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Bistro 5, Medford, MA

Bistro 5

4.8
4.8
2137 Reviews
$31 to $50
Italian

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2 people
7:00 pm
Booked 3 times today
  • Neighbourhood gem
  • Good for special occasions
  • Charming
Bistro 5 is located in Medford, MA just minutes from downtown Boston. "A quintessential neighborhood spot" boasts The Boston Globe.
Chef/Owner Vittorio Ettore and his team serve the finest Italian fare with French and Spanish influences while focusing on farm-fresh local ingredients. The ever changing Chef's Tasting Menu keeps Boston's most distinguished palates returning time and again for seasonally fresh dishes that embody the warmth and richness of Chef Vittorio's own hospitality.
Bistro 5 also offers a full bar and extensive cocktail and wine list featuring unique wines at exceptional values.
The restaurants 2 dining rooms are richly appointed and can accommodate parties of up to 100 guests, making Bistro 5 the perfect venue for your next office party, family gathering, or special event.

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • Cuisines
    Italian, European, French
  • Hours of Operation
    Dinner Tue–Thu 5:00 pm–9:00 pm Fri, Sat 5:00 pm–10:00 pm
  • Phone number
    (781) 395-7464
  • Website
    http://www.bistro5.com/
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Smart Casual
  • Executive Chef
    Vittorio Ettore
  • Catering
    Bistro 5 caters to a spectrum of events from casual cocktail parties to formal sit down dinners. We provide innovative cuisine to please any palate using the freshest, local ingredients, and professional service. For more information, complete the form on the private dining page at www.bistro5.com or call to speak to our event coordinator.
  • Private party facilities
    At Bistro 5, our personal service approach ensures we execute every detail of your event beyond your expectation. Bistro 5 has the heart and personality of a local favorite but also boasts the sophisticated Northern Italian fare found in a destination dining experience.
  • Location
    5 Playstead Road, Medford, MA 02155
  • Area
    Medford
  • Cross Street
    High Street
  • Parking details
    There are several places to park your vehicle. 1. On High Street in West Medford Square, meters until 7pm 2. Along the commuter rail on Playstead Road, metered until 7pm. 3. Municipal parking lot behind Bargain Spot Liquor Store; in West Medford Square on the opposite side of High Street.
  • Public transit
    From North Station you can take the commuter rail on the Lowell Line outbound one (1) stop to West Medford. We are directly across Playstead Road from the train platform to the right of the bank. It is approximately 11 minutes from North Station.
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeaway, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Offers

  • Two-Buck-Tuesday Oysters Only $2 Every Tuesday

    Multiple dates available
    Tue - Thu - 5:00 pm - 8:45 pm,Fri - Sat - 5:00 pm - 9:45 pm
    Enjoy $2 local oysters every Tuesday, while supplies last only!

Menu

Small Plates To Share

$8 each or $37 all five

  • Marinated Olives

    • Pickled Vegetables

      • Eggplant Dip, Roasted Garlic & Goat Cheese

        • Octopus, White Beans, Chorizo, Tomato, Paprika

          • Whipped fresh ricotta, sour dough, fat moon mushroom preserve, sea salt

            Appetizers

            • Calamari*USD 18.00

              Semolina, sweet and spicy tomato chutney, lemon aioli, pickled shishito peppers

              • Beef Carpaccio*USD 18.00

                Black truffle coulis, crispy parsnips, pickled lemon zest, pecorino cheese

                • BurrataUSD 16.00

                  Roasted pear, endives, frisée, castelfranco radicchio, caramelized almonds, vincotto

