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1818 Bistro is a beloved restaurant in South Main Historic District. Originally built in 1818, on this site, Eckerts Tavern also known as Sign of the Buffalo, served travelers, and pioneers as they traversed the country during the Great Migration. Serving as the hosting place for the crafting of the Santa Fe Trail documents, St. Charles played an integral part in Westward expansion. Spring & Summer months the patio season is in full swing (pet friendly of course). Locals and repeat visitors to South Main Street know it is the best. In Fall & Winter months gas lights, fire pits, fine French wines will welcome you. Retreat inside with the original fireplace room, bistro bar and new lighting. Bon Appetit!
This brick-walled eatery with a comfy look offers a roster of American fare & wine 7 days a week.
Address and Contact Information
Address: 515 S Main St, St Charles, MO 63301
Phone: (636) 493-9303
Website: http://1818bistrot.com/
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1818 Bistrot – Historic District of St. Charles, MO
1818 Bistro is an American Bistro with a French Flair located in the South Main Historic District of St. Charles, with indoor and outdoor patio seating.
1818 Bistro | St. Charles MO – Facebook
Welcome to Historic Saint Charles, Missouri! 1818 Bistrot, formerly Braddens Restaurant, is a beloved casual eatery in the South Main Historic District. Steve …
All Day Menu – 1818 Bistrot
Toasted Ravioli – $10.00. A St. Louis favorite served with marinara sauce. Fried … Charles, MO Braddens. 1818 Bistrot. 515 South Main Street St. Charles …
Reviews
Sherry H.
What a cute little place. Popped in for a quick appetizer and cocktail. When you walk in the bar is to the right and is French inspired decorated. They have indoor seating to the left and lots of patio seating outside. We opted for just a quick bite and ordered the guacamole bites. These are lightly fried wontons stuffed with tangy guacamole and served with their signature strawberry pepper jelly. They were very tasty. Our server was super nice and informative. We glanced at the rest of the menu and it had just a little bit of everything.
… moreSara Sasfai
What a letdown. This restaurant has so much going for it — character, a great location, and an impressively large space — but the food simply doesn’t match the setting. The food could maybe pass for airport dining than a place you’d plan a Saturday night around.
We were drawn in by the steak sandwich advertised prominently outside, only to be told they were out of it — at 5 PM on one of the warmest Saturdays in months?? Running out of a featured item at peak dinner time isn’t a great first impression. So we ordered a Reuben, a Philly cheesesteak, lobster bisque, and their “signature” French Kiss Martini ($15).
The lobster bisque arrived first and was unfortunately inedible — thick, oddly textured, and more reminiscent of a lumpy carrot-cream soup than anything with lobster. Panera does soups better than this. The French Kiss Martini at least came in the proper glass, but that’s where the positives ended. The glass wasn’t chilled, the drink was filled to the rim, and it tasted overwhelmingly sweet — like strawberry syrup with a splash of vodka. It was difficult to finish.
The sandwiches didn’t improve the experience. A Reuben served on multigrain bread was surprising, and not in a good way. Instead of the expected Thousand Island dressing, it came with mayonnaise and a very small amount of sauerkraut — missing the bold, balanced flavor that defines a proper Reuben. The Philly cheesesteak featured dry meat that tasted like it had been sitting under a heat lamp for far too long. Both plates were covered with an excessive mound of fries, which felt more like filler than a thoughtful side.
The concept itself seemed unclear — is it vintage American with a French influence, or backyard BBQ casual? The identity felt scattered. There was no music, just an oddly quiet patio that made the experience feel even more uncomfortable. Adding to that, someone who appeared to be a manager or owner sat nearby on the patio the entire time, watching the staff closely. The servers seemed tense, as if they were being monitored.
The one highlight was the service. Our server was attentive and kind despite the circumstances. I even left a cash tip to ensure it went directly to her. They truly deserve better.
All in all, spending $85+ for a meal that could have been made better at home is disappointing. With its location and atmosphere, this place has potential but the execution needs serious improvement.
… moreWe were drawn in by the steak sandwich advertised prominently outside, only to be told they were out of it — at 5 PM on one of the warmest Saturdays in months?? Running out of a featured item at peak dinner time isn’t a great first impression. So we ordered a Reuben, a Philly cheesesteak, lobster bisque, and their “signature” French Kiss Martini ($15).
