Josephine

We had a magical experience at Josephine for my dad’s 64th birthday. Our waitress Kelsey was awesome and made the entire night truly fantastic. The food and drinks were absolutely incredible. I don’t even know what to recommend to you because you can’t go wrong no matter what you order! So thrilled to have this French inspired restaurant so close by and I cannot wait to go back!

An outstanding dining experience. While the food was authentic and delicious, the standout was the service. It’s the little things like the chef bringing the dishes out himself, the surprises of hors d’oeuvres samples on the house, and the handwritten thank you we received for dining with them. They put so much effort to make you feel like cherished guests. Cannot recommend enough!

Amazing! That one word says it all. It was a truly amazing dining experience from the moment we walked in the door until we left two hours later. The service was fantastic, the food was delicious and really, really well prepared and the wine selection well curated. And the chef, Jess, was kind enough to visit with us and talk about his joy for cooking. Granted, this was a quiet Monday evening but I am certain that Josephine delivers even on busy Fridays and Saturdays. Although you may not get a visit from Jess as he will be too busy making sure that your food is incredible. Make reservations and go there, now!

I had the best birthday experience at Josephine! Champagne, caviar, Creme Brulee and everything in between. Our server was thoughtful, fun and made terrific recommendations. Timing with the kitchen was perfect and Chef intentionally checked on us. The bone marrow, French Onion soup, burger, coq a vin, baked Brie and pot de Creme are all five stars! We’ll be back.

Had an absolutely amazing meal with my wife. Alex was our server and she was very gracious and kind. The food is fantastic! The bone marrow was spot on, the baguette was baked to perfection, the salad was very refreshing, and the chicken was one of the best I've ever had, specially with that gravy. Will definitely return!

Excellent service. Celebrated a bday dinner here and the foood was all delicious. Bone marrow was very unique and tasty.

Very different food, we like a lot this French style cuisine. Bone marrow and escargot especially. Service is excellent and we have got two complimentary desserts from the chef. Soooo delicious!

Had the pleasure of joining for the soft opening tonight and was thrilled from start to finish. The space is stunning - the deep purples combined with the gorgeous art work, light fixtures, and different seating areas made for a very cozy and inviting space. The whole staff was friendly and knowledgeable and made the experience truly wonderful. The French cuisine was rich and delicious - we had the bone marrow, escargot, crab salad, and pasta dish and couldn’t be more pleased. So excited to see how this spot does in months to come. Will certainly be a staple in the Carmel area!

Amazing dinner. Stopped in and ate at the bar and the staff was incredibly polite and the old fashioned was delicious. For food the duck was one of the best meals I've had in recent memory. Cannot recommend this place enough

I went to this restaurant with no expectations and ended up falling in love! Let's start with the ambiance: cozy and the place is very nice, super cute. The attention 10/10 our waitress Angel served us great all the time, the food is one of the best gastronomic proposals I've found in this city! I was really impressed. We started with a steak tartare that was amazing and then a Vin & Fromage the combination of flavors of this entry is very curious and incredible! Also the crab nicoise salad and Le beau citron were very good, for the main course we ordered a filet mignon which was 100/10 and we accompanied it with Ratatouille (please try this!) in conclusion my recommendation is: do not miss this restaurant! Definitely an interesting and quality proposal in this city!

We LOVED our experience at Josephine. We popped in for a cocktail and had a wonderful time, definitely try the house French 75 and lobster bisque (if it’s on the menu when you go, they switch it up!). We sat at the bar and both bartenders are amazing, and we especially appreciated Eric’s recommendations and conversation as out-of-towners; we definitely plan to be back soon!

loved everything about josephine! and i can’t say no to happy hour! i got a huge bowl of mussels and a glass of champagne for $25, and it was super filling, definitely shareable. i also tried a bit of the ratatouille, onion soup, and coq au vin. all really good! the onion soup had a really rich and deep flavor and the chicken was so juicy and tender, loved the veggies too! i love that they do an amuse-bouche & mignardise!

