From modern takes in the Arts District to ambitious tasting menus on the Westside, get your dose of French fare at these top spots.
catch 21 places on single-valued function
It may be hard to imagine now , but LA once had its very own “ Frenchtown”—a long - proceed section of Downtown LA near present - day Chinatown . Beginning in the previous nineteenth century , the domain was home to a large Gallic population . They began to disperse in the twenties and when the original Chinatown was destruct to make way for Union Station in the 1930s , Chinese immigrant began moving into the homes and line empty by French and Swiss residents . Before he started making those delicious French dip sandwiches , Philippe Mathieu ofPhilippe’seven had restaurants in the neighborhood , and French bastionTaixin Echo Park was to begin with located there as well .
Thankfully , there are still plenty of excellent spots around township attend French classic like Escargot , Bouillabaisse , and Beef Bourguignon , often alongside impressive French wine lists . And while many sample and dependable spots across the urban center have shutter ( RIP Bon Temps and Belle Vie ) , several newfangled French destinations have opened in their place , with more on the horizon — be on the lookout for chef Lincoln Carson’sMes Amisrestaurant at theThompson Hollywoodthat ’s predicted to open late spring .
Pasjoli
Frombuzzy new restaurantsto ourfavorite brunch spots , and running the gamut from classic techniques to New spin , satisfying Parisian bistro fare to lighter Mediterranean - angle fare , here are the best eatery in LA to get your French muddle .
Camphor
A New addition to LA ’s bustle about French intellectual nourishment scene is this neighborhood bistro which joined theformidable fine dining scene in the Downtown Arts Districtin early 2022 . Led by co - chefs Max Boonthanakit and Lijo George , who both trained under chef Alain Ducasse , expect French techniques informed by the twain ’s global raising and boast vibrant , Kerala - sourced spices . The 65 - rump restaurant and Browning automatic rifle transformed the former Nightshade outer space with white brick walls , marble tabletops , and puritanical velvet kiosk , plus prevention seating that offer a view into the fussy open kitchen . At first glimpse the bill of fare seems simple , with dishes named simply , but do n’t be fooled by this presentation : for object lesson , the crowd - favorite chicken is slow - roasted , stuffed with chicken thigh mousse , and finished tableside with chicken jus from an age-old silver sauce ravisher . likewise , the dry - elderly Dover Sole is filet tableside and lead with blanco Grenobloise . Helmed by Kalani Lau , the wine-coloured list feature picks from Burgundy and across Europe , with bottles that you ’re improbable to recover elsewhere in LA.How to book : reservation are recommended but walk - indium are take .
Lumière
You ’ll experience transported to the City of Lights as before long as you maltreat inside the effervescent newFairmont Century Plaza . Located on the ground floor with an outside terrace garden attached , this traditional brasserie even brought in furniture and fixtures from France to make you really finger like you ’re dining in an authentic outer space . The nutrient here combines French technique with local California garden truck with prominent results , including what ’s perhaps the best French Onion Soup in the city , must - have Chicken Liver Mousse with olive rock oil muddle , Steak Frites , and more . The sprawling indoor - outdoor distance also serves breakfast and lunch , and is an idealistic spot for after - piece of work potable with an honest-to-god - school measure in the center of the restaurant . How to hold : Walk - inch are welcomed , butreservationsare recommended .
Bicyclette
Chefs Walter and Margarita Manzke ( Republique ) debuted this bright , Parisian - revolutionise bistro mid - pandemic in a quick and lively space off Pico Blvd . Using California ingredients the Manzkes convey authoritative French cuisine to life , including a must - have caramelize Onion Tarte Tatin and Soft Egg in the Shell , while notable main admit Bouillabaisse Pisces fret and Steak au Poivre . Save room for chef Margarita ’s famed dessert and of course of action , set out your meal with her notable baguette with Rodolphe Le Meunier Normandy butter . The wine list cross regions like Burgundy , Provence , Bordeaux , and Rhone Valley , and the cocktail program features a selection of aperitifs , William Wilkie Collins , royales , tartness , and a few spirit - forward creation . C’est magnifique!How to book : Walk - ins are welcome , though reservations are extremely recommended .
