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  • The Whistling Bird

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The Whistling Bird
The Whistling Bird

The Whistling Bird Details

  • Dining Style: Casual Dining
  • Website: http://www.thewhistlingbird.com
  • Email: info@thewhistlingbird.com
  • Phone: (218) 741-5030
  • Hours of Operation:

    Dinner: Monday - Sunday: 4:00pm - 11:00pm
  • Payment Options: AMEX, Discover, MasterCard, Visa
  • Cuisine: American, Caribbean
  • Executive Chef: Patrick Berg
  • Dress Code: Casual Dress
  • Accepts Walk-Ins: Yes

Getting there

  • Parking: Private Lot
A word from The Whistling Bird
The Whistling Bird is back. A regional favorite for years, we are happy to offer our friends and neighbors on the Range a taste of the Caribbean good life once again. Old favorites and new inspirations alike will dazzle your senses and tempt your appetite. Couple that with friendly staff and some… of the finest tropical and tiki cocktails in the midwest, and it's winner winner jerk chicken dinner!

From the beginning our mission has been simple: to resurrect the best of the Whistling Bird's past, and elevate it to a new, even higher level of quality, taste and fun! We know you're going to like it. It would be hard not to.Continued
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Awards voted by OpenTable diners
  • Diners' Choice WinnerBest Overall
  • Diners' Choice WinnerBest Ambiance
  • Diners' Choice WinnerBest Food
Diner Reviews
  • "The old layout of the bar and dining room gave the restaurant that special atmosphere. The newly remodeled layout is more efficient but you lost the special draw of a unique place. In the old restaurant you could almost believe you we're in Jamaica. Now the Whistling Bird is just another ordinary restaurant in Gilbert. The service was great but the food was just about (or below) average."
    Dined on 3/1/2014
  • "We visited this restaurant in 2005 first time. It was incredible. We made the trip back in 2008 and were not disappointed. Then we heard it reopened so we made the trip literally just for the whistling bird. 3.5 hour drive for it alone and it's just as good as we remembered. Spectacular amazing delicious!"
    Dined on 2/16/2014
  • "The service was great. Some of us had been there before and wanted our friends to have a great experience and we were not disappointed. The food was awesome and everyone was pleased. Thank you for opening it back up and making it better."
    Dined on 2/16/2014
  • "Food was great, service great, ambiance made me feel on vacation when it was cold and snowy, No food like this available anywhere on the Iron Range. Highly Recommend the Whistling Bird."
    Dined on 2/14/2014
  • "Brianna was a phenomenal waitress very efficient, knowledgeable and sweet. Awesome food, great atmosphere. We had a wonderful time! A very nice selection of drinks also."
    Dined on 2/15/2014
  • "You made our anniversary so beautiful. ..and the setting at the table was so romantic and intimate that we felt like we were the only ones there! :-)"
    Dined on 2/12/2014
  • "We were first-time diners at the Whistling Bird Restaurant and was very satisfied with our evening. This restaurant rates with the best in the Twin Cities area."
    Dined on 2/8/2014
  • "Excellent food & wine list much different than the typical fare on the Range! Appetizers were unique and delicious; same for their great Pinot Noir."
    Dined on 1/21/2014
  • "This was our first experience at the Whistling Bird and it was excellent! We have already returned and will continue to do so. The menu offers something different, which is always appreciated. There was a nice wine list and full bar options. We ordered an appetizers recommended by our waiter, which was very tasty. We followed that up with our meals and by the end we were too full for dessert, although the options shown to us looked great! The food was delicious and we received very good service from our waiter. I have told many people about this positive experience and I have heard the same from countless others."
    Dined on 10/5/2013
  • "We had lived all over the world and have now moved to northern Minnesota and were pleasantly surprised with the quality of food and creativity at the Whistling Bird restaurant."
    Dined on 1/18/2014
  • "Food was fantastic but the portion was smaller than the old whistling bird. I was very loud in the building almost needed to yell to talk to the person next to you. But overall cant beat the food and that is why we go out, will be going back soon."
    Dined on 11/23/2013
  • "Outside doesn't look like much. Everything inside is Caribbean and the food was excellent."
    Dined on 1/4/2014
  • "great time - Again! ... we are very fortunate to have this type of restaurant in our area of small communities ... will be going back soon"
    Dined on 1/4/2014
