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Le Central, Bristol, RI

Le Central

4.7
4.7
532 Reviews
$31 to $50
Contemporary French

Make a reservation

2 people
SunMonTueWedThuFriSat
7:00 PM
Booked 4 times today
  • Charming
  • Neighborhood gem
  • Good for special occasions
Le Central is a French bistro, focusing on modern interpretations of classic dishes featuring local products from Sakonnet Lobsters, Four Town Farm (Seekonk, MA), Walker's Farm (Barrington, RI), Scott the Bassman, and Little Rhody Eggs (Foster, RI). Low lighting, checkerboard floor tiling, glass tabletops, and French nu-Jazz provide an intimate yet warm and familiar atmosphere. Chef-owner Jesse James spent his early career in Boston, working with chefs Moncef Meddeb at L'Espalier and Jasper White at Jasper's, with further experience at other landmark restaurants in New York, France, and Italy. Le Central is the third restaurant he has designed, built, and operated, after Aperto (Est 1992) and Boca Rotis (Est 1997), both in San Francisco. The large painting by Inez Storer on the south wall of the restaurant (which also serves as our logo) is of Jesse's son, Sam (the current General Manager & Beverage Director), and his childhood dog, Skye. Inez wouldn't say who the guy in the chair is.

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Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • Cuisines
    Contemporary French, Farm-to-table, Seafood
  • Hours of operation
    Brunch Sun 11:00 am–4:00 pm Lunch Tue–Sat 12:00 pm–4:00 pm Dinner Tue–Thu, Sun 4:00 pm–7:00 pm Fri, Sat 4:00 pm–8:00 pm
  • Phone number
    (401) 396-9965
  • Website
    http://www.lecentralbristol.net/
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Smart Casual
  • Executive chef
    Jesse James
  • Private party facilities
    Semi-private room and full restaurant available for private events/parties of 10-80 guests. Please email Sam at sam@lecentralbristol.net for booking inquiries.
  • Location
    483 Hope St, Bristol, RI 02809-1807
  • Neighborhood
    Bristol
  • Cross street
    State Street, Bristol, RI 02809
  • Parking details
    Ample street parking and public lots within a half block of the restaurant.
  • Public transit
    RIPTA 60 Providence/Newport - Hope and State (Bristol)
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Counter Seating, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Private Room, Takeout, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Featured in

Menu

Pour Commencer

  • Onion Soup Gratinée$9.00

    • Coriander Grilled Shrimp & Avocado Salad$15.00

      Grilled Shrimp in Coriander & Garlic, Salad of Avocado, Tomato, Cucumber, Hot Pepper-Lime Vinaigrette

      • Goat Cheese & Spinach Salad$11.00

        Spinach, Goat Cheese, Red Bell Pepper, Almonds, Grilled Country Bread, Sherry Vinaigrette

        • Salade Maison$8.00

          Butter Lettuce, Baby Greens, Mustard-Shallot Vinaigrette

          • Salad of Endive & Roasted Beets$12.00

            Walnuts, Roquefort, Walnut-Cider Vinaigrette

            • Salmon Nicoise*$16.00

              Grilled Salmon, Arugula, Green beans, Roasted Peppers, Fingerlings, Tapenade, Lemon-Caper Compote

              • Grilled Moroccan Chicken$14.00

                Cous Cous, Endive, Avocado, Cilantro, Moroccan Olives, Roast Pepper, Lime Vinaigrette

                • Duck Liver Mousse$14.00

                  Seasonal Fruit Compote, Pickled Onions, Grilled Country Bread

                  • Charcuterie$19.00

                    Pâté de Campagne, Rosette de Lyon dry Sausage, Duck Liver Mousse, Herbed Goat Cheese, House Pickles, Cornichon, Olives

                    • Pâté de Campagne Avec Poivre Vert$16.00

                      Pork, Chicken Liver & Green Peppercorn Pâté, Grilled Country Bread, Meaux Mustard, House Pickles, Cornichon, Olives

