Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Jo's American Bistro

    4.3 (599 reviews)
    Closed 4:30 pm - 9:00 PM
    Updated 3 weeks ago

    Jo's American Bistro Photos

    Business Info

    JO'S AMERICAN BISTRO ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Intimate
    Classy

    You might also consider

    More like Jo's American Bistro

    Recommended Reviews - Jo's American Bistro

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos - Jo's American Bistro

    Burger
    Lynn M.

    Really enjoyed the meal and service! The waitress was very helpful, and every dish was good. Scallops were fresh, cod was well seasoned and tender, and the short rib burger (competition submission for Burger Week) was exceptional! We were surprised that the fries were made in-house. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Just note that if you bring a stroller, it will need to be kept at the front, as the tables/aisles are too narrow to navigate with it.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]]

    Fish & Chips
    Rolando N.

    Excellent dining experience. The food and service were outstanding! They also have Vegan options which is a nice plus The local Calamari was some of the best I've ever had. Locally sourced, tender, with a light crust batter. Just perfect! The Lobster Carbonara was also the other standout. Flavorful with lots of Lobster meat. The little neck Steamed clams were also great Service was fantastic!

    Anniversary dinner time
    Tonya K.

    We loved our experience here! [[HIGHLIGHT]]Had a relaxing and romantic vacation/anniversary dinner.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Very nice & thorough from the hostess/host to our server. My salmon dinner was moist and tasty with a good portion. My husband's hanger steak was full of flavor. We got the prix-fixe option with the soup; our chowder was warm and comforting. The Pinot noir was a nice pairing. The Italian olive cake was delicious in flavor and texture. We had such a lovely experience and recommend this gem to all!

    Tommy P.

    Great prix fixe deals - you're gonna get a heftier portion than you'd expect for the tariff, and it'll be masterly. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Good drinks, nice but not-stuffy atmosphere.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Fantastic service from everyone, but Darius really went out of his way to make sure our visit was outstanding. Went here on a tip from the innkeeper at our hotel despite having plans at a different place, and boy did he steer us right! (Everyone carries on about the burgers here, too - I'll have to go back and try one out.)

    Fried Fish Sandwich
    Jim S.

    First time trying Joe's and our waiter and service were great. The burger week special burger was good. The lobster and duck quesadillas were not my favorite combination. The hanger steak and fish sandwich were pretty good.

    New England Clam Chowder
    Madison K.

    The clam chowder was great! So glad I ordered it. The potatoes weren't too much as they can sometimes be, and there was a good amount of clams in there. For my entree I ordered the butternut squash agnolotti. So good! It was the reason why I picked the restaurant for Valentine's Day in the first place and it met my (high!) expectations. The sage cream sauce and carmelized onions were perfect. What wasn't perfect was the chicken I ordered with it. I was pretty disappointed in it, it was flavorless and dry. For like, $8 extra I'd like my chicken to be edible! Neither my boyfriend or I could bring us ourselves to choke it down. But I devoured the rest of my agnolotti, rest assured. Also pictured is the lobster carbonara, which was really good too. Very generous proportion of lobster. For the prices, menu offering, and atmosphere (dark, white napkins, prime location) I'd think of this as more than a "casual" establishment. If they want to be considered casual, then I'd prefer a much larger portion, one that I wouldn't be able to finish in one sitting and save for lunch the next day. So the portions and price combined gives it a fancy feel I'd say... do imagine my surprise when the bread rolls were served in a paper bag! Why they couldn't be on a plate I don't know, but it cheapened the experience. I mean, if you have a prix fixe menu, I'd think you're a little upscale but maybe that's just me. The service was really good, very fast and friendly. All of the waiters wished us a nice day when we left. There was also a special Valentine's prix fixe menu (they offer a regular one on weekends I believe) for $65 that included a starter, entree, and dessert- but I didn't opt for it as I was excited about the agnolotti. The parking situation- good luck! There's a lot nearby (across from the tennis hall of fame) but there's a heft fee for parking there.

