Los Angeles has no shortage of decadent and classic French-inspired food. When the mood strikes, you can easily find a dark bistro serving comforting steak au poivre or moules frites at a top French restaurant in Los Angeles.
From a celebrity-chef-driven outpost in the San Fernando Valley to a charming bistro serving up high-concept dishes in Pasadena to one of the buzziest rooftop bars to hit the city in recent years in Downtown, there’s something out there for every occasion.
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Discover the 10 best French restaurants in Los Angeles right now.
For an elegant tasting menu at one of the best French restaurants in Los Angeles — reserve a table at pasjoli (Santa Monica)
James Beard Award-winning chef Dave Beran’s pasjoli is a true special occasion destination serving elegant French bistro-inspired food with an emphasis on fresh California ingredients. Select from one of two exquisite five-course tasting menus. If you’re not ready to commit to a full meal, pull up a seat at the sleek bar to dig into small bites like chicken liver mousse and caviar paired with gorgeous French-inspired cocktails.
For classic Parisian bistro food in the heart of Hollywood — head over to Petit Trois L’Original (Hollywood)
Celebrity chef Ludo Lefebvre’s Petit Trois L’Original is a Los Angeles gem that consistently serves high-quality French dishes and inventive cocktails that keep locals coming back over and over again. Feast on steak frites, escargot, and Lefebvre’s famous buttery omelet in the intimate bar seating-only dining room or on the charming patio. Pair your meal with a signature cocktail like a tarragon-infused negroni.
For a cozy French bistro ambiance off the 101 — try Cafe Bizou (Agoura Hills/Westlake Village)
If you’re looking for a refined place to eat off the 101, it’s hard to go wrong with the charming Cafe Bizou. Regulars flock to the rustic dining room for elegant, classic French dishes like sand dabs in a caper butter sauce and beef bourguignon that would make Julia Child proud. Finish it all off with a warm, flourless chocolate cake.
For one-of-a-kind dishes in a modern French bistro setting — book a table at Bar Chelou (Pasadena)
Arched doorways, jade green walls, and rich drapery make you feel transported into another world at chef Doug Rankin’s Bar Chelou. This stylish spot is where you head for inventive, globally-inspired small plates like carrots dressed in coconut and lime leaf served with crispy shoestring potatoes or a perfectly flaky trout served on top of corn rice. Don’t miss the stellar cocktails and top-notch natural wine selection.
For amazing pastries and brunch in one of the most memorable dining rooms in the city — try République (Hollywood)
Whether you’re coming for one of the restaurant’s award-winning pastries or a leisurely romantic dinner, it’s hard to go wrong at the gorgeous République. Housed in a stunning historic brick building with soaring ceilings, you’ll immediately be swept away into a different world as you dine on a menu of seasonally rotating French-inspired favorites like corn beignets or a cheese board served with baguettes.
For French-American food with a stunning Downtown rooftop view — book a table at Perch LA (Downtown)
Locals know DTLA’s Perch as the place to go for breathtaking rooftop views, a vibey bar scene, and date night-worthy French fare. Indulge in dishes like steak frites and pesto gnocchi near a cozy outdoor fireplace while soaking in the skyline views. Multiple rooftop bars make this a lively scene from brunch to dinner or to kick back with late-night drinks. There’s even a weekly moules, caviar, or escargot pairing dinner accompanied by live music, all served under the stars.
For chef Ludo Lefebvre’s iconic Big Mec burger — head over to Petit Trois Le Valley (Sherman Oaks)
Head to Petit Trois Le Valley for the elegant French dishes that made acclaimed chef Ludo Lefebvre’s first outpost of the restaurant a smash hit. The sophisticated, multi-room dining area is large and bright, channeling bustling French brasseries. Start with a creamy Belgian endive salad and crab cakes, and end the epic meal with a cappuccino and a decadent dessert.
For upscale French street food with a global spin at a top French restaurant in Los Angeles— check out Mr. T (Hollywood)
A blend of Parisian elegance and LA edge, Mr. T’s serves up inventive French-California dishes with global influences crafted by chef Alisa Vannah. Dive into plates like Swiss chard dumplings or the lemon crème fraîche-topped croquettes monsieur that redefines Parisian comfort food. If you’re headed here for the restaurant’s popular Sunday brunch, don’t miss out on French-born chef François Daubinet’s knockout pastries.
For a French Riviera-inspired rooftop lounge by the beach — book a table at LouLou Rooftop Restaurant and Lounge (Santa Monica)
With ocean views and a chic, tropical-inspired setting, LouLou Rooftop Restaurant and Lounge transports you straight to the French Riviera. It’s a popular brunch spot for French-Mediterranean small plates like truffle scrambled eggs and mussels mariniere. Head over at sunset to groove to live music while sipping on one of the restaurant’s signature chile-infused mezcal cocktails.
For clever French-Japanese mashups paired with equally noteworthy cocktails — book at Camélia (Arts District)
Once you step into Camélia, you’re immediately enveloped by warm woods, soft lighting, leather banquettes, and a cozy European charm that feels worlds away from LA. Chef Charles Namba’s seasonal French-Japanese menu blends the best of both worlds with innovative dishes like clams steamed in a traditional donabe with lobster butter. Paired with an extensive wine selection and inventive cocktails, this is a meal you won’t soon forget.
French cuisine takes on all shapes and sizes in a city as diverse as Los Angeles. Whether it’s fusion French that marries classic French techniques with one of the city’s many other global influences or a modern take on old favorites, there’s no shortage of options.
Tables at the best French restaurants in Los Angeles fill up quickly so be sure to reserve ahead.
