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Diners' Choice: French restaurants in San Francisco Bay Area

OpenTable

Updated October 05, 2024

Looking for restaurants with the best overall French cuisine in San Francisco Bay Area? You’re in the right place. Each month OpenTable analyzes more than 400,000 new diner reviews. We sort the results by category to help you discover new favorites. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

A photo of Walnut Creek Branch - La Sen Bistro restaurant

Walnut Creek Branch - La Sen Bistro

4.7

4.7 (1161)

$31 to $50

French

Walnut Creek

About the restaurant

On Mother's Day, La Sen will only be offering the Dinner Menu and Special Menu all day.

La Sen Bistro in Walnut Creek is serving the parallel French-California classic samples of duck confit, rack of lamb, escargot, beef bourguignon and mussels - just to name a few. These great samples were recognized by the Diablo Magazine, San Francisco Chronicles, Contra Costa Times and San Jose Mercury News. In addition, these samples were also recognized by the Michelin Guide in 2007, 2010, 2011, and 2012.

Come join La Sen Bistro for a glass of wine and a taste of French-California cuisine. Cheers to good food and great companies. Bon Appetit!

Top review

S

Scottvip

Dined 4 days ago

Outstanding food. Great service. Nice bistro ambiance. Reasonable prices. A gem.

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A photo of Escargot de Bourgogne of a restaurant

Escargot de Bourgogne

A photo of Boeuf Bourguignon of a restaurant

Boeuf Bourguignon

A photo of Flourless Chocolate Cake of a restaurant

Flourless Chocolate Cake

A photo of Cote Ouest restaurant

4.9

4.9 (663)

$30 and under

French

Marina / Cow Hollow / Presidio

About the restaurant

Côte Ouest Bistro is a contemporary French bistro led by partners Laurent Monchicourt & Martin Sarraih. In April, 2021, the pair transformed the former Baker Street Bistro into a modern 21st century neighborhood gem.

Nestle into one of our bay window seats and enjoy conversation over a plate of charcuterie with the perfect glass of Bordeaux. Chef Sarraih's prepares seasonal specialties as well as favorite French classics like Steak Frites, and Duck Confit. And the custard soaked Croissant French Toast is not to be missed if you stop by for brunch on our sunny terrace.

Top review

J

Johnvip

Dined 2 days ago

The lunch was the best I’ve had at this restaurant. The omelette was delicious; mussels equally delicious . Service was more than accommodating considering we were delayed because of the fleet week finale. John Steinfirst

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A photo of Boeuf Bourguignon of a restaurant

Boeuf Bourguignon

A photo of Duck leg confit à l'orange of a restaurant

Duck leg confit à l'orange

A photo of Chouquet's restaurant

4.9

4.9 (1682)

$30 and under

French

Pacific Heights

About the restaurant

A couple enjoying each others company tucked into a banquette late in the evening…a group of girlfriends people-watching from the sidewalk tables over brunch…two neighbors stopping by to grab lunch at the bar.

These people all have one thing in common as they enjoy a meal here on Fillmore Street in Pacific Heights- Chouquet's. Whether inside our dining room or outside under the heated protection of our large awning, diners come to Chouquet’s to enjoy fresh, seasonal French bistro fare in a casual yet refined environment. Join us for lunch, brunch, or dinner and let us satisfy you with signature dishes such as our boeuf bourguignon, duck confit, onion soup or with bistro classics such as steak frites, moules marinière, and our famous crème brûlée for dessert. To complement your meal, we offer over 20 wines by the glass from our eclectic wine list of smaller producers.

Top review

M

manuelvip

Dined 7 days ago

The waiters are the best The food is always great and authentic

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A photo of Boeuf Bourguignon of a restaurant

Boeuf Bourguignon

A photo of Mathilde French Bistro restaurant

Mathilde French Bistro

4.8

4.8 (2422)

$50 and over

French

SOMA

About the restaurant

Mathilde French Bistro is a quintessential French Bistro in the SOMA area of San Francisco. A cozy main dinning room and romantic patio room which is covered and heated, allowing year round dining.
The cuisine is traditional bistro faire, with its voted best in town French onion soup, baked escargots and duck confit. Soon as you set foot at Mathilde, you will feel like you are back in Paris.
Mathilde Bistro is also the sister restaurant of L'ardoise Bistro.

Top review

M

Matthewvip

Dined 3 days ago

Consistency on every level for the past 30 years. There is no better place for Bistro French food, as well as their sister restaurant L'Ardoise. I would double the stars if I could.

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A photo of Beet and Crumbled Goat Cheese Salad of a restaurant

Beet and Crumbled Goat Cheese Salad

A photo of Les Escargots of a restaurant

A photo of Coq au Vin of a restaurant

A photo of Reve restaurant

4.8

4.8 (2505)

$50 and over

French

Lafayette

About the restaurant

Indoor / Standard Table = dining room. Outdoor = Patio / garden beautifully designed with plants & art. As of October 24, 2023 seating will be in an enclosed heated garden tent. Fully outdoor garden is available by phone only 7 days in advance, weather permitting.

RÊVE is not that snooty, splurge-on-your-anniversary kind of French restaurant. Au contraire.
This is your classic, everyday neighborhood French bistro run by Chef Paul Magu-Lecugy & his wife, Laura. That kind of cozy little place you’d imagine in Saint Michel or Saint Germain. Not smack dab in the middle of the 'burbs. But lucky for you, that’s exactly where 5-star chef Paul Magu will be paying homage to the French comfort food that he fell in love with as a boy growing up in Paris. We’re talking authentic French onion soup. Steamed mussels. Steak frites. And don’t forget creme brulee… 2021 & 2022 Michelin recognized Open Table guest favorite 2017-2023

Top review

L

Lili

Dined 2 days ago

A perfect place to celebrate our 21st anniversary! The scallops were sublime.