Manzke Restaurant
Housed above their Modern - ish Bicyclette Bistro is this experimental savouring conception from chefs Walter and Margarita Manzke . The card draws influence from the ethnic intersections of LA and the greater Southern California realm with produce - driven , hyper - seasonal ingredients prepared with classic French techniques . The chic space feels like you ’re dine at a Gallic diplomat ’s dwelling house with olive greenish walls , hanging copper light fixture , dark forest flavour , and stylish , button - tufted leather banquettes across two floors of seats . The multi - course savour fare is ever - changing , but late features have included a Monterey Bay Red Abalone with a generous shaving of black truffles and Japanese Hamachi with warmth fruit serve up in a glimmering clam plate . A sommelier is on hand to head you to the pure selection from the eatery ’s heroic cellar and an optional wine-coloured mating is also available .
Perle
Expect classic French cup of tea as well as Gallic - Californian interpretation from Michelin - train chef Dean Yasharian who has antecedently fudge atBar Bouludin New York and London . The Parisian bistro in Old Town Pasadena do up an a la carte du jour menu or a four - course tasting menu which change bi - weekly . Quintessentially French dishes on the regular menu include a Charcuterie Board with pates and terrines , French Onion Soup , Escargot , and Coq au Vin , while the savour menu boast a crispy Scotch Egg with duck confit and poached Alaskan Halibut , all swear out in a lively , indoor - outdoor atm off Union Street . There are also separate a la carte and taste menus for vegetarian . Pair dinner with vino curated by general manager and endorse sommelier Lisa Witkowski , who has worked atPetit Trois Le Valley , among other places . Do n’t skim out on the afters , where a Chocolate Souffle and Apple Tarte Tatin fall .
Violet Bistro
Opened just forrader of the pandemic in January 2020 , Westwood has n’t seen a locality hot spot quite like this one in a while . The always fussy Violet is a breathing place of clean ( French ) air in the college locality that typically features more perfunctory choice . The historical 1930s brick edifice features a plant - meet patio with string lights and a retractable roof , though there ’s deal of seating room on the interior as well . Snag a board before feasting on what they describe as “ Cali - French ” bistro fare , including a sumach - aleppo - scratch Provencal Chicken and a day by day - rotating quiche beauty . A choice of California and French - produced wines are available by the nursing bottle and glass , and a short but worthwhile cocktail menu is also usable . The eating house also has a cooking schooling to teach you how to make these sexually attractive plates at rest home . How to hold : Walk - ins are welcomed but reservations are recommended .
Perch
rapier into one of the uneven garden professorship at this charming , multilevel restaurant that ’s known for its rooftop saloon and stunning view . The 15th floor dining way and patio is , well , perchedover the Downtown LA skyline , with floor - to - cap windows on the Department of the Interior so much every board has a jaw - dropping scene . The dinner party menu includes Gallic classic like Moules , Baked Brie , and Little Bunny Frou Frou ( rabbit ravioli ) , but the prix - fixe dinner party card are also worth your attending , with your choice of three or four courses , and featuring democratic point like the Fromage and Charcuterie Plate to start and Boeuf Bordelaise as an entree option . Perch is a popular weekend brunch pip , with its own three - course of study , prix - fixe menu and seasonal fruit sangaree proffer by the glass or the mound . How to book : mental reservation are required — Make a reservation by calling the restaurant at 213 - 802 - 1770 . Tables booked for 8 pm or subsequently are for the 21 and over crowd .
Kendall’s Brasserie
house within theMusic Centerfor almost two decennary , the restaurant is back after a redesign and overhaul , with a completely new card . instigate by mid - century French art and the iconic blue colour of France , the squad brought in local muralist Adrian Kay Wong to vamp the outer space , which includes streetside patio tables , as well as snug , velvet - backed booth and bar seating . Expect seasonal , elevated dishful with a focussing on Gallic - style preparation , like Brussel Sprouts and Verjus Glaze that boast spring Punica granatum and apricots with crispy bacon and melt Gruyere , and slow - braise Prime Beef Bourguignon . Full cocktail and mocktail menus are available , as well as a brief vino tilt . How to book : Walk - ins are welcomed .
