Bistro 1940 — Restaurant in Jacksonville

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️½ (4.5/5) – A Charming Downtown Hideaway with NOLA Vibes & Delicious Bites!

Bistro 1940 is a fresh, stylish addition to downtown Jacksonville, NC, blending coffeehouse charm by day and sultry bar energy by night. From the moment you walk up, the aesthetic screams New Orleans courtyard—think wrought-iron chairs, strung-up bistro lights, and a vibe straight out of The Vampire Diaries (Mystic Falls, anyone?). Whether you're stopping in for a morning latte, a lunchtime bagel, or an evening cocktail, this place nails the cozy-yet-sophisticated atmosphere.

What I Loved:

☕ Daytime Café Mode – Their coffee, matcha, and specialty lattes are solid (no Starbucks burnout here), and the breakfast/lunch menu (bagels, sandwiches) is simple but satisfying. Perfect for remote workers or slow weekend mornings.

🎂 Surprise Cake Roulette! – Their daily rotating slices (whole cakes available too!) are a fun gamble. So far, I’ve tried the coconut, chocolate, and pecan—all moist, flavorful, and clearly homemade. Still need to test the red velvet and carrot cake, but the variety keeps me coming back.

🍸 Nighttime Bar Transition – When the sun sets, the space shifts into a laid-back wine and cocktail spot. The liquor selection isn’t massive, but it’s well-curated—ideal for sipping something smooth under those twinkling lights.

🎶 Weekend Live Music (11 AM–4 PM) – Such a great touch! Adds to the French Quarter-esque energy. Rumor has it they might introduce karaoke nights—fingers crossed!

Why Not 5 Stars?

▪️ Limited Menu (For Now) – Since they’re brand new (~1 month old), the food/drink options are still growing. More savory lunch items or seasonal specials would take it to the next level. ▪️ Inconsistent Cake Availability – The surprise element is fun, but if you’re craving something specific, call ahead! ▪️ Still Flying Under the Radar – Not their fault, but more people need to know this spot exists! (Though part of me wants to keep it a secret...)

Final Thoughts:

Bistro 1940 is a vibe. Whether you’re a coffee addict, cake enthusiast, or cocktail connoisseur, this place nails relaxed elegance. It’s perfect for dates, solo work sessions, or weekend hangs with live music. As they settle in, I’m excited to see how they grow—already a downtown standout! Definitely give it a try. 🥂🎂

P.S. If you spot karaoke mic setups… you heard it...

Bistro 1940 is my husband and I’s new favorite stop! After news of the Grazing Tray closing in Jacksonville, we were on the search for a new go-to restaurant that offers quality and fresh meals with gluten free options. We’ve found it!

Smoothies, coffee, sandwiches, and salads. They have a great variety of items. When you step in, it’s decorated very nicely. You’re welcomed warmly by the owners. Once at the counter, we chose the Hug a Hero and Marty sandwiches. Service was friendly, and prices were fair. I got gluten free bread as a substitute, and potato salad as a side. The owner (I think his name is Marty?), brought our food out personally and was a pleasure to chat with! Beyond impressed by this genuine husband and wife duo!

Now to the food…

So. Good. The BEST gluten free bread I’ve ever had at a restaurant. Soft and moist, not dry and crumbly like almost every other kind of gf bread. The turkey, avocado, arugula, and pesto blend so well. And the potato salad, 😍. It’s homemade and you can tell!

My husband couldn’t stop raving about how good his sandwich is. The perfect blend of crispy bread, soaking into the spicy and acidic juices, paired with FAT slices of meat. Such a well balanced sandwich!

And, to top it off, we were offered a complimentary slice of chocolate cake. That cake was HUGE, incredibly moist, and tender.

This will become a staple for us going forward, and we’re so happy to see a beautiful new addition to downtown J-Ville!

Also, it’s right next to Velo, so the perfect place to stop in...

Having moved back from VA almost a month ago bestie and I have spent our weekends eating, geocaching, shopping and laughing around eastern NC. She found this spot for us and we found it newly opened & busy but not so busy we couldn't get a table. We both ordered the Monty Cristo with my sandwich coming with potato salad. I know it's a simple ham & cheese creation on a croissant but it was fresh tasting & the raspberry jam the perfect dip to offset the ham. I generally don't like restaurant potato salad because is is never as good as mine or my mama's. Marty (one of the owners) stopped by to ask us how everything was going. This is the kind of service that leaves an impression. Enough of one that makes you want to return. The restroom was clean & fully stocked. I knew we would be back and we were, late Friday evening. Bestie had a created your own croissant but & I stayed with the Marty Cristo. Still delicious and made me kinda happy that our 1st spot was too busy. Marty again stopped by and joined us for a lovely chat. He told us his wife didn't care for his stopping to chat with us so I made sure to tell Marty that his stopping to visit makes me want to give him even more of hubby's money.

For me, the atmosphere & attentiveness is almost as important as the food. So, I commend him for stopping to stop. It makes more of a difference than most folks realize. I spend hubby's money at places that appreciates his money.

I'm sorry y'all. I deleted the pics but trust me, stop in for a bite and a...