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A photo of Cup of French Onion Soup or Rêve Salad of a restaurant

Cup of French Onion Soup or Rêve Salad

A photo of Escargots of a restaurant

A photo of Mousse au Chocolat of a restaurant

Mousse au Chocolat

A photo of Chapeau restaurant

4.8

4.8 (3684)

$31 to $50

French

Richmond District

About the restaurant

Discover the essence of French culinary excellence at Chapeau! SF, a beloved bistro nestled in the heart of San Francisco since 1996. Celebrated for its warm ambiance and impeccable service, Chapeau! offers a delightful dining experience featuring both prix fixe and à la carte menus.

Indulge in our weekday limited prix fixe menu at $55 per person, or savor the $75 prix fixe menu available every night, allowing you to select any appetizer, entrée, and dessert. For those who prefer flexibility, our à la carte menu is also available anytime.

Chapeau! SF is dedicated to serving authentic French cuisine with a modern twist, curated by our expert chefs. Join us at 126 Clement Street and let us transport you to the heart of France with every bite.

A bientôt!

Top review

D

Don

Dined 1 day ago

Really good food for very reasonable prices - we ordered the 3 course prix fixe menu which at $75 is a great value (2024 prices). French onion soup was delicious, as was the Lyonnaise salad. The branzino meunière was well made and tasty, the moules frites featured large, fresh mussels that were expertly cooked (ie not overcooked). The accompanying French fries were perfect and the aoili complemented it well, although I could eat the fries without any accompaniment - they were that good. The cassoulet was delicious as usual. Creme brûlée was excellent, the French toast dessert wonderful. The pistachio tart was nice but not to our taste - perhaps others might like it more. The service was attentive and outstanding, friendly waitstaff, Chef Philippe Cardelle is a gracious host, as always. We've been coming here periodically over the years and have always had great meals.

A photo of Amélie Café and Wine Bar restaurant

Amélie Café and Wine Bar

4.7

4.7 (45)

$30 and under

French

Fairfax

About the restaurant

the Marin edition of Amelie
with large patio, enjoy our baked organic French goods: croissant baguette tarte
our french chef prepares a farm to table brunch, lunch and dinner
and a wine list curated by French sommelier and winemaker offering many options by the glass and bottle with a focus on French wine

Top review

S

Stacy

Dined 2 days ago

First of all I love the staff here and they are so professional but have fun with the guests. Good, ambiance is wonderful and it was a special birthday celebration so we enjoyed it a lot.

A photo of The Restaurant at Auberge du Soleil restaurant

The Restaurant at Auberge du Soleil

4.8

4.8 (4746)

$50 and over

French

Rutherford

About the restaurant

With 16 consecutive Michelin Star awards, The Restaurant at Auberge du Soleil provides a memorable feast for the eyes and the senses. Nestled within a sun-lit hillside overlooking lush vineyards and distant mountains, the spectacular vista views from the intimate dining room or the expansive outdoor terrace serve as an idyllic backdrop for one of wine country's most renown fine dining experiences. Showcasing fresh, seasonal ingredients, sourced from local purveyors, the Mediterranean-inspired menu is complemented by an extensive selection of international wines from the hotel’s award-winning 15,000 bottle cellar.

Enjoy a two- or three-course prix fixe lunch or your choice of a multi-course prix fixe or chef's tasting menu at dinner. Advance reservations required.

Top review

V

Valerie

Dined 1 day ago

As always,my fifth time dining- everything was great! Hope next visit to stay at your resort! Thank you!

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A photo of Potato Gnocchi of a restaurant

A photo of SAUTÉED SCALLOPS of a restaurant

SAUTÉED SCALLOPS

A photo of Sautéed Scallops of a restaurant

Sautéed Scallops

A photo of Iron Gate restaurant

4.8

4.8 (3023)

$50 and over

French

Belmont

About the restaurant

Iron Gate offers excellent Continental cuisine in an elegant environment. The only restaurant with table site & flambe service in the bay area. Private Rooms available for 25 up to75 guests. The entire restaurant can be bought out for private parties.

Top review

R

Robert

Dined 3 days ago

As always, service and food was impeccable. Can’t wait to return!

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A photo of Filet Mignon of a restaurant

A photo of Steak Diane Flambe of a restaurant

Steak Diane Flambe

A photo of Bistro Jeanty restaurant

4.8

4.8 (10981)

$31 to $50

French

Yountville

About the restaurant

In everyday French life, it is the Bistro that is woven into the daily pattern of meals and celebrations. The only French owned and operated restaurant in Napa Valley, Bistro Jeanty has been received by patrons from all over as a true French bistro. The warm interior is a reflection of the casual elegance you find in every meal. Classic dishes such as Mussels au vin rouge, Cassoulet, or of course Philippe’s famed Tomato soup make you feel as if you really have traveled into the French countryside. From all of us here at Bistro Jeanty we invite you to come and share in the excitement of dining.

Top review

S

Scott

Dined 1 day ago

What can I say! Another fabulous meal at this gem of a restaurant!

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A photo of Escargots of a restaurant

A photo of Crêpe Suzette of a restaurant

A photo of Sole Meunière of a restaurant

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