Attended the grand opening and it was, overall, very good. Will definitely return to try some additional menu items. Edit: Visited again and tried the bouillabaisse blanc and the Ibérico pork chop. Both were delicious and the pork chop was perfectly cooked. Service was outstanding. I also inquired about the frites and they mentioned they changed since the grand opening which is great to hear so I might try the steak again. The aioli on top of the house-made baguette slice was also tasty and would be a perfect to addition to the frites.

Amazing food and atmosphere. Good happy hour options too. Came in for an anniversary dinner and Carlos and Aaron went above and beyond. We will be back!

Happy Hour at @eatjosephine_carmel begins April 28th, where every glass tells a story of elegance, romance, and a little French intrigue. 🥂✨ Located on Main Street in Carmel, IN, Josephine invites guests to unwind on the patio with specially priced cocktails, wines, and small plates during the golden hour. Inspired by Josephine de Beauharnais, Empress of France, Queen of Italy, and a woman of passion, art, and complexity, this space is more than a restaurant, it’s a tribute to timeless indulgence. Perfect for early evening conversations, spontaneous toasts, and those who appreciate a hint of European charm in the heart of Indiana. Pull up a chair, the patio is waiting. Champagne, martinis, and perfectly paired hors d’oeuvres await—because every hour should feel a little like Paris.

Truly a great experience. The staff were very welcoming and friendly. My wife and I will recommend this French inspired restaurant to many.

We went for the first time for a birthday dinner. The place is decorated beautifully and ambience is wonderful. Our waiter, Justin, was just phenomenal! He couldn’t have done a better job of taking care of our every need and then some. The appetizer was incredible (wagu ratatouille) and the entrees were good. The blueberry crème brûlée was heavenly!

I had such a wonderful experience at Josephine when I came in to celebrate my birthday. Our server Dimitri, was incredible. His vibrant, energetic personality made me feel so appreciated and truly special the entire night. My Coq a Vin and Mon ami recommendations were absolutely amazing — honestly, everything on the menu is worth trying because you really can’t go wrong. I already can’t wait to come back again!

Visited Josephine for a birthday dinner and had the best experience. The staff and restaurant manager were all extremely nice and courteous. Peter, our waiter, was extremely helpful in offering us recommendations and checking on our table throughout our meal. He may very well be the best waiter/server I've ever had the pleasure of meeting and serving me. The food and drinks were excellent; the atmosphere is upscale and intimate. We will definitely be back. I highly recommend visiting Josephine, especially for special occasions.

French restaurants are not our first choice but we decided to give Josephine a try. We are so glad we did. EVERYTHING we had was delicious. Food had good presentation and was properly prepared. Service was excellent and the atmosphere very nice and welcoming. The entire meal and experience could not have been any better. Dining at Josephine was a wonderful evening. Thank you for bringing such an outstanding restaurant to Carmel that is not bar food.

My family celebrated my 50th birthday here at Josephine's and we were given a 5-star experience. They went out of their way with excellent service and spectacular food! We received a free champagne toast to start along with an amuse bouche. I had the coq au Vin for my entree and it was perfectly prepared. Dessert was a chocolate pot de creme and it was the best I've ever had. Thank you to the entire staff and chef for such an amazing experience!

What a gem! The ambience gives a genuine French vibe. The staff was great! Especially Carlos the bartender! The food was amazing. We had escargot, beef tartare, papa fritte, coco vin, beef borguignon.. all très excellente!! Drink menu creative, wine selection superb. Live music some nights. Highly recommend!

My wife and I came in on a busy Friday afternoon. Not only was our server, Dimitri extremely attentive to our needs, he also met us with a delightful, charming personality. He is the type of server to make you want to come back again and again as talking to him will make your whole night. His recommendation of the Harvey and Harriet Red Blend wine was fantastic, as so was the Coq au Vin, and Duck à l’orange. We will be back, thank you Josephine, and thank you Dimitri!

Felt the ambiance. Then was greeted by very nice hostess. But what really made our night out was our waiter Justin. He made us feel like we were the only people in the restaurant and the place was full. He answered all of our questions very well and without an attitude. Which a lot of waiters give you when you ask too many questions. I described to him the way I like my meat done and it was brought to me at the perfect temperature. Also, we very rarely order dessert. He described the desserts so well that he talked my Husband into the French Silk pie and I ordered crème brûlée. My Husband enjoyed every single bite of that pie and I enjoyed my crème brûlée. My husband and I were having such a wonderful evening that after we had dessert, we were almost tempted to stay and have a couple more drinks (we still had to drive home though) because of our waiter Justin and the atmosphere. The next time we come, we are definitely going to ask for Justin‘s table. Please let him know that he made our evening. Thank you.