Pasjoli
With a moody , industrial chic interior and a streetside deck with fall plants and strand lights , Pasjoli is perfect for a special occasion or date nighttime out . For dinner party , accolade - winning chef Dave Beran presents noteworthy options like an eight - hour braised Pork Shoulder and Gnocchi Parisienne , or adjudicate a slew of shareable plates like Caviar , Foie de Poulet , and Demi Baguette with butter . Save room for the Greco-Roman Chocolate Souffle or Strawberry Tart for dessert . All of the wine-coloured come from France and there is even a speciality section feature six non - alcoholic boozing .
Melisse
Celebrated chef Josiah Citrin ’s venerated palace of modern French cuisine and fine dining rest one of the best destinations for ( very ) special social occasion and those with fat billfold . wait two Michelin whizz - caliber service as you dig into nine courses that employ traditional technique with imaginative flair and local factor . Prepare for a night of caviar - topped Beef Tartare , and Corvus Farm ’s guinea hen “ Peas à la Française " with liver , along with stack of optional flourishes and a rich wine list . take over a portion of the original Mélisse space is younger baby - eatery Citrin , a innovative California restaurant that offers a smack menu experience or an a la carte fare that features many Mélisse classic and favorite dishes . How to book : ensure you have areservationfor Melisse and Citrin . Walk - ins at the Citrin prevention are welcomed .
Petit Trois
With two locations in LA — L’Original Petit Trois is in an retiring stripmall off Melrose and Highland , and the other Petit Trois Le Valley , occupies a bigger space in Sherman Oaks , are both helmed by acclaimed chef Ludo Lefebvre and serve as the pinnacle of Gallic fare . At both locations , you may anticipate an elevated rendition of the Parisian brasserie experience , with classics like Steak Tartare , Confit - Fried Chicken Leg , Burgundy Escargots , and the good damn omelette you ’ll ever corrode . A originative cocktail tilt is on offer , as well as a pick of Gallic - leaning wines usable by the bottle or Methedrine . How to reserve : paseo - ins are welcomed .
A Food Affair
Straight out of Aix - en - Provence , chef Christian Royere cater to the stars and knead in LA kitchens for decades before opening A Food Affair with his married woman Babette closely a ten ago . You ’re in undecomposed manpower here , with advanced renditions of Gallic classic service in a moody dining way or on the cosmic string - light terrace with umbrellas . Standout dishes let in Mushroom Tourte , Roasted Bone Marrow , and Mom ’s Beef Bourguignon , and are absolutely paired with an across-the-board wine list have mainly French pours with some California wine . There ’s also a rosiness and bubbles incision as well as sangria , cocktails , international beer , and more . With rock walls , passee French furniture , and a belittled garden terrace , this date - night favorite is a cracking ( and well - priced ) quixotic choice without too much hustle . How to reserve : Walk - IN are welcome .
Cafe Stella
Hidden behind a bulwark at the core of Sunset Junction , Cafe Stella provide a bustling Parisian - style bistro complete with eclectic wall hanging , wicker furniture , and excellent French chow . Kick the dark off with Steak Tartare or cured French Ham with house butter and baguette , and turn over moving on to the Moules Frites or the red-faced wine - braised Short Ribs . The Stella Burger with moolah , shallot marmalade , Gruyere , and tomato confit is a crowd front-runner , especially when do alongside a classic cocktail or one of the wines from their French - leaning list . How to hold : walkway - in are welcomed but reservations are recommended .
Avec Nous
Nestled inside the Beverly Hills ' L’Ermitage Hotel , this refined situation focus on bistro classics with a contemporary spin and bid a glitzy , Saint Tropez - inspired vibe . The service is acutely paying attention , and the roaming champagne and boozy candy carts are an added fillip . Some of the high spot let in the Foie Gras L’Orange , the tableside Cote de Boeuf for two , and a whole - roasted , Curried Cauliflower if you ’re skipping the meat . You ’ll also need to save elbow room for desserts like the classic Amaretto float Island , or the Chocolate and Caramélia Mille - Feuille .
The Little Door
veil behind an actual piffling wooden room access , the sparkling garden terrace of The Little Door has play host to multitudinous romantic dates and an untold number of wedding proposals . On the French - Moroccan - leaning fare , you ’ll regain succeeder like Spicy Mussels with a ras el hanout broth , Lamb Stew with merguez sausage balloon and couscous , and some bully desserts like a near - perfect Crème Brûlée . Celebrate the occasion with an option from their longsighted list of classic cocktails , bubbles , domestic and external wine lists , as well as aperitif , digestifs , and dessert wines . How to book : Reservationsare expect and seats is limited .
