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$$$ | SoHo |
Even with long waits and loud noise levels, most people agree that it's worth the effort (make reservations) to experience restaurateur Keith McNally's flagship, a perfectly New York reproduction of a Parisian brasserie. Like the decor, entrées recreate French classics: Gruyère-topped onion soup, steak frites, and icy tiers of crab, oysters, and other pristine shellfish.
80 Spring St., New York, New York, 10012-3907, USA
Known For
- Lively scene
- A New York institution
- Outstanding brunch
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Reservations essential
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$$$ | Upper West Side |
The old soul of the Lincoln Center neighborhood seems to inhabit the tiled and mirrored walls of this lively, cramped French bistro, where West End Avenue regulars are greeted with kisses, and musicians and audience members pack the room after a concert. The bar's always hopping, and the menu includes classics like steak tartare, moules frites (mussels and fries), and lobster roll. There's also a popular weekend brunch.
200 W. 71st St., New York, New York, 10023-4323, USA
Known For
- Quintessential UWS bistro
- After-concert scene
- Excellent service
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Reservations essential
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$$$$ | Upper East Side |
Celebrity-chef Daniel Boulud offers one of the most iconic and elegant dining experiences in Manhattan in an equally elegant, and formal (jacket required), dining room with some serious artwork. The four-course prix-fixe menu (there are à la carte selections in the lounge and bar) is predominantly French, with such modern classics as turbot on Himalayan salt and a duo of dry-aged Black Angus beef featuring red wine–braised short ribs and seared rib eye with mushrooms and Gorgonzola cream. Vegetarian menus are also available. Equally impressive are the professional service, extensive wine list, and masterful cocktails. Don't forget the decadent desserts and overflowing cheese trolley.
60 E. 65th St., New York, New York, 10065-7056, USA
Known For
- Special-occasion haute fare
- Superb cheeses and desserts
- Reservations essential
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon. No lunch, Reservations essential, Jacket required
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$$$$ | Upper West Side |
Chef célèbre Jean-Georges Vongerichten's prix-fixe–only culinary flagship in the Trump International Hotel and Tower focuses wholly on his spectacular dishes, which either approach the limits of the taste universe (perhaps foie-gras brûlée with fig jam and ice-wine reduction) or are models of simplicity (say, toasted egg yolk and caviar). The dining room is sleek but understated, with floor-to-ceiling windows adding sparkle to the white leather furnishings, white walls, and white linens; fresh-cut flowers adorn every table. Exceedingly personalized service and a well-selected wine list contribute to an unforgettable meal. Jean-Georges no longer serves lunch. For lunch and brunch, try the less formal and less expensive front room, Nougatine.
1 Central Park W, New York, New York, 10023-7703, USA
Known For
- Exquisite cuisine and service
- Award-winning dining
- Lunch in Nougatine, the less-pricey front room
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Reservations essential, Jacket required, No lunch
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$$$$ | Midtown East |
Set in the heart of Midtown, and located on the second floor of One Vanderbilt, a glassy new 67-story skyscraper that dwarfs the nearby Chrysler Building (views of which you can appreciate from the restaurant's massive windows), Le Pavillon is named for a French restaurant in 1940s Manhattan that first defined French cuisine in the United States and is itself redefining fine dining in Midtown Manhattan. Immediately hailed a culinary oasis, world-renowned chef Daniel Boulud’s newest restaurant is also a soothing oasis, with its understated, neutral interiors, 57-foot ceilings, grand views, and lush greenery and forest-like setting complete with 20-foot-tall olive trees. The menu is prix-fixe and focuses on locally-sourced vegetables and seafood. The Oysters Vanderbilt is named for the railroad magnate Cornelius Vanderbilt, who built Grand Central Terminal. À la carte menu items are available in the bar and lounge.
One Vanderbilt Ave., New York, New York, 10017, USA
Known For
- Prix-fixe menu
- Lush setting
- Oysters Vanderbilt
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun. No lunch Sat., reservations essential
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Recommended Fodor’s Video
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$$ | Prospect Heights |
Yakitori—tasty morsels on skewers—has long been a staple of Japanese cuisine. As the name would suggest, this restaurant takes the age-old concept and runs with it in a faintly Gallic direction, its open kitchen churning out grilled bites on skewers, artfully arranged on plates, or, in the case of the pommes dauphines (crispy spheres of potato), wrapped in paper cones with a delectable dipping sauce. Don't miss the cocktails on tap and delicate desserts, both of which also have a creative East-West slant.
