Janet Lynn's Bistro in Kitchener

677 Belmont Ave W, Kitchener, ON N2M 1N8, Canada

★★★★★
(456 reviews)
Categories: Bistro Restaurant

About

Upscale-casual New Canadian bar/eatery since 1985 offering creative, seasonal, small & large plates.

Website
janetlynnsbistro.com
Address
677 Belmont Ave W, Kitchener, ON N2M 1N8, Canada
Plus Code
FF3J+6P Kitchener, Ontario, Canada
Time Zone
America/Toronto

Business Hours

Monday
11 AM–2 PM – 5–9 PM
Tuesday
11 AM–2 PM
Wednesday
Closed
Thursday
Closed
Friday
11 AM–2 PM – 5–9 PM
Saturday
5–9 PM
Sunday
Closed

Services

Service options
Outdoor seating Kerbside pickup No-contact delivery Delivery Takeaway Dine-in
Accessibility
Wheelchair-accessible car park Wheelchair-accessible entrance Wheelchair-accessible seating Wheelchair-accessible toilet
Offerings
Alcohol Beer Cocktails Coffee Halal food Healthy options Small plates Spirits Vegan options Vegetarian options Wine
Dining options
Brunch Lunch Dinner Dessert Seating
Amenities
Bar on site Gender-neutral toilets Toilets Wi-Fi Wi-Fi
Atmosphere
Cosy Romantic Upmarket
Crowd
Groups
Planning
Accepts reservations
Payments
Cheques Credit cards Debit cards NFC mobile payments Credit cards
Children
High chairs Kids' menu
Parking
Free of charge street parking Free parking lot Parking

Photos

Reviews

4.7
★★★★★
456 reviews

Most Mentioned

dining (16) anniversary (11) evening (11) carrot cake (10) lamb (10) scallops (9) appetizers (8) grilled octopus (6) servers (5) caesar salad (5)
5 stars
360
4 stars
71
3 stars
13
2 stars
5
1 stars
7
★★★★★
December 10, 2024

My husband and I tried this restaurant for the first time this evening. It was lovely. Our server David (I’m pretty sure) was so kind, knowledgeable and attentive. The rest of the staff were also very nice. The food was tasty and of high quality- but the service was the highlight for us. Would definitely come back :)

★★★★★
November 24, 2024

Absolutely loved it! My boyfriend brought me here for my birthday, and we were both absolutely amazed. We sat at the kitchen bar, and we enjoyed being able to talk with the Head Chef and see meals being prepared. The atmosphere was so lovely and welcoming. I had the Chicken Supreme, and it was delicious! Definitely coming back, and I can’t wait until we do!

★★★★★
October 25, 2024

We randomly came here for dinner. Absolutely lovely experience, we sat at the kitchen bar and watched the amazing dishes being made. We met the chef/owner who gave us some advice on traveling El Salvador. Top notch!

★★★
August 15, 2024

Nice restaurant but my burger was well done instead of medium. The fries that came with the burger were soggy.

★★★★★
April 2, 2024

Our first time here with friends who dine here often. Every dish looked amazing, all our meals and desserts were the very best. The carrot cake was out of this world good.

★★★★★
January 15, 2023

We came to Janet Lynn’s for my wife’s birthday and had a great meal as always. We were a bit disappointed that they ran out of duck as it is our favorite, so we ordered the pasta of the day and the chicken breast. Both were very delicious. I had the rack of lamb which was cooked perfectly with a mustard grain coating. Very delicious. We shared a bottle of Prosecco which was perfect with our meal. Thanks to Chris our server who was very attentive and knowledgeable of the menu. Great job!

★★★★★
September 23, 2022

Everything on the menu sounded delicious, our food was cooked to perfection and the presentation was very well done. We had the soup of the day (butternut squash) and the smoked salmon but didn't get a photo before devouring. The salad of the day was heirloom tomatoes, we also had the duck and fish. All delicious with the carrot cake as desert. Great portion sizes to be able to have a few items without being way too full for more. Service was well done also. Thank you for a great evening! We'll be back!

★★★★★
August 11, 2021

Delicious food! Great service and welcoming atmosphere. Really enjoyed the scallops, octopus, pasta of the day with Turkey/Pork meatballs. My husband ordered the rack of lamb and his grandpa ordered a special liver of the day. Thank you for the wonderful experience!

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 1, 2024

Our favorite restaurant to celebrate birthdays and anniversaries.