                  • Golden BeetsUSD 15.00

                    blue cheese crumbles, endives, walnuts

                    • Organic GreensUSD 14.00

                      Radish, rainbow carrots, pecorino crotonese cheese, white balsamic & basil

                      Handmade Pasta

                      • GnocchiUSD 28.00

                        organic "fat moon mushrooms," herbed crumbs, truffle oil, parmigiano

                        • Spaghetti ChitarraUSD 28.00

                          spanish octopus, smoked poblano, cherry tomato, crispy capers, olive crumbs

                          • Tagliatelle BologneseUSD 29.00

                            beef & pork ragu and shaved parmigiano

                            Dinner

                            • Faroe Island Salmon*USD 30.00

                              Blood orange emulsion, strawberry rhubarb compote, fennel orange and pea tendril salad, red lentil

                              • Grilled ChickenUSD 28.00

                                Parsley-lemon marinated chicken, romesco sauce, radish and rosemary potatoes

                                • Veal Milanese*USD 31.00

                                  Herbed-panko, watercress, gooseberries, roasted rainbow carrots, vincotto, shaved parmigiano

                                  • Grilled Steak*USD 32.00

                                    100% grass-fed strip loin steak, yucca fries, red pepper chimichurri, charred broccoli, winter salad

                                    • Bistro Burger*USD 19.00

                                      Grass-fed beef, provolone, apple wood smoked bacon, homemade brioche bun, and hand-cut fries (vegetarian burger available)

                                      • Tasty VeganUSD 28.00

                                        Red lentils and romesco, roasted cauliflower, radicchio & watercress

                                        House Cocktails

                                        $14

                                        • Hemingway

                                          house made spiced rum & falernum, almond, cloves, fresh pineapple concentrate, celery bitters; all infusions are made in house

                                          • El Bandido

                                            blanco tequila infused jalapeno, muddled cucumber, house made pear & cardamon puree, lime; all infusions are made in house

                                            • West Medford Buck

                                              teeling irish whiskey, lemon, spiced honey, ginger, almond, ginger beer

                                              • Bistro Daiquiri

                                                privateer new england white rum, giffard lychee liqueur, lychee & butterfly pea flower syrup, lime juice

                                                • Gracias a Mezcal

                                                  mezcal artisanal morales, fresh grapefruit juice, honey, red pepper flakes, tonic bitters, chili oil

                                                  • Gin Thyme

                                                    gin lane infused with lemon thyme & coriander, angelica botanical liqueur, passion fruit, kaffir lime leaves, juniper berries, orange bitters; all infusions are made in house

                                                    • Faleena

                                                      el luchador blanco tequila, agavero, agave reduction, lime, salt & lime zest rim

                                                      • Fraise du Bois

                                                        vodka infused with madagascar vanilla beans, strawberry, rooibos, suze, lemon; all infusions are made in house

                                                        • Sangria Rosada

                                                          nerello mascalese rose, apple brandy, luxardo maraschino, guava nectar, ginger ale

                                                          New Standards

                                                          $14

                                                          • Vieux Carre

                                                            sagamore rye, ansac v.s. cognac, benedictene, carpano antica, bitters

                                                            • Aviation

                                                              bully boy gin, crème de violette, luxardo maraschino liqueur, lemon juice, tonic bitters