626 Vanderbilt Ave., Brooklyn, New York, 11238, USA
Known For
- Inventive grilled skewers
- Sceney vibe
- Fun cocktails
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$$$$ | SoHo |
One of the first trendy spots in SoHo, this arty French restaurant with closely packed tables and booths has yet to lose its touch, either in the kitchen or with the atmosphere. Expect a chic bar scene and bistro-inspired dishes, with oysters and salads to start and pastas, fish, and meat options for mains.
180 Prince St., New York, New York, 10012, USA
Known For
- Legendary burgers
- Walls covered with paintings and photos
- Narrow stairs to the upper room are a bit treacherous in heels
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No lunch weekdays
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$$$ | Upper West Side |
Acclaimed French chef Daniel Boulud, known for upscale New York City eatery Daniel, shows diners his more casual side with this lively, contemporary bistro and wine bar. The menu emphasizes charcuterie, including terrines and pâtés designed by Parisian charcutier Gilles Verot, as well as traditional French bistro dishes like steak frites and coq au vin. The 500-bottle wine list is heavy on wines from Burgundy and the Rhône Valley. The three-course prix-fixe menu ($68) from the entire menu is a good value.
1900 Broadway, New York, New York, 10023-7004, USA
Known For
- Proximity to Lincoln Center
- Lengthy wine list
- Three-course prix-fixe menu
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$$$$ | Midtown West |
The world's most famous French chef, Alain Ducasse, brings to New York a Right Bank bistro—with cozy, red-velour banquettes and wall lamps illuminating each table—plucked straight from the City of Light, with a menu that celebrates beloved French dishes rather than reinvents. And that's okay, especially when onion soup, pate, filet mignon and other classics are so well executed. It's not exactly cheap for bistro fare, but it is a delicious reminder that beloved flavors of Paris also sparkle in Manhattan.
60 W. 55th St., New York, New York, 10019, USA
Known For
- Elegant Parisian bistro decor
- Wine bar with small terrace
- Memorable French dishes
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$$$$ | Upper East Side |
Manhattan's "who's who" in business, politics, and the art world come to hobnob at Daniel Boulud's café-in-name-only, where the food and service are top-notch. The menu is divided into four parts: La Tradition features classic French dishes such as roasted duck breast Montmorency with cherry chutney; Le Potager tempts with creations inspired by local farmers' markets; La Saison follows the rhythms of the season; and Le Voyage reinterprets cuisines of the world. Start with a drink at the chic Bar Pleiades.
20 E. 76th St., New York, New York, 10021-2643, USA
Known For
- Elegant UES dining
- Chic bar scene
- Both French and international cuisine
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Credit cards accepted, Reservations essential
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$$ | Carroll Gardens |
This French bistro is a longtime, lively neighborhood favorite, especially for weekend brunch, when lines can spill out onto the sidewalk. Francophiles can get classics like croque monsieur, brioche French toast, and moules marinière but the extensive menu spans contemporary cuisine. The vibe is more Paris than Brooklyn: all tiles, zinc bar, and tin ceiling. A soaring tree shades the serene patio.
214 Smith St., Brooklyn, New York, 11201, USA
Known For
- Three-course, weeknight prix-fixe menu before 7 pm
- Late evening kitchen
- Brunch pancakes, which also can be ordered on Sunday evening
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$$$ | Lower East Side |
Chef Ignacio Mattos put himself in the pantheon of living New York chefs with his restaurant Estela and now he's adding to the legend with this classic Gallic-inspired bistro on the border where the Lower East Side and Chinatown meet. Mattos is a master at layering flavors and his menu here is no exception with smoky coal-grilled steak au poivre and a boudin blanc sausage wading in a shallow pool of juniper-spiked sauerkraut.
60 Canal St., New York, New York, 10002, USA
Known For
- Deep, classic, French-inspired wine list
- Pricey dishes
- Friendly service
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$$$ | Midtown West |
In two elegant dining rooms, star chef Daniel Boulud's modern French bistro serves classic, exquisitely prepared dishes like Atlantic salmon, hanger steak, and the pricey "db" hamburger— stuffed with braised short ribs, foie gras, and black truffles and credited with kick-starting the gourmet burger craze. Although the bistro might not be the trendy destination it once was, it's still a worthy experience, especially for its three-course prix-fixe menu. The service is friendly without being overbearing, and the restaurant welcomes pre- or post-theater guests for dinner, cocktails, and dessert.
