1808 American Bistro

I've eaten at 1808 several times in my 7 years living in the Columbus area and by far it is my favorite restaurant- yesterday's visit spoke to Why- I chose to take my girlfriend here for her birthday and reached out with very short notice to see if they could accommodate us and then do something special to add to the evening. I spoke to Kelsey and she made sure our reservation was set, and when we arrived a "happy birthday" flower arrangement was specially made for the table which made my girlfriends day. To follow that up, the spectacular service and amazing food we had made it a night to truly remember. Thank you 1808 staff for going the extra mile- You have our hearts and our stomachs! More...

Reviewed on Yelp

The food is fantastic. Very unique menu to choose from. I have never had a bad expirence here. Very high quality food and service.

Reviewed on Yelp

Delicious food. Very clean, nicely decorated. Great weekly specials. Good vibes and amazing service. Chef cooked our entrées to perfection

Reviewed on Yelp

Hubby and I visited 1808 American Bistro on the way home from a weekend trip. On Sunday night, we were looking for a nice place to have dinner before finishing our trip home.  As we drove,  I searched on Yelp for a nice place in Delaware and thought the reviews and pictures looked impressive.  We parked easily at a lot behind the restaurant and paid 75 cents for 3 hours of parking.  The atmosphere was amazing and we were immediately seated.  A very attentive waiter told us about specials and the most popular dishes.  Hubby and I chose an appetizer of salmon dip which was fantastic.  I chose the short rib dinner with a salad and hubby chose the shrimp and grits with the loaded baked potato soup. Everything was top notch and even the soup and salad were totally next level. We happily finished with the whiskey bread pudding and agree it was the best bread pudding ever!  I don't visit Delaware often, but when we do,  we will stop here! More...

Reviewed on Yelp

Wanted to try something new for our anniversary dinner and heard great things about the beef carpaccio, so we drove up from Dublin. We were so impressed with the ambiance and the menu, but the food was out of this world good. Something as simple as the deviled eggs at the bar were top notch. But my wife got the filet medallions and that dish was so good I was struck with envy at one bite. But my dish (salad and calamari) was too good to share. The service was wonderful. Noah our server made sure to come by and check in, but not be intrusive. Any request was followed up on promptly. This is service you'd experience at a 5 star restaurant. Thank you for making our anniversary special and I will send as many friends up there as possible. Excellent job! More...

Reviewed on Yelp

First impression was awkward because the door person had left and no one was covering the door. But once we were found the bar gal was very nice and we were here just as the kitchen closed for lunch. I had the cheese and potato soup and the house salad Bertie had biscuits and gravy. Both were freshly made and delicious! The place has a lot of classic bistro feel and we liked the time here. Came by a second time and it was so good! Shrimp and grits!! More...

Reviewed on Yelp

Maybe a little overpriced, but it's definitely the best/nicest place to eat downtown. Great for special dinners, work meetings, etc. loved the food and atmosphere! Service was also great. Will return! More...

Reviewed on Yelp

This restaurant does a good job with all facets of the business. The old building in which it sits is quaint but also presents a problem with comfort as the HVAC system blows unevenly in the dining room. When I asked to move my table because of the drafty air, the waiter handled it perfectly and allowed me to pick any seat in the room. Well done. This is a place you can take anyone and they will enjoy something about it. More...

Reviewed on Yelp

1808 house salad is my favorite and I carry it out frequently. The steak melts like butter in your mouth. Dinner can be pricey, but worth it

Reviewed on Yelp

Awesome food, great happy hour, and amazing bartenders. What's not to like! A true gem in Delaware.

Reviewed on Yelp

Best place to eat anytime of the day.  Everyone should experience this place at least once, it's Amazing!  Food, Service, Atmosphere everything is wonderful. I Love it! Hands down best steak EVER! More...

Reviewed on Yelp

Very good eats and drinks!  Service is good even when crowded which it is most of the time on weekends.  Parking in Delaware is tricky but USE THE PUBLIC LOTS!  Right down the street from 1808!! Maybe like a block away!  FREE! More...

Reviewed on Yelp

Best brunch in town. They truly know how to deliver. Food, service, atmosphere. Love!

