The history of Franco-American relations is a long and varied one but, here, we're more interested in how the culture of the French diaspora combined with the food scene in America to create some truly iconic restaurants. This foodie fusion has resulted in some wonderful spots that celebrate the decadent flavors and world-renowned hospitality of France, while giving proud nods to Creole, Cajun, and American influences. Here, we rank some of the finest French fare in Canada and the US.
Click or scroll through our gallery to discover 51 incredible French restaurants in Canada and the US, counting down to the best of all.
We've based our ranking on genuine user reviews, awards, and accolades, and on the opinions of our well-traveled (and well-fed) team. The list is unavoidably subjective.
The Michelin guide praises this hip neighborhood bistro for its contemporary French cuisine, which the restaurant simply describes as 'elevated comfort food.' But everyone agrees the main reason to come to Homer St. Cafe is the French-style rotisserie chicken. The go-to order here has to be The Full Monty platter, which comes with half a rotisserie chicken, half a rack of ribs, 6oz of tender brisket, biscuits, blistered peppers, new potatoes, three sauces, and a couple of beautiful butter tarts. Sure, it's a bit pricey, but it's designed to be shared with up to four people.
Le Bistro by Liz is a charming spot seemingly plucked straight from old-world Paris and dropped into the heart of Halifax, Nova Scotia. Tables here are decked out with red and white checkered tablecloths, and the cozy decor has the vibe of a friendly neighborhood café the moment you walk through the door. Open for lunch, brunch, and dinner, Le Bistro by Liz serves classic French fare with the freshest ingredients put together by chef Brian Dugas.
Arnaud’s in NOLA’s French Quarter is named after its very first owner, Arnaud Cazenave, who opened the premises in 1918. Since then, the restaurant has championed both Creole and French delicacies, with its iconic soufflé potatoes making regular appearances on social media. Other highlights include crab claws Provençale and oysters served in various ways. Attached to Arnaud’s is the French 75 Bar, a space for cocktails and conviviality that was once crowned one of America’s top five bars by Esquire.
Michelin-starred Le Jardinier (meaning 'The Gardener') debunks the cliché that French cuisine must heavily favor meat. It's not an entirely meat-free zone, but it emphasizes vegetables, fruits, and herbs. Whether you come for lunch, dinner, or Sunday brunch, there's always something unexpected to try. The menus change seasonally with fresh local ingredients celebrating 'the land's rich offerings on every plate.' Reviewers love the excellent modern French cuisine and the amazing variety delivered on the tasting menu.
With a setting fit for Louis XVI himself, The French Room sits inside Dallas’ Adolphus Hotel and promises guests an 'awe-inspiring exploration of culinary and service excellence.' Open exclusively for unique and delicious afternoon high tea, the journey begins with a collection of savories, possibly including delicate finger sandwiches, truffled egg croissants, and cheese muffins. Follow this with a scone of your choice before dipping into the sweet patisserie tier, with its delicious pastries and cakes.
Executive chef Gary Donlick was inspired by the gastronomic heritage of France and his classically trained background when he crafted the menu for Bistro Niko. The concept combines modern French food culture with American ingredients, all in a relaxed neighborhood setting. Bookings can be made for brunch, lunch, and dinner, with menu highlights being the restaurant’s signature charcuterie board, snails en croûte with garlic butter, beef cheek bourguignon, and veal tenderloin. Reviewers wax lyrical about the French country dishes, reasonable prices, and snappy service.
Overseen by Vincent Guerithault, Vincent’s is a fusion of France and the American Southwest. Chef Vincent is French born and trained, having held positions in Paris and Provence before coming to the US in the 1970s. The melting pot of his experience is a small restaurant empire, of which Vincent’s on Camelback is the centerpiece. Dine on scallops with truffle beurre blanc, foie gras with poached pear, duck confit with Lyonnaise potatoes, and so much more.