                      • Baguette, House Olives & Vermont Butter$3.00

                        Crepes, Eggs & Fruit

                        • Dutch Pancake$12.00

                          Souffled Pancake, Green Apples, Berries & Fruit Syrup or Country Ham & Gruyere

                          • Goat Cheese & Arugula Omelet$13.00

                            Salade Vinaigrette, Sautéed Potatoes

                            • Applewood Bacon & Gruyere Omelet$14.00

                              Salade Vinaigrette, Sautéed Potatoes

                              • Ratatouille Omelet$14.00

                                Salade Vinaigrette, Sautéed Potatoes

                                • Florentine Omelet$15.00

                                  Salade Vinaigrette, Sautéed Potatoes

                                  • Warm Lemon-Ricotta Crepes, Seasonal Fruit$14.00

                                    Les Plats

                                    • Chilled Oysters*

                                      Mignonette Sauce

                                      • Market Price

                                    • Mac & Cheese$14.00

                                      Panko Baked Penne, Porcini, Fontina, Gruyere Cheeses, Salade Vinaigrette

                                      • Bistro Burger Frites*$16.00

                                        Grilled Organic Beef on Brioche Bun, House Pickles, House-Cut Fries

                                        • Steak Frites*$22.00

                                          Grilled Hanger Steak, House-Cut Fries, Arugula, Bordelaise Onions

                                          • Grilled Chicken Sandwich$14.00

                                            Grilled Chicken, Arugula, Parmigiano on Sourdough, House-Cut Fries

                                            • Croque Monsieur$12.00

                                              Pan Toasted Sandwich of Country Ham & Gruyere, House-Cut Fries

                                              • Smoked Salmon on Sourdough$17.00

                                                Dill Cream, Cucumbers, Pickled Onions, Salade Vinaigrette

                                                • Classic BLT$12.00

                                                  Applewood-Smoked Bacon, Arugula, Tomato, Aioli on Brioche, House-Cut Fries

                                                  • Grilled Chicken BLT$15.00

                                                    Grilled Chicken, Applewood-Smoked Bacon, Arugula, Tomato, Aioli on Brioche, House-Cut Fries

                                                    • Lobster BLT

                                                      Sakonnet Lobster, Applewood-Smoked Bacon, Arugula, Tomato, Aioli on Brioche, House-Cut Fries

                                                      • Market

                                                    Last updated: May 12, 2022

                                                    What 532 people are saying

                                                    Overall ratings and reviews

                                                    Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

                                                    4.7
                                                    4.7 based on recent ratings
                                                    • 4.6Food
                                                    • 4.7Service
                                                    • 4.3Ambience
                                                    • 4.4Value

                                                    Noise • Moderate

                                                    Loved For

                                                    • Bristol County

                                                      Best Overall

                                                    • Bristol County

                                                      Best Food

                                                    • Bristol County

                                                      Best Service

                                                    • Bristol County

                                                      Best Value

                                                    • Bristol County

                                                      Healthy

                                                    • Bristol County

                                                      Neighborhood gem

                                                    • Bristol County

                                                      Good for special occasions

                                                    • Bristol County

                                                      Most Booked

                                                    Review summary

                                                    AI-generated from verified diner reviews
                                                    Le Central in Bristol is a delightful French bistro celebrated for its "outstanding food" and "wonderful service." Guests rave about the "amazing popovers," "exceptional soups," and "delicious desserts," including homemade maple walnut ice cream. With a "welcoming ambiance" and a menu showcasing authentic French cuisine, it's a "hidden gem."
                                                    532 Reviews

                                                    1. Therese

                                                      Orlando13 reviews

                                                      5.0

                                                      Dined 2 days ago

                                                      1. Overall 5
                                                      2. Food 4
                                                      3. Service 5
                                                      4. Ambience 4
                                                      Le Central is one of the more sophisticated restaurants in Bristol, RI. The atmosphere is quiet, and the serving staff is well-trained (something we really appreciate when we encounter it!). They have a solid wine list and extensive bar offerings. Don't count on sitting at the bar; there are very few seats, perhaps to discourage a bar-hangout atmosphere. The tables are attractive, with drinks and desserts menus under the glass. The food we've tried has been very good--in particular, the brunch dishes. If you go for brunch, be sure to get an order of cinnamon popovers to share!

                                                      Is this helpful?

                                                    2. Marga VIP

                                                      Philadelphia4 reviews

                                                      5.0

                                                      Dined 5 days ago

                                                      1. Overall 5
                                                      2. Food 5
                                                      3. Service 5
                                                      4. Ambience 5
                                                      I always take my out of Rhode Island guests to this special spot! They always impress!! If I can’t get to France, this is the best there is in RI. I’ve been enjoying this venue for many years. I’m a fan!!

