Best French Restaurants in Cow Hollow

29 restaurants available nearby

A photo of Absinthe Brasserie and Bar - SF restaurant

1. Absinthe Brasserie and Bar - SF

4.8

Exceptional(7343)

Price: Expensive

• French • Civic Center / Hayes Valley / Van Ness

Booked 40 times today

Absinthe Brasserie and Bar in San Francisco's vibrant Civic Center / Hayes Valley / Van Ness neighborhood is a celebration of French cuisine, consistently lauded for its authenticity and excellence. Diners rave about the "consistently delicious food" and "excellent wait staff," creating an atmosphere that's both inviting and distinctly French. From the Sole Meunière to the Duck Confit, each dish is "beautifully prepared and delicious," making every meal a delightful culinary journey. The Salade Lyonnaise and Cassoulet are crowd favorites, often described as "outstanding" and akin to "a quick trip to France." With accolades for its "Michelin-rated quality" food and a "timeless and stunning" decor, Absinthe stands out as not just a meal, but an immersive French dining experience right in the heart of San Francisco.

2. Chouquet's

4.8

Exceptional(1700)

Price: Moderate

• French • Pacific Heights

Booked 13 times today

Nestled in the charming Pacific Heights neighborhood of San Francisco, Chouquet's presents a delightful culinary experience highlighting the best of Contemporary French cuisine. This cozy bistro offers a refined yet casual ambiance, perfect for any dining occasion. Guests rave about signature dishes like the boeuf bourguignon and duck confit, each prepared with a modern twist while honoring traditional French flavors. With glowing reviews, one diner exclaimed, "The food was unbelievable!!" and another praised the perfect pairing of the "delicious" smoked salmon Benedict with a side salad, stating it was "Very French." Whether you're indulging in their famous crème brûlée or enjoying the lively atmosphere at their sidewalk tables, Chouquet's consistently delivers an authentic French dining experience right in the heart of San Francisco.

3. Cote Ouest

4.9

Exceptional(706)

Price: Moderate

• French • Marina / Cow Hollow / Presidio

Booked 32 times today

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.

4. Florio

4.8

Exceptional(1744)

Price: Moderate

• French • Pacific Heights

Booked 19 times today

Florio, nestled in the charming Pacific Heights neighborhood of San Francisco, is a celebrated haven for Italian cuisine enthusiasts. Patrons rave about the authenticity and quality of its offerings, highlighting dishes like the "amazing" pasta Bolognese and "exceptional" cioppino that showcase Florio's commitment to traditional Italian flavors. The restaurant's ambiance is frequently described as "cozy" and "casual," perfect for a romantic evening or a lively dinner with friends. Critics and regulars alike commend Florio for its "excellent food and service," with one guest noting, "The bolognese pasta was the best I’ve ever had." This neighborhood gem continues to impress with its well-crafted menu and warm, inviting atmosphere.

5. Bon Delire

new

4.6

Exceptional(73)

Price: Expensive

• French • Financial District / Embarcadero

Booked 37 times today

Bon Délire’s chic yet approachable atmosphere draws inspiration from the cafés, lounges, and bistros of Paris. The interior boasts a sculpted horseshoe-shaped wooden bar, plush banquettes, and vibrant, European-imported furnishings that invite intimate dining and lounging. Guests can enjoy indoor seating with views of the Bay Bridge, or relax at the outdoor cafe-style seating, framed by planter boxes and umbrellas, perfect for people-watching along the Embarcadero.At night, the space comes alive with flickering projections of vintage French films and a relaxed, nostalgic soundtrack of throwback French and American tunes, making Bon Délire a sophisticated yet cozy setting for private and semi-private events.

A photo of O' by Claude Le Tohic restaurant

6. O' by Claude Le Tohic

4.8

Exceptional(457)

Price: Very Expensive

• French • Downtown / Union Square

Booked 8 times today

O' by Claude Le Tohic, located in the vibrant heart of Downtown/Union Square San Francisco, offers an exceptional dining experience that epitomizes the best of Contemporary French cuisine. This Michelin-starred restaurant, under the expert helm of Chef Claude Le Tohic, presents a culinary journey with its meticulously crafted tasting menus. Guests rave about the harmonious blend of flavors and textures, with dishes described as "works of art." Notably, the restaurant's service is consistently lauded as "impeccable" and "attentive," enhancing the luxurious yet welcoming ambiance. Whether it's the delicate arrangement of a five-course meal or the grandeur of the nine-course feast, each bite at O' is a celebration of modern French gastronomy at its finest. As one diner put it, "The best meal of my life - worth every penny!!", O' by Claude Le Tohic stands as a beacon of culinary excellence in San Francisco.

7. Le Central

4.7

Exceptional(2111)

Price: Expensive

• French • Downtown / Union Square

Booked 18 times today

Opened in 1974, Le Central has been serving traditional French cuisine for five decades, boasting the honor of being San Francisco’s most historic French bistro. Located on the edge of the Financial District, Union Square, and Chinatown in a rare one story brick building adorned with its iconic pink neon sign and crowned by a vintage “Tabac” sign. Step into this charming restaurant and be transported to a Parisian brasserie. With exposed brick walls, original imported brass bar, stained glass features, and cozy banquettes topped with brass railings. The atmosphere invites you to unwind and enjoy delicious French fare and exceptional wines and cocktails in an upscale, yet casual environment. Enjoy French classics like steak-frites, escargot, onion soup, and our world famous Cassoulet. Le Central’s cuisine is comforting yet sumptuous. Le Central is the downtown stop for locals and visitors looking for a taste of “La Belle Vie”!!!