Reviewed on Yelp

Last night was our first night at 1808. The parking was not the best but that's to be expected in Delaware, it's always tricky to find somewhere that won't tow! Our service was good and our waiter was attentive. He referred to everyone at our table (ages 23-78) as "buddy" which came off a little condescending, but I won't hold that against this place  The menu was limited and the prices were a bit steep for the portions we received. The food was good,but I'm not sure I would make this place a priority to come back based on the limited menu, prices, and portion sizes. More...

Reviewed on Yelp

Great selection of craft beer on tap. Decent food choices. Good service and friendly staff.

Reviewed on Yelp

Steak and grilled asparagus was cooked to perfection. Mashed potatoes just ok. Salmon and potato fingerlings were fabulous.  Beer selection excellent.  Calamari was best I've ever had! More...

Reviewed on Yelp

Oooohhh how we love this place! Always great find, great choices, great service. What else needs to be said

Reviewed on Yelp

I enjoy food, and I give out 5 stars pretty easily. But this place really impressed. I started with one of their cocktails, "The Saint. "  I ordered the 4 beet salad and the filet medallions. For dessert I chose bread pudding. From the first sip to the last sticky, caramel-laced bite I was pleased.  Their menu are simply printed which leads me to believe they change frequently. So the next time I am there I may not be able to order any of these exactly as I got them tonight. But at our table of 4, not one of us had a bad bite. Highly recommend! I'm only sorry that I neglected to take any pictures. More...

Reviewed on Yelp

One night my plans fell apart I decide to go out for a treat I was thinking of a movie but nothing that interested me was playing then I saw 1808 went in and order staek and a beer wow it was the best I have had in a long while I highly recommend you to go

Reviewed on Yelp

What a delightful establishment! Great atmosphere and service. We started with the bread service. Very tasty and makes a nice appetizer for 3-4 people to share. All of us enjoyed our meal. As a South Carolinian, I was a tad skeptical about Shrimp & Grits but was reassured that it was good, so I ordered it. I will confirm its excellence. Commendations to the chef. We will return. More...

Reviewed on Yelp

Outstanding service. A lot of options on Whiskey/bourbon. Great happy hour for beer lovers(2$) and 10$ off for bottles of wine on Wednesday. The dessert I had was yummy. (Whiskey bread pudding) must try!! More...

Reviewed on Yelp

Our group of 10 really enjoyed this upscale restaurant in the middle of a tiny town in Ohio! The chef obviously puts a lot of creativity and love into their menu. I ordered the beets 4 ways simply out of curiosity, but it totally paid off. It was delicious and such a change from the usual salad. I also ordered the fried chicken with "properly prepared potato salad" because I was curious what that even means. Truth be known, I dislike potato salad and this rendition didnt change my mind, but the chicken was excellent and such a huge portion I had enough for lunch the next day (it was delicious cold, no soggy breading!) Our table ordered one each of the desserts. Of those, the bread pudding was probably my favorite. I like my beignets with a little more substance, these were like pillow puffs. All in all a great little find with excellent service and ambiance. More...

Reviewed on Yelp

Amazing food. If you want a nice dinner, this is the place to go. Amazing steaks and great drinks.

Reviewed on Yelp

Great little place they got good craft beer nice atmosphere good place to take a date never had a full meal here but have had appetizers and they were good.  Not bad for Delaware Ohio. Stop in next time you're here. More...

Reviewed on Yelp

We love 1808!! You can never go wrong with the filet medallions! The house salad is a favorite of mine, along with the beets! Service is always great, too!

Reviewed on Yelp

In the area for work. Convinced a co-worker to stop by for a nice Sunday dinner. Had the steak. Dinner was delicious and the service was great.

Reviewed on Yelp

Great dinner and our server was super helpful!  The meals are more expensive than the average Delaware restaurant but definitely worth it!

Reviewed on Yelp

Love that they take a reservation and it's a place worth making a reservation for. Great atmosphere which is all part of the experience. Really decent wine selection. The food is usually excellent with the exception of the bread service (anyone can tell when bread is stale and should never make it to the table) so just don't order it, put that money into a cocktail or wine. Everything else is really excellent. One of Delaware's finest. More...

