The Barrel Bistro and Wine Bar

This was another great dinner! Great service and excellent wine. Thank you! Coming back!!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

We came here just for drinks at the bar but we feel more welcomed than any irish bar I've been to. Definitely a must visit bar in San Mateo

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Chleo moved half of the bar forward to seat an additional person since my friend was an older gentleman . Such a magnificent person with wonderful heart and service .

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

We had the loveliest experience here. The service was genuinely exceptional—especially Eduardo, our waiter, was so warm, attentive, and welcoming. The wine selection was amazing, and every recommendation was spot-on. It’s one of those cozy, intimate spots that makes you want to linger a little longer. Such a perfect place for a relaxed night out. We’ll definitely be back.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Very nice food and friendly staffs! Eduardo was the best! Definitely i will come again Thankyou!!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

The Barrel Bistro is the classiest restaurant in downtown San Mateo. The ambience is beautiful and inviting and the food is outstanding. We had a group birthday Sunday Brunch for eight and we celebrated three family members birthdays. It was fabulous! The restaurant gave each a dessert with very tall birthday candles and sang Happy Birthday to them. The restaurant met our expectations for a great day. As a matter of fact, we made reservations to return next Sunday with two of our friends for another Sunday Brunch. The Barrel Bistro is our new "go to" restaurant in San Mateo. By the way, the service is excellent! Ask for Ibo, pronounced "eebo," who provides excellent service.

We love The Barrel. Excellent food and service. We enjoy sitting outside, enjoying our dinner while listening to some live music. The staff is attentive and knows how to pace a meal. Highly recommend.

Everything was good. The only thing that I didn't care for was being charged for a dessert I didn't order. I jokingly said to the waiter that it was my daughter's birthday when he ID-ed her for a drink. I didn't ask for the dessert but he brought it. And then I noticed on the bill a $13 charge? It would have been better to ask if we wanted it and being transparent about the charge

Great food and absolutely outstanding service. It is great to be in a restaurant wherein the staff seem happy to work there.

We were 2, plus a dog, and wanted to try this place for lunch. It's got a terrific outside parklet with large sun umbrellas affording shade. We weren't overwhelmed by the menu choices. My spouse had a meatball dish, I had a feta and tomato salad. The meatball dish was ok, the salad a bit underwhelming. The tomatoes were almost tasteless, the dressing forgettable and the giant block of feta perched atop was quite firm without much flavor. I wouldn't order that salad again. Great wine list by the glass. Spouse had a Chablis, I a Pinot Grigio. Service was first rate and the tableware and wine glasses beautiful. We'll return, but this experience won't have us rushing back.

The ambiance, food, service and quality was great! You can tell the staff takes their time to ensure all their food and drinks are made and served with quality, care and taste. It was so good that we ended up coming back after our reservation to have a few more cocktails ! The staff really does take their time to explain, recommend cocktails and are knowledgeable about the menu. Will be coming back

Went here for a date night with my husband. They had live music and we got to eat outside. The food was great! The service was also excellent.

I concur with the positive reviews already posted, especially with the raving comments about the staff, whose attentiveness and professionalism are outstanding. As a large group (about 10), we enjoyed an impeccable and cordial service.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 4

Service: 5

An outdoor seating experience that utterly ruined the aggressively mid entrees. I was literally kicked in the head, and my seat was kicked every 30 seconds by the waitstaff who did not acknowledge, apologize, or proactively offer to improve the situation.

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 3

Service: 2

It was our first time here, and our expectations were greatly exceeded. Excellent, creative dishes and fantastic service.