This was our second visit to Josephine, and our first dining there just the two of us. Our initial experience was nothing short of extraordinary—impressive enough to inspire a dedicated date night—and somehow, our second visit surpassed even that. We arrived right at opening and were among the first guests of the evening. The ambiance immediately set the tone: intimate, romantic, and beautifully welcoming. The hostesses were gracious and polished, making us feel instantly at ease. Our server, Justin, elevated the evening to another level entirely. Professional yet genuinely warm, he struck the perfect balance of attentiveness and lighthearted charm. His knowledge of both the menu and cocktail offerings was exceptional, and his thoughtful food and drink pairings led us to choices we might never have made on our own—and we’re so glad we trusted his expertise. As the restaurant filled throughout the evening, Justin’s service never wavered. We received the same impeccable attention we enjoyed when we were his only table, which made us feel truly valued. The hors d'oeuvres were exquisite—an absolute delight for the palate. Each course flowed seamlessly, with our entrées arriving at the perfect moment after the appetizers. Portions were spot-on: satisfying and refined, with nothing wasted. For dessert, we indulged in the French Silk Pie, a luxuriously smooth and creamy chocolate mousse that was nothing short of decadent. To close the evening, Justin brought us a cognac, the perfect after-dinner touch. This was, without question, one of the finest dining experiences we’ve ever had. Even this glowing review doesn’t fully capture just how special the evening truly was. I cannot recommend Josephine highly enough to anyone seeking a genuinely magical, unforgettable night out.

An Unforgettable Anniversary at Josephine's ​My husband and I recently celebrated our one-year anniversary at Josephine's, and I can honestly say it was a perfect evening. From the moment we walked in, the atmosphere was warm, elegant, and perfectly set for a special occasion. ​The service was impeccable—attentive yet unobtrusive, ensuring that our glasses were never empty and that every course was perfectly timed. A true highlight of the evening was meeting the General Manager. It was a lovely, personal touch that showed just how much the team cares about their diners' experience. Their genuine warmth and pride in the restaurant really stood out. ​The food itself was nothing short of exquisite. Every dish, from the appetizers to the dessert, was beautifully presented and tasted divine. It was clear that the ingredients were fresh and the kitchen executed everything with exceptional skill. They truly made our anniversary dinner feel like a remarkable culinary journey. ​Josephine's didn't just meet our expectations; it exceeded them in every way. The combination of incredible food, sophisticated ambiance, and deeply personal service made our celebration an evening we won't soon forget. ​To the entire team at Josephine's—thank you for making our anniversary so wonderful. We will absolutely be back and highly recommend this establishment to anyone looking for a truly special and memorable dining experience.

We went to Josephine for the first time this past weekend and we will definitely be back!! Justin was our server and he is the EPITOME of stellar customer service. He was very knowledgeable about the menu, both food and drink. Atmosphere is lovely, music is great and not too loud, food was TREMENDOUS.

We had a lovely evening at Josephine. We came for the Indy Devour menu, but left as lifelong customers. The food was PHENOMENAL and service was wonderful. The vibes inside are also very romantic, so we plan for this to be our go to date night spot!

This is my favorite place in Carmel! The food is amazing and the drinks are spectacular. Lauren, Carlo and Julian make the experience even better, they are not only great at what they do but so friendly. They make you want to come back every week. Later in the evening they have different entertainment so also a great place to be with friends. I highly recommend trying this place, you will definitely want to go back.

Had a fabulous girls dinner at Josephine. The food was divine and the cocktails on point! (Ask for the tequila old fashioned!!) Love the dark, cozy vibe if this place. We had a corner table with the most comfortable chairs- i could have sat there all night. Service was supreme and the manager was sure to check on us too. Can't wait to bring my hubby back for date night. Definitely check this place out!

