Bernadette is a French-inspired restaurant and cocktail bar in downtown Salem, MA. Drawing from the charm of a classic Parisian bistro, we highlight seasonal ingredients from local farmers and producers. Join us for bold cocktails, elegant plates, and a relaxed neighborhood vibe—right in the heart of Salem’s historic district.
James “Kimo”
Superb service and food! The beef bourginon and mini madeleines were stand out stars for me. Experience is very consistent with Danny Meyer’s concept of service. Meal pacing is perfect and by staff who are very conscientious and excited to work here. Definitely star potential!
… moreSusie C
My husband and I have traveled the world and have had some amazing meals and tonight’s meal at Bernadette is definitely in our top three. EVERYTHING from our cocktails, to the ambience, to the service, to the dessert, was absolutely incredible.
Looking forward to forward to coming back soon!
… moreGabe Kagan
This is a good addition to Salem as it was lacking French food. The beef tartar was a bit too salty for my liking, everything else was good, slightly above average. It’s more a French American fusion and is missing many French classics.
… moreBenjamin Hammer
I had been told by several people that I had to try Bernadette, so I went last week with a friend who was visiting. The space is absolutely lovely, and the staff was truly helpful and kind. I received my rhubarb-based bourbon cocktail, and I will give my props for an utterly delicious drink. That is about where the props end, though. We were heavily driven by our waiter towards the small fried ravioli app and the side of fries, neither of which wowed us. The raviolis were fried well, but almost tasteless and begged for acid. The fries were nothing special as they weren’t super crispy and the “garlic” aioli lacked garlic. Our chicken liver pate was probably our favorite dish, but it was served with a singular piece of toasted sourdough…stingy and silly. I had the swordfish, and my friend had the risotto, both were woefully under-seasoned. The swordfish was otherwise ok but the fish itself was tougher to the cut than I was used to. The risotto was far too tight and very heavy. We had read about their pastry chef and decided to order dessert despite our lackluster meal. The Paris Brest sounded delicious, and the rhubarb compote and crunch topping were quite good. The mousseline, however, was broken…I was a little shocked it was even served. Overall, a very underwhelming experience for the price. I most likely will not be back.
… moreHillary Tamburello
This restaurant does not feel like you are eating in Salem Ma. The ambiance and service makes you feel like you are eating at a 3 star Michelin restaurant. The attention to detail does not go unnoticed. The food was just as amazing. I am looking forward to returning.
… moreTravis Cox
We were excited to finally get to experience Bernadette and they did not disappoint! The food and the presentation were both amazing… and the service? It really made our night! Ask for Oscar, he has the best recommendations.
… moreLauren
Excellent food and atmosphere. The staff were very friendly, but we waited for our place setting and napkins after our meal arrived. The food was elegant, well portioned, and absolutely delicious. Each bite was full of flavour. We even stayed for desert. Thank you!!!
… moreTobias Landberg
Gold medal performance last night, y’all! Thank you for making a special night so lovely. You hosted our low-key celebration with an expert hand that left us perfectly satisfied, impressed, and delighted. The service was friendly and knowledgable and adapted to our interests. The lively warm atmosphere inside was framed and contrasted so sharply with the snowy stormy night outside. The strongest dish for me was the Nori pasta with clams and uni. The sauce was briny and strong like an ocean wave crashing a tide pool. The noodles were springy and soft and savory. The clam essence was juicy meaty toasty and complex. The sea urchin creamy and subtle. Just a wicked strong dish that was bold flavored, conceptually solid, and executed flawlessly. The yellowtail collar appetizer had a texture of almost melted butter with the highlight flavors of fresh sushi and slow and low barbecue. Outrageously good. Thank you!
… moreKaitlin Kang
I recently had dinner at Bernadette with my husband, and overall it was a lovely experience — though one that leans more on ambience and service than on value for money.
We started with the Petit Apéro, the chef’s selection of small bites to share, and it was easily one of the highlights of the evening. Each appetizer was thoughtfully prepared and beautifully presented — a great way to begin the meal. We also tried the French Onion Soup, which was rich and comforting, and the Country Pâté, which was flavorful and well-balanced.
For our entrées, we ordered the Sunchoke Risotto and the Rye Pappardelle. Both dishes were delicious — creamy, earthy, and clearly made with care. The kitchen’s attention to texture and seasoning really came through.
We didn’t order any alcoholic drinks, and our total came to nearly $200. While the food was good, it didn’t quite feel like it justified the price. What you’re really paying for at Bernadette is the ambience — warm, elegant, and perfect for a special occasion.
That said, the service was excellent. Our servers were extremely kind, attentive, and made the evening feel smooth and welcoming from start to finish.
In short: Bernadette delivers a polished dining experience with delicious food and impeccable service, but expect to pay a premium for the setting and atmosphere rather than the food alone.
… moreBrian Roda
Went on opening night and had an incredible time. We’ve eaten at Settler twice and had fantastic experiences. Bernadette brings the same inviting and sophisticated feeling without being snooty. The interior is meticulously decorated and the lightning is a good level. Our servers were so attentive and talkative in a way which was very comfortable. Hard to believe it was opening night because the rhythm of service didn’t skip a beat. My wife and I each had 2 cocktails and were very impressed. I could have had an IV of mine which was a coconut rum drink. Very creative and tasty. The sourdough is hands down the best I’ve had. For food, we shared the Gougères (delicious puffs with cheese), endive salad, & clams. The Gougères were mind blowingly good. The endive salad was texturally creative and the flavors came together very well. Clams hit the spot, though a bit pricey. I got the beef cheek and my wife got the chicken. Both had amazing flavor and were perfectly cooked. We shared a dessert. Overall, the quality of the food matches the price point. We wanted to try as much as we could on opening night but honestly we were too full. We spent a little more per person than at Settler but we think it was worth it. Both places are a special occasion type of place. Everything was just so good. Looking forward to returning!
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