Closed during the off-season but reopening each June, the French Alpine Bistro is owner Karin Derly’s homage to the European principles of warmth, friendliness, and belonging. The comforting menu features French staples such as onion soup, steak tartare, and escargots to start, followed by coq au vin, filet mignon, or a truffled gnocchi bake. Interactive fondue courses and filled crêpes really make you feel like you’re in a French mountain village. Reviewers love the cozy atmosphere and wholesome dishes.
A haven for Francophiles, République encompasses a casual French bakery, café, and bar in the front with a more formal dining area located at the rear. The buzzy Los Angeles spot is set inside a historic building that was originally erected in 1929 by Charlie Chaplin, and has a dedicated local following for its sumptuous cakes and patisserie to take away, from chocolate madeleines to indulgent quiches. The charming restaurant is a great celebration spot, where you can feast on modern French food cooked with flair.
The Michelin guide heartily recommends a trip to Bacchus inside the Wedgewood Hotel & Spa, and it's easy to see why. The restaurant itself is a classical dining room complete with a grand piano, but the food is more than a match for its elegant surroundings. Executive chef Stefan Hartmann took charge of the kitchen in April 2024, and his menu of European-inspired dishes combines the best Canadian ingredients with memorable French and German twists. You can enjoy meals at Bacchus for breakfast, lunch, and dinner too.
The menu at Chez Panisse shifts daily, reflecting the seasons of its Californian location and honoring the flavors, techniques, and traditions of French and wider European cuisine. Led by Alice Waters, the restaurant is decorated with a Michelin green star for sustainable gastronomy. An incredible 75% of its produce is grown organically on Waters’ own farm, with the remainder sourced from within 50 miles (80km). Past dishes have included leg of lamb with confit garlic and turnip gratin, spring vegetable ragout, and apricot galette.
Restaurateur Patrick Kriss has a fine dining space elsewhere in Toronto, but with Alobar he wanted to add a more casual place to his empire. The location was originally intended as more of a bar, but Kriss couldn't resist adding a delicious, French-inspired menu to add to the buzzing energy of the spot. Seafood is the order of the day, though chops of meat are fired on the charcoal grill, too. The Michelin Guide was impressed enough to award the restaurant one star, and there's also a sister restaurant downtown.
French chef Philippe Verpiand and his wife Monica Bui steer the ship at Étoile Cuisine et Bar, situated in Uptown Park. They pride themselves on presenting a fresh, unpretentious interpretation of French cuisine without compromising on authenticity. Highlights of the menu include French onion soup topped with a Gruyere crouton and comforting coq au vin. One happy Yelp user said Étoile 'sets the standard for service and delicious food,' with another calling it 'consistently excellent and excellently consistent.'
Mistral is located in Boston’s trendy South End district and has customers raving about the food. Chef-patron Jamie Mammano throws the spotlight on flavors and dishes hailing from the French Mediterranean, offering an abundant a la carte menu that begins with appetizers such as Maine crab ravioli and carpaccio of sirloin beef with black truffle aioli, before giving way to entrees of lamb rack with potato and parsnip gratin, halibut, and roast duck. End your meal with a sweet treat – the chocolate profiteroles and fruit tart are particularly good.
At the immersive, two Michelin-starred Mélisse, diners are guided through a mammoth culinary journey by the front-of-house staff, while chefs prepare the food in front of them. The '18-servings symphony' features various canapés and amuse-bouches preceding the main event, and a presentation of delicate petit fours at the close. Josiah Citrin devised the concept, showing off his immense skills and expertise honed over more than 25 years of cheffing. Legions of gushing Yelp reviewers wax lyrical about the restaurant’s epic menu.
Overlooking Central Park, Jean-Georges (named after acclaimed chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten) is as lauded for its location as it is for its culinary prowess. The two Michelin-starred site also gained four stars from The New York Times and is widely regarded to be one of the best foodie haunts in the US. The restaurant offers a seasonally sensitive six or ten-course tasting menu, previously featuring egg toast with caviar and herbs, green asparagus with morels, and Hudson Valley foie gras.
