It has been 20 years maybe since I first ate here and over 15 since I was last here. I had business in the area and was able to dine at David's table and it was as amazing as I remember. The seafood bouillabaisse was as amazing as it was the first time I had it. As my friends talked I just sat there enjoying the richness of the broth and wonderful seafood and flavors. How I wish I lived here and could enjoy this every week. My friends loves those meals as well with comments like "Best meal I have ever had" and "Wow. Just Wow." David paired everything with amazing wines and we left so happy... with my friends saying that was the best meal they have ever had. London, you are so blessed to have this amazing establishment to grace your taste buds with the subtle and amazing flavors they produce. I hope it's not 15+ years before I can return and will be back as soon as I can. Thank you David and staff !!! read more

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Excellent hole in the wall gem. Great food, friendly staff, warm cozy atmosphere. Small menu but still hard to choose - everything sounded delicious. read more

David's Bistro - Chicken - French Near Me - London, Ontario

Great location and excellent food. Will come back for sure. One of Londons hidden gems.

Fantastic place to dine . Incredible meal . The service was the best of any where we have gone. The music was quiet and we were able to talk without shouting. read more

In town for business and had a fairly negative experience trying to get in without a reservation the first night. However I decided another attempt was in order, based on the reviews. My colleague and I were seated by Ryan, the bartender and our sever. He was gracious and helpful and took excellent care of us! The food was amazing; I got the white bean seafood cassoulet and he got the ribeye special for the evening. It was delicious! Loved the decor and the layout and ambience were very nice. I will definitely return (with a reservation, of course) the next time I'm in town. read more

David's Bistro - a bowl of seafood and mussels - French Near Me - London, Ontario

We were really excited due to all the good reviews. First the positives excellent wine selection and really good service. Dessert was delicious! The entree fell a little flat on the braised short rib but you could tell it was very traditional French cuisine which tends lack an abundance of flavor so just be prepared to salt and pepper the dish. read more

Came here with my parents on one of our foodie mini vacations. It was a pretty small place, kind of cramped. Very much mood lighting, a bit dark for me though. I had the Duck Leg Confit with Lingonberry Sauce and Rosti Potato. Good balance of citrusy and creamy Caesar dressing. Cheese is rich does overpower and adds a bit too much saltiness. bits of bacon also are too salty. The croutons are quite plain, but they help balance out the salt. Very well dressed, not too much, not too little. Crispy skin!! Duck cooked perfectly. Simple flavours. Though the asparagus is a bit mushier than I'd like. Potato was very nice, crunchy on the outside and well cooked on the inside. Sauce had a very nice flavour that goes well with the duck and potato. read more

David's Bistro - Menu - French Near Me - London, Ontario

My expectations for David's Bistro were set pretty high from other reviews and friends' experiences. I'm not sure if Sunday night was a particularly busy time (though it's almost always fully booked) or if there was a different chef on duty, but I wasn't incredibly wowed by the meal. The interior of the restaurant is adorable. It's extremely cozy, and I definitely felt very comfortable. Service wasn't slow per say, but not as attentive as other restaurants. Our server seemed quite occupied with the larger groups. The appetizer was definitely my favourite portion - we both ordered the Cream of Caramelized Onion Soup. I'm a sucker for cream soups, and this one did not disappoint. For the main, I ordered the Grilled Filet Mignon Smoked Onion Puree Oyster Mushrooms & Roasted Marrow Bone, while my boyfriend ordered the Grilled Wild Boar Chop with Roasted Root Vegetable Hash & Madeira / Cocoa Glaze. I found the filet mignon to be quite tough and charred on the outside. The boar was much more tender, but a bit over-seasoned. Overall, a decent meal, but I will hopefully have the opportunity to try David's again as so many others seem to swear by this restaurant. read more

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I had forgotten about this place and happy to have stumbled on it again. Warm salad with shrimp and chèvre.... roasted chicken breast w/ bacon, mushrooms and mashed potatoes read more

