The 20 best French restaurants in Chicago

Yes, it’s small and crowded, and you’ll have to wait at the bar for a bit even with a reservation. But it’s the closest thing Chicago has to that adorable little bistro in Paris. Regulars have their never-fail favorites: the flaky, caramelly onion tart; the robust onion soup with a gluttonous amount of Gruyère; the butter-topped steak flanked by perfectly crisp frites; and the warm apple tart.

After more than 30 years in business, this is still one of the most regal restaurants in town. Owner Mary Beth Liccioni keeps the grounds (a townhouse built in 1895) decked out like something out of Dynasty: lush fabrics, ornate carpeting, giant arrangements of flowers. But the ever-changing French-American menu, featuring items such as roasted Peking duck breast and braised Wagyu beef short rib with seasonal accompaniments, keeps the food current (if still pretty rich). Guys, make sure you’re wearing a jacket—this is one place where rules actually mean something.

Carrie and Michael Nahabedian (Naha) opened Brindille as a homage to their favorite Parisian spots, making it the perfect posh, romantic restaurant to impress a date. Brindille boasts an excellent cheese selection and a menu of French classics such as “Belle du Jour” oysters, a rotating selection of oysters served with smoked trout roe, Normandy seaweed cider and basil oil. After tasting some fresh, beautiful oysters, try the sturgeon caviar, a Julia Child-inspired dover sole and buttery veal. The decadence doesn’t end before dessert though, so order an elevated chocolate eclair with a glass of Champagne to conclude a magical night. For a daytime dining experience, try one of the restaurant’s French afternoon tea experiences with crumpets and finger sandwiches to keep you caffeinated and full.

In early 2022, brothers Oliver and Nicolas Poilevey—who also helm cozy neighborhood darling Le Bouchon, which their parents opened—debuted a less traditional, yet innovative French spot, Obelix. While Obelix boasts French classics like French onion soup and escargot, the restaurant also serves  modern Chicago twists that integrate French classics such as the “Foie-Co,”  a foie gras taco with salsa macha and grape jam. Don’t end your meal before dessert as they have an enticing dessert menu from pastry chef, Antonio Incadella, formerly at Spiaggia.

Chef Ryan Brosseau grew up in southern Ontario and named his restaurant in honor of his French-Canadian grandmother Margaret. The menu combines the culinary traditions he grew up with, emphasizing seasonal produce, whole-animal butchery and preserving food to reduce waste. That means they don’t serve poutine; instead you'll find a wide selection of cheese and charcuterie with housemade bread and butter and gorgeously plated dishes like aged duck breast with chestnut puree and pommes dauphine with oyster mousse.

A more affordable alternative to chef Michael Lachowicz’s tasting menu restaurant George Trois, Aboyer offers approachable fare inspired by the menus of Parisian brasseries. Reserve a spot in the cozy dining room, or at one of the umbrella topped tables on the pergola-topped patio when the weather cooperates, and dig into house smoked salmon, duck roti or steak frites with chimichurri. Start the meal on a celebratory note with a Champagne cocktail and finish with creme brulee.

The sibling restaurant to Smyth, which recently earned three Michelin stars, offers casual French brasserie fare from chef John Shields, including beef tartare, quiche lorraine served with black truffle, and steak frites with madeira jus alongside its beloved cheeseburger. Drop in for happy hour for a classic cocktail and anchovy toast or hit up the indulgent brunch, which features a Dungeness crab benedict and an omelet loaded with caviar and camembert.

​​With a name that translates as “countryside bistro,” this restaurant is so warm and inviting we could stay all night. Ingredients are fresh and meld into French bistro classics with unforgettable flavors. There isn’t a bad thing on the menu, but if we had to limit ourselves, we’d go with onion soup, mussels steamed in white wine, roasted chicken and bavette steak flanked by amazing frites. Don’t forget the luscious brioche bread pudding with figs, brown butter and a caramel sauce.

If you’re looking for classic Parisian cuisine in an endearing setting, Lettuce Entertain You’s Mon Ami Gabi (“My Friend Gabi”) is the place to be. Executive Chef David Koehn has revamped the menu with a roster of new options, including warm melted brie, steak tartare and côte de bouef that will transport you to France for the night. Their decadent profiteroles, filled with vanilla ice cream and homemade chocolate fudge, are also a must-order. Mon Ami Gabi offers a rotating three-course menu for $64 available for dine-in or carryout.