55 W. 44th St., New York, New York, 10036-6609, USA
Known For
- Prix-fixe option
- Modern twists on French classics
- Worth the price
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Credit cards accepted, Reservations essential
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$$$ | Lower East Side |
Rich Torrisi and Mario Carbone, the chefs who created a small empire of Italian-American restaurants (Parm, Carbone, ZZ's Clam Bar) go Gallic at this cool Lower East Side bistro in the Ludlow Hotel. The name says it all: although the fare is French, the team takes many of the dishes on a tour of places like North Africa and Louisiana before the food lands on your table. Porgy is dusted with Cajun spices, and duck à l'orange is spiked with Moroccan ras el hanout spice blend.
180 Ludlow St., New York, New York, 10002, USA
Known For
- Interesting spices, like Cajun or Moroccan blends
- Rotisserie meats
- All-French wine list
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$$ | |
A typical French bistro in the heart of Williamsburg, Fada serves Provençal specialties, including classic moules marinière, steak au poivre, and ratatouille. The owner hails from Marseille, so both the menu and decor are in keeping with the traditions of the French Riviera. A gypsy jazz band plays on weekends (there's flamenco on Tuesday), and a fetching enclosed garden awaits you out back.
530 Driggs Ave., Brooklyn, New York, 11211, USA
Known For
- French bistro fare
- Charming garden
- Live gypsy jazz
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon. No lunch Tues.--Sat.
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$$$$ | Midtown West |
Entering the large, rustic-elegant dining room of Gabriel Kreuther invites a sense of calm as well as anticipation for a memorable meal—and it delivers. The renowned namesake chef celebrates his native Alsatian culinary influences with sublime tasting menus of three or four courses, or an inspired chef's tasting menu of at least seven courses (wine pairing optional, and worth the splurge). GK's haute cuisine, attentive service, and even its lovely handmade ceramic dishware are all part of an exceptional dining experience. Here's your chance to taste cuisine by a chef who's earned many of the world's most prestigious fine-dining accolades, including a James Beard award, Relais & Chateaux membership, and two Michelin stars. Note: if dinner is too pricey, enjoy a four-course prix-fixe lunch or à la carte menu, or opt for more casual dining in the inviting bar.
41 W. 42nd St., New York, New York, 10036, USA
Known For
- Elegant, cozy ambience
- Pretheater dining in the bar
- Award-winning menu
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun.
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$$ | Midtown West |
Despite the name, it's not just soup. Midtown office workers and in-the-know out-of-towners keep this casual French restaurant bustling for the ever-popular assortment of bistro classics like crepes, omelets, quiches, sandwiches, and croques madame and monsieur. Expect to find mussels and other seafood, along with solid wine and cocktail menus. There's often a line at lunchtime, so a reservation is recommended.
48 W. 55th St., New York, New York, 10019, USA
Known For
- Reliable, good-value French fare
- Excellent wine and cocktail choices
- Midtown lunch hot spot
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$$$$ | Upper East Side |
A bright yellow facade makes this upscale bistro easy to find, and inside it's warm and cozy. Sushi and tuna tartare have been added to the French and Italian menu, which includes traditional onion soup, bouillabaisse, steak au poivre, cheese soufflé, and homemade ravioli. The best bet for dessert is profiteroles—in this case, scoops of vanilla ice cream covered in a thin crust of chocolate.
29 E. 61st St., New York, New York, 10021, USA
Known For
- Wine pairings
- Delicious profiteroles
- Table-side trolley service for some dishes
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$$$ | East Village |
Food-media-darling chef Andrew Carmellini (who has several other restaurants around town, including Locanda Verde and the Dutch) goes Gallic at this upscale bistro with lots of cushy booths inside and fancy mini "igloos" for outside dining in winter. There's no culinary trickery, just straightforward and very satisfying French fare along the lines of roasted halibut with saffron-spiked potatoes, a silky beef tartare, and excellent steak frites. For something more casual, grab a seat at the all-day café and bakery, where breakfast is the sleeper hit.
380 Lafayette St., New York, New York, 10012, USA
Known For
- Hearty French fare
- Spacious but homey atmosphere
- Great breakfast spot
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Run by a French and French-Canadian couple, this casual corner restaurant with lots of windows and wood accents serves an outstanding brunch, with egg dishes and breakfast pizzas like the Alsatian-influenced Flammenkuech, smothered in leeks, Gruyère, and bacon. At dinner, the Mediterranean menu includes mussels, couscous, and more wonderful pizzas from the wood-burning oven: La Windsor pizza, with prosciutto, fromage blanc, blue cheese, arugula, and fig jam, is a favorite. Try something from the inventive cocktail list.
1235 Prospect Ave., Brooklyn, New York, 11218, USA
Known For
- Brunch pizzas
- Innovative cocktails
- Rustic atmosphere