★★★★★
Local Guide
October 22, 2024

Great lunch on the patio at JLB (Janet Lynn s Bistro 1985) while enjoying live music from the Belmont festival! Food

★★★★★
Local Guide
October 22, 2024

Our first time to JLB. We came for our wedding anniversary to have a nice meal out and we were very pleased with the whole experience. The food was excellent and the pace comfortable. Staff were professional, friendly and polite. And the dining room is casual classy. Highly Recommend ! Parking: Belmont Village has a decent amount of free on-street parking plus additional shared free parking lots behind the strip of restaurants.

★★★★★
Local Guide
September 22, 2024

Love it every time we go!

★★★★★
July 22, 2024

Really liked the food and service here

★★★★★
Local Guide
June 22, 2024

A friend invited me to have lunch here. The gravy and mashed potatoes were very delicious. The store knew that it was my birthday and specially prepared a dessert. The dessert was very delicious and silky.

★★★★★
Local Guide
June 22, 2024

Very suitable for gathering with friends

★★★★★
Local Guide
June 22, 2024

Excellent culinary experience

★★★★★
Local Guide
May 22, 2024

Wonderful service from David who also enjoys French wines. Great food.

★★★
May 22, 2024

Janet Lynns is one of my favorite restaurants in the area but on my last visit for lunch I was very disappointed. I ordered the salmon special and it was very tasty but the smallest piece of salmon I have ever seen with several small potatoes. It was 30,00 and I was still hungry.Also the carrot cake which I love is now much smaller. Such a disappointment.

★★★★★
May 22, 2024

Food was excellent! 10/10 recommend the steak for dinner and the cheese cake for dessert and the coconut lime sorbet!

★★★★★
April 22, 2024

We drove 3 hours from Wasaga Beach for the food experience! It s 5* cuisine. Thank you David for awesome service.

★★★★★
Local Guide
April 22, 2024

Amazing restaurant especially for a date night or a little upscale dining. Service was amazing, the server was very knowledgeable of what the dishes were. Food was perfect, would definitely recommend the rack of lamb (we shared it between 2 and got 2 apps as well the octopus and scallops were great, left pleasantly full)

★★★★★
Local Guide
April 22, 2024

From the moment you step into Janet Lynns Bistro in Belmont Village, youre in for a great dining experience. The menu, ambiance of the bistro, and attentive service all create an atmosphere where each visit feels like a special occasion. If youre in Waterloo for any reason, do yourself a favour and experience Janet Lynns Bistro.

★★★★★
April 22, 2024

Just sat down to a chefs tasting experience Nelson prepared appetizers, mains and deserts based on his decisions!! Best experience, exquisite preparation presentation and flavour on all foods. All the foods are made fresh in house from the sourdough starter, to the sorbet ice creams Highly recommend this restaurant and meeting with the owner and Chef

★★★★★
March 22, 2024

Favourite place

★★★★★
Local Guide
February 22, 2024

Our visit to Janet Lynns was, in a word, superb! By adding a few additional words I will say that our expectations were exceeded; and they were pretty high to begin with. The environment was clean, tastefully decorated, and thoughtfully arranged. Our Server was prompt, easy going, knowledgeable, and attentive in the just the right way. The food for our party of three was brought at the same time by additional Staff so we could begin eating at the same time; a thoughtful touch not often seen. I started with a Winter Salad. It was delightful! Featuring organic greens, grilled pear, fresh clementine, black garlic dressing, toasted walnuts, and shaved pecorino cheese, it pretty much covered all the bases. Lovely. Next, I tried the JLB Burger. I often have a burger when I visit a new place because Im a burger guy and because you can tell much from how a burger is prepared and presented (theres really no where for a patty to hide). It was delicious!! The patty was cooked to perfection (no pink for me please); moist and so tasty. This excellent sandwich was adorned with; house smoked bacon, caramelized onions, white cheddar, roasted garlic aioli, lettuce tomato, pickles, hand-cut frites, served on a freshly baked sesame seed brioche bun. Nuff said. I gave in to dessert when I heard our Server say, Vanilla Cheesecake, and, Creme Anglaise. Spectacular! No, I did not tally up the calories. However, this was a meal that Ill talk about for a while. I will also endeavour to return - sooner than later.

★★★
February 22, 2024

The food is not bad not good

★★★★★
Local Guide
February 22, 2024

Steak, Lamb, and Octopus were cooked to perfection and expertly paired with intensely flavorful sides and sauces. Currant cheesecake was out of this world. My new favorite in town!