"We wanted to offer a casual space to share fresh, delicious, approachable French cuisine," says Cassis Bistro owner Gilles Brassart. When the Frenchman teamed up with executive chef Dominique Moussu from Brittany, that idea became a reality. The pair rely on local produce and seasonal changes to fill out a constantly changing menu. But the star of the show is the beef tartare. Chef Moussu uses only the best quality meat and serves it alongside house-made potato chips, deep-fried in duck fat.
Serving haute cuisine in the Windy City, Corsican-Vietnamese chef Roland Liccioni trained in France and the UK under the tutelage of the famous Roux brothers before moving into the kitchen at Les Nomades. His vision puts a contemporary and cross-cultural twist on French cuisine, marrying it with influences from Southeast Asia and the US. He grows much of the restaurant’s produce himself and works with local farmers to ensure the best sustainable, seasonal items are used. The extraordinary food includes sautéed Dover sole, Peking duck breast with rouennaise sauce, and vanilla crème brûlée.
Three Michelin-starred Addison is housed within the luxury Fairmont Grand Del Mar Hotel and is also southern California’s only Forbes five-star and AAA Diamond Star restaurant, thanks to chef-director William Bradley's masterful creativity. The 10-course tasting menu is on another level, taking its lead from the Californian seasons, but relying on French technique and influence to make the flavors and textures soar. Past courses have included oysters with kiwi, artichoke gratin, wagyu tartare, and peanut butter terrine.
Chef Dominique Crenn opened Atelier Crenn in 2010, and two years later she became the first female chef in the United States to earn two Michelin stars. Then in 2018, Crenn became the first female chef in the USA to earn three Michelin stars! The French star opened Atelier Crenn to celebrate French culture with 'poetic culinaria' – or poetry in cuisine. Her menu is based around the ocean, so expect some of the best seafood you'll ever have. Chef pâtissier Juan Contreras finishes the meal with his inimitable pastries.
Nestled on the second floor of the Rittenhouse Hotel, Lacroix has been awarded AAA Four Diamond status and a further four stars from the Forbes Travel Guide in recognition of its fine international cuisine. The dominant influence is inarguably French, with dishes such as onion tarte tatin, beef tartare with silky egg yolk, and grilled lobster all having graced a menu based around locally sourced, seasonally available produce. It’s also very popular for breakfast and brunch.
First established in 1996, Chapeau! has since evolved into the wonderful neighborhood French restaurant it's known as today. Chef and owner Philippe Gardelle captures the casual and cozy atmosphere of a quintessential French bistro and brings it to San Francisco’s Lower Richmond District. Dishes include a frisee salad of duck confit, rich filet mignon, and French toast finished with hazelnut creme Anglaise and salted caramel ice cream. Diners on Yelp can’t get enough of this truly memorable establishment with food that 'fills your soul.'
Located in Napa Valley, The French Laundry is the brainchild of Thomas Keller, the first (and only) American-born chef to be awarded two three-star Michelin ratings for open restaurants. Keller is also the first American male chef to be designated a Chevalier of the French Legion of Honor. This iconic restaurant is one of those shiny three-starred joints, serving daily changing tasting menus centered around classical haute cuisine. Customers have called it a magical dining experience that is phenomenal in every aspect.
Le Diplomate, located on Washington DC's 14th Street, is a love letter to the Parisian-style brasserie. Every thought has been given to recreating a slice of French bohemian style in the interiors, with hanging lanterns, cascading foliage, red leather banquettes, wicker chairs, and absinthe-green walls. The menu is varied and plentiful, with fruits de mer platters and cheese plates, luxurious appetizers, plus indulgent entrées such as steak au poivre and moules frites. Rest assured: you can order anything, and it will be delicious.