The lobster bisque arrived first and was unfortunately inedible — thick, oddly textured, and more reminiscent of a lumpy carrot-cream soup than anything with lobster. Panera does soups better than this. The French Kiss Martini at least came in the proper glass, but that’s where the positives ended. The glass wasn’t chilled, the drink was filled to the rim, and it tasted overwhelmingly sweet — like strawberry syrup with a splash of vodka. It was difficult to finish.
The sandwiches didn’t improve the experience. A Reuben served on multigrain bread was surprising, and not in a good way. Instead of the expected Thousand Island dressing, it came with mayonnaise and a very small amount of sauerkraut — missing the bold, balanced flavor that defines a proper Reuben. The Philly cheesesteak featured dry meat that tasted like it had been sitting under a heat lamp for far too long. Both plates were covered with an excessive mound of fries, which felt more like filler than a thoughtful side.
The concept itself seemed unclear — is it vintage American with a French influence, or backyard BBQ casual? The identity felt scattered. There was no music, just an oddly quiet patio that made the experience feel even more uncomfortable. Adding to that, someone who appeared to be a manager or owner sat nearby on the patio the entire time, watching the staff closely. The servers seemed tense, as if they were being monitored.
The one highlight was the service. Our server was attentive and kind despite the circumstances. I even left a cash tip to ensure it went directly to her. They truly deserve better.
All in all, spending $85+ for a meal that could have been made better at home is disappointing. With its location and atmosphere, this place has potential but the execution needs serious improvement.
Wendy B
The food so was fresh it tasted like it was made from scratch. The outdoor patio is very relaxing to have dinner. Friendly service too. We got right in on a beautiful Saturday evening. We shared the Grilled Chicken Club and sweet potato fries. Quaint little place on Main Street.
… moreChris Esser
Not good at all.
I took a corporate group of 10 for dinner last night, most of them visiting from Europe. Our server was sweet and darling…the bright spot of the entire night. Before my group arrived, a young man walked into the restaurant and went straight to the kitchen, swearing and yelling at someone on his phone the whole time. I asked the server if they would pipe some music through the speakers. Not a problem…the chef does that when he arrives and he just got here. THAT is our chef? A little concerned. Especially after I hear him yelling at her through the kitchen door, telling her this was “stupid and don’t ever schedule this again.” Meaning MY group? We were the only people there the whole evening, should have been my first clue to leave. The music was turned on in the kitchen (jazz…it was nice), but never piped through speakers, just played loudly in the kitchen. Food was so disappointing. They were out of the sirloin strip and only had 5 of the flat iron steaks which did accommodate the 5 in my group that ordered them. I settled for the salmon over buttered noodles and tomatoes. Dry salmon….noodles with zero flavor and two tomato chunks on the whole dish. Two steaks were overcooked. One steak ordered well-done was WAY well-done. A couple bites of each one and left on the dish. We asked for a dessert menu and the only thing they had was cheesecake. Out of half of the beers on the list. Thank goodness my group had a sense of humor and we just had to laugh it all off. Would not recommend. Check please!
… moreI took a corporate group of 10 for dinner last night, most of them visiting from Europe. Our server was sweet and darling…the bright spot of the entire night. Before my group arrived, a young man walked into the restaurant and went straight to the kitchen, swearing and yelling at someone on his phone the whole time. I asked the server if they would pipe some music through the speakers. Not a problem…the chef does that when he arrives and he just got here. THAT is our chef? A little concerned. Especially after I hear him yelling at her through the kitchen door, telling her this was “stupid and don’t ever schedule this again.” Meaning MY group? We were the only people there the whole evening, should have been my first clue to leave. The music was turned on in the kitchen (jazz…it was nice), but never piped through speakers, just played loudly in the kitchen. Food was so disappointing. They were out of the sirloin strip and only had 5 of the flat iron steaks which did accommodate the 5 in my group that ordered them. I settled for the salmon over buttered noodles and tomatoes. Dry salmon….noodles with zero flavor and two tomato chunks on the whole dish. Two steaks were overcooked. One steak ordered well-done was WAY well-done. A couple bites of each one and left on the dish. We asked for a dessert menu and the only thing they had was cheesecake. Out of half of the beers on the list. Thank goodness my group had a sense of humor and we just had to laugh it all off. Would not recommend. Check please!
Jessica Prest
What a gem on a historic Main Street! This local restaurant delivers both great food and friendly service, making it a must-stop when you’re in the area. Every dish we tried was fresh, flavorful, and clearly made with care—comforting yet elevated in all the right ways.
We know this restaurant as Bradden’s and the new concept and dinner service is definitely elevated. Fantastic evening on Main Street for Christmas Traditions.
