New York City has more French restaurants than anyone could fully experience. From extravagant, world-renowned destinations like Le Bernardin, Jean-Georges, and Daniel to sleek, modern brasseries that provide boisterous environments and great food, French cuisine has long dominated the NYC landscape.
I’ve always been more drawn to something a little quieter: the smaller, more intimate French bistros that are cornerstones of their neighborhoods. The places where the ambience is relaxed, the food is the star, the wine flows easily, and the hosts remember you after a visit or two. Where you can linger over a meal without ceremony, and where the charm lies not in perfection, but in personality.
These are the spots that make New York feel, for just a moment, like Paris.
La Boîte en Bois – A Perfect Post-Show Haven on the Upper West Side
Located on West 68th Street, La Boîte en Bois is a quintessential Upper West Side bistro and one of the most charming dining rooms in the city. It feels like stepping into another era, with decorative plates and other tchotchke adorning the walls, and crisp white linens on tables that fill every nook of this basement oasis. French, English and four or five other languages swirl around you in a welcoming hum.
It’s also my favorite place to land after a night at Lincoln Center. Whether I’ve just seen Rigoletto or Wynton Marsalis, La Boîte en Bois offers the perfect epilogue: traditional onion soup to start, followed by duck or steak frites. The energy is relaxed, the conversations lively, and dessert always feels non-negotiable. It’s the kind of place that makes an evening feel complete.
La Boîte en Bois, 75 W 68th St, New York, NY 10023
Le Gigot – A True Neighborhood Staple
Down in the West Village, Le Gigot embodies everything I love about a real neighborhood bistro. Warm, welcoming, and quietly confident, it’s the kind of place where locals pop in for dinner without fanfare, and where visitors are welcomed with a warm smile and a magical evening.
The menu sticks to French comfort food classics: boeuf bourguignon, lamb dishes that honor the restaurant’s name, and a fantastic onion soup. Do not ignore the seafood here! Bouillabaisse, fish of the day, mussels. I promise you, none will disappoint.
There’s nothing showy here, and that’s the point. Le Gigot feels lived-in, loved, and deeply rooted in the rhythm of the neighborhood. It doesn’t try to impress you, but it does so effortlessly.
Le Gigot, 18 Cornelia St #1, New York, NY 10014
Bistro Vendôme – Where Traditions Are Born
For me, Bistro Vendôme is a local favorite layered with memories. I’ve taken my kids here many times, and no matter what else we order, one ritual never changes: we always start with escargots. A dozen, sometimes two. Who “owns” which indentation of garlicy butter left over from each tasty escargot is closely monitored and, occasionally, hotly debated.
If we’re feeling especially indulgent, we’ll also split the frog legs. They are perfectly prepared, tender, and always a hit. It’s the kind of meal that feels extravagant without being intimidating, which is exactly what makes it such a great place to bring friends and family.
Beyond the food, Vendôme has that rare neighborhood magic: cozy, unfussy, and welcoming in a way that makes you feel like you belong. It’s a place where small traditions take root, one escargot at a time.
Bistro Vendôme, 405 E 58th St, New York, NY 10022
Café Paulette – A Brooklyn Favorite Worth the Trip
Tucked into Fort Greene, Café Paulette feels like the kind of place you stumble into once and never stop talking about. It’s intimate, unpretentious, and effortlessly charming, with a warmth that makes you want to stay long after your plate is cleared.
If you happen to go for a weekend brunch, their shakshuka is comforting, spicy and filling, and the merguez sausages are bold, juicy and unforgettable. At dinner time, Paulette offers a great selection of tasty treats: escargots, foie gras, beef tartar, trout almondine, and salade niçoise are all great options. It’s French bistro culture filtered through a Brooklyn lens, and if you’re willing to cross the river, this one is more than worth it.
Café Paulette, 1 S Elliott Pl, Brooklyn, NY 11217
Read the blog post about French Restaurant Week in New York City
French Restaurants in New York City
A Guide to French Bistro Food – All the classics you need to know
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