★★★★★
Local Guide
January 22, 2024

Exceptional food and service. We went their for our anniversary dinner and it was the best choice! Can t wait to go back again.

★★★★★
Local Guide
January 22, 2024

WOW. What an incredible experience. Everything I ate was heaven in my mouth, and presented beautifully. The service was excellent, and I got to sit at the kitchen bar and watch the chefs work their magic. Thanks JLB!

★★★★★
January 22, 2024

JLB is a wonderful restaurant with amazing staff and amazing food!

★★★★★
January 22, 2024

Food was exceptional, service amazing, atmosphere was spectacular.

★★★★★
January 22, 2024

Some of the best food I ve ever had. Handmade pasta and Lamb rack are unbelievable.

★★★★★
January 22, 2024

The food is fantastic, the staff is exceptionally attentive, regularly checking on the table, and the atmosphere at JLB is amazing as well!

★★★★★
Local Guide
January 22, 2024

This was my first visit to JLB and I was Very Impressed! The service was exceptional! On the encouragement of my friend, I had the calamari to start and meatloaf as my main. It was the Best Meatloaf Ever!! I make an excellent meatloaf, but mine does not come close to the Perfection achieved by JLBs chef! The atmosphere was perfect for a lunch or dinner. I will definitely be back!! Thanks!!

★★★★★
Local Guide
January 22, 2024

Fantastic. Food , drinks and Excellent service. Best Bistro in KW

★★★★★
December 22, 2023

What a fabulous birthday lunch, we just had, the Thai Curry was outstanding and the beef burger the same.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

Absolutely delicious meal and attentive service

★★★★★
December 22, 2023

Love this place! They always have great pasta specials that are always fantastic. The staff here are all super friendly and helpful. My go to spot in KW.

★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

A bit pricey, portion sizes are okay. Taste was okay to good

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

You can always count on friendly and attentive staff. The food is never disappointing. Excellent on all counts.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

Beautiful atmosphere, came here for my anniversary and as always, amazing experience. Kudos to the chef Nelson, amazing as always always recommending this resturaunt

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

We enjoyed a nicely prepared, well served, and wonderfully tasty meal (all 4 of us) as a special birthday dinner for my daughter and her hubby. Kid-friendliness: Its a nice higher level dining location but they are very accommodating for kids with good high chairs and lots of room in the dining area to place kids and family tables

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

Always the top of the pyramid of restaurants in K/W. Never had anything but splendid food!!

★★★★★
December 22, 2023

We went to JLB for the first time last night. It was a special occasion for our family and we were not disappointment. Our group of 8 selected a variety of items from the menu and enjoyed all of them. The wine selections were great. We did not sample any of the desserts but they looked wonderful on the way by! The service was top notch. Parking: Free parking near by. Kid-friendliness: Didn t see kids there & don t remember kids choices on the menu. Wheelchair accessibility: Single level.

★★★★★
December 22, 2023

Everything was excellent. Food was superb - especially the Foie Gras appetizer! Loved the Thai plate and the Salmon Nicoise! Great lunch!

★★★★
December 22, 2023

Server was good. Owner maybe shouldn t be dealing with customers not very cheery. Food was good. Had squash and coconut soup and lamb sirloin. It s a short menu but all the options seem good and pricing is decent.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

All the dishes were delicious! Perfectly cooked scallops and very well balanced main course.

★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

I felt like I was in a funeral home eating here based on the age of the other diners. Food was decent, service was good. Cant say much else?

December 22, 2023

We were fans of their amazing carrot cake .. perfect for 2 to share Pricy at $12 but never regretted it until we just recently ordered 6 to go for a ( small gathering ) the size (incredibly small) and presentation was extremely poor no effort made. Not worth the price tag anymore . . Sad to say , we will not be back .

★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

Really trying hard to get back to the 5 star food rating I once remembered it to be. Service and ambiance is excellent, but while some plates are perfection, eg. recent cod dish, others lacked the wow factor and were forgettable. Presentation is usually spot on, however.. I think they need to work on consistency eg. Spinach risotto at lunch was flavourful but undercooked. Love their homemade bread, but on my birthday, bread was chewy. If they are serious about improving, I suggest they look and taste dishes from Trio, probably the best restauarant in the hood now. Sorry, I really want to love you again.

★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

Great little bistro with excellent service. Pricey and small food portions though.