Jean-Christophe Poirier is the driving force behind St. Lawrence in Vancouver. His food is a heady mix of French cuisine and Quebec culture, and his updated takes on the classics are much celebrated. Signature dishes include fried pork rinds dressed with maple syrup and Montreal spices, and a savory éclair filled with duck liver mousse instead of cream. The restaurant calls its style of food 'haute country cooking,' and it's earned one Michelin star for its deliciousness.
One of the finest restaurants for French-inspired cuisine in the country, L’Opossum’s love of the whimsical and witty only enhances the experience here. The menu changes regularly, but prospective diners can expect to be served dishes such as seared foie gras, Chesapeake Bay oysters, and Arctic char à la Côte d’Azur alongside some imaginative vegan options. One diner described the ambiance at L’Opossum as like stepping back in time to a 1920s French bistro.
The original Guy Savoy in Paris is a celebrated restaurant with two Michelin stars. The chef's only US restaurant is a classy joint within the walls of Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. Don't worry, though: once diners are safely nestled inside the dining room, the only way they'll know they're on the Strip is when they enjoy the glorious views. Forbes assures guests that the service and the food is just as good as anything you'd get in the Paris restaurant, describing the complex French fare as 'exquisite.'
Holding AAA Five Diamond accreditation and a five-star rating from the Forbes Travel Guide, La Mer is the only restaurant with such a stellar résumé in Hawaii. Housed within the luxurious Halekulani hotel, it is overseen by globe-trotting chef Alexandre Trancher who worked in Paris, Greece, and Japan before coming to Oahu. His vision combines local and tropical ingredients with notes of the south of France. Previous guests praise the restaurant's exemplary service and declare it the best French cuisine in Hawaii.
In 2020 and 2021, The Refectory won the title of ‘Best Restaurant in Columbus’ from Columbus Alive and is also an AAA Four Diamond establishment. Lyon native Richard Blondin is the chef at the helm, combining iconic flavors and techniques from his homeland with a sprinkling of American soul. He serves up a five-course tasting menu but also offers a selection of frequently evolving small plates where the diners can 'design dinner in the order you desire.'
Everything about Gabriel Kreuther's restaurant transports you to France. The interior is inspired by the classic houses of Alsace while the 42 crystal storks dangling from the ceiling are all facing in the direction of Strasbourg. That's the hometown of chef Kreuther, whose menus include three-course, four-course, and tasting menu options. The star of the show is the hay-smoked Long Island duck breast served with roasted baby carrots and caramelized ginger jus. But anything from the two Michelin-star restaurant is going to be magnifique.
French flair is at the heart of Le Pigeon, with the bold and hearty flavors of truffle, beef, and the eponymous pigeon taking center stage on its seasonal tasting menu. But it also incorporates surprising additions from further afield, such as Middle Eastern spices and Asian favorites like matcha and ramen. The man behind this innovation is chef and co-owner Gabriel Rucker, who steered Le Pigeon towards being named Restaurant of the Year by The Oregonian just two years after opening.
Alinea has earned so much acclaim and so many awards that there's not enough space to list them all here. But you know a restaurant is good when it is one of only a handful to win three Michelin stars for its incredible food. Chef Grant Achatz cut his teeth at The French Laundry and brings all of his expertise to the delicious, modernist cuisine at Alinea. Guests can enjoy their multi-course experience from three distinct locations in the restaurant: the Kitchen Table, the Gallery, or the Salon.
Placing fish and seafood at the heart of its dishes, three Michelin-starred Le Bernardin has retained a four-star review in The New York Times for more than three decades and has been honored by the James Beard Foundation more times than any other NYC venue. The thousands of five-star reviews on TripAdvisor are further evidence of its acclaim. Daytime diners can enjoy a three-course prix fixe menu, or visit in the evening for a four-course prix fixe, or the monumental eight-course tasting menu. Caviar, raw tuna, langoustine, Dover sole, and lobster are the lead stars, with vegetarian options also available.
