Café Bistro

Food = Consistently delish.
Wait time/​service = Extremely hit or miss. Service is usually pretty friendly but often sloooow, even outside of peak times. If you’re catching a movie after at Phipps or have somewhere to be, be weary! This is not fast food.

Cilantro Lime Shrimp Salad. My biggest regret that evening b/​c I ordered something different. It’s my friend’s favorite dish there — I should’ve followed her lead. Instead I got a sandwich b/​c I was craving their Bistro Fries — which were yummy by the way. I hadn’t been here in a very long time — it’s not top-​of-​mind. But that salad — I will be back :)
CILANTRO LIME SHRIMP SALAD — $ 15.95
Ok I just had a bite but it was enough to make me fall in love. I love cilantro and that alone in the menu description should’ve won me over. Organic baby greens, romaine lettuce, wild shrimp (jumbo size!), petite tomatoes, grilled corn, jack cheese, tortilla crisps (looked like those crispy onions) and cilantro lime vinaigrette — I need to buy that dressing! Salad was fresh and shrimp was cooked to order. I also love that their menu included the calorie count for all their dishes — this one? Just 577 cal. Only downside was the price — $ 16 seems pricey for an entrée salad.
BISTRO CLUB — $ 13.50
Honestly I was craving their Bistro Fries more than anything and their fries are so good. The sandwich was good but not anything special — also I didn’t like the bread b/​c it was extremely hard (esp the crust) and could cut your lip or gums if you weren’t careful. Sandwich had sliced chicken breast, organic baby greens, crisp bacon, roma tomato, avocado, French green beans (random), garlic aioli and toasted rustic bread. The fries also came with Kalamata olive aioli — very salty. Calorie count — yikes 1,229!
Overall 3.5 stars but rounding up to 4 b/​c of that salad. Server wasn’t very friendly though and wasn’t good with drink refills — maybe having a bad day. Also thanks to everyone’s review reminders — bring cash for tip. Weird flow but you order and pay upfront — with no option to take care of gratuity. But then after you’re done eating, the server will bring a couple chocolate sticks and a copy of your receipt as a subtle hint to pay gratuity — if you don’t have cash, it puts you at an awkward spot. Thanks to the Unilocal reviews we did have cash.

As usual, great service paired with fantastic food. Convenient location and great menu.

I LOVE nordstrom cafés (so much that I have almost every single one of their cookbooks and regularly make meals from their Devine recipes) but this one is by far the worst I’ve been to. The tomato basil soup isn’t even the right color (much more orange) which means they added too much whipping cream. The fruit and fig salad I ordered to come without goat cheese (mozzarella instead) came with both. I can clearly see they made it with goat cheese then realized their mistake and instead of fixing it they just brushed some off and added thick hunks of mozzarella. This is not the nordstrom way. To top it off, the crostini doesn’t have the garlic parm butter they are so well known for. I was really looking forward to this meal but I’d rather move my full plate and cup of soup aside and go find a Wetzel Prezel place.

I am giving all 5 stars because the quality of food and service for the money is excellent. I usually pop in and have one of their delicious salads or the all day breakfast. Nordstroms café is consistently good everywhere. Casual, not expensive and yummy choices. Mikal (spelling?) (Phipps Plaza Nordstroms Bistro) was super and although they were busy kept checking on me and making sure I was ok and my coffee (great coffee here btw) was always topped off. Perfect choice for an informal lunch (or breakfast) with friends.

We got here around 1:30.
I ordered the Chicken Sandwich and the turkey was apparently great. These were both only things I’ve tried here.
You order at the counter and then they bring it to your table. Mine came with fries.
The bread was really hard and it made the sandwich difficult to bite into.
I ended up opening it up and eating the insides with a fork.
Efficient staff with perfect manners.
They brought us plastic cups for water to go and off we went!

Ate here today for the first time… the salads are amazing! Great atmosphere after a long day of shopping and the service is pretty good too. Will definitely be back.