Cafe Beaujolais
This repose - back neighborhood favorite is a bracing pick to some of the pricier Gallic frontier settlement around town , and has the bring magical spell of a mostly - French waitstaff . There ’s spate of hearty puff fare to be had , like the Oven - Baked Chicken with Cognac and morel , or the Rack of Lamb with a mustard sauce . And starting with the pantry - garlicky Escargot is kind of a no - brainer . There ’s an first-class selection of wine , as well as several , not - often - seen French beer . How to hold : Reservations are useable viaYelp .
République
While we ca n’t say for sure if Charlie Chaplin was a fan of French fare , we have a beneficial feeling he ’d be stoked to dine in his former office blank space . The expansive space with exposed brick and prominent , front - present window is now a stunning , cathedral - like hotspot where chef Walter Manzke turn out surpassing rendition of French collision using farm - fresh ingredients . You ’ll probably want to start with the business firm - baked bread with pan drippings , before move on to the Beef Tartare or Sonoma Duck Pate en Croute , followed by the Dover Sole a la Meuniere or ruddy - wine Braised Beef Short Ribs ( a Korean - inspired rendition of this peach is a staple on the brunch menu as is the Kimchi Fried Rice ) . And if you ’re find even more effete , there ’s the authoritative Tournedos Rossini with foie gras and truffles . You also do n’t want to miss any of pastry chef Margarita Manzke ’s amazing adust goodies . How to book : Walk - inch accepted for breakfast , dejeuner , and brunch , but reservations are required for dinner .
Marvin
This fun , casual bistro is perfect for grab a shabu of wine and Steak Tartare at the cake , but can well serve as a dinner party appointment with option like Steak Frites , Dover Sole , and other great choice on the French - leaning carte du jour . originally in the solar day , you ’ll determine some excellent brunch options , admit the Jamon Tomato Toast and the Asparagus with Fried Egg . For party expectant than nine , food for thought is function family - style for $ 55 per person , with home base like Ratatouille and Goat Cheese , Meatballs , Roasted Chicken and Fish du Jour on offer . There ’s also an former evening glad hour from 6 - 7 pm with $ 10 wine , $ 6 beer , and darling admit Mussels , Mac and Cheese , Oysters , and of course of action Marvin ’s famous Cheeseburger . How to hold : Reservationsare recommended .
Taix French Restaurant
Once located Downtown in LA ’s since - vanished Frenchtown , and having relocated to Echo Park in the 1960s , this nearly hundred - old foundation still service up red-blooded French Basque state menu . seize booth in one of the spread rooms for dinner party , order a bottle of French wine , and prepare for a feast of Ratatouille , Escargot cooked in shell , and bigger dishes like Duck à L’Orange ( on Saturdays only ) , Braised Lamb Shank ( Wednesdays ) , and Frog Legs , before finishing off the nighttime with Chocolate Mousse or Crème Brûlée . The beloved Echo Park blistering position was even yield a historical repository designation in 2021.How to book : Make a reservationonlineor by calling the eatery at 213 - 484 - 1265 for Friday and Saturday nights . The more passing lounge and Browning automatic rifle take walk - Immigration and Naturalization Service on a first - seed , first - do basis .
Mistral
Since 1988 , this posh French bistro has been come through loyal fans with its classic dish , lengthy wine list , and acute service of process . Thankfully not much has change over the years , including the sparkling chandeliers , dark wood paneling , and vintage mirrored bar . Be sure to stop out the reliable takes on essentials like Steak au Poivre , Roasted Chicken , and an fantabulous Chocolate Soufflé . How to reserve : Don’t forget to make areservation — it ’s a classic position .
Le Petit Paris
The spectacular interior of the former El Dorado Hotel foyer here at this Downtown brasserie is worth a visit alone . And while you ’re go over out those rotary crystallization chandelier and sublime staircase , you might as well order up a cocktail and some oyster . And since you ’re there , you might as well stick around for the Crispy Duck Breast , or go big with the Cognac - Flambeed Lobster or Truffle Burger . How to hold : Reservationsare recommend .
