu as well as mains. The Salade mesclun au chevre chaud. Warm goat cheese salad. So good! Warm goat cheese has such an amazing flavor. The little sausages with a very tasty dip were really good. Also had a shrimp cocktail. Fresh and delicious. We still had room for a main, We grabbed the ribeye with potato gratin and bearnaise sauce. Really good. Cooked perfectly. A little chewy in spots but still very good. After all that we still had to have a dessert. Very good end to the dinning experience. Our server was awesome. Enthusiastic and very helpful. Really added to an amazing experience over all. We have already made reservations to return and enjoy this awesome happy hour and great food. read more

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A Night to Savor at Cognac DTSP! Had the best time wining and dining with my foodie crew last night at Cognac, a charming little French spot in downtown St. Pete. The star of the show? The duck foie gras--silky, rich, and beautifully balanced with sweet fruit and tang. I also tried escargot for the first time (virgin snail status unlocked!)--they were herby, and fresh. Drinks? On point. Ambiance? Très chic. The other dishes were decent but didn't quite blow me away. For the price point: * Food: 2.5-3/5 * Location: 4/5 (great if you're heading out after for a little bar or club hop) * Service: 4/5 (the staff crushed it) All in all, it was the company that made the night extra special. Always grateful for good vibes and even better bites! Notes to owner/management. Add more flavor to your dishes and more authentic French dishes. It's understandable you're catering to the palette of the masses, however, the food could be a few notches better and more flavorful, for the price point. read more

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This place is super yummy. The eggs with hollandaise, snow crab, and buttery brioche were really tasty and full of flavor. I'd definitely come back. read more

Cognac - Eggs with crabs - French Near Me - St. Petersburg, Florida

The escargot was so delish! Can't wait to get this again! My friend had the bone marrow & loved it. Next time will try the steaks & scallops. This is def the supper club vibe. Everything smells so good. Really need to try the au gratin. read more

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Stumbled upon this spot on our way home from dinner on a Saturday night and saw their brunch HH deal on the board and figured we'd stop in the next day. This space here is very curated and you feel like you're somewhere expensive. Staff is friendly and attentive while the food is okay. The brunch deal is quite attractive and for the overall experience I'd recommend. read more

Cognac - French Near Me - St. Petersburg, Florida

Excellent bar service from Jason. My friends and I tried the classic French 75 and the French Kiss cocktail. The French 75 was perfect crisp refreshing. I would definitely get it again. If you like a little sweeter get the french kiss. It's got raspberries and it's fruity and sweet. We also shared potatoes au gratin. 10/10 potatoes were cooked perfectly with good amount of cheese. Will definitely return to try espresso martini and bone barrow app. The french cafe vibe with Eiffel Tower photo opp outside adds a great Parisian staple to downtown. read more

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THE WORST meal we've ever had in the entire St Pete/Tampa area. Entrees were Horrifically bad, dry, minuscule and stunningly overpriced. We waited for 39 minutes between salad and entrees. I had the trout; and i honestly think that they spent that time scraping the bottom of the pan for trout scraps. I got a few dried up flakes -not more than 2 ounces - for $37. My husband had the grouper which was 2 tiny chewy pieces of something? smothered in a sweet gravy. Our guests had equally disgusting tiny dried up entrees. We left hungry (after a $320 tab for 4). If we hadn't been so sick, we would have sought out better food (ie frozen pizza, McDonald's, fruitcake) but we just wanted to go home and purge. Ugh! Ugh! Ugh! Do not patronize this place. They care nothing about their patrons. Only trying to make as much money as they can before they go deservedly bankrupt. read more

Eh, just eh. It was a nice night and we decided to sit outside. It was that or the bar and the bar area seemed cramped. We didn't get seated on the nice covered part of the patio, but on the side of the building. Tables were too close next to each other and the street was loud, not exactly in an area with any type of view, you're just looking at the street. Waiter was nice and trying to be quick with the service but it was a busy Friday night. Drinks were absolutely skippable. Honestly some of the worst cocktails I've had in a minute. The French kiss (I believe that's what it was called) was abysmally small for the price which I guess they tried to offset by making it way too strong, to the point it was almost undrinkable. It just tasted bad. My friend's espresso martini was watery and similar in that too strong taste. Food came out within relatively good timing. I had steak frites which I asked for medium rare. It came out looking a little more blue to me but I didn't mind it. The sauce was nice and the frites were light and crisp. My friend had the burger and said it was good. Crème brûlée to finish which was just crème brûlée, it's always good. The vibe here is decent, but truthfully for the price I think there are better spots around town. 6.5/10 read more

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This spot has been on our list to try for a while, and we finally made it there with our neighbor for brunch. It's a cute bistro with indoor and outdoor seating. The Bloody Mary was good. The food - deviled eggs, some pastries, a french omelette, and a benedict - was all very tasty. The service was as expected, friendly and well-paced. A good brunch option in DTSP. Now we have to plan for a dinner to try items on that menu. read more

My husband and I have traveled to St. Pete 4 times this year to visit family and have always made it a point to eat at Cognac. This restaurant has a great vibe and the food and the service have always been absolutely amazing! Their lamb lollipops, mussels and burger are hard to beat. I especially love their Croque Monsieur and homemade fries! My brother in law had the ribeye steak and said it was one of the best he has ever had! I would definitely recommend this restaurant and can't wait to come back! read more

Friday night date night so I wanted to try Cognac. Yes, you need reservations but there is a nice bar you can have drinks and dinner at. It was hopping and lots of beautiful people enjoying dinner. We shared the house salad and I had the mussels and hubby enjoyed the Steak and Fries. Mine also came with fries. All the dishes were delicious. Dessert was the Chocolate Mousse. Light and yummy. Great addition to the area and off to a great start! We be back. read more