Tour De Feast's dining room doesn't bring to mind the elegant fine-dining experiences of some of its more upscale rivals, but that doesn't matter when the food is consistently this good. The cozy, family-run restaurant keeps things local, changing its French-influenced menu around the seasons and nearby produce. However, the duck confit is the dish to go for if it's available. It consists of a slow-cooked duck leg from Fraser Valley served alongside navy beans, weisswurst sausage, and a rich jus.
Scaramouche boasts one of the best views of Toronto's skyline you could hope for in a restaurant. But once the dishes start to come out, chances are you'll be distracted from that stunning view by the spectacular food on your plate. The order of the day here is classic French cuisine, which the restaurant has been dishing up since 1983. You'd be advised to try the foie gras terrine and the filet mignon before delighting in the dark chocolate mousse for dessert – and be sure to take home a signature coconut cream pie for later.
The Michelin Guide praised Alo as 'the rare high achiever that never takes itself too seriously.' That was no doubt music to chef Patrick Kriss's ears. Kriss opened Alo in 2015, and it combines an elegant dining room serving a French-inspired tasting menu with a vibrant bar available for walk-ins. The menu in the restaurant champions seasonal ingredients from the land and sea; Michelin loved the Dover sole with caviar beurre blanc.
Louis Ladouceur opened Restaurant Bonaparte in 1984 after a chance meeting with chef Claude Postel in Paris. The pair figured Montreal was ripe for a French restaurant putting out irresistible food, and the past 40 years of expansion and success have proven them right. The restaurant is almost unrecognizable from how it started back in the 1980s, but the food is still the heart and soul of the business. Signature dishes include house-smoked salmon with truffle oil, maple duck breast, and sage-infused mushroom ravioli.
Chef Patrick O'Connell taught himself to cook and opened The Inn at Little Washington in 1978. He hasn't looked back since. The restaurant not only has three Michelin stars for excellence, but it also has a green star for sustainability. O'Connell's menu uses the traditions of French cuisine to deliver new American food that is up there with some of the best in the country. But this isn't stuffy fine dining: the cheese selection is presented on a rolling cow named Faira, designed to put guests at ease. A casual, sister dining spot, Patty O's Cafe, has also opened across the street.
Orsay combines the memory of Jacksonville’s Huguenot heritage with flavors that reflect the soul of Florida today, calling itself 'a French bistro incarnated in the American South,' with a menu to reflect that. It has been stamped with a Snail of Approval from Slow Food First Coast, recognizing the restaurant’s commitment to responsibly sourced produce. Whether you just come for the sustainably fished raw bar or a big multi-course dinner, leave plenty of room for dessert and bookend it with some delightful petit fours. Guests praise the warm, welcoming atmosphere, world-class cuisine, and exceptional service.
Per Se is Thomas Keller's 'New York interpretation' of The French Laundry and another three-Michelin-star success. The superb dining experience is marked by the classical cookery skill and meticulous choice of ingredients that characterize fine French cuisine. Daily nine-course tasting menus cater to omnivores and herbivores alike, plus there's a wine list of over 2,000 varieties to complement. Previous dishes have included caviar with Maine lobster, brioche melba toast and pickled onion, and a 48-hour braised short rib of beef topped with duchess potato.
The stylish Las Vegas outpost of world-renowned French restaurateur Joël Robuchon is said to be 'as good as restaurants get' according to satisfied reviewers. It has a CV bustling with critical accolades too: three Michelin stars, five stars from Forbes, and a AAA Five Diamond classification. Joël Robuchon serves a decadent tasting menu as well as a la carte offerings.
Two Michelin-starred DANIEL from Daniel Boulud has been going strong since 1993, building up a revered reputation for French gastronomy under executive chef Eddy Leroux and his talented kitchen brigade. There are a choice of menus depending on your needs and desires, including a four-course prix fixe, a seven-course tasting menu, and a la carte served in the restaurant’s lounge area. A visit here is bucket-list material, with previous guests calling a meal here a 'joyful gastronomic revelation.'