Satiate your thirst for wine, cheese and music in this dimly lit wine bar located underneath Testaccio. Soif means “thirst” in French, and its menu is curated to quench your thirst with Parisian cocktails and classic and iconic French wine and beer. The food menu offers luxurious bites like caviar and foie gras. For something more casual, their grilled cheese with truffle honey is absolutely heavenly. Listen to some ambient and new wave DJs every weekend to elevate your experience as you enjoy the comfort of the bar’s red velvet banquette. Reservations are recommended.

Martial Noguier (one sixtyblue and Café des Architectes) opened this more casual French venture, but his food is still refined. He focuses on classics, like a notably smooth country pâté, textbook ravioli, tender steak frites and juicy chicken, while the vibe is bustling French bistro. Though French restaurants aren’t known to be vegetarian-friendly, Bistronomic has a secret vegetarian menu with options like ratatouille and homemade ravioli. Grab a seat on the patio for prime Gold Coast people-watching.

Fresh seafood is the name of the game at Venteux (French for “windy”), a brasserie on the first floor of the Pendry Hotel serving French food with a Chicago twist. Fresh oysters are flown in from the east and west coasts daily, and you can try them for $1.50 on Oyster Tuesdays starting at 4pm. If you’re with a group, indulge in a fresh seafood tower, or try their caviar served with smoked egg yolk and chilled vodka.

While many French restaurants focus on Parisian cuisine, Chez Joel features southern French cuisine with Parisian staples. You can find simple yet mouthwatering French dishes with a global twist from brothers Joël and Ahmed Kazouini. The decor is minimal and classy with French posters, floor-to-ceiling windows at the front and a welcoming back patio. You can snack on some baked brie or grilled Spanish octopus, but if you’re super hungry, try the restaurant’s braised lamb shank, crispy coq au vin or Bouillabaisse Marseillaise—a seafood stew from Marseilles in the southern tip of France.

A popular location for weddings and shows, Marchesa boasts an Art Deco-inspired candlelit main dining room and several private dining spaces including The Apartment, which is meant to resemble a luxurious Paris flat. The menu offers modern spins on French fare such as a caviar and smoked salmon parfait, mushroom soup with goat cheese profiteroles, and steak frites with red wine braised onions. Pair your meal with a few glasses from their extensive wine list.

If you’re dreaming of spending the day sipping wine and people watching at a French brasserie, the year-round patio at Taureaux Tavern offers the next best thing. Heated and enclosed, the space is so welcoming to dogs that they get their own menu. The spot is a popular destination for afterwork drinks—it’s only open weekdays—but stick around for dinner for French-inspired fare, including bubbling hot French onion soup and financiers with torched meringue.

After shuttering her beloved Evanston restaurant Found, Amy Morton partnered with James Beard Award-winning chef Debbie Gold to open the much larger LeTour to offer a taste of the French-Moroccan fare common in Southern France. Enjoy the views from the plant-lined covered patio or the floor-to-ceiling windows inside while sipping a spritz or gin and tonic and dining on mussels in spicy red harissa broth, chicken tagine and duck liver mousse with medjool date jam.

Since 1972, La Crêperie has been serving up some of Chicago’s best sweet and savory crêpes for brunch and dinner. Hungry diners have at least 25 crêpe options to choose from along with substantial savory vegetarian options such as their spinach-creme crêpe. This French bistro not only has a charming indoor space but also quaint and spacious outdoor seating. You can find wines from all over France but especially from the Bordeaux and Rhône valley regions.

Open for breakfast and lunch, the cafe on the ground level of The Peninsula Chicago provides a great place to fuel up for a day of shopping on the Magnificent Mile with quiche lorraine, French onion soup, a croque madame or their signature rotisserie chicken served with mashed potatoes and seasonal vegetables. The space is especially popular in the summer, when you can feel like a real Parisian by grabbing a seat on the sidewalk and watching the city bustle while having coffee and a pastry.

Le Sud shows off the lighter, Mediterranean fare served in France’s Provence region, such as charred octopus, mussels provencal and chicken tagine, though you’ll also find French onion soup and steak frites. Brunch is a more decadent affair with banana crepes, croque madame and bottomless mimosas and bloody marys. The neighborhood restaurant offers outdoor dining year-round with a heated, enclosed patio, and when the weather’s really miserable you can order a family dinner for delivery.

Treat yourself to some delightful French pastries at Maison Parisienne, a laid-back French cafe with locations in Lakeview and Lincoln Park. From macarons to croissants to quiche and opera cakes, local Francophiles will rejoice. If you’re overwhelmed by the options, indulge in an assorted croissant box where you can try one of each of their croissants for $27.50. For something more savory, order a Mediterranean tartine with a side salad featuring chia seeds, avocado, tomato, feta and olive oil on a French baguette. Coffee and tea lovers will enjoy the extensive beverage menu to go along with their sweet treats.