    Peach bread pudding
    Jenn H.

    My mom came to celebrate her birthday week and I was determined to find a spot to have dinner in Newport. [[HIGHLIGHT]]We immediately liked the warm and quiet atmosphere.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Our server was excellent and refilled our water often and answered questions we had about the menu. There were a lot of options on the menu that looked good. I decided to try the Sausage & Orecchiette Pasta and my mom picked the Butternut Squash Agnolotti. The portions were average sized with incredible flavors. We splurged and each got a dessert. She had the olive oil cake with berries. It was a touch in the dry side but the flavor and the fruit were perfect. I had the peach bread pudding which was so delicious and perfect for a cold winter evening. This will definitely be a place plan to eat at every time she visits in the future. Thanks for helping to make her birthday special. The first thing she said the next morning was how much she liked the restaurant.

    Lobster Carbonara
    Nellie C.

    I called closer to closing time but I had just landed in RI and the girl taking my order was very nice and said she would put my order through! The lobster carbonara while be pricy was very very good. It ended up being 2 meals for me so worth it in the end.

    New England Clam Chowder
    Jeff D.

    My wife and I visited Newport for our 'babymoon' during the holidays. Jo's popped up as a dinner option and we decided to pay them a visit. I remember commenting while I was here that I loved the food and dining experiences in Newport and this was one of the reasons why. The service was friendly, attentive, and top notch. The upstairs dining room was romantic and the perfect volume. As for the food, it was delectable. The bread arrived piping hot and tasted like it was freshly basked. The NE clam chowder was the perfect consistency with a healthy dose of clams. The fish and chips were some of the best I've ever had. Crispy, flaky, meaty - I wish I could have it again right now. If you find yourself in town, Jo's should not be missed for an incredible dining experience.

    Southern Fried Chicken Bites

    See all

    Review Insights

    2 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Jimmy H.

    Jimmy H.

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Jimmy H.

    Jimmy H.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 month ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Jimmy H.

    Jimmy H.

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Lynn M.
    0
    19
    19

    6 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Joann C.

    Joann C.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    16 days ago

    Nice atmosphere good quality food. Apologized profusely for error and removed charge from bill without my asking for it.

    Business owner information

    Photo of Jimmy H.

    Jimmy H.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Joann C.

    Joann C.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Jimmy H.

    Jimmy H.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    10 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    11 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Joann C.

    Joann C.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Jim S.
    9
    300
    1213

    5 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Joann C.

    Joann C.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Joann C.

    Joann C.

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Tara D.
    167
    3
    4

    1 month ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Jimmy H.

    Jimmy H.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Joann C.

    Joann C.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Andrew T.
    0
    116
    16

    8 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Jeff D.
    366
    940
    1182

    1 year ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Joann C.

    Joann C.

    Helpful 7
    Thanks 1
    Love this 5
    Oh no 0

    9 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Joann C.

    Joann C.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Jimmy H.

    Jimmy H.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 1

    5 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Joann C.

    Joann C.

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 1

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1
    Photo of Sherry T.
    5
    144
    12

    9 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Joann C.

    Joann C.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Joann C.

    Joann C.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 2

    9 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 1
    Photo of Jose G.
    3
    23
    25

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Joann C.

    Joann C.

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Linda D.
    30
    27
    20

    1 year ago

    Great food, many GF options, delicious award winning burger. Never had a bad meal there..

    Business owner information

    Photo of Joann C.

    Joann C.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 1

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Joann C.

    Joann C.

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Joann C.

    Joann C.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    Page 1 of 15

    Jo's American Bistro Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Jo's American Bistro

    Best place to park for this restaurant?

    Best to use the CVS parking lot. Jo's sells a $5 voucher

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

    You might also consider

    Anthony's Seafood

    Anthony's Seafood

    4.2
    (1.2k reviews)
    2.6 mi
    $$

    Do not walk, RUN here for their lobster roll. You won't be disappointed. Service is fast and…read moreefficient. I had not been here in 9 years, and that was way too long between visits. It gets busy, rightfully so, but it is more locals and fewer tourists than everywhere else I think. I am already drooling, trying to figure out when I am going to get here again.