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My husband and I spent a long weekend in london a couple of weeks ago and decided to check out David's Bistro on our last night in town. We had read the Yelp reviews and figured it must be good. Let me tell you, we were NOT disappointed! The restaurant is quite small, with as many tables packed in as possible. We arrived without a reservation and were sat at a tiny table for two in a corner. We didn't mind at all as we were there for a romantic dinner and the atmosphere in the restaurant was exactly what we were hoping for. The server approached is almost immediately and took our cocktail order. The drinks were delivered to us promptly while we were perusing the menu. The server was very friendly and knowledgeable and rhymed off the specials to us. To be honest, everything sounded delicious and we had a hard time deciding. We decided to share the smoked lake Erie trout appetizer which came on top of a zucchini rosti and had a grapefruit aioli. We were very happy to see that although we had said we'd share, the kitchen had plated the appetizer on 2 separate plates so that we each would have our own portion. The trout was delicious and the zucchini rosti was nice and crisp on the outside, while still soft in the middle. I had the wild boar special, which was served with smashed potatoes, a jus and steamed vegetables. It was delicious and my only slight complaint was that I would have preferred the boar to be rarer. My husband had the grilled fillet Mignon. He had it blue rare and it was cooked perfectly. It was served with silky smooth garlic mashed potatoes, watercress and wild mushroom ragout (outstanding) and topped with blue cheese. For dessert, my husband had the crême brulée and it was also outstanding. We shared a bottle of Peachy Canyon Zinfandel which was absolutely perfect with our meat courses. This was a fabulous dinner and if we return to London, we will most definitely be having another dinner at David's Bistro! read more

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Snooty staff, a ridiculously insipid menu and probably the worst anniversary ... no ... fancy ... meal that I have ever had. Avoid.

I can't praise this restaurant highly enough! Our waiter, Ryan, was very knowledgeable and personable. The wine was excellent, the food was superb! This bistro is a hidden gem in London! read more

This classic French bistro, which has been open since 1998 might just be the anchor of London's culinary scene. For the more adventurous the chef's famous "trust me" dinners are the way to go for sure. You can let them know about any allergies but after that well ... who doesn't love a surprise. This is by far my wife's favourite restaurant and I have to admit it is pretty fantastic. While by no means my usual burger and a beer joint - the food never fails to impress and the cozy atmosphere is filled with friendly people and knowledgeable staff. David and his daughter Natalie host themselves and it really feels like a family affair. The menu changes often, in tune with the seasons and local availability - as does the wine list. We go often and the Herb-crusted Wild Boar Tenderloin is a must try. Make sure you make reservations as it is often booked and while I've never had the desserts, my wife's always look great and they are all made in house. If you have a special occasion coming up you could do far worse than David's Bistro - but likely not much better. read more

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Reserved late so ended up next to the kitchen which actually didn't bother me. The food was hot and delicious. The service was the perfect blend of giving you space and being welcoming. Value is great and wine reasonably priced especially compared to other restaurants in the area that were nowhere close to this one. I will 100% be back. Scallops were out of this world. read more

David's Bistro - French Near Me - London, Ontario

We've been going to David's since it opened. In all that time, we've only sat at the booth in the window or at the bar. Reserve early if you want the window booth. Easily our favourite resto in London. It's not a large space. The quality of food means that it's almost always booked. Favourites are any of the boar dishes, a fish that they do just for me with lemons and capers and the steak sandwich or pulled pork (at lunch). The menu is of a length that perfectly conveys what they do well. Daily special are always a great option. The warm bread is dangerously good. You can have it with rosemary butter or balsamico and olive oil. Sides are unusually tasty whether you have green beans, salad or the perfectly done potatoes. Very reasonable wines by the glass, and plenty of options. Long wine list by the bottle. Desserts are wonderful if not dietician-recommended. Not a problem if you constrain your indulgences to once-in-a-while instead of every day. Service is invariably top-notch. Never a difficulty with my many allergies. Most regrettably, they've been closed since July through no fault of their own (issues with the building that need to be corrected). We are anxiously awaiting the reopening announcement. read more