★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

We had a very nice experience here recently. Food was delicious and the waiter was attentive and friendly. Price per person on par with similar restaurants. I would recommend

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

Wonderful dinner. The liver was tender and delicious. Nice selection of wine by the glass that went well with our meal.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

Food and service was top drawer and the portions were very fair

★★★★★
December 22, 2023

Fantastic food and service was top notch. Calamari and muscles to start, flat iron steak and chicken supreme with a bottle of wine - corked to take home with us. Others in the group had the sample platter and JLB burger. What a treat, will absolutely be back! Definitely recommend!

★★★★★
December 22, 2023

The chef made a wonderful spread for us , as we enjoyed the show sitting at the kitchen bar. The care and attentiveness from the servers was also greatly noticed. Cant wait to dine here again.

★★★
December 22, 2023

Janet Lynn s was a disappointment. The menu prices were excessive. We won t be returning.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

What an amazing experience. Food was perfect!!! Beef tenderloin, mushroom soup , and fish, all delicious!!

★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

Not a favorite place to eat. Service was slow, and food was not flavourful. However, the dumplings were amazing

★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2022

The food was delicious. The service however was incredibly poor. The waiter kept interrupting our tables conversation (to which he was not necessarily invited) anout politics and education, and he made some very controversial remarks which made me and my guests feel awkward and uncomfortable. I am honestly not sure I will go back - the food was good, but not that much of an incentive.

★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2022

The service was subpar, as other reviewers have mentioned. We usually overlook that if everything else is great. Also, this place was completely packed and there was no social distancing. We were practically touching distance to our neighbours.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2022

Very kind staff. I enjoyed the calamari and a pasta dish (like ravioli with a carrot filling). The portion sizes were also generous. Ill definitely return.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2022

Enjoyable on all fronts. Excellent service and food.

★★★
December 22, 2022

Excellent service. One special of the night ran out, and the second selection made wasnt thoroughly cooked. It was quickly redone though. Our waiter looked like Mr Bates from Downton Abbey! Check it out .

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2022

Amazing spot, incredible food and really well priced for the experience. Love the JLB Burger with their *HOUSE MADE* buns.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2022

Excellent food and service

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2022

Food was delicious. Very nice restaurant!

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2022

Casual urban sophistication. Celebrated Mother s Day here. Friendly attentive service helped make it a special evening. Food was great - especially the octopus and artichoke char. And everyone loved the desserts.

★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2022

Great atmosphere and ambiance however I had to take a star because my wife order lamb which wasn t cooked properly and we try to get a waiter s attention but nobody was looking at any table therefore my food was shared with her until finally somebody see us waiving. Food was fresh and tasty.

★★★★★
December 22, 2022

Wonderful spot. Delicious fish dinner and nicest staff ever.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2022

An excellent dining experience for our family celebrating the graduation of our youngest from Wilfrid Laurier University with distinction!

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2022

Lovely spot with excellent, friendly servers. Dining was superb and selection did not disappoint.

★★★★
December 22, 2022

Good food and atmosphere. Recommended.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2022

I always come with my friends or my husband. They always have a special menu and everything tastes amazing. My favorite restaurant in the area :3

★★★★★
December 22, 2022

Clean, great food, good staff, try the octopus or the scallops! Great date night spot.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2022

Second time coming here, and not disappointed. We had the scallops, grilled octopus (amazing), and duck breast (the breast was perfectly cooked and the port jus was beautifully seasoned). Everything was wonderful, balanced, and delightful. Wine selection was adequate for the menu. Service was top notch (thanks David!). Easily worth the trip.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2022

Finest of the Fine. This was our go-to for anniversaries and important celebrations. The food was always amazing, flavourful and fair portions for a fine dining experience. The service was top notch, very friendly and helpful. Its a beautifully designed space, not pretentious, but quality without going over the top. It is pricey, but in comparison to other establishments in the area, and in particular Belmont and Uptown, it is more than fair in its value. Sadly, we have moved away from KW, but if we are in the area for a special event, we will most definitely return.

★★★★★
December 22, 2022

The food is delicious. We got the chicken and the daily pasta (Salmon linguine). Both were delicious, and the chicken was done perfectly (juicy and flavourful). Dave took care of our table for the night, he is so polite and patient. Took time to tell us all the menu features and checked in on us to make sure we were genuinely enjoying our food. A really sweet person overall, and made the experience extra nice.

★★★★★
December 22, 2022

Amazing food, atmosphere and our waiter was phenomenal.

★★★★★
December 22, 2022

Exceptional service, Troy was amazing. Also the food was fantastic.