The real standout, though, is the setting. Dining here feels special thanks to the beautiful historic surroundings and charming Main Street views that give you a true sense of the town’s character and history. It’s the perfect spot to slow down, enjoy a meal, and take in the atmosphere.
… moreWe know this restaurant as Bradden’s and the new concept and dinner service is definitely elevated. Fantastic evening on Main Street for Christmas Traditions.
The real standout, though, is the setting. Dining here feels special thanks to the beautiful historic surroundings and charming Main Street views that give you a true sense of the town’s character and history. It’s the perfect spot to slow down, enjoy a meal, and take in the atmosphere.
GoMoGo
During our girls’ getaway to Saint Charles, we were fortunate to be there on a day when an 86 degree day, in February, broke a record! We had been shopping for hours and saw Braddens offered outdoor dining. The three of us stopped by around 2 p.m. We were promptly seated and given menus.
The patio was comfortable and still quite busy with diners. We ordered toasted ravioli for an appetizer. It was really tasty, served hot and fresh with marinara sauce. The menu offers a nice variety and there was also a daily special. My mom and our friend ordered the special, a stuffed grilled cheese. They really enjoyed the sandwiches. My friend loved her sweet potato fries.
I ordered a French dip sandwich with provolone. It was very good. I did run out of au jus and asked for more, which I didn’t receive. Not a huge deal, but I also asked for something earlier and didn’t get it either, otherwise the service would have been 5 stars.
The homemade chips were tasty and with such a large serving, we finished them later as a snack. We will definitely stop by Braddens on our next visit. We also bought two servings of peach cobbler to go, it was delicious!
… moreThe patio was comfortable and still quite busy with diners. We ordered toasted ravioli for an appetizer. It was really tasty, served hot and fresh with marinara sauce. The menu offers a nice variety and there was also a daily special. My mom and our friend ordered the special, a stuffed grilled cheese. They really enjoyed the sandwiches. My friend loved her sweet potato fries.
I ordered a French dip sandwich with provolone. It was very good. I did run out of au jus and asked for more, which I didn’t receive. Not a huge deal, but I also asked for something earlier and didn’t get it either, otherwise the service would have been 5 stars.
The homemade chips were tasty and with such a large serving, we finished them later as a snack. We will definitely stop by Braddens on our next visit. We also bought two servings of peach cobbler to go, it was delicious!
Marley Ginsky
My boyfriend and I came here for our anniversary lunch, hoping to try something new. We were very disappointed with the overall experience. It took about 7 minutes to be greeted, and even longer to get our actual order taken. After we finally ordered, the waitress left, came back, and then informed us that they did not have what my boyfriend ordered. He ordered a new dish. Once the food came out, his entree and side were completely wrong. The waitress left so quick after setting the food down and did not come back for a good 20 minutes. Once informed, she fixed the issue, which took another 20 minutes. My boyfriend had not been able to eat the whole time we were there. Once the check came, no discount was offered for the inconvenience. I had to ask the waitress to take money off, which she did begrudgingly. She was quite rude and short with us after that. Salad was ok. Service was not.
… moreStephanie Reed
This is a cute spot on Main St with a good patio. We were seated quickly at a table for two on a Friday for lunch in a nice shady spot, but by a planter than had a swarm of bug. Yuck. We were served in a quick amount of time and our server answered all our questions throughly and politely. She also checked up on us an appropriate amount while we dined. We both had the lobster bisque, which was okay, and the chicken salad sandwich. The bread was grilled which I wasn’t expecting and made it greasy and less tasty. Just toasted would have better IMHO. No lettuce or tomato were served with it and it was bland tasting. Overall we had a nice conversation in the pleasant atmosphere!
… moreJohn K
We enjoyed the beautiful weather and sat on the patio. We wanted the spinach and artichoke dip but they were out of it. Instead we ordered the guacamole bites. They remind me of all won tons filled with guacamole and served with a pepper jelly sauce. The bites were a little light on the guacamole filling. The pepper jelly sauce is delicious and adds more flavors and heat.
… moreJMC STL
5 Stars for service (considering the short but cooperative staff mentioned by another reviewer). Interior dining spaces with a small bar area up front are cozy & relatively comfortable; the large patio dining area adjacent would be very inviting in warmer weather (and with more staff coverage). Unfortunately the menu is mostly typical fare for Main Street, while the food fell short on quality & flavor from the previous incarnations of this restaurant location. Worth another try perhaps on a warm sunny day, but 1818 Bistrot still has a hill to climb to compete with several competitors along Historic Main Street St. Charles.
… more