David's is our number one choice anytime we are celebrating. Whether it be a birthday, an anniversary or just a treat-ourselves kind of day, it is perfect for every single occasion. It is in my top 3 favourite restaurants- EVER. From the first time we ever went, David and Cindy treated us so well, as they seem to do with everyone who walks in the door. They takes the time to talk to you and are passionate about everything they serve. Now the food- we have a few favourites... my spouse always gets the Cornish Hen, and I often get the Duck leg confit as they never fail to disappoint. But whenever we are feeling adventurous we will ask David what he suggests and go from there. They often have specials as well where you get an appetizer a main and a dessert for a decent price. Dining here is not simply eating a meal but a complete experience, and one that I think everyone should try at least once! read more

Excellent service. David the owner personally served us. Very down to earth Irishman. We were lucky to get seated without reservation. Soon enough the small bistro was packed. The selection on the menu were perfect. We wanted to order the whole menu. For a city like London Canada this restaurant is a gem. read more

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One of my best memory of London. I went there once while I was student at Western. I was very impressed by their melt-in-mouth seabass. Will come again if I am back in town. read more

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Amazing! Super friendly service from the moment we walked in. It is a quaint little restaurant and it was packed but not obnoxiously stuffed with people and it was not loud. Lots of older families and young couples on dates. David sat us and recommended all the favourites and spoke from the heart. The bread and butter, wine, Cesar salad, duck gnocchi, rabbit pâté, wild boar, scallops and trout, cod, truffle, sticky toffee pudding, and chocolate ganache dessert were TO DIE FOR! You cannot go wrong ordering any dish at David's bistro. It has a very homey feel as David has pictures up from when he was little boy in Ireland. read more

In town on business a month ago, reservations made for 6 people. We arrived and I asked if he still did the "trust me" suppers. He said they had not in a few years but were not crazy busy that night so he said he would. My friends also ordered the "trust me". Every person received a different soup, salad, main, and desert - each a very well crafted dish - some of them off the menu I'm sure - all paired with a different wine. David would come out between courses and ask what each liked about the previous portion - he really seemed to tune the meal to each person's preference without actually asking what they wanted next. I would say definitely one of my top 10 meals of all time. read more

We had the most lovely anniversary dinner at David's. Truly terrific food and service. We had (among the four of us) chicken, osso buco, filet mignon, and the special veal. All excellent selections. David and Natalie are running a delightful place, with a solid cohort of regulars. Strongly recommended. Terrific blackboard wine list as well. read more

I live in London. Have lived many places: US, Europe, many areas in Canada, and Texas. I think David's is the best in London. Some others are good but David's is my favorite. read more

Most impressive display of service I've seen in a very long time. I came here with my elderly parents to celebrate their birthdays. The staff were simply outstanding from the moment we stepped in the front door. You can train your staff. But, they have to be able to execute. Every single interaction seemed so authentic and warm without feeling scripted. Oh yeah, the food was really good, too. I'm not a hard-core foodie. But, the chef knows what he is doing. The foodies will be pleased. My parents were. My only quibbles would be I wish there was a pasta dish on the menu. Dessert could have been a little more decadent. Then again, I'm not a foodie. Gimme my sugar and cream and butter. As others have noted, it is a small space. But, the decor is very bold with red walls, black trim and wonderful paintings. There were even was well chosen ceramics. Part of the restaurant is decorated with pictures of the staff from decades ago. It was another thoughtful detail. My overwhelming impression was it was an inviting and cozy space. Just perfect for a special meal with those you love. read more

Delicious food. Great wine selection at a very reasonable price. Ordered the lobster bisque and salmon with beet ratatouille. So good. Cozy atmosphere. David and Natalie were great. Will definitely return during my short stay in London. read more

Best restaurant in London. I am not easy to please, but their menu, service, location and presentation are all excellent. The chefs have skill and the food is fresh. Desserts are excellent. read more

Well done David's Bistro! We landed in town ealry evening on a busy Friday night. David's was busy but they seated us with no reservation. The French menu looked fabulous with a fixed price three couse special posted on the wall. Great wine list, responsibly priced and appropriate selections. The food was wonderful, appropriately seasoned and beautifully presented. read more