I LOVE Nordstrom Café Bistro, and whenever I am traveling (inside the U.S.) and in need of a quick, delicious meal, I head straight to the nearest Nordstrom. I can always rely on their level of consistency at every location. The food is outstanding, the staff are professional and friendly. The menu options vary by city, but always delicious. I was shopping at Phipps Plaza, and decided to eat at Nordstrom’s, as opposed to tackling the food court. I ordered the mushroom and ricotta pizza, and yet again, Nordstrom Café Bistro did not disappoint. Between my sisters and I, we split the hummus appetizer, which was equally satisfying. The presentation of each meal, like always, was impeccable considering the café style setting. The restaurant was packed, the noise level was average, and the service was prompt. One thing to keep in mind, you are paying for what you get, which is good quality and tasty. I will definitely be returning when I am at Phipps for some shopping. Thank you, Nords for being so dependable!

To be honest probably one the coolest hidden gems in buckhead.
Food tasty and not over doing it like all the crappy chain restaurants.
Wife and I always went to the ones in Miami so we are so happy they have the same ones here in Atlanta.
Only downside was the pizza dough did not taste the same as Miami locations.

I happened to be shopping in the mall, and asked the sales clerk for a lunch recommendation– I’ve been to most of the places around Phipps/​Lenox, and always feel like they’re overpriced. I was so surprised when she told me the Nordstrom Café was amazing– I didn’t know they had one!
The café was DELICIOUS. I had a soup and sandwich combo, and everything was fresh and tasted great. Service was outstanding. How is Phipps’ best dining hidden away in a department store? I’d go into the mall just for their food!

Love the food and service here! Love the salads, it’s so easy to be healthy here! Food is fresh and delish! Favorites! Salmon salad & shrimp salad!

I had lunch here solely based on Unilocal reviews, otherwise wouldn’t know it existed. Great place to dine at Phipps Plaza; nice looking, delicious food, and excellent service. Menu states that they don’t use hydrogenated oils, have rbgh free milk and other good stuff. Sandwich and fries for $ 11.75, a little much but darned good, and my server kindly split the entrée with my friend so we each had our own plate, half sandwich, and fries with aioli. I could knock this to 4 stars because I wish items were less expensive (plus tipping), but you pay for quality.

Through the help of another « Unilocaler» found out about the bistro the flavors are tasty and has a few coworkers & myself curious for more. The menu has a nice mix of salads, sandwiches, pizza’s and entrees.
Even beer and wine are available if you are so inclined.
There seems to be some confusion about tipping here so I inquired to clear this up, NCB is a «full service restaurant the only difference is that you order at the front everything else is taken care of when you are seated» so bring cash or put the tip on your credit card.
While I am becoming a fan of the food the service confuses me if they are a «full service bistro» why is the service missing the mark ?
* The cooking times can take 20 minutes + for a sandwich and pizza so if you are on «your break» or short on time for lunch you may want to call ahead to place your order so that you can pay, grab and go.

This is my go-​to place for a shopping break — to relax and unwind over high-​quality, delicious food while enjoying excellent service. Bisa at the cashier is very pleasant and helpful — always making sure to ask the chef about ingredients, offering a taste to help me decide what I want to order. Service is really excellent; I have never had a negative experience, and that is becoming a rare thing. Every server, busboy, the chefs, will say a polite hello, nod, or ask if they can get me something. That’s one of the main reasons I keep coming back. I highly recommend the Bistro Club: sliced chicken breast, organic baby greens, crisp bacon, roma tomato, avocado, and hericot vert (perfectly blanched!) on toasted sourdough. The fries come with kalamata live aioli, which is the bomb! It tastes like dijon mustard and olives. Yummy! I can never eat more than half a sandwich, which is pricey at $ 8 (full sandwich is $ 11.75), but I don’t mind paying more to get what I know will be good. I highly recommend their triple berry strawberry shortcake; will transport you to Europe. The shortcakes are not spongecake but rather more like a crumpet. I always ask for extra Devonshire, clotted, cream and extra strawberry sauce, and they are more than happy to oblige! A few tips: bring cash to leave a tip. You order and pay at the register and then you are seated. A chef brings your order, you eat, and you are served some mint chocolates (more yummies). This is when you leave a cash tip. You can include tip while paying at the register on your credit card. Just don’t forget to tip — the service is great (Brandy, Joseph, and just about everyone else here)! Another tip, avoid Saturdays, when there’s lots of kids (screaming, crying kids). But even then, it’s pleasant. A few more things: they use organic produce, milk free from BGH, cage-​free eggs, organic iced tea, and products free from hydrogenated fats and oils. Many of their paper products are recycled.