                                                              • Caipirinha

                                                                aguaviva artisanal cachaca, muddled lime, granulated sugar

                                                                • White Negroni

                                                                  barr hill gin, suze gentian liqueur, lillet blanc, celery bitters

                                                                  • Paper Plane

                                                                    knob creek bourbon, aperol aperitif, braulio amaro, lemon juice

                                                                    Beers

                                                                      Draughts

                                                                      • maine brewing co. 'Lunch' (me, 7%)USD 13.00

                                                                        • Zero Gravity 'Green State' Lager (vt, 4.9%)USD 11.00

                                                                          • Cambridge Brewing 'Amber Ale' (ma, 4.9%)USD 11.00

                                                                            • Faces Brewing Co. 'Progression' ipa (ma, 7%)USD 13.00

                                                                              Bottles / Cans

                                                                              • Fiddlehead IPA (vt, 6.2%)USD 12.00

                                                                                • Brooklyn Brewing amber lager (ny, 5.2%)USD 10.00

                                                                                  • Saison Dupont (Belgium, 6.5%)USD 14.00

                                                                                    • Allagash 'White' Wheat Ale (ME, 5.2%)USD 11.00

                                                                                      • 'O'Haras' Irish Nitro Stout (Ireland, 4.3%)USD 10.00

                                                                                        • downewast cider (ma, 5.1%)USD 10.00

                                                                                          • Bud Light, Lager (4.2%)USD 6.00

                                                                                            Wines by the Glass

                                                                                              Whites

                                                                                              • Sager & Verdier, Sancerre, FranceUSD 15.00

                                                                                                • Rahana, Grillo, SicilyUSD 14.00

                                                                                                  • Bisol, Jeio, ProseccoUSD 13.00

                                                                                                    • Corte Pitora, Pinot Grigio, Delle VenezieUSD 13.00

                                                                                                      • Anno Unno, Verdicchio, MarcheUSD 14.00

                                                                                                        • Raeburn, Chardonnay, Russian River ValleyUSD 14.00

                                                                                                          • Nicolas Potel, Macon-Villages, FranceUSD 13.00

                                                                                                            • Paul Buisse, Sauvignon Blanc, Loire ValleyUSD 14.00

                                                                                                              Rose

                                                                                                              • Whispering Angel, Cotes du Provence, FranceUSD 16.00

                                                                                                                • Prestige, Côtes du RhôneUSD 13.00

                                                                                                                  Reds

                                                                                                                  • Famiglia Bruno, Barbera d'Alba, PiedmontUSD 15.00

                                                                                                                    • Querceto, Chianti ClassicoUSD 13.00

                                                                                                                      • Gaierhof, Pinot Nero, TrentinoUSD 14.00

                                                                                                                        • Daou, Cab Sauvignon, Paso RoblesUSD 15.00

                                                                                                                          • Imma, Nebbiolo, PiedmontUSD 15.00

                                                                                                                            • La Linda, Malbec, ArgentinaUSD 13.00

                                                                                                                              Last updated: 22 April 2023

                                                                                                                              What 2,137 people are saying

                                                                                                                              Overall ratings and reviews

                                                                                                                              Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

                                                                                                                              4.8
                                                                                                                              4.8 based on recent ratings
                                                                                                                              • 4.7Food
                                                                                                                              • 4.8Service
                                                                                                                              • 4.7Ambience
                                                                                                                              • 4.4Value

                                                                                                                              Noise • Moderate

                                                                                                                              Review summary

                                                                                                                              AI-generated from verified diner reviews
                                                                                                                              Bistro 5 offers a "culinary journey" with creative dishes and an inviting atmosphere. Highlights include the "fantastic" soft shell crab and "incredible" calamari. The chef's tasting menu is a standout, with "exquisite" dishes and perfect wine pairings. Service is often "impeccable," though occasional service hiccups occur. A neighborhood gem!

                                                                                                                              2,137 Reviews

                                                                                                                              1. Brett

                                                                                                                                Nashville

                                                                                                                                9 reviews

                                                                                                                                4.0

                                                                                                                                9 reviews

                                                                                                                                Dined 4 days ago

                                                                                                                                1. Overall 4
                                                                                                                                2. Food 4
                                                                                                                                3. Service 5
                                                                                                                                4. Ambience 4
                                                                                                                                Time and again - good food, reasonably priced in a pleasant, cozy environment.

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                                                                                                                              2. Liane

                                                                                                                                Dallas

                                                                                                                                8 reviews

                                                                                                                                vip
                                                                                                                                5.0

                                                                                                                                8 reviews

                                                                                                                                Dined 7 days ago

                                                                                                                                1. Overall 5
                                                                                                                                2. Food 5
                                                                                                                                3. Service 5
                                                                                                                                4. Ambience 5
                                                                                                                                Great food and service and an all around great atmosphere for brunch.