I can't remember the last time I had a meal this good in a restaurant! The prices are reasonable given the quality of the food. The service was excellent and the ambiance was quiet even though the restaurant was full. I will definitely be going back again - even if it is just for a bowl of the best sticky toffee pudding I've ever eaten! read more

Absolutely terrible went in there at 5 p.m. only to find out that you need reservations. This was on our anniversary I have not been able to rate their food but their service is absolutely a one I would give them a zero if I could they just lost a couple hundred dollars for not accepting walk-ins. There was nobody even at any of the tables. read more

I was looking for vegetarian options and there was nothing on the menu for me...the chef created a bunch of sides...shaved potato with cheese sauce, grilled veggies, Caramel beets and a bunch of other things to make me a entree!!! Really live the servers and also the atmosphere! read more

One of the best dining experiences great food great wine selections. Desserts to die for. It took us years of walking by to decide to venture in and now we plan on returning within two weeks to do it again, with friends. read more

this was one of the best restaurants I've ever been to. The service and the food are both excellent for a bistro.

We are addicted to their sticky toffee pudding. This is my favourite restaurant in London. The food is always cooked to perfection. Not super-fancy, just really well done. Always make a reservation well in advance. They are fully-booked most nights. It's a small restaurant, with a fabulous chef, cooking each plate of food really well. Their prix fixe menu is such a great deal - cheaper than a chain restaurant like Milestones and always fabulous. read more

Stopped while travelling, top notch bistro, everything was perfect and well priced. Elegant, relaxing

DISREGARD THE FIRST REVIEW OF DAVID'S! This is a downtown London Gem! I regularly go there for an ofter work drink and stay for dinner - we live downtown so my wife will walk over and join me and whoever is there. There are no deals there as it is a local owner operated pub restaurant and it is to too big of a place. The food is surprisingly good and unique beyond the typical pub grub. Many of the patrons are regulars and the staff are quick to try to get to know you. read more

A chef's place to eat. Food is thoughtfully made, balanced and tastey. a versitile place to have lunch with a date, for business, for contemplation. Oddly, we've had one of the best decafe coffees here! read more

I visited David's Bistro after hearing quite after hearing quite a few good things about it. Unfortunately that usually means I will be dissapointed. Luckily the restaurant more than lived up to my expectations. The staff were attentive and friendly, but I never felt 'haggard' by them. The wait time in between courses was perfect, we never felt like we were wondering where our food was and we spent a total of 2 hours there without feeling like we were being urged to leave. The menu was one page, appetizers and entree's with blackboard specials. Enough variety to keep anyone happy I think, while keep focus for the restaurant. The dishes consisted of what I would consider to find in a nicer, more expensive french/american style restaurant. The prices on the whole were pretty fair for what you got and their wine list was impressive. Definitely would recommend anyone going there. It is not a large place but I was glad to see that the tables were not bunched together and never were we rubbing elbows with out neighbours. read more

I have been eating here my whole life and I only recently thought to write a review. The service is exception and the food is above all else. They are very accommodating and the atmosphere is relaxed yet formal. I would highly recommend the crispy roasted breast of chicken, by far my favourite entrée. read more

We were in from New York City and landed on David's for a relaxing dinner. Little did we know how fantastic this restaurant would be. The service is impeccable, the food was perfectly cooked and the quality fantastic, and the ambiance strikes the right balance between elegance and comfort. I would come here all the time if I lived in London. I can't imagine there's a better restaurant in the city. read more

great food. the only reason for staying in downtown london as far as i can see shame it is in such a grubby and rundown city & the whole area doesnt feel safe. but David & his staff really know their stuff we didnt realise how popular the place was, so turned up on a monday with no reservation we were seated at the bar which was ok but the stools are a good few imches too low for the counter & not comfortable to eat at that angle...seriously!!! the food & service are excellent though read more

We were on our way to Toronto and decided to spend the night in London. Wanted a great dinner and this far exceeded our expectations! The atmosphere is quiet and cozy, perfect for conversation. The wine list is extensive and reasonable. My husband had the melon and proscuitto salad and said it was the best salad he's EVER had! The entrees followed suit! Our only regret is that we may never get back to London, Canada again! read more