We loved our time at Josephine. Our server Eden was top notch, the food was creative while grounded in the French classics. The only thing that wasn’t French were the serving sizes. The sizes were very American which meant I had dinner for 2 nights! And the goat cheese cheesecake was delicious!

While the food and atmosphere are amazing, the service provided by Justin is above reproach. While I can't speak more highly of his witty banter and skilled table presence, it would be sinful to not sing the accolades of his wealth of vivational knowledge.

The food was incredible, complete with complimentary surprise amuse bouche & mignardises before/after the meal. As a larger group we tried a good chunk of the menu and everything was wonderful. The staff was also top-tier, Justin our server was especially friendly and helpful. We'll be back soon!

Justin brought personalized service with impressive knowledge, humor, and followthrough! Each meal was excellent! The setting was sophisticated and comfortable! The array of choices provided an authentic and most enjoyable ‘French experience!!

We had dinner here for a friend's birthday and everything exceeded expectations! From Frankie's service, to the complimentary appetizer, the rest of the food, and the custom dessert drink they whipped up for us after we asked for Fireball whiskey shots to end the night. Thank you for a great experience and can't wait to be back!

Loved the claims and pork belly appetizer. The drinks were perfect. I believe would help to add tablecloths to brighten up a bit. Service was great!!

Great service (Justin) and a nice atmosphere, but the food was uneven. The bouillabaisse—though a modern take—was scant on seafood and had very little broth, coming across more like a seafood dish with sauce than an actual stew. The chicken cordon bleu was dry and had only a small amount of ham, almost like chopped remnants. On the positive side, the salad was excellent and the marrow appetizer was very good. Overall, the kitchen needs to elevate the execution, as the food quality doesn’t quite match the price point.

We should have known when we were able to easily get a last minute reservation on a Saturday night (July 26)! It as our first AND LAST meal at Josephine. First, the service was quite slow and not very attentive. Not once during our main course were we checked on (I wanted some ketchup for my frites but the server never returned). It was a hot day but it was even HOTTER inside the restaurant. We were literally sweating during dinner. The server advised that their a/c is having trouble keeping up with the heat. I prefer to wipe my mouth and not my BROW during dinner. We had one appetizer (tiny), each of us had a side (French onion soup and beets) (soup ok, beets rather disgusting ) and we split the $49 steak and frites. I've attached a photo of the tiny steak. It was just okay at best. We sensed the server was miffed when we asked to split it. Money would have been far better spent on a steak at Ruth's Chris. My companion asked for a glass of the "house" cab (code for not the most expensive wine, as any server knows) and we were provided with a $38 glass (9 ounce pour) of a mediocre red blend served warm (at room temperature). We agreed this place will last no more than 6 months (depends on how much money the owners are willing to lose before giving up). Everything was underwhelming. The space was much nicer than it used to be, but one would expect that when the prior business was a sports bar! Stick with Monterey, where the service and food are consistently impeccable and wine is served at the right temperature -- always.

We asked for the dining room but got placed by the bar area. Didn’t think to much about it until a table began shouting versus talking so loudly that my husband and I were not able to talk to each other. We went for devour and the portions were very small especially the dessert, it was 2 bites. The shrimp pasta tasted like a pasta from Olive Garden. Dinner took 2 hours, way too long. Our bill was $186 way too much for what we received.

Fun fact: lots of “ high dining” french food is actually food created by poorer people during 18th century france. So there is no reason to pay 12 dollars for french onion soup to not have the onions caramelized. The taste was too over the top for a simple dish that wasn’t prepared properly. it’s like adding caviar to a mcdonald’s burger; it just ruins the experience . More over their “ ratatouille” was more like tomato sauce and cheese. Zucchini, tomatoes and squash are some of the cheapest ingredients to come by so it makes no sense to me to have no more than 15 slices of vegetables with one monstrous slice in a dish that’s supposed to be mainly thinly sliced vegetables. The food was mediocre at best and seems to be more marketing than anything. I was really hoping for a truly delicious french restaurant but ended up becoming a sucker to poor quality and overpriced food. On top of everything we felt very unwelcome and our server was slow to greet and never checked on us unless they were bringing food. Carmel indiana has some good spots but this feels wrong to even call a french restaurant. I truly hope the restaurant staff try better to accommodate their guests and provide a more authentic experience.