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                                                                                                                              3. Gary

                                                                                                                                New York City

                                                                                                                                13 reviews

                                                                                                                                vip
                                                                                                                                5.0

                                                                                                                                13 reviews

                                                                                                                                Dined on 15 November 2024

                                                                                                                                1. Overall 5
                                                                                                                                2. Food 5
                                                                                                                                3. Service 5
                                                                                                                                4. Ambience 4
                                                                                                                                A diverse and excellent menu that hits all the buttons. Both adventurous and traditional items on the menu. We went through the Fall tasting menu and pleased with every offering. The venison was fabulous. The wine choices were diverse and not over priced. A great night out for either a casual dinner or a special occasion!

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                                                                                                                              4. Kristin

                                                                                                                                Greater Boston

                                                                                                                                2 reviews

                                                                                                                                5.0

                                                                                                                                2 reviews

                                                                                                                                Dined on 8 November 2024

                                                                                                                                1. Overall 5
                                                                                                                                2. Food 5
                                                                                                                                3. Service 5
                                                                                                                                4. Ambience 5
                                                                                                                                Awesome place! I can’t believe it’s been down the road from our house all these years. Upscale Italian — very pricey and rather small plates but perfect for a special occasion. I wish I had come sooner. We’ll return to the bar area soon.

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                                                                                                                              5. Dean

                                                                                                                                San Francisco

                                                                                                                                2 reviews

                                                                                                                                3.0

                                                                                                                                2 reviews

                                                                                                                                Dined on 2 November 2024

                                                                                                                                1. Overall 3
                                                                                                                                2. Food 3
                                                                                                                                3. Service 2
                                                                                                                                4. Ambience 2
                                                                                                                                We were greeted by the hostess whose voice was inaudible due to the noise level and her having a mouthful of food. Once she finished chewing she said something and walked away. Eventually she returned and brought us to our seat. They promptly gave us water but forgot to bring bread (they apologized and brought it halfway through our meal). The bar was extremely backed up and we didn’t receive our drinks until about 20 minutes after sitting down. They were delicious though. The meals were good, but not great, especially for the price point. The presentation of my wife’s Sole dish made it much less apetizing.. (the plate was a mess with sauce/liquid everywhere). We left disappointed overall with the experience.

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                                                                                                                              6. Dorothy

                                                                                                                                Greater Boston

                                                                                                                                41 reviews

                                                                                                                                vip
                                                                                                                                5.0

                                                                                                                                41 reviews

                                                                                                                                Dined on 2 November 2024

                                                                                                                                1. Overall 5
                                                                                                                                2. Food 5
                                                                                                                                3. Service 5
                                                                                                                                4. Ambience 5
                                                                                                                                We always try to get to Bistro 5 when there is a special menu. We very much enjoyed the prix fixe fall menu which showcased Chef Vittorio’s creativity and skillful use of seasonal ingredients. Each dish was beautiful look at and delicious to eat. The venison dish was extraordinary and featured polenta shaped into a mini pumpkin with melted taleggio inside. The wine pairings were great too. I LOVE this restaurant!

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                                                                                                                              7. karen

                                                                                                                                Greater Boston

                                                                                                                                60 reviews

                                                                                                                                vip
                                                                                                                                5.0

                                                                                                                                60 reviews

                                                                                                                                Dined on 25 October 2024

                                                                                                                                1. Overall 5
                                                                                                                                2. Food 5
                                                                                                                                3. Service 5
                                                                                                                                4. Ambience 4
                                                                                                                                Went for the fall tasting menu. SOOOO good. We loved everything we ate, our server was fabulous, and the chef came out and chatted with us a bit. Can't wait to see the next menu!

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                                                                                                                              8. Heather

                                                                                                                                Greater Boston

                                                                                                                                17 reviews

                                                                                                                                vip
                                                                                                                                4.0

                                                                                                                                17 reviews

                                                                                                                                Dined on 24 October 2024

                                                                                                                                1. Overall 4
                                                                                                                                2. Food 5
                                                                                                                                3. Service 4
                                                                                                                                4. Ambience 4
                                                                                                                                Great cocktail offerings. The wild mushroom soup was delicious. Lots of fun small plates.