8. L'Ardoise

4.8

Exceptional(3358)

Price: Expensive

• French • The Castro

Booked 18 times today

Nestled in the charming neighborhood of The Castro in San Francisco, L'Ardoise is a beacon of authentic French cuisine. With its cozy atmosphere reminiscent of a quaint Parisian bistro, this delightful spot is praised for delivering traditional and exquisite European fare. Patrons rave about the "mouthwatering escargot in parsley sauce" and the "tender, flavorful duck," often remarking that dining here is "like being in Paris." The service is consistently described as "attentive and professional," creating an inviting dining experience that keeps guests returning. Whether it's for the perfectly crisped potatoes or the praised wine list, L'Ardoise promises a true taste of Europe with every dish.

A photo of Saison Cellar & Wine Bar restaurant

9. Saison Cellar & Wine Bar

4.6

Exceptional(27)

Price: Expensive

• French • SOMA

Booked 15 times today

Nestled in the vibrant SOMA district of San Francisco, Saison Cellar & Wine Bar is a paradise for oenophiles and gourmands alike. Lauded for its "out-of-this-world good" wine list, Saison showcases an intricate collection that "leans heavily into France" while also honoring remarkable global and local Northern Californian producers. Patrons are treated to an enticing French wine bar fare, perfectly paired with a meticulously curated wine selection by Mark Bright and his team of sommeliers. The ambiance, described as classic "Saison blue," along with regular winemaker events, crafts a truly immersive experience. A patron praised, "the wine matches were paired and delivered beautifully," highlighting the exceptional quality and authenticity of Saison’s wine offerings, making it a must-visit for anyone seeking an exemplary wine bar experience.

10. Le Parc Bistrobar

4.7

Exceptional(62)

Price: Moderate

• French • Financial District / Embarcadero

Booked 3 times today

Le Parc Bistrobar is a delightful French restaurant in Union Square, San Francisco, nestled within the Galleria Park Hotel. Led by the renowned 2-star Michelin Chef Bruno Chemel, this bistro offers a culinary escapade that perfectly complements the city's refined tastes. The menu at Le Parc Bistrobar is a tribute to classic French cuisine, featuring fresh, seasonal ingredients that bring out the rich, traditional flavors in every dish. The lounge bar provides a wide variety of wines and cocktails to enhance the gourmet experience.

‘About the restaurant’ descriptions have been generated using an artificial intelligence model comprised of OpenTable proprietary data that has not been independently verified by OpenTable. The content is presented as-is, for informational purposes only.

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you

M
marie-helenevip
San Francisco Bay Area •115 reviews
5.0
Dined 2 days ago
Very good French bistro in San Francisco! Small lunch menu, not cheap but authentic French dish. Pain Bagnat was excellent; remind me my childhood. Highly recommended for a stop when walking on Embarcadero water front.
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Bon DelirePrice: Expensive• French• Financial District / Embarcadero
•
4.6
D
Deborah
San Francisco Bay Area •2 reviews
5.0
Dined 2 days ago
My experience at Absinthe was outstanding. The ambiance is beautiful. Wonderful music as well. The food was exquisitely prepared. Lovely appetizers and I had the vegetable Quiche with a very fresh salad. The quiche had a lovely crisp buttery crust and with a wonderful squash to compliment it inside. The pumpkin cheesecake dessert was so delicate and perfect. All in all, an outstanding experience at Absinthe. I highly recommend it.
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Absinthe Brasserie and Bar - SFPrice: Expensive• French• Civic Center / Hayes Valley / Van Ness
•
4.8
M
Maura
Los Angeles •23 reviews
5.0
Dined 2 days ago
Florio is the neighborhood restaurant we all wish we had in our neighborhood. Good food, prepared well, well seasoned, served by professional wait staff who are generally pretty on the ball. Cocktails and interesting wines are very good. The menu has some old standards and some newer twists on things, but consistently delivers a lovely dining experience.
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FlorioPrice: Moderate• French• Pacific Heights
•
4.8
J
Judivip
San Francisco Bay Area •95 reviews
5.0
Dined 3 days ago
Dining today at Choquette's was just like being in a Paris cafe. OO LA LA! It's a chilly SF Day so we opted for the French Onion Soup - OMG deeelicous. Paid for bread and great butter and shared a lovely butter lettuce salad Ala French vinaigrette. All wonderful BUT they could have put a bit more dressing on the great fresh butter lettuce leaves and I could have requested more but didn't. All in all - we'll return soon.
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Chouquet'sPrice: Moderate• French• Pacific Heights
•
4.8
T
Torben
San Francisco Bay Area •1 review
5.0
Dined 3 days ago
We’re from Germany and celebrated Thanksgiving for the first time. We came across this restaurant and couldn’t have been happier. The atmosphere was wonderful, the food was amazing, and the hosts and staff were exceptionally friendly and warm. We would book here again anytime!
More info
Cote OuestPrice: Moderate• French• Marina / Cow Hollow / Presidio
•
4.9

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Best French Restaurants in Cow Hollow

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29 restaurants available nearby

1. Absinthe Brasserie and Bar - SF

2. Chouquet's

3. Cote Ouest

4. Florio

5. Bon Delire

6. O' by Claude Le Tohic

7. Le Central

8. L'Ardoise

9. Saison Cellar & Wine Bar

10. Le Parc Bistrobar

See what locals rave about

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