Reviewed on Yelp

This was our second visit with friends who live in the area, and both times we have been so impressed we decided it was time to write a review on Yelp :) The wait staff is clearly well-trained and everyone is cheerful and informative. Our food arrived quickly and exceeded our expectations.  In addition, the drink menu is extensive, prices are reasonable, and everyone was happy with their selection.  This is a beautiful restaurant and one of the best places to eat in Delaware! More...

Reviewed on Yelp

Really good food, drinks, service and atmosphere so I understand why everyone is recommending this place !!!  The happy hour specials are great and they honor them in the main restaurant which is perfect.  Bar was packed and nicely laid out and they also take reservations.  There are so many new places up in Delaware to check out which is why we will keep coming back. More...

Reviewed on Yelp

Excellent food and cocktails. Never hesitate to try a chef's special. Had the trout and sticky rice special last time and loved it. Very good shrimp and grits, as well. More...

Reviewed on Yelp

Service was great.  Food was absolutely delicious.  It was busy, so a little on the louder side, but that's to be expected on a Saturday night at a popular spot.  I will definitely be back for dinner or even just some drinks.  Great vibe & really enjoyed the staff! More...

Reviewed on Yelp

Stopped in for a steak and stogie cigar event where the menu was set so did not have an opportunity to explore the entire menu.  But if the set menu was any indication of how good the food is, I will be back.  The the steak was great, cooked just as I ordered no steak sauce needed, the smoked green beans were slap yo momma good and served on mashed potatoes.  I split the chocolate cheesecake and believe me, that big chain restaurant doesn't have anything on them.  Side note, they also have beignets.  I will be back to order from the full menu.  I had a photo not sure what happened but trust me it was great!!!  This place is an easy 4.5 service was great!!!!  I only take the .5 off because it is a 40 minute drive from Columbus however a great go to spot after shopping at the Outlet mall. More...

Reviewed on Yelp

This place has proven itself time after time!  Great service, great food, great atmosphere! I would definitely recommend it.

Reviewed on Yelp

1808's Happy Hour will have you thinking you're back in college praying you pass Calculus. It's amazing. $2 wells and half off all drafts (yes, all. Not just the yuck ones you would ever order anyway). When the bartender confirmed the limited hours of 4-7 I got to sipping. I selected the Lost Coast Mandarin Fruit Ale- so delicious. By the second one I convinced myself it counted as a serving of fruit, and debated a third. Down the hatch. The menu looked amazing but pricey. Alas, I window-shopped at the people eating dinner beside me at the bar. What can I say...always a bridesmaid, never a bride. But really, pinky promise me you'll go to their Happy Hour-- I'll save you a seat and tell you about that Calc class I barely passed. More...

Reviewed on Yelp

In Delaware at dinner time, we were hungry, and found 1808 American Bistro on Yelp.Wow, what a surprise.  Big, open, airy bar and 3 dining rooms with plenty of tables and lots of old, beautiful exposed brick.  A lively noise level, but you can still hear your dining partner(s) very clearly. Very nice...Service was attentive, friendly and knowledgeable.Food was excellent.  The sous vide Pork Shank was tremendous, as was the bread pudding.The only disappointment was the bread service.  I didn't mind the $3 price (at all), I just didn't enjoy the baguette and thought the olive oil rub and parmesan was tasteless.  My wife liked it, I didn't.  If you're going to charge for bread service, please start with great bread.  Even if you're not charging, in a restaurant of this caliber I expect the bread to be excellent.  It wasn't.About 2/3 of the way through dinner I commented to our server "wow, this place is almost as good as Veritas Tavern" (the awesome restaurant 3 doors down that has closed in Delaware to relocate into the Short North).She said "1808 is also owned by Joshua Dalton", the chef/owner of Veritas.  OK, that makes perfect sense...1808 is a great place.  Delaware is lucky to have it. More...

Reviewed on Yelp

Hubby and I were in Delaware for business and wanted to try Veritas, but alas when we got there, it was closed.  So we checked Yelp and saw 1808 was just two doors down.  So glad we decided to come in!The salad was among my favorite types, yummy mesclun with pecans and goat cheese and tomatoes in a great apple cider viangrette.  I will be trying to recreate this salad at home soon.The pork shank was melt in your mouth and the very definition of comfort food.  Almost rustic with the apples and cabbage.  The whiskey bread pudding was perfect!  Crunchy parts, melt in your mouth parts, and just fantastic.  All in all, it was a dinner my hubby and I would come all the way back to Delaware again for! More...