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                                                                                                                              9. John

                                                                                                                                Greater Boston

                                                                                                                                2 reviews

                                                                                                                                5.0

                                                                                                                                2 reviews

                                                                                                                                Dined on 22 October 2024

                                                                                                                                1. Overall 5
                                                                                                                                2. Food 5
                                                                                                                                3. Service 5
                                                                                                                                4. Ambience 5
                                                                                                                                The food was exquisite! Our favorite restaurant! We'll go back soon.

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                                                                                                                              10. Liane

                                                                                                                                Dallas

                                                                                                                                8 reviews

                                                                                                                                vip
                                                                                                                                5.0

                                                                                                                                8 reviews

                                                                                                                                Dined on 19 October 2024

                                                                                                                                1. Overall 5
                                                                                                                                2. Food 5
                                                                                                                                3. Service 5
                                                                                                                                4. Ambience 5
                                                                                                                                Food was delicious and the service was amazing. We will be back

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                                                                                                                              FAQs

                                                                                                                              Bistro 5 offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (781) 395-7464.

                                                                                                                              Bistro 5 is rated 4.8 stars by 2137 OpenTable diners.

                                                                                                                              Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

                                                                                                                              Make a booking

                                                                                                                              2 people
                                                                                                                              7:00 pm
                                                                                                                              Booked 3 times today

                                                                                                                              Order delivery or takeout

                                                                                                                              Google Map for Bistro 5

                                                                                                                              5 Playstead Road, Medford, MA 02155

                                                                                                                              Additional information

                                                                                                                              • Cross Street
                                                                                                                                High Street
                                                                                                                              • Area
                                                                                                                                Medford
                                                                                                                              • Hours of Operation
                                                                                                                                Dinner Tue–Thu 5:00 pm–9:00 pm Fri, Sat 5:00 pm–10:00 pm
                                                                                                                              • Price
                                                                                                                                $31 to $50
                                                                                                                              • Cuisines
                                                                                                                                Italian, European, French
                                                                                                                              • Dining style
                                                                                                                                Casual Elegant
                                                                                                                              • Dress code
                                                                                                                                Smart Casual
                                                                                                                              • Parking details
                                                                                                                                There are several places to park your vehicle. 1. On High Street in West Medford Square, meters until 7pm 2. Along the commuter rail on Playstead Road, metered until 7pm. 3. Municipal parking lot behind Bargain Spot Liquor Store; in West Medford Square on the opposite side of High Street.
                                                                                                                              • Public transit
                                                                                                                                From North Station you can take the commuter rail on the Lowell Line outbound one (1) stop to West Medford. We are directly across Playstead Road from the train platform to the right of the bank. It is approximately 11 minutes from North Station.
                                                                                                                              • Payment Options
                                                                                                                                AMEX, Mastercard, Visa
                                                                                                                              • Executive Chef
                                                                                                                                Vittorio Ettore
                                                                                                                              • Additional
                                                                                                                                Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeaway, Wheelchair Access, Wine
                                                                                                                              • Website
                                                                                                                                http://www.bistro5.com/
                                                                                                                              • Phone number
                                                                                                                                (781) 395-7464
                                                                                                                              • Catering
                                                                                                                                Bistro 5 caters to a spectrum of events from casual cocktail parties to formal sit down dinners. We provide innovative cuisine to please any palate using the freshest, local ingredients, and professional service. For more information, complete the form on the private dining page at www.bistro5.com or call to speak to our event coordinator.
                                                                                                                              • Private party facilities
                                                                                                                                At Bistro 5, our personal service approach ensures we execute every detail of your event beyond your expectation. Bistro 5 has the heart and personality of a local favorite but also boasts the sophisticated Northern Italian fare found in a destination dining experience.
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