  • "My husband and I made a reservation at the Whistling Bird for New Year's Eve, and we were very pleased with the experience. The staff was friendly and competent, the menu is diverse, and the food is tasty. The Caribbean themed decor is fun, especially with a Mojito in your hand."
    Dined on 12/31/2013
  • "only problem there were several large groups and it tends to get loud because of such a small area. Nothing can be done about that otherwise very nice."
    Dined on 12/26/2013
  • "The food was not hot. The waitress did not give all of the options for salads. The table by the door is to cold."
    Dined on 12/20/2013
  • "I am so glad that I have a place to take out-of-town guests to for dinner! The food is incredible. The drinks are yummy. The atmosphere is absolutely fantastic. I am so thankful it has a new owner and is open again!"
    Dined on 12/17/2013
  • "The atmosphere, waitress staff, music, is delightful. The staff is extremely attentive and helpful. Probably the best on the range. Food is fun - I like to get something different each time."
    Dined on 12/14/2013
  • "Fabulous! The quality of the food was probably only exceeded by the service (Becky). We always do the Coconut Shrimp and promise to try other things but always return to this winner. Note: Sometime back I noticed a bad review and can only conclude the the person has an axe to grind!"
    Dined on 12/14/2013
  • "We enjoyed our dinner and drinks very much. The tastes, sounds and sights of the restaurant really brought us back to Jamaica!! We will definitely go back."
    Dined on 12/7/2013
  • "It's like walking through the twilight zone. As good of food as you'll find in any major cosmopolitan city, but tucked away in this small northern MN town. Lively bars next door and across the street for a fun night out."
    Dined on 11/29/2013
  • "We had a party of seven family members. The food was great and the service was excellent. Everyone had a great experience."
    Dined on 11/27/2013
  • "The Whistling Bird is the only one of its kind of the Iron Range. It is so unique and fun, and the food has been excellent the two times that I have eaten there. Thank you for bringing something different to this area! The staff is cheerful and prompt and very professional. Great drinks, too! Keep it up!"
    Dined on 11/24/2013
  • "I really appreciated being able to make reservations online as I work during the day and it is difficult to make that phone call. I have no complaints. The food was as good as it was in the previous life of Whistling Bird!"
    Dined on 11/22/2013
  • "My third time and my friend's first; we both love the restaurant, food & drinks. We both plan to go again!"
    Dined on 11/15/2013
  • "This was my third visit since August to the Whistling Bird. It was excellent once again. The service is wonderful. We were early for our reservation and our party of four waited at the bar. We were served by a great young lady and we were escorted to our table after a few minutes, before our actual reservation time. We had the raspberry inferno wings for an appetizer and they were very tasty. Three of us chose the Tropical Chicken soup which was excellent. They have the best soup. We each had a different entrée. Jamaican Jerked Mahi Mahi, Jamaican Jerked Pork Tenderloin, Pork Tenderloin with Mango Chutney and I believe the Baseball cut Sirloin, Everyone was very happy with their selections."
    Dined on 11/9/2013
  • "I have lived on the Iron range for 3 years having moved from the east coast. My biggest complaint between here and there has always been the lack of quality and diverse food out here. There was never a restaurant that had a fine dining experience that wasn't a chain as well with a diverse quality of food. Your restaurant has given me a place to look forward to dining again, without traveling to Duluth or further. The service was excellent, the entire staff was incredibly friendly. The food was far beyond all expectations. We hadn't left the restaurant for even an hour before my husband was on the phone with his parents telling them they HAD to try this! Keep up the excellent work! We'll be back for sure!"
    Dined on 11/3/2013
  • "We are glad the Whistling Bird has returned. Top notch service and the food is wonderful. Prices are a little high for the area, but expected due to unique menu offerings. You gotta splurge once in awhile for a great experience. We will be back."
    Dined on 11/1/2013
  • "This was our 3rd time there since it re-opened. We have always been extremely pleased with the food and service but the music was too loud. It hindered conversation. But I did mention this on my last review and perhaps many others did also because the music was very soft and pleasing. Thank you for this. We were a group of 5 and I could talk with everyone at the table. I will say there were quite a lot of people in the restaurant and it is a small area so there was a lot of noise from people talking, but that was not unpleasant and this is not a complaint. I would go there again every chance I get."