When Damien Haennel and chef Michael Audet-Laparé took over iconic Montreal spot Le Pégase they aimed to energize the space while staying true to its classical French roots. After a refurb in the dining room and a switch to less formal service, the long-standing institution was back to its former glory. The restaurant earned its spot on Yelp's Top 100 Places to Eat in Canada 2024 list with its elegant mix of seasonal ingredients and tried-and-true recipes.
Le Clocher Penché has been keeping Quebec City residents happy and fed since 1995, and it's still going strong. It was the highest-rated French restaurant on Yelp's Top 100 Places to Eat in Canada 2024 list, with fans quick to praise the service, the ambiance, and, of course, the food. And what food! The menu changes frequently based on the best seasonal and regional products, but delicious dishes have included beef tartare, guinea fowl, oysters, fresh cheese, and crème brûlée.
Chef Sean Murray Smith's favorite dessert was always île flottante (floating islands), so when it came time to reopen his restaurant in 2017, Île Flottante was the perfect name. But the spot serves so much more than just meringue in crème anglaise, as delicious as that might be. In fact, the restaurant offers a tasting menu (and nothing else) every night, with the dishes changing regularly. Much of the focus is on fresh, seasonal vegetables, with only carefully selected meat and seafood making a welcome appearance.
The owners of L'affaire Est Ketchup call themselves 'restaurant pirates,' and one look at the rustic exterior of this bistro will tell you that's a pretty apt description. But, while L'affaire Est Ketchup may look like an abandoned store from the outside and your grandma's house on the inside, the food coming out of the kitchen is way beyond what most people consider home cooking. The menu (scrawled on a blackboard) changes every day, and guests can enjoy one of two sittings every evening. Be warned, though, it can be hard to get a reservation.
Foie gras is the item of choice when dining among the plush surroundings of Le Saint-Amour. Local celebrity chef Jean-Luc Boulay trained under Joël Robuchon to master the art of cooking foie gras to perfection, and it's still the centerpiece of the menu all these years after the restaurant opened in 1978. It's hard to pass up the 'foie gras experience' featuring five different foie gras interpretations, but be sure to leave room for the French-inspired entrées and desserts.
Café Provence has been under the management of the Quillec family since 2001. Repeatedly crowned one of the top 100 restaurants in the US by OpenTable and the best French restaurant by Kansas City Star in 2024, Café Provence is a little bit of Paris in Kansas, according to fans. On Tuesdays, a seasonal four-course prix fixe menu is available, while the daily a la carte dinner menu has a plethora of options to suit all palates. The restaurant also runs a local French stall, so diners can take many of its soups, sauces, and signature dishes home.
Not only is Jeune et Jolie quite possibly the most aesthetically beautiful French restaurant in America, it's also among the crème de le crème for its food, having been awarded a Michelin star. Owner John Resnick, executive chef Eric Bost, and the kitchen team are keen to ensure everyone feels welcome, regardless of whether you’re marking a special occasion or just enjoying a relaxed evening with friends. Choose from the four-course tasting menu (you pick the items) or an à la carte dinner served in the bar or lounge area.
Billed as a modern masterpiece in a historic setting, Christopher's is set inside a futuristic glass-and-steel building that's hidden underneath an imposing Eucalyptus tree. But the venue is only part of the experience at chef Christopher Gross's award-winning restaurant. The open kitchen allows diners to delight in the sights and smells of the cooking, while the chefs actually serve the food themselves. The restaurant's walls and roof also move to reveal the surrounding landscape as you enjoy the French-inspired modern cuisine.
Behind the curtain at this chic Midwestern eatery, real social change is taking place. Founder and CEO Brandon Chrostowski created EDWINS as a restaurant and leadership institute to provide rehabilitation, support, training, and work experience to formerly incarcerated adults. The result: one of the best French restaurants in the country that also happens to be changing lives, with graduates of the program enjoying a 95% employment rate. The menu features French staples such as lobster bisque, steak tartare, Burgundy snails, and duck, with diners saying the food is out of this world.
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Last updated by Luke Paton.