Novu Bistro — Restaurant in Saint Petersburg

We sat down to eat here the other day and, while I typically give restaurants quite a bit of slack when it’s busy, Novu was different. We weren’t acknowledged at all and ended up leaving after sitting there for 25 minutes. We were sitting in one of the central tables near the bar. Staff walked by us multiple times but it almost seemed as if they were ignoring us and not making eye contact with us on purpose. We did ask at one point if they were serving food and after getting a “yes” in response, we still did not get any service. I’m more than happy to give a free pass for slow or sub par service on a busy night, but being treated like we didn’t exist is something I’ve never experienced before. We ended up going to Tryst down the street which was completely slammed busy, but we sat down and had service almost immediately.

I unfortunately cannot comment on the food or drinks because we never got to that point. It almost seemed as if the staff there was only really helping and serving people they knew personally. Perhaps we could have been more forceful and vocal about our irritation, but by that point we had universally decided we were...

If you’re looking for an exceptional dining experience and a great time in downtown Saint Petersburg, look no further than Novu Bistro and Bar. This gem offers great food, superb service, and a warm, inviting ambiance that makes every visit special. The owners, Kathie and Tony, are incredibly friendly and make you feel like part of the family from the moment you enter. However, it’s Matia who truly stands out. Her extensive knowledge of the menu and her ability to answer any question make her a favorite among regulars. She enhances the dining experience with her attentive and informed service. The food is simply amazing, cuisine that never disappoints.

One of the best aspects of is its ambiance. Despite being located in the heart of downtown, it never feels crowded, allowing you to enjoy a relaxed and comfortable dining experience. The atmosphere is perfect for a night out with friends or a romantic dinner. Overall, Novu is one of my absolute favorites restaurant in town, I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a memorable dining experience in...

Absolutely loveeee the indoor/outdoor feel of this bar. Super nice waitress with an awesome recommendation: the crabmeat & avocado bite during happy hour which were pretty good (you get 4) The spicy mayo sauce it comes with is good, and the wonton chip is flaky and adds great texture diversity, but it lacked the flavor I'd hoped for overall and I wish that the peppers (or celery?) were smaller and not competing with the avocado. I would've liked less peppers and more avocado lol but they are surprisingly filling! Maybe I just caught them on an off day? I'd give it a 8/10. I had a mojito and sadly the balance was off, there was too much seltzer but lots of mint. I wanted to like it so badly! I will still be back here because the...