Bar Tabac

Having eaten here 3 times, I have never walked away unsatisfied. The food has always been tasty, well-seasoned, and fresh (particularly the mussels). Each time was on a busy weekend evening and the service was good (not great, but not as bad as others make it out to be). It is a bit loud, but what else would one expect at a busy French bistro? Prices are reasonable for the quality and the wine list is also good (but not great). If you want fancy French food, go elsewhere.

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wow. I went one time, and there was live music, a sweet breeze, my burger was perfect and the service was at least available if not attentive. And while the escargot was not up to par, the cocktails were well mixed and the atmosphere was one of the best I have witnessed in recent memory. I am surprised anyone would go so far as to label the establishment as pretentious or self-important.

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Bar Tabac is a solid neighborhood joint - food is good, but isn't going to knock your socks off. It is very loud - which you could find either cozy or annoying - and the service isn't the greatest. But it's an excellent spot to spend a summer afternoon, camped out at an outdoor table with a few glasses of wine watching the world go by.

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I can guarantee one thing.

More people in Brooklyn hate Andrea Strong over Bar Tabac.

Zut alors!

This is my favorite neighborhood bistro by far. Having brunched there numerous times, I must say they have the tastiest croque monsieur and their signature Eggs Bar Tabac is to die for. For dinner, the mussels, burgers and steak frites are all delicious. The food is simple and that's why its so good. The service has always been good to us and I don't quite know what the gripes about service are based on though my husband and I are regulars.

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I'm a fan for weekday lunch. The calamari salad, moules frites, and burger are all consistently delicious. Service can be slow, but who cares when you are relaxing with an ice cold beer and a monster plate of mussels? I'm kind of into the dingy ambiance although on occasion the corner of Smith and Dean can smell a bit, um, dead rodenty. With One Girl Cookie next door I've never bothered with dessert at Bar Tabac. Mmm, whoopie pies and strong coffee!

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I always enjoy the food here. I don't think service is a priority, especially at peek times, and that's why I usually avoid weekend brunch. (Some of the wait staff can be inexperienced and confused.) But at any other time it is fine. Love the mussels and fries. Solid bistro food at good prices. I enjoy sitting on the sidewalk. When they have music it is an extra treat.

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I mean sitting in a chair, place on the sidewalk!

definitely one of my fav brunch spots on smith st. great eggs benedict/florentine and the burger is very good as well. service is not so great and you usually have to wait awhile to eat, but the place is great for beingable to pull of that french/european vibe that so many ny eateries fail miserably at.

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Ugh, Andrea Strong, another Manhattanite thrusting herself on Brooklyn. Glad I got out of Boreum Hill so that I don't have to encounter her hellos and smiles. Hopefully she's to dependent on the subway to make it to Clinton Hill. As for Bar Tabac, it's a neighborhood eatery that's still treats me well.

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stick to the simple things.... great place to hang, outdoor cool one of the best on street, but not for food

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If you hate a restaurant, why would you keep returning? The Chowhound guy said "the past 5 times I've visited", which implies at least 5 times. Dude, find somewhere else to eat. I can't review the place because I haven't eaten there yet... went inside once, but it was too crowded to get a table.

I'm sure the patrons love the place. My one experience eating there was early on- seated in back room and then pretty much forgotten.
What amazes me is how neighbors don't complain about the live music with doors wide open, blocked sidewalk on Dean St side on busy evenings - obstable course with seating taking up most of sidewalk. And patrons standing around corner drinking outside. I'm sure if demographic of clientele were different police would be there.

chris havens is right. It's a great place to have a drink + people wathc. The food is just south of mediocre.

Eaten here twice before catching movies at Court St. Steak Frittes have never disappointed. Good Drinks. I have not been there enough times to really offer an indepth critic.

Both times I sat outside and I loved that. Service was fine each time and we were never late for a movie.

Also as I have said before and read on restaurant of the day thread before there needs to be a different rating in value of "fair priced" or something. I would not classify this place as "overpriced" or "worth every penny"

*my 2 cents

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When I come home after work and hear the music or see all the people at Bar Tabac, I instantly relax and feel happy to be home. I drank a beer here the day I signed my lease about 7 years ago and Bar Tabac still makes me appreciate living here. I'm not a hipster or a French ex-pat, but I don't mind sharing a great neighborhood spot with anyone who wants to be there. It's beyond a rating for me. This neighborhood wouldn't be the same without Bar Tabac.

Bar Tabac seems to generate such strong reactions on both ends of the spectrum which is shocking considering this place is soooo so-so on all levels. The service is hit or miss...bad at times, as is the food. The setting is charming if not dirty at times...as is perhaps, the food judging from the numerous cockroach anecdotes. That said, what is good about it is that it is a good ole, grungy neighborhood bistro much like what you might find on a corner in Paris where they are a dime a dozen and probably never considered for review. This place should not warrant high expectations nor should it cause so much anger as splayed on Strong's site. Get over it folks. It is what it is. I have had many a decent cocktail outside while listening to great music. Not bad.

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The food here is totally lousy. Had a really wormy nicoise salad with a piece of tuna that had the texture of an old shoe. AVOID!

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I went to Bar Tabac three times and never ate. Never got a menu twice and the other time, no one ever came back to take my order. What would constitute worse service?

Another positive review for Bar Tabac from a particular perspective: it's child friendly. Bar Tabac understands what few New York restaurants understand: speed is of the essence with children. Once we settle in with our two children at 6ish, orders are immediately taken and food is promptly served. The check is brought with alacrity. The adults usually are delighted with mussels, burgers and wine, and our children love the pasta (skip the "grilled" cheese sandwich with Swiss cheese, unless for some strange reason your children actually like Swiss cheese). It's our favorite local family restaurant.

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Thanks for the tip, Brooklyn Chicken. If I can ever muster up the enthusiasm for a fourth try, I rustle up some children. Don't have any of my own, but someone is probably willing to let me pay to feed their kids.

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the split on this place is amazing. maybe they just dont like fat ugly people!
just kidding :) im fat n ugly. and ive never had a bad experience there. maybe its cause ive never been on a fri/sat night, but when i go, the food is always good. the service isnt speedy, but its totally acceptable. anyone i smile at smiles back (must be the bulge in my pants). anyway, perhaps they get pissy on weekends?? believe me im the 1st 1 usually to bitch about french service, but i always feel that its at least 1 notch above that here. and do love the band.

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they serve real late (big big plus), great outdoor seating (which makes it dog friendly - always a lot of dogs there) - reasonably priced - stoned but good looking young staff - cheap cold wine - food is overall, good enough to go on a fairly regular basis. what else do you want?

only thing that annoys me, and it's never happened at any other sidewalk restaurant on smith (to me at least), is the last few times i've been i've been harassed some homeless people for change while eating. not sure why that corner is any different than others, but it is.

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A cornerstone of the neighborhood. The vibe and ambiance is the main asset, food can be quite good, but occasionally hit-or-miss.

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This place is one of my neighborhood favorites! Great steak frites, roast chicken, mussels, etc. I've never had a bad meal here. They can be a little slow bringing the check, but I haven't experienced the bad service discussed above. I do usually go there on weekday nights... maybe the people complaining go on the weekend when it's crowded???

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