Reviewed on Yelp

1808 American Bistro in quaint downtown Delaware, Ohio is a most excellent evening. Start to finish the little restaurant that could did good!  Goooood!  Let me list the items my friend and I enjoyed.  Grilled cauliflower starter with a shared kale Caesar salad paired with it. Meals were medallions of beef with mashed potatoes and grilled asparagus AND pan-fried chicken breast (sous vide style prep) with glazed brussel sprouts and walnuts. Bourbon was the libation of the evening.   Folks.  There wasn't a trace of food remaining in front of either of us. The portion controls were perfection paired with moderate-to-high pricing (but delicious tastes made costs irrelevant).  The ambience of 1808 American Bistro is small town casual with a sprinkling of "I'll impress her with my choice of restaurant" panache. So a sport coat + jeans for a guy is a homerun. My guest wore jeans and a smart-looking heather pull-over and was perfect.  1808 American Bistro really is a great find.  Back back back I'll go - yes I will. More...

Reviewed on Yelp

First time visit to 1808. I had one of the best Ribeye Steak I've ever had. I ordered medium rare, and it was perfect. My date however, order her Ribeye to be medium. I did not know until she was down to a few bites left, that she offered me that here steak was a "cook it till the cow stops mooing" rare. If I had known I would have sent it back. It was an enjoyable dining experience and I do intend to go back. Maybe the wait staff could have people cut into their steak to make sure it what was ordered, especially when it's busy. Steak can get misplaced on the grill. I'll be going back. But check the steak before I start eating. More...

Reviewed on Yelp

What an experience! We sent our parents there for their retirement dinner. The friendly staff help coordinate the delivery of flowers and champagne. We are remote so they helped ensure our family had a full course meal and sent us the bill when done. The staff was even nice enough to add in a free dessert. Couldn't have asked for a better evening for our folks and hope anyone looking for a nice night out considers 1808!Cheers. More...

Reviewed on Yelp

Still giving this place 5 stars. Would give more if I could! We came here for my birthday dinner two weeks ago and it seriously blew all of us away. We sat in the main dining room and just loved the feel of it. Our waiter was awesome - he really knew the menu and how to describe everything. I started with the new fall sangria - it was beer based which surprised me but still very sweet (which is yummy in my book!). It was a good starter drink but I switched over to a glass of red which was also delicious for my meal. We had the bread service to start and it was the perfect amount for three people while we waited for our dinners. My mom and I both ordered the filet medallions...I could eat this again, and again, and again. The glaze is so amazing. The filets were cooked perfectly and the vegetables were also delightful. My husband had the CAB filet which he said was also fabulous. Everything on the menu sounded wonderful but I'm so glad we all ordered what we did. No one had anything left on their plate. Thank you to 1808 for making my birthday dinner special and an amazing experience. After reviewing the menu and cocktails, we will absolutely be back....probably again and again and again! More...

Reviewed on Yelp

The atmosphere is modern and hip! The waitstaff are very welcoming and friendly! The food is absolutely amazing! We continued to be delighted with each bite and by the time we were done eating, we were planing our next visit! And to top it all off they have 48 beers on tap and a nice wine selection! More...

Reviewed on Yelp

The short rib was excellent. The decor is cool, the service so so. Mostly elderly customers in the restaurant, but the bar was busy.

Reviewed on Yelp

The wine list is short but effective. Great cocktail list. The food was pretty and pretty good. Here's the thing to know about this place:THIS IS THE LOUDEST PLACE I HAVE EVER VISITED!  Hard to hear. Who cares? Great food. Nice servers. Parking is nearby in Public Parking More...

Reviewed on Yelp

We've been going to the 1808 for 2 years and we still love it.  Sitting in the bar area is the best because their bar snacks menu is good!  Fried nanna peppers are great and the warm ricotta with bread, very good.I had the lasagna tonight for the second or third time, and it's still so good!  I love how it's served in a hot crock.  The bar is just as good, as there's always a superb selection of craft brews of all types.Keep up the good work 1808! More...

Reviewed on Yelp