Top Ten French Restaurants in NYC

Top Ten French Restaurants in NYC

New York City’s best French eateries range from a mid-century institution specializing in traditional fine dining to a contemporary chicken spot. You can enjoy classic tastes of France as well as French fare with a slant, all at these top spots around the city. Let’s take a look at the top ten french restaurants in NYC.

La Grenouille

La Grenouille is a spot that’s perfect for date nights: the mid-century charm of its flower arrangements and old-fashioned “Pretheater” menu will transport you back to an era where stars were beginning their career.

Le Coq Rico

Le Coq Rico is a Michelin-starred restaurant in New York City that takes its poultry seriously. With the chef Antoine Westermann visiting all of their farms twice per year to ensure quality and employing a three-hour Baeckeoffe slow cooking method, it pays off everything from eggs to giblets being executed expertly best accompanied by Corsica oven-baked potatoes or ratatouille sides.

La Sirène

At La Sirène, guests can enjoy a unique upscale French dining experience. Foie gras is expertly prepared in-house using an authentic family recipe, and rich Toulouse-style cassoulet comes with the following warning: “Don’t take it if you can’t bear.” SoHo staple recently opened Upper West Side location also offers brunch!

Le Bernardin

Chef Eric Ripert broke from French cuisine’s meat-heavy traditions in favor of over ten fish and shellfish entrées, including sautéed Dover sole with lemon-potato mousseline. For a fresh experience at Le Bernardin, try the vegetarian tasting menu!

Bâtard

“The restaurant may bill itself as a ‘Modern European spot,’ but the classic French dishes shine brightest at Markus Glocker’s Bâtard. The Michelin-starred eatery offers beef tartare and foie gras alongside pork terrine for those with more traditional tastes.”

Lafayette

For a taste of France without the hassle, Lafayette is your go-to. Located in Central Park and offering up French classics like rotisserie chicken Grand-Mère as well as dry-aged strip steak fries with béarnaise butter, you can find quick comfort from croissants and pain au chocolats from their to-go bakery too!

Buvette

At French bistro Buvette, you can practically hear “La Vie en Rose” playing in the distance. Sinfully creamy steamed eggs come dolloped with goat’s cheese, and raw chopped beef is topped with cornichons. Wine lovers rejoice at this Francophile favorite which attracts enthusiastic eaters that Instagram-users while they enjoy their meal.

Raoul’s

Raoul’s, a French bistro in Manhattan with an upbeat atmosphere and delicious steaks, has been around since before SoHo became popular.

Le Coucou

The buzziest new NYC opening in recent times, Le Coucou has a return to classic French dining and an elegant but not stuffy room- perfect for that special occasion. Taper candles with white tablecloths are the norm here. For your date or celebratory event, don’t miss out on their killer lobster dish of quenelle de Brochet or three-dish tout le lapin!

Balthazar

Balthazar is a staple SoHo haunt that has both classic European and French cuisine. One of the main staples from the restaurant menu are eggs, waffles, or french toast for weekday mornings! If you’re feeling hungry in addition to breakfast fare, opt for their delicious selection of pastries (that also includes bread) at Balthazar’s bakery too.

FAQ’s

Where can I buy French food in NYC?

Best French Grocery in New York, NY

  • Merci Market. 
  • International Grocery. 
  • Duals Natural. 
  • Cafe d’Avignon 
  • Le District. 
  • Euro Market. 
  • Depanneur. 
  • Kalustyan’s. 

Where can I dine in NYC?

Best restaurants in NYC

  1. Kochi. Restaurants Korean Hell’s Kitchen
  2. Crown Shy. Restaurants American Financial District.
  3. Rezdôra. Restaurants Italian Flatiron.
  4. Adda. Restaurants Indian Long Island City.
  5. Atoboy. Restaurants Korean Flatiron.
  6. Ugly Baby. Restaurants Thai Carroll Gardens.
  7. Tokyo. Restaurants East Village.
  8. Oxomoco.

What is the most expensive restaurant in NYC?

The 5 Most Expensive Restaurants in NYC

  • Masa.
  • Per Se.
  • Kurumazushi.
  • Chef’s Table at Brooklyn Fare.
  • Eleven Madison Park.
Scott Hamlin
Scott is the editor-in-chief of Spice Market New York. He is also an author and publisher of his own craft.