Our 20 Favorite French Restaurants in NYC

We must admit, making this list was pure agonie—there are so many incredible French bistros, brasseries, and cafés in New York City! We managed to whittle down our top picks to twenty incredible spots spanning Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, and The Bronx. These tiny outposts of France in the city are excellent places to practice the language skills you procured in our classes, order a quiche or croque, sip a glass of wine, and people watch. Without further ado, here’s your official L’Alliance New York-curated guide to the best French restaurants in NYC! 

Manhattan

• • Buvette
    A delightful West Village bistro ensconced on a picturesque tree-lined street with a cozy, artfully-cluttered interior and whimsical letterpress menus that will instantly make you want to order en français. We recommend the fudge-like chocolate mousse, anchovy and butter tartine, and comforting coq au vin. 
  • Balthazar
    The legendary SoHo brasserie is a must-visit for the storied baguettes alone, and celebrity-spotters will want to keep one eye on the crowd (the oversized mirror-lined walls help with that). Their most popular dish is the steak frites, but their raw bar is always reliable, and their omelette with herbs is an understated standout. 
  • Lafayette
    A cavernous contemporary take on the café that includes a beloved bakery and has been a mainstay in NoHo for over a decade. It’s the perfect spot for a celebratory occasion, and their fanciful presentation of pommes frites (in paper cones!) is an extension of that feeling. Try their storied prime steak tartare and dry-aged duck.
  • Boucherie
    This sprawling brasserie is so popular, there are now multiple locations—get your French fix at two spots in the West Village (their main restaurant and a petite outpost), Union Square, and Midtown. That means, no matter where you roam in the city, you’ll be able to enjoy their house favorite mousse de foie gras and filet mignon au poivre. 
  • Le Bonne Soupe
    You might miss this tucked-away Midtown bistro at first glance, but step inside and you’ll understand why it’s one of the city’s best kept secrets. Don’t let the no-frills black-and-white-tiled, booth-lined interior fool you—this spot cooks up some of the most authentic French food in NYC. Their gruyère-covered french onion soup is a crowd pleaser, as is their Burger de la Maison (complete with thick-sliced brie and caramelized onions!) 
  • Orsay
    For a special night out, this warm wood-paneled Upper East Side brasserie is just the ticket—the space’s high arched moldings and street-facing floor-to-ceiling windows add to the grand feeling. This is the place to indulge in classics served by vest-clad waiters—escargot, moules frites, herb-roasted chicken, and more.

Brooklyn

• • Café Paulette
    Often garnering a spot on the borough’s “best of” lists, this quaint Fort Greene café serves up natural wines to complement its classic French fare. Sidle up to the marble bar, sink into a leather booth, or dine on their heated patio in winter, and enjoy live jazz on select nights. Plus, after you savor favorites including radish with butter and trout amandine, you’re just steps away from a post-dinner stroll in Fort Greene Park. 
  • Le Gamin
    This Greenpoint haunt has been delighting locals for over 30 years, and it’s not unusual to hear French spoken throughout the café, by servers and patrons alike. You’ll enjoy locally-sourced, seasonal ingredients in beloved dishes including salad niçoise, croque monsieur, and duck confit. 
  • Le Paddock
    Nestled in verdant Windsor Terrace—which sits between Prospect Park and Green-Wood Cemetery—is this charming bistro, which has served the area since 2011. It’s a true neighborhood haunt, with locals gossiping over cocktail specials at the bar—join them in dining on the oft-ordered lamb burger or salade frisée with house-made duck confit. 
  • Le Crocodile
    This sleek, modern brasserie is très Williamsburg in aesthetic—bright, airy space, exposed brick, blonde wood details—but all French in flavor. The high-end plating makes your meal feel like a special occasion, no matter what you’re enjoying. We love the salmon tartare and chicken liver paté, plus they offer a special après-midi menu if you need a bite between lunch and dinner. 
  • Bar Bête
    Entering this Carroll Gardens bistro is like being enveloped in a warm hug—soft lighting, arched ceilings, and vintage wood floors abound. Though their menu is selective—with standouts including leek vinaigrette, duck fat potatoes, and spiced swordfish—their wine list is substantial, which makes this spot even more authentically French.
  • Chez Oskar
    This Bedford-Stuyvesant bistro is a real-life fairytale, with eclectic decorations at every turn—from a ceiling mural featuring flowers and sea life to turquoise-washed brick walls to brightly-colored upside-down paper umbrellas hanging overhead. The self-appointed “funky” French menu includes all-you-can-eat mussels on Tuesdays, merguez frites, and an artisanal cheese board. 

Queens

• • Café Henri
    Long Island City is something of a French enclave, and this warmly-lit café sits at its center. Chandeliers, traditional woven bistro chairs, and red-lacquered tables combine to create a decidedly Parisian atmosphere. Their salmon fumé and tuna steak sandwiches are beloved, their crêpe menu is extensive, and their crème brulée is legit.  
  • Bistro Eloise
    For a rustic bistro feel in the heart of Jackson Heights, look no further than this cozy spot serving up all the greats. Brunch includes various styles of omelettes, oeufs, and benedicts, and dinner includes savory crêpes, chicken Cordon Bleu, bouillabaisse, ratatouille, baked brie, and so much more. 
  • La Baraka
    Enjoy North African French cuisine in Little Neck, where this vintage poster-lined bistro seats crowds of cheerful locals and hosts exuberant special event evenings. The menu includes a paté du jour, veal with roasted apples, duck in orange sauce, and a robust dessert selection (don’t miss the fruit tart of the day!) 
  • Café Triskell
    This bustling Astoria café has dished out culinary gems since 2007, and the chef and owner is from Bretagne—a region known for its buckwheat crêpes and seafood. It’s no surprise, then, that the menu includes various sweet and savory crêpes, a chef special fish of the day, and other French standbys.
  • Bliss 46 Bistro
    Step into this Sunnyside bistro and—between the tiled floor and pale blue ceiling—you’ll feel like you’re dining along the French Riviera. The food follows suit, with featured dishes including sauteed calamari, steamed mussels, and pan-seared sole. 
  • Cafe Plein Air
    This artsy (as its name would imply) Ridgewood café is set off by a mint green paneled wood bar, tin and skylight-studded ceiling, and a cozy long booth spanning one wall, and the food is just as playful. Their egg sandwich features mimolette and caramelized onion, their chicken liver mousse is served with house pickles, and their hachis parmentier features lentil, potato, and eggplant. 

The Bronx

• • Maisonetta
    For a little “French-Mex” flair, head to this Mott Haven bistro, replete with ivy-covered white brick walls, blonde wood banquettes, and ample outdoor seating. They’re as well-known for their speakeasy nights and DJ-fueled block parties as they are for their fusion fare—which includes steak marinated in chimichurri sauce, grilled chicken tacos, and salmon burritos.
  • Yatenga
    Straddling the line between Harlem and Mott Haven, this lantern-strewn bistro often features live musical entertainment—complete with a crowd of locals that breaks out into song at the bar on any given night. The ample menu includes goat cheese salad, grilled lamb chops, and steak au poivre. 

If you’d like to follow your repast at one of our favorite French restaurants in NYC with an après manger of Francophone culture, check out our arts events programming. From film to theater to dance, there’s always an exciting performance on the schedule at L’Alliance. 

Photo Credit: ©Tatjana Baibakova