Diners' Choice: French restaurants in San Francisco

OpenTable

Updated December 05, 2024

Looking for restaurants with the best overall French cuisine in San Francisco? 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!

Cote Ouest

4.9

4.9 (730)

$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

nathalieVIP

Dined 2 days ago

Great food great service! Cote Ouest is one of our favorite French Restaurants in SF

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Popular dish

Boeuf Bourguignon

Popular dish

Duck leg confit à l'orange

Mathilde French Bistro

4.8

4.8 (2441)

$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

AlanVIP

Dined 2 days ago

Fantastic "Parisian bistro" in San Francisco. Great food and amazing service!

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Popular dish

Beet and Crumbled Goat Cheese Salad

4.9

4.9 (3364)

$31 to $50

French

The Castro

About the restaurant

French Bistro serving traditional and authentic fare in a cozy atmosphere.

Top review

BrianVIP

Dined 1 day ago

This is one of my favorite restaurants- both the food and service are excellent.

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Popular dish

Traditional Duck Leg Confit

4.8

4.8 (1709)

$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

Molly

Dined 2 days ago

Tasty, cozy, lovely local spot. All the staff members were incredibly kind and gracious - can't wait to come back :)

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Popular dish

Boeuf Bourguignon

Absinthe Brasserie and Bar - SF

4.8

4.8 (7352)

$31 to $50

French

Civic Center / Hayes Valley / Van Ness

About the restaurant

We are currently accepting reservations for lunch, brunch, and dinner.

Effective 09/26/2022:
Outdoor seating will not be available.

Top review

TrevorVIP

Dined 2 days ago

We love Absinthe almost any time we go there. This time, it was good, but there seemed to be a lack in servers, which caused some delays. The croque monsieur was a bit too buttery. Otherwise, all good :)

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4.8

4.8 (1751)

$30 and under

French

Pacific Heights

About the restaurant

Florio offers a variety of trattoria & bistro classics; a "greatest hits" of rustic cafe food- including Steak Frites and pan-roasted heirloom Chicken.
We feature a market-to-table local fish offering daily (as available).
Simple dishes such as Seafood Stew and house-made seasonal Pasta round out the comforting menu.
Veal, Pork & Ricotta meatballs are an everyday favorite with our regulars!

The menu changes daily to make the most of local, seasonal, organic meat, fish, and produce.
A small but savvy wine list of exceptional Napa producers, Italian specialties, and French vintners competes at the amiable bar with an admirable selection of pastis, select eau de vie and traditional spirits from around the world.

Top review

JimVIP

Dined 1 day ago

My husband and I are Florio regulars for several reasons: * The service — including Jamie the bartender, Josh and Peter the servers, and David the host — are always on their ‘A’ game. We feel well taken care of when we dine here. My husband has trouble walking due to Parkinson’s, and the staff here is always ready to help us get to our table. * The food — never had a mediocre or bad dish here. The parpadelle, lasagna (not currently on the menu), hanger steak, roasted crispy chicken and cacio e Pepe are particular favorites. The desserts are excellent as well, including the olive oil cake and caramel gelato. * The drinks — though I’m not a regular martini drinker, I love the Florio martini. It’s delicious. Florio offers a well-curated wine list, too. * The ambience — sophisticated and casual. Lighting is at just the right level. Not too low so you can’t read the menu, not too bright where you feel like you’re at a chain restaurant. For total transparency, we have no business or family ties to Florio. We’re not friends with anyone who works here or anyone who owns or manages the restaurant. In other words: We have nothing to gain from posting a glowing review. I just like to recognize good people doing a great job.

Chapeau

4.7

4.7 (3723)

$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

AlanVIP

Dined 3 days ago

Very good food and service! "Parisian" bistro in SF

Le Central

4.7

4.7 (2124)

$31 to $50

French

Downtown / Union Square

About the restaurant

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”!!!

Top review

Chantal

Dined 4 days ago

Delicious food prepared in the standard/classic French style. Wines by the glass are very expensive given the size of the pour. Overall, highly recommend for a classic dining experience which is getting harder and harder to find.

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4.7

4.7 (91)

$30 and under

French

Financial District / Embarcadero

About the restaurant

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.

Top review

Angel

Dined 5 days ago

Got the salmon sorrel and it’s perfectly cooked and seasoned. Also the steak frites and the service was great, talked to the owner manager and she made us feel at home. Definitely recommend this place to anyone except the Karens !!!!

ONE65 Bistro

4.5

4.5 (173)

$50 and over

French

Downtown / Union Square

About the restaurant

The Bistro at ONE65 features 2, 3, or 4-course Prix Fixe dinner menus with multiple choices for each course, showcasing local, seasonal fare minimally prepared to allow the ingredients to shine. Guests can choose to sit by the open kitchen and interact with the culinary team for a unique experience, or, opt for the main dining room, with a trendy yet comfortable atmosphere.

ONE65 Bistro is located on the third floor of ONE65, located at 165 O'Farrell Street and just steps away from the heart of Union Square. The Bistro shares a building with ONE65 Patisserie and Boutique, Elements Bar & Lounge, and the Michelin awarded fine dining restaurant, O' by Claude Le Tohic.

Please note that 20% service charge (which includes gratuity) is added for parties of 6 or more guests.
1% San Francisco Health Mandate is added onto every check.

Top review

Natalya

Dined on Nov 30, 2024

It was absolutely wonderful intimate evening with gorgeous food! Amazing experience!!

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