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I am so happy I finally tried Cognac. The food, service, and ambiance were perfect for a cozy meal. We both had steaks - one filet and one ribeye and they both were cooked perfectly. I will be back soon! read more

Cognac - Steaks - French Near Me - St. Petersburg, Florida

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Service was great with George. Glad we sat outside because it was very loud inside. Enjoyed the ambience. We started with the fois gras 2 ways. I preferred the seared with the cherries. My friend preferred the pate version. It was OK. I would be interested in trying the bone marrow next time. I was not impressed by the rosé. Or my Friends Chardonnay I think they should revisit their wine list. I ordered the trout. The potatoes au gratin was delicious, but there was something lacking with the trout. I used the sauce on my friend salmon dish to make it a tastier. So the salmon dish was delicious. For dessert we ordered the lemon tart which I highly recommend. read more

Cognac - French Near Me - St. Petersburg, Florida

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Incredible food, friendly service and romantic atmosphere! We are definitely coming back. read more

Cognac - Shellfish platter - French Near Me - St. Petersburg, Florida

Food was okay and they have a great happy hour. We ordered the salmon and tomahawk for two. Our server was new and did a good job but fell short on letting us know the tomahawk was one steak for two people not two individual steaks. The steak was ordered to be medium rare but the outside perimeter was well done. The chef came out and let us know they got a new distributor and we're still learning the steak. For 145$ entree I wish they had gotten more comfortable cooking the steak prior to serving it to guests. I also believe they should make it more obvious on the menu that the tomahawk for two is only one steak or have their staff clarify when ordering. read more

Cognac in St. Pete was excellent! Great food, great atmosphere, and outstanding service. Alec was friendly, attentive, and made sure everything was perfect. Definitely worth a visit and we'll be back! read more

Cognac - French Near Me - St. Petersburg, Florida

Beautiful restaurant with fantastic service. The food was good, I had the duck special and it was satisfying. Also the steak and frites were yummy. The gratine potatoes are amazing. Also had a dirty martini with stuffed olives and it was the best. read more

The atmosphere of the restaurant was lovely, and our waitress was incredibly polite and attentive -- definitely a highlight of the experience. We ordered a burger and the chicken with potato purée. The burger was delicious and cooked well, although we were surprised that it didn't come with any vegetables at all. Still, we would rate the burger alone a solid 4.5 out of 5. The chicken with purée, however, was disappointing. While the purée was absolutely fantastic -- creamy, flavorful, and well-executed -- the chicken itself was a major letdown. It lacked salt, seasoning, or any real flavor, and worst of all, it was undercooked. Biting into pink, nearly raw chicken is one of my biggest pet peeves and a serious food safety concern. This was the first time in my life I've ever been served raw chicken in a restaurant, and it was genuinely unsettling. To their credit, the staff handled the situation well. They apologized and offered us a dessert as a gesture, which my friend appreciated even though I personally don't enjoy desserts. However, in a restaurant of this caliber, a complimentary dessert doesn't feel like adequate compensation for being served raw poultry. At the very least, the cost of that dish should have been refunded -- and it wasn't. Because of the serious food safety oversight and the lack of a proper refund, my overall rating is low despite the pleasant service and lovely setting. read more

Cognac - French Near Me - St. Petersburg, Florida

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What a charming French bistro we discovered yesterday! The chef and the owner did the best to stay true to the French cuisine and French ambiance. My duo of four gras was mouthwatering. Salade lyonnaise was fresh and tasty, the local grouper served with parsnips purée was well balanced and had a fantastic flavor, and the crème brûlée was a delight! The service was impeccable. The dishes are well priced taking in consideration the quality and the quantity. I cannot wait to come back. I highly recommend! read more

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Ambiance is nice. Service is exceptional. The bartenders aimed to please, and were successful with complicated orders. Regarding food: the standout was the mussels. We actually returned two days later for this specific item. Overall, a wonderful experience. read more

Cognac is a wonderful French restaurant. We started with the delicious escargot and oysters. Both were wonderful. For entree I had the rainbow trout. It came with potatoes au gratin and did not disappoint. The prices were very reasonable and the service was excellent. Will return next time I'm in St Pete. read more

Cognac - Escargot - French Near Me - St. Petersburg, Florida

We are long-time residents of St Pete and have dined at Cognac many times. Every visit has been a wonderful experience! The food always so tasty and presented well, service was great, atmosphere lovely, and the owners, Christophe and Ana, are such kind and loving people! We will always be frequent diners at Cognac! read more

This is the 5th restaurant to open in this location since I moved here about ten years ago. Not sure why they can't stay open as most of them have been pretty good. The ambiance of this new place is cozy and tasteful. However an immediate turn-off was Faux News blaring on one of the bar TV's. I don't know if this reflects one of the bartenders' attempts to spread political propaganda, or the owners', but it's an embarrassment for any America-loving business. I ordered the salmon Benedict with a bloody mary and both were fantastic. My wife's meal was also great. We then got in a terrible argument about something completely unrelated and had to leave. We won't be back but will definitely check out the next place that opens here. read more

Had one of the best nights with amazing hospitality from the staff. Dinner was very good, and flavors were spot on. Thank you to the team that made the dining experience so nice! read more

Rude Karen waitress was offended when she was called out on not doing her job...we waited 35 min for house wine to get poured and wanted to excuse her poor performance by telling me it wasn't her but the bar was backed up and what could she do...typical 20 something. Pass the buck and its never me! Then when I said the drinks should be comped she felt disrespected...poor baby respect is earned and not deserved at 6pm on a Saturday her manager said she was already overwelmed...tell he to go home then...and come back when you grow up ! read more