    Anthony's Seafood offers a good amount of seafood (duh!). So you place your order at a counter then…read moreyou're given a number and your food will be brought to you. I went on a rainy Monday around noon and there was still a steady flow of customers. It seems to be a pretty popular spot. The staff is all very friendly. The soups were served to us immediately after paying. The New England Clam Chowder was good. Nice amount of clams and very creamy. I had never had Rhode Island Clam Chowder before and this seemed like the place to try it. The clear broth was surprisingly flavorful but I still prefer New England. My girlfriend and I ordered a good amount and the food came out pretty quickly. My favorite was the kung pao calamari. The squid was fried perfectly and having the sauce on the side was nice as it didn't leave the breading to get all soggy and I had control over how sweet it would be. The stuffed Quahogs tasted good but I feel like I tasted more of the stuffing over the actual shellfish. It still tasted good, but I feel like I should've gotten more shellfish. We were told they ran out of shells to serve them on so the presentation was off, but they were still tasty. The lobster rolls were both good. They were $27 which seems pretty steep to me but they were actually on the cheaper side compared to other places we saw around Newport. The lobster tasted fresh and the bread was good. They were solid lobster rolls. The food was all solid, but for the price I wasn't wowed.

    Photos
    Interior. Fine for solo or group dining.
    Interior. Fine for solo or group dining.
    Baked scallops, potatoes and corn at Anthony's Seafood, Middletown
    Baked scallops, potatoes and corn at Anthony's Seafood, Middletown
    Yummy lobster roll

    See all

    Yummy lobster roll
    Mr. R

    Mr. R

    4.1
    (29 reviews)
    0.1 mi

    While only a few miles from home, we tend to avoid Newport during the crazy busy summer months, but…read morethis has been on our radar since opening. The RI Food Fights TacoMania competition & tourist season starting to slow got us over the bridge to try early on a Saturday evening. Arriving just after opening, we had our choice of tables in an empty room. That was a good thing since, by the time we left, the place was jamming! The server, who was welcoming, enthusiastic about the menu & and handled the ever-growing crowd on his own, told us that we could always call ahead for a table. Good to know since we didn't see a way to reserve. The little place is comfy & lovely! The decor perfectly suits the Newport scene and includes a welcoming food bar area that would be perfect for enjoying their international tapa-like street-food inspired offerings. A small patio is available to overlook Memorial Blvd in nicer weather. While they do not have a liquor license, you are welcome to BYOB and we did, finding the $3 per person corkage fee very fair. Now, about the food... WOW! What a explosion of fun flavors! With choices of snacks from around the world, you can jump from one intense palate to another, over and over. Three of us shared five small dishes & one large and we loved them all. The Nduja Shrimp Dumplings were delicate and fresh and loaded with flavor. The tacos that we were here to judge were fantastic. The pork was juicy & flavorful, and, though we were afraid the vegetable tacos would be boring - they were anything but. We'd eat these all the time! Bravas Frites were a fun twist on traditional Spanish Patatas Bravas, using fries as a base rather than cubed potatoes. Again, delicious! But, our favorite of the small plates had to be the Brussel Sprouts. We almost didn't get them as they've been so over-done, but felt vegetable guilt & threw them in. OMG - the best prep of these tiny cabbages ever! Finally, the pièce de résistance was the Lobster Fried Rice - a perfect way to top it all off. Buttery, umami & loaded with chunks of fresh lobster meat, my mouth waters now just thinking it. So glad we finally stopped here. A great Tacomania contender and we can't wait to return to eat our way through the rest of the menu!