★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2022

Lovely time for a special event. Cozy atmosphere and interesting menus.

★★★★★
December 22, 2022

Quality fine dining with friendly service. Highly recommend!

★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2022

Was in the conference room. Great food and service. Only unfortunate part was that it was across from the bathrooms and so you could smell the cleaning fluid. Or at least I could

★★★★★
December 22, 2022

Great place, amazing food, great service.

★★★★★
December 22, 2022

Excellent customer service

★★★★★
December 22, 2022

Had the chicken dish and meatloaf. Intimate setting with elite service. Open concept kitchen. Where those who are dining in can watch the chefs right in action making each delicate dish. Fast and fresh. Both in food and service. Market Fresh food. Delivery and placement was eloquent. Great atmosphere for all kinds of events. Great spot for family dinners, intimate gatherings and meet the parents kind of meal. Could lick the plate it was so delicious. 5 stars all around.

December 22, 2022

While the initial service was good and the food and beverages arrived promptly ..... we never saw our waiter again for over 35 minutes ... and only then when I had to go inside (we were on the patio) to ask for our bill. Sure .... they were busy but theres no excuse for being ignored for over half an hour. No one came to refill our water glasses and no one asked if our meals were OK. We might have wanted coffee or a dessert .... but no one asked. The food was OK but not exceptional for the price. We left disappointed .... I left a 20% tip (habit) which the waiter certainly did not earn ...

★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2022

Noce food Parking: Parking available

★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2022

I went here this week and had a fantastic experience. We ordered the octopus and scallops to start. Octopus was perfect and I appreciated the garnishes. The scallops were just a tad over cooked, maybe a minute max so they weren t chewy but didn t melt in your mouth either, they did however have that coveted caramelization we all crave. The dish was served with peas and pieces of ham which I m usually not a fan of but wow it really worked together. For our mains we had the pasta special which was a seafood pasta with salmon and shrimp. I appreciate the amount of vegetable as well as pasta in the dish which made the dish feel light. Seafood was cooked well. The duck breast was really the star of the show. Perfectly cooked with a gorgeous seasoning on the outside and pink and tender on the inside. Served on a bed of the most delicious mashed potatoes I ve ever had. I seriously debated asking if they d sell it to me by the tubload. Very creamy yet airy. The cabbage served with it was cooked beautifully and had a nice kick to it. We had a fantastic wine that our wonderful server Chris recommended, please refer to the photo. Wait time between our starter and main could have been quicker but overall a great experience and I look forward to coming back.

★★★★★
December 22, 2022

They were booked but fitted us in on a busy day. Wait staff super, food very good, terrific value.

★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2022

It was good but not excellent. My expectation was higher given the price point and the ratings.

★★★★
December 22, 2022

We love going to Janet Lynns Bistro for special occasions. Its always a good experience. We recently went and the food was excellent from the starter to the main course.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2022

My dinner of seafood linguine was somewhat lacking in flavour but my wifes chicken supreme was perfect. Parking: Street parking is close, free and plentiful.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2022

Incredible food. I had the soup of the day which I thoroughly enjoyed, and the grilled octopus. Parking: There is a lot of street parking and a couple nearby lots that are free for three hours.

★★★★★
December 22, 2022

Amazing food and service! One of the best restaurants in Kitchener.

★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2022

Response to Owners response.. do you guys write down names of all guests? Reservation was not in my name, so there is your answer.

★★★★
December 22, 2022

I had the scallops as an appetizer. Done perfectly with a very tasty broth/sauce. For the main I ordered the chicken supreme. Very tasty. The chicken was done perfectly. The vegetables were tasty and cooked perfectly EXCEPT for the beet sections. They were basically raw and no fork or knife could penetrate them. For dessert I had the ice cream trio, scoops of vanilla bean, double chocolate and salted caramel. All in all a very enjoyable dinner. Prompt service.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2022

Excellent servers. Kind, thoughtful & prompt. Great food. Beautifully arranged on plates.

