What Is The Mount Dora Bistro? Here’s How the Experience Works

Lunch, French tea, happy hour, dinner and a show — The Mount Dora Bistro is more than a traditional restaurant. Here’s the easiest way to understand what happens throughout the week.

Located at 142 W. 4th Ave. in downtown Mount Dora, The Mount Dora Bistro combines French-inspired dining with live entertainment, cabaret, cocktails and specialty experiences.

The experience changes throughout the day — so what you’ll find at lunchtime can be very different from what happens on a Friday night.

Come for Lunch

The Bistro serves its à la carte lunch menu Wednesday through Sunday from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

This is the Bistro at its most traditional: French-inspired food, table service and the option to dine indoors or al fresco on The Terrace.

Spend an Afternoon in Paris

On Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday, the Bistro also offers Afternoon in Paris, featuring Le Goûter and French tea.

It’s an afternoon experience built around slowing down, enjoying tea and making the visit a little more of an occasion.

Saturday Means Lunch + Cabaret

Saturday afternoons bring Matinée in Paris, with lunch and live entertainment beginning at 1 p.m.

Programming rotates and can include cabaret, La Cage Bingo, drag brunch and other shows.

In other words: Saturday lunch can also be a show.

Friday & Saturday: Start with Happy Hour

Friday and Saturday evenings begin with Apéro in Paris.

Guests arrive for a French-inspired happy hour featuring a one-hour open bar, cocktails and canapés before the evening dining experiences begin.

It’s an easy way to start a date night or make the Bistro the first — and potentially only — stop of the evening.

Then Stay for Dinner and a Show

At 5:30 p.m., the Bistro transitions into its evening dining experiences.

Friday and Saturday nights can include Bistro in Paris, The Chef’s Table, supper clubs, cabaret, live music, dancing and other entertainment.

This is where the Bistro really differs from a typical restaurant. Dinner isn’t necessarily the entire evening — it can be the beginning of the show.

And There’s More After Dinner

Later-night programming can include Coterie Cabaret on Friday nights and Club Privé on Saturdays, with rotating entertainment ranging from live music and comedy to singalongs, themed performances and dancing.

The Bistro also includes The Terrace for outdoor dining and The Venue, its space for Chef’s Theater and private celebrations.

The Simplest Way to Think About It

Daytime: Lunch + French tea
Saturday afternoon: Lunch + cabaret
Friday & Saturday late afternoon: Open-bar happy hour + canapés
Friday & Saturday evening: Dinner + live entertainment
Friday & Saturday night: Cabaret, music, dancing and late-night programming

The Mount Dora Bistro is part restaurant, part entertainment venue and part night out — with a little Parisian flair tying it all together.

The Mount Dora Bistro
142 W. 4th Ave., Downtown Mount Dora
Open Wednesday through Sunday
Reservations are recommended for specialty dining and entertainment experiences.