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                                                    3. Therese

                                                      Orlando13 reviews

                                                      5.0

                                                      Dined 5 days ago

                                                      1. Overall 5
                                                      2. Food 5
                                                      3. Service 4
                                                      4. Ambience 4
                                                      Le Central never disappoints. We went for brunch, to celebrate the mutual birthday of my husband's cousin and me. The service was very good and the food was delicious. We were able to sit and relax, not feeling crowded or rushed. We shared the cinnamon popovers to start with--excellent! Between us, we had an asparagus brie omelet, lemon ricotta crêpes, and croque monsieur. All were quite tasty. The croque monsieur disappointed a bit because it was not French-toasted (with egg), something my partner explicitly asked about. The waiter must not have understood a true croque monsieur because she answered incorrectly. It was still good, just not as good as he'd hoped. This is one of the best restaurants in downtown Bristol and a great choice for Sunday brunch. I recommend making a reservation.

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                                                    4. Brian

                                                      Greater Boston3 reviews

                                                      5.0

                                                      Dined 6 days ago

                                                      1. Overall 5
                                                      2. Food 5
                                                      3. Service 5
                                                      4. Ambience 5
                                                      Scrumptious food with a cozy, friendly ambience.

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                                                    5. James VIP

                                                      Rhode Island21 reviews

                                                      5.0

                                                      Dined on March 9, 2025

                                                      1. Overall 5
                                                      2. Food 5
                                                      3. Service 5
                                                      4. Ambience 5
                                                      Outstanding lunch menu and service. Definitely will go back.

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                                                    6. Bettina

                                                      Rhode Island1 review

                                                      5.0

                                                      Dined on March 9, 2025

                                                      1. Overall 5
                                                      2. Food 5
                                                      3. Service 5
                                                      4. Ambience 5
                                                      We had a fantastic time we were quite rambunctious sorry we hadn't been together in a long while and the waitress was very patient and friendly

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                                                    7. steve

                                                      Rhode Island1 review

                                                      5.0

                                                      Dined on February 27, 2025

                                                      1. Overall 5
                                                      2. Food 5
                                                      3. Service 5
                                                      4. Ambience 5
                                                      food was very good. waitress was great, loved the sign on the wall about tolerance and equality.

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                                                    8. Theresa VIP

                                                      Greater Boston59 reviews

                                                      5.0

                                                      Dined on February 16, 2025

                                                      1. Overall 5
                                                      2. Food 5
                                                      3. Service 5
                                                      4. Ambience 5
                                                      Great popovers. Great burgers. Haven’t had anything we don’t like. Wonderful server, Ellie. Nice manager, Sam.

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                                                    9. Cindy

                                                      Greater Boston2 reviews

                                                      5.0

                                                      Dined on February 15, 2025

                                                      1. Overall 5
                                                      2. Food 5
                                                      3. Service 5
                                                      4. Ambience 5
                                                      Le Central was wonderful! The food and service were outstanding and the atmosphere was quaint and warm!

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                                                    10. ziya VIP

                                                      New Orleans29 reviews

                                                      5.0

                                                      Dined on February 15, 2025

                                                      1. Overall 5
                                                      2. Food 5
                                                      3. Service 5
                                                      4. Ambience 5
                                                      Great food, wonderful service and welcoming ambiance!

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                                                    FAQs

                                                    Le Central offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (401) 396-9965.

                                                    Le Central is rated 4.7 stars by 532 OpenTable diners.

                                                    Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

                                                    Make a reservation

                                                    Booked 4 times today
                                                    Google Map for Le Central

                                                    483 Hope St, Bristol, RI 02809-1807

                                                    Additional information

                                                    • Cross street
                                                      State Street, Bristol, RI 02809
                                                    • Neighborhood
                                                      Bristol
                                                    • Hours of operation
                                                      Brunch Sun 11:00 am–4:00 pm Lunch Tue–Sat 12:00 pm–4:00 pm Dinner Tue–Thu, Sun 4:00 pm–7:00 pm Fri, Sat 4:00 pm–8:00 pm
                                                    • Price
                                                      $31 to $50
                                                    • Cuisines
                                                      Contemporary French, Farm-to-table, Seafood
                                                    • Dining style
                                                      Casual Elegant
                                                    • Dress code
                                                      Smart Casual
                                                    • Parking details
                                                      Ample street parking and public lots within a half block of the restaurant.
                                                    • Public transit
                                                      RIPTA 60 Providence/Newport - Hope and State (Bristol)
                                                    • Payment options
                                                      AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
                                                    • Executive chef
                                                      Jesse James
                                                    • Additional
                                                      Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Counter Seating, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Private Room, Takeout, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine
                                                    • Website
                                                      http://www.lecentralbristol.net/
                                                    • Phone number
                                                      (401) 396-9965
                                                    • Private party facilities
                                                      Semi-private room and full restaurant available for private events/parties of 10-80 guests. Please email Sam at sam@lecentralbristol.net for booking inquiries.

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