★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2021

My husband and I went here for Halloween supper with our newborn daughter. Despite spending a small fortune, the food far surpassed the ambiance and service. Over the phone we made a reservation for two plus buggy. We thought we would have a date night to celebrate our daughters two month mark but things took an unexpected turn. The table at the front of the restaurant where we were seated was cold and drafty. I kept my winter coat on the entire time and left my daughter bundled up also. I asked the hostess/owner politely if the heat could be turned up or if we could be reseated elsewhere. Even my husband, who is not one to complain about cold, felt chilled. Over the phone we were told that we would be seated at the back of the bistro. The hostess proceeded to fumble with the baseboard heaters but then stated that they were already on maximum heat. We remained seated uncomfortably at that table for the duration of our meal. While waiting for our appetizer to arrive, it dawned upon me that the wetness beneath my boots that I assumed was from the outdoors (mommy brain) was actually discards from previous patrons. I looked down to find a greasy mess of oil and what appeared to be meat. I ended up taking a baby wipe to my boots. For a restaurant of this calibre and especially during COVID, dining areas should be fully sanitized and maintained between guests. Additionally, we were not impressed to learn that the table beside us had leftover bread after several refills while we were told they were out. We did arrive later on in the evening, but still an alternative could have been offered. What saddened me the most is how unwelcome we felt when our daughter began crying. The hostess/owner (Monica) quickly approached and offered to push our daughter in her buggy at the front of the restaurant. I sensed her annoyance despite the seemingly kind gesture. I felt it was a subtle invitation to leave. While we try to prepare as much as possible for dining out, some crying spells are inevitable with babies. We tried everything in our control to calm her, but the pressure from the hostess only made things worse as did the cold dining area. We ended up taking our meals to go. I understand some restaurants are more family-friendly than others, but we have dined out at other establishments without complications. One would think that people would be more considerate given that: 1) COVID essentially has the world in shambles and we all could use a little kindness and understanding, 2) babysitting (if parents consider it an option) is off the table because of concerns about the virus spreading, and 3) patrons of local businesses are generous in offering up their support in spite of pay cuts and job losses.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2021

Overall they got great service and great food! They offer limited indoor sitting, which makes for a perfect quiet and cozy date night. It was very nice to actually go out after so long and receive such an amazing service. Everything tasted delicious. Our server was friendly and attentive. The drinks and the Lavender Cheesecake were the highlight of the night for me.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2021

Chef Javier makes phenomenal good. Its too bad the dine in is shut down. Im really craving a sit down experience here!

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2021

Just what you want in a Bistro: not too fancy, but well prepared food in a good atmosphere.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2021

Great people, excellent food, clearly made with love and attention. Made my anniversary special, memorable and over-the-top. Would recommend to anyone and everyone!

★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2021

Has a very small patio and relies on the Belmont Village picnic benches for seating but it doesnt really take away from the experience. Waitstaff is excellent and professional, food is delicious (though a little predictable), so overall its a great date night/ celebration restaurant.

★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2021

Food was fantastic. Service was lacking. Very friendly but slow. Forgot our drinks even though we reminded. This was recently return to service after a covid lockdown so benefit of the doubt for being rusty. The tables outside were cute little picnic tables. Did enjoy.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2021

Fantastic experience. The staff is knowledgable and friendly. The yellow fin tuna was exceptional with a lovely vinaigrette on the vegetables. The liver was cooked to perfection.

★★★★
December 22, 2021

Food was amazing, everyone in our group loved the food. They were very accommodating for food issues such as gluten free, and food sensitivities. service was very pleasant but a little slow. Wonderful experience

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2021

Great meal and atmosphere.

★★
December 22, 2021

Beer was all head. Apps were great. Ordered the artic salmon and started out good but then hair was found in the fish and dinner was done. No appetite after that. Realizing it s a return from covid I politely informed them of the hair and they were good to ask if anything else I wanted. However on top of it they still charged my dinner . Not interested in coming back

★★★★★
December 22, 2021

Always wonderful!

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2021

Best dining experience Ive had in a very long time. Octopus was the best Ive ever had. They are even better than before the pandemic and thats saying something! Well done guys!

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2021

Delicious food, amazing service and beautiful space. The octopus starter is delicious and so are the cheesecakes. My favorite place in town for a (reasonably) late dinner.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2021

Always such a great experience, the food, the wine, the staff and the location have never once disappointed! Their lamb and octopus dishes are heavenly. Highly recommend to anyone visiting Kitchener. Been trying all kinds of restaurants in KW for a decade and this place beats any new player in town :)

★★★★★
December 22, 2021

First time here, excellent service and delicious food! The ambience is also really nice, and theres such a personal touch with the service here. Cant wait to be back soon!