    Our first visit on a Friday night. They don't take reservations. Few diners but they have only been…read moreopen a few weeks. My review is not favorable but I think knowing this is a Pasta Beach effort - it will be a hit in a few months. It is in the original Pasta Beach spot next to a Dunkin' Donuts for whatever reason is open late at night. The positives - plenty of nearby street parking, modern and cozy space, and very good staff. I should mention that after we ordered, our 5 appetizers arrived starting in 5 minutes and all were served within 10 minutes. We did screw up by forgetting we were at BYOB. OK - the killer - the food. Of the 5 appetizers we ordered only one was a winner! That was the Brussel sprouts which were outstanding and a large portion. All the other dishes were about the right size for sharing by 2. Realize they are striving for "fusion" but they missed it on the pulled pork dumplings. The lamb skewers were a struggle to eat - tough (and certainly could not be eaten off the skewers) - but the saving grace was the dipping sauce. The big failures were the prosciutto croquettes - a real mess with a sliver of meat on top of mainly onions - and OMG - the Korean chicken wings. The latter came slathered with a sticky and spicy, sweet, red sauce (too hot for my wife) and some sort of dipping sauce. A mess to eat. We had to request paper towels and dip in our water to clean up. Damages with tip was $90 and we only had a tea and sparkling water. We may try it in a few months, but their current menu did not work with our palates. Food 2/5 Service 5/5 Value 3/5 (average) Cleanliness 5/5 Noise 5/5 (lack of) Décor 5/5

    Photos
    Warm & comfy decor
    Warm & comfy decor
    Small plates
    Small plates
    Risotto Cake, French Onion Dumplings, and Prosciutto Croquette.

    See all

    Risotto Cake, French Onion Dumplings, and Prosciutto Croquette.
    Bar 'Cino Newport

    Bar 'Cino Newport

    4.6
    (577 reviews)
    0.5 mi
    $$

    Great spot to go to in Newport, RI! Came here two years ago and just recently had it again this…read moreMay. The food is so good here! Very fresh and honestly, very affordable for the aesthetic, quality, and taste. Plus the service is great. I've had their pastas, entrees, apps, pizza, and drinks and there is nothing you can go wrong with. My personal favorites is their kale salad, chianti marsala braised beef and mushroom tagliatelle. Again, the quality is great and everything is seasoned/ flavored well. Plus their pastas are homemade! They also give free bread, who doesn't love that? I cannot recommend this place enough. Perfect for a date night or night out with friends.

    We sat at the counter right in front of all the magic. The chefs are definitely hard at work and it…read morewas really fun watching them make it all happen. The service was really good. We loved the olives and the roasted beets! The whipped Gorgonzola was a perfect match for the beets, not overpowering at all. After much thought over the menu, I decided to go with the short rib. The short rib was not fatty and it was super tender. I was able to pull it apart easily with my fork. The mashed potatoes were great and complimented the dish with the short rib sauce. I wasn't a fan of the tequila drink that I ordered, but my glass of wine paired very well with the short rib.

    Photos
    Bar 'Cino Newport
    Tuscan kale salad, avocado, pine nuts, parmesan, sun-dried tomato vinaigrette
    Tuscan kale salad, avocado, pine nuts, parmesan, sun-dried tomato vinaigrette
    Bar 'Cino Newport

    See all

    Scales & Shells

    Scales & Shells

    3.4
    (417 reviews)
    0.4 mi
    $$$

    We were in Newport for the day & found Scales & Shells while walking off our lunch LOL & it was…read moreright across the street from where we parked. They were closed until dinner time, so we went to walk around to browse at the shops nearby before coming back to try for dinner! It was pretty quiet when we went, so there were plenty of tables available. Service is slow here, even though there was only 3 other tables were dining at the same time. Multiple servers and staff were just on their phones doing nothing. Our food took a while, too! We had ordered the calamari ($17), clams linguine ($28), & the seared scallops ($38). Portions were okay... wished there was more linguine in the clam linguine dish & also not much flavor going on. I know Italian food can be pricey (I still love it though hehe), but this was not worth the price at all, in my opinion. We walked out of here, STILL hungry & unsatisfied, which is honestly pretty rare... But we were also surprised that they gave 6 scallops because we were totally expecting 2 or 3 scallops only LOL since so many places overcharge for scallops, so this was good in terms of quantity. We wished that they included something else with this dish? Like maybe asparagus or some sort of vegetable? The clam linguine had basically no flavor at all. I know that the flavor for this dish is usually kept pretty simple for the most part but this literally tasted like just pasta water. No garlic, nothing. Just salty pasta water? Overall, I will not be coming back. On the bright side, the place did seem pretty clean.