I was first introduced to the Nordstrom cafes when I used to freelance for Clinique. One of my favorite lunch places because the delicious food served at these Nordstrom cafes. I love how the décor at these places are just modern and peaceful.
This particular location is no different. I work right down the street and sometimes I would make a quick pit stop here to grab a light dinner or a tasty bowl of soup. I’m not a huge fan of dessert after any meal but all of their selections from their crème brûlée to their wide assortment of cakes and tartes are amazing!
The service here is always stellar and I appreciate that the food is always served piping hot and their menu items are consistent. My favorites are any of their salads, their croque monsieur and their crab bisque soup. I would definitely order «the bowl» size because it’s so filling and could be considered your entrée for the night or at lunch.
Looking forward to visiting them in the near future to try out their flat breads and paninis.

I am slightly addicted to Nordstrom Café Bistro’s white chocolate bread pudding.
The sandwiches are great but overpriced. Panera has better and less expensive sandwiches.
Don’t get the macaroni and cheese; I seriously think it is the Kraft mac n cheese.
Service is always excellent.

Has lost some of its luster since I no longer work in Phipps and this is the better alternative to the food court.
Did I really pay $ 5 for a coke and a glass of ice tea? Yes.
Over all lunch for two people ended up being $ 30. I knew this going in, but for some reason, just wasn’t that pleased with the whole $ 30 soup and sandwich deal for two.

I have had one too many lunches sitting in my little corner table contemplating a very expensive purchase I just made downstairs in the shoe department. Somehow, I find I think best with a cup of their soup, and an eye on my Nordstrom bag.
I spend at least an hour of «shopping foreplay» trying out the shoes. I take a sip of tea, look at the shoes, taking a bite of the Café’s amazing turkey club, stand up, act like I am digging in my purse to get a new angle and back in my seat again. This goes on for quite some time; through the soup, sandwich and coffee.
Wait, this review is for the café? I was only getting started on the shoes!

Café right inside the Nordstroms… I always thought this was a genius idea. This particular location is an order-​at-​the-​counter kind of place, and the server brings your order and attends to drink refills at the table. I like how the café is casual but still maintains having wonderful food and service.
Menu selections from soups, salads, sandwiches and entrees… I got the citrus turkey sandwich, which had a seriously enticing and delicious cranberry chutney spread. The highlight was the multigrain roll it came on, and the thin crispy fries with the olive mayo dip. No wait, the highlight was the jaw dropping dessert I shared with the table– warm bread pudding with white chocolate and raspberry sauce. Drool.

Here’s how it works. They have the menus at the door, browse through, decide on what ya wanna eat, go up to the cashier and place your order. They give you the booklet thingamajig to put your receipt in then you pick your table to go sit. Your server comes, looks at the receipt, brings your drinks then your food then bla bla bla. If you don’t have cash to leave on the table for tip, you can add it while placing your order.
The Salmon with Gazpacho Salsa is my absolutely favoritest (LOL) meal from there! I sometimes ask for spinach instead of green beans. I also like the crab bisque soup and the kid’s cheese pizza is yummy. I believe they changed the sauce but it’s still good!
The regular breakfast on the breakfast menu is also my go to meal on Sundays. Its scrambled eggs with roasted potatoes, bacon, toast and fruit!
The ceasar salad (I get mine without chicken) is amazing too.
As far as deserts go, my friends like the bread pudding and I like the strawberry shortcake (OMG nom nom nom). This place is a must try!!!