Local Guide
December 22, 2021

Overrated. Never saw a menu after being seated, never saw a server after waiting 20 minutes. You cant say they forgot about us when there were two servers on that night in a space the size of a living room. They clearly didnt want my wife and I to be there. This didnt just happen once - my wife and I attempted to eat here twice. Both times, they showed an experience we wont soon forget. Cant tell you if the food is any good. I get better service at a buffet. No wonder Casa Rugantino does so well and is always busier by comparison.

★★★★★
December 22, 2021

Fantastic place, beautiful decor & atmosphere, absolutely delicious food. Friends of ours introduced us to this place maybe ten years ago - we have been back a few times and will be back again. Would strongly recommend Janet Lynn s to anyone looking for a place to go for a special occasion. It is also fabulous for date night or if you need to impress business associates. We look forward to dining there again.

★★★★★
December 22, 2021

Delicious meal. Great martinis and wine. Fine service. Well spaced tables. Felt safe.

★★★★★
December 22, 2021

Everything I ordered is pretty good!

★★★★★
December 22, 2021

Great food and service.

★★★★★
December 22, 2021

Delicious meal, fantastic service, would highly reccomend and will be returning!!

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2021

Delicious as usual and great service.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2021

First visit there and it wont be my last. Fantastically cozy atmosphere. Food speaks for itself. Beautifully done. Service was outstanding. This is a special place. Well done JLB!

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2021

Delicious food, great service, perfect for a cozy dinner for two or catching up with old friends.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2021

Food was delicious and our server was lovely

★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2021

The food is amazing at its best, but they struggle with consistency seemingly all the time.

★★★★★
December 22, 2021

I liked your service and a grilled octopus!

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2020

Cant complain about the food! Great food! Had to make a reservation for lunch

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2020

Great place for relaxed dinner. Food is top-notch.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2020

The food, staff, and atmosphere were fantastic. We love going here for special occasions.

★★★★★
December 22, 2020

Great service and food.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2020

Duck confit in green coconut curry with lentils was worth it. Octopus with sun-dried tomatoes was on another level. Carrot cake with pineapple icing.... Expensive but worth it.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2020

Great food, great service. Good location and good price...what more could you ask for.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2020

Wonderful service and even better food.

★★★★★
December 22, 2020

Work party. Wonderfull food and atmosphere. Will go again.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2020

Reliable, always a tasty meal and top notch service. Fun atmosphere with the partially open kitchen. Great go-to spot!

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2020

The food and service was fabulous

★★★★★
December 22, 2020

Wonderful for our anniversary

★★★★★
December 22, 2020

Last visited on Wednesday March 5. Excellent food and great service as always. The only issue is the counter by the door and next to our table was very dusty. Appears not been dusted for a long time. Need to pay a more attention for cleaning

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2020

Well organized for collection in this covid world. Placed the order about 30 minutes before pickup time and had delicious food cooked perfectly when we got home!

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2020

First experience in a dine in restaurant after lockdown. Wonderful experience. I had a wonderful dry cider, which was a great choice. Quenched my thirst before and during the meal. The calamari was perfect with the provided aioli dip. Lightly coated and a great texture: not rubbery at all. The greens had a balsamic vinaigrette, and with a hint of sesame. The homemade bread had a thick crust which I layered butter on, and consumed heartedly. The main courses were a lamb burger and Thai chicken. Both were delightful. The lamb burger had a homemade bun, and I could tell. It was just the right density for the lamb. I ordered the meat medium rare, and was not disappointed. The tzatziki sauce had a great flavour, and the lamb wasnt gamey at all. Lots of wonderful thick doubled fried (maybe triple fried) frites accompanied the burger. It was the perfect amount of food. The Thai chicken was full of flavour. The mushrooms and carrots were a great accent to the curry. The green beans were a delight. Crunchy and juicy. The rice was as expected, but did not disappoint. The chicken breast was moist, and still juicy, not dry in any way. The curry was a bit creamy and elevated all the above ingredients into a quality food experience. The service was fantastic (mind you were we the only patrons in the dining room). I am already planning on going back to try the octopus as an appetizer, and the JBL meatloaf as main.

★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2020

Extremely pricey but the food is worth it. The appetizers are very tasty as well. Indoor and outdoor seating was available with many covid restrictions. Overall, a very modern, clean restaurant.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2020

This was the best meal I have had in KW and I m just sorry it took me this long to try Janet Lynn s Bistro. It has been on my list to try for a long time but just never made it. We started with the Calamari which was excellent. I had their Halibut feature which was OUTSTANDING! Perfection on the flavour, freshness and quality. My husband had their burger and he said it was the best he has ever had anywhere. Our new favourite restaurant!