    It has been at least 7 years since I had been to Scales. In the past it was very tough to get a…read morereservation especially on a Saturday . Needless to say I was shocked to get a 7:15 time slot on a weekend in August however it turned out very lucky for us. We had a delightful server named Molly and I must say if it were not for her recommendation of the homemade mushroom pasta I would never have chosen this Ahhhmazing dish. A fabulous blend of sauce with a hint of pancetta. My husband picked the Bucatini with shrimp. I think he would have licked his plate if he could. My coconut mojito and his blood orange sour were perfect compliments to our meal. Definitely coming back soon!

    Photos
    Toro Tuna Steak - my favorite!
    Toro Tuna Steak - my favorite!
    From the raw bar
    From the raw bar
    Grilled Mahi-Mahi

    See all

    Grilled Mahi-Mahi
    Brick Alley Pub & Restaurant

    Brick Alley Pub & Restaurant

    4.2
    (1.9k reviews)
    0.5 mi
    $$

    We just had another fabulous dinner at Brick Alley Pub & Restaurant--our second time dining here…read moresince last fall, and it was just as wonderful as we remembered. We arrived a little early for our 4:00 p.m. reservation, and the place was already packed. While we waited by the bar, a very nice waitress took our drink order--a lemon drop martini, beautifully crafted, well-balanced, and pleasantly strong. We were seated shortly after and, of course, ordered another. (Both times, I took several sips before remembering to take a photo!) Our waitress, Mikela, was truly lovely--sincere, sweet, and very courteous. She was attentive throughout the meal without ever being intrusive, which made the experience feel relaxed and effortless. At the end, I told her I wished I could give her 6 stars, but Yelp only allows 5. For dinner, we both ordered the seared rare ahi tuna steak. I had mine with garlic bread, while my husband chose mashed potatoes. I also added the $9.95 salad buffet, which is such a great deal--you definitely won't leave hungry. I especially love their buffet-style salad bar, which offers nearly every option one could want. Both of our ahi tuna steaks were fantastic--fresh, flavorful, and perfectly prepared. Once again, I dug into my tuna before remembering to take a photo! We finished the meal with a cheesecake to share--another delicious ending to a wonderful dinner. We're already planning our next visit--there are still so many dishes and drinks we'd love to try.

    They don't take reservations but the wait wasn't too bad. The atmosphere was lively with a fun…read moreenergy. From the moment we sat down, the service was excellent. Our waiter was kind, attentive, and very patient with us as we managed two hangry kids. One employee who was on break even helped me find a quiet spot to take a work call which I really appreciated. The kids' meal came out almost immediately. My son got the cheeseburger, and I was surprised by how big it was. It was adult sized, and he enjoyed and finished all of it. The mussels were the standout of the meal and the best I've personally had. They were incredibly fresh with no fishy smell and the broth was so flavorful. The bread that came with it was perfect for soaking up every last bit of the broth. The salmon was very fresh and cooked well. The shrimp scampi was also really good. The clam chowder was an 8 out of 10 for me. Not the best I've ever had but definitely one of the better ones. Pricing was mid range and felt fair for the quality of the food and the portions. Overall, we were really happy with the meal. Great service, fresh seafood, generous kids' portions, and a fun atmosphere. I'd definitely come back, especially for the mussels.

    Photos
    Bar area
    Bar area
    Clams were cooked perfectly
    Clams were cooked perfectly
    Pumpkin and butternut squash ravioli

    See all

    Pumpkin and butternut squash ravioli

    Jo's American Bistro - newamerican - Updated August 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...