    Dined on 10/25/2013
  • "COCONUT SHRIMP AND SCAMPI--DRY, TASTELESS---WOULD NOT ORDER AGAIN NOISE LEVEL WAS TERRIBLE--COULD NOT EVEN HEAR PEOPLE AT OUR OWN TABLE---UNACCEPTABLE!! WE WILL NOT BE RETURNING--WILL CONTINUE TO DRIVE TO DULUTH FOR A FINE DINING EXPERIENCE CANNOT RECOMMEND YOU TO OTHERS!!!!!!"
    Dined on 10/18/2013
  • "It just reopened under new ownership and it is better then ever. It has been remodeled and is nicer and cleaner. Food was still excellent."
    Dined on 10/12/2013
  • "The Whistling Bird has re-opened, and the food is just as good as ever. The staff are friendly and the service is great. It's well worth the trip to Gilbert, MN. The fried plantains are a perfect choice for an unusual starter, and the menu has variety enough to allow for many return visits without repeating your choice"
    Dined on 10/15/2013
  • "We used to go to Giant's Ridge for our dinner each year during our Fall Villa's stay, until recent years when the experience took a turn for the worse. We decided to try the Whistling Bird for a change of pace-and were sorely disapointed. Although the manager (who was there on a spur of the moment issue regarding the ICE machine) clearly understood true customer sercive, the rest of the staff had no clue what true customer service meant - timely attention to details and proper preparation of the meals."
    Dined on 10/11/2013
  • "The Whistling Bird was outstanding, been there multiple times and has always exceeded expectations! The night we were they lost power, the staff handed out candles and kept on rolling. They were able to keep serving some dishes and all was well. Wanted to go back the next night, sad to say I hadn't made a reservation and they were packed. I would recommend the Bird to anyone, its a great place and the food is outstanding. Took my son there who was being deployed the following day for a good time and meal. He was amazed and ready to go back Thanks!"
    Dined on 10/12/2013
  • "The staff handled the (above title) situation very well. The customers were treated kindly which averted a panic. The only complaint would be that the music was too loud, when trying to carry on a conversation with others at the table. Lesson learned: have cash in wallet; credit cards don't work when the power goes out! WE WILL BE BACK!"
    Dined on 10/12/2013
  • "The food and service were absolutely first rate. However, the music was TOO loud. Certainly not dinner music. Conversation was possible only after the end of one song and before the next one started. I like soft background music to make for a relaxing dinner. I hope others express similar complaints and they turn it down. But the staff was wonderful and the food was very good and lots of it. Would go there again."
    Dined on 10/11/2013
  • "The atmosphere and ambiance was perfect for my date and I this past Friday. The service was excellent, the food was very flavorful and pleasantly prepared."
    Dined on 10/5/2013
  • "We had a great night out! I learned of the Whistling Bird after it closed and I was told of how great it once was. I have always been curious and wished it could reopen. Fortunately it opened once again this summer. I definitely recommend getting a reservation, even though it's in Gilbert, MN. It's very popular and for a good reason. I would definitely make this place a destination as it is well worth it."
    Dined on 10/5/2013
  • "The Whistling Bird was a gem of a Caribbean restaurant, recently renovated and reopened under new management. The changes to the interior are phenomenal. They took a small space, a bit crowded feeling before, and made it a much more open and spacious feeling place. The new bar area is phenomenal and the ambiance is that of a tucked away tropical bar/restaurant that Hemmingway would have frequented. The food was phenomenal, and I would highly recommend the Conch Chowder. So happy to see it reopened, and with such wonderful new touches."
    Dined on 10/5/2013
  • "A friend had mention to us when they found out we were going up north for the weekend that we should look to see if The Whistling Bird had re-opened. Since it had, and they had raved about the food (but mentioned the service was not so great) we made sure to make reservations once finding out they had re-opened. We were glad we did! The food was outstanding. Shrimp and chicken in the dishes we chose were cooked to perfection and all seasoned in Jamaican style, full of subtle and well balanced flavors, while tasting authentic. We got Angie as a waitress and she could not have done a better job, even apologizing when our entrees came out a bit early when we were just finishing our salads. Highly recommended!"
    Dined on 9/29/2013
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Diners' Choice Awards
  • Minneapolis - St. Paul Winners
  • Best Overall
  • Best Ambiance
  • Best Food
  • Best Service
  • American
Learn more ›