December 22, 2020

Over priced and overrated the Keg and The Charcoal are a better value

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2020

Amazing food and very reasonable price! Will definitely come back

★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2020

Good food but way overpriced. We payed less in 2 Michelin star restaurant in New York.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2020

Best fancy restaurant in the kw area by FAR.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2020

No words can describe this place. Go and experience it for yourself. You will leave happy!

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2020

Always a great experience at JLB. Solid staples along with a rotating Market offering, and always top notch quality!

★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2020

I had grilled octopus and features pasta which was gnocchi with mushroom, duck prosciutto and scallop. My boyfriend has their features soup which was leek and potato and tenderloin. All were delicious and service was excellent! Will definitely return as I want to try their roast duck breast

★★★★★
December 22, 2020

We ordered take out tonight for my birthday dinner. It was incredible! So delicious. We love JLB and belmont village. We also love dinning inside the service is always amazing. Highly recommend JLB!

★★★★★
December 22, 2020

Filet Mignon was the best EVER.....its the standard to compare all future steak dinners so incredibly tender! We ordered takeout for a Friday dinner and thoroughly enjoyed restaurant quality at home. Sorry we didnt discover this gem until now but well continue to support JLB! #SupportLocal #FineDining #BestSteakRestaurant

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2020

Due to COVID-19 my family and I have been looking for local restaurants for at-home small celebrations like my graduation or fixing our basement haha! At first, I was nervous because of the pricing, as a student it was a bit steep but when I say it was worth every dollar--I absolutely mean it! My mother and I had the Arctic Char and Parisienne Gnocchi. It was absolutely amazing and super filling as well! I havent had Char since I went to Nunavut last fall and it was just as tasty as I remember it! I will be coming back soon!

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2019

My first time at the Belmont location. The pair and space is an improvement over the original. The food and service were excellent also.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2019

Went there with my wife for dessert last night. Pretty little restaurant. Well appointed and very comfortable. Took a while for a server to get over to us but then we had two. Both were very nice and efficient once they began serving us. Server actually took the desserts off our bill because of the delay. The desserts themselves (carrot cake for me, and creme brulee for my wife) were top notch. Had a glance at the dinner menu and it looks great. Going to have to give it a try!

★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2019

Good food, good experience.

★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2019

Interesting menu, quite pricey, service didnt measure up to it. Wine very expensive, but you can get a good variety by the glass.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2019

Dined with family for a special dinner on a Saturday evening. Arrived for 6:30 reservation and was promptly greeted at the door and shown to our table. Menus were distributed and sparkling water was ordered. Cocktails were creative and tasty. Starters were ordered by everyone and everyone enjoyed them - dumplings, carpaccio, beet salad, Caesar salad and scallops. The mains were served hot, artfully arranged and very tasty. New York stripling, stuffed chicken breast, JLB Burger and Thai Shrimp were made to perfection. Everyone succumbed to the dessert menu - carrot cake, ice cream, creme brûlée and pecan tart.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2019

Wonderful food, amazing staff. Would truly go here again!

★★★★★
December 22, 2019

is the best restaurant I ever been the food is delicious

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2019

Fabulous

★★★★★
December 22, 2019

Had a phenomenal meal at Janet Lynn s! The food was delicious but what made it 5 stars was our server Hayley. She was well versed in all the specials and made our overall dining experience very pleasant!

★★★★★
December 22, 2019

Great service and food was on point. My rack of lamb was lamb was the tender I ve ever had. Carrot cake for dessert was delicious!

★★★★★
December 22, 2019

Celebrated our 45th Anniversary with dinner at Janet Lynns Bistro and the meal was great and the service provided by Scott was top notch.

★★★★★
December 22, 2019

The decor of the restaurant was beautiful! The owner Monica was very welcoming and nice! The Kitchen staff was very friendly and helpful and its a restaurant where I would come back many time because the atmosphere is very welcome! Thank You!

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2019

First date spot with my wife. Never a disappointing meal.

★★★★★
December 22, 2019

The food was awsom the Octopus was excellent large serving the beef tenderloin was a little rare for my taste but still very good portions where very generous you wont go away hungry.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2019

Over the last year, Jlb has become a staple in our lives, especially for celebrations! The service and food are always impeccable. The meals are always fresh and the specials are inevitably incredibly delicious. I would highly recommend this restaurant for any event, but especially for when you have a reason to celebrate!

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2019

Never disappointed with the food or the service.