Diners' Choice: French restaurants in Houston

OpenTable

Updated April 05, 2025

Looking for restaurants with the best overall French cuisine in Houston? You’re in the right place. Each month OpenTable analyzes more than 400,000 new diner reviews. We sort the results by category to help you discover new favorites. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Etoile Cuisine Et Bar

4.9

4.9 (3901)

$31 to $50

French

Galleria / Uptown

About the restaurant

The owners of Étoile Cuisine et Bar, Chef Philippe Verpiand and Monica Bui, have created an inviting, warm European environment where both traditional and seasonal French food are front and center. "We want to dispel the notion that French food is heavy and pretentious," says the team, recently transplanted to Houston from San Diego, where they owned the famed Cavaillon Restaurant. Everything about Étoile Cuisine et Bar, from the inviting outside facade to the intriguing interior design to the high quality service, is meant to convey a feeling of truly being in France. With Chef Philippe's take on a seasonal menu using a French technique, it's a place where fine food lovers come together, not on a special occasion, but to enjoy every day.

Top review

JVIP

Dined 1 day ago

Fabulous as always! This TRUE French restaurant is consistently great. Service is spectacular and food is outstanding!

Bistro 555

4.8

4.8 (839)

$30 and under

French

Westside

About the restaurant

Bistro 555 is under new ownership by a group of long-time friends including the owners of former Le Mistral and Cafe Rabelais, established French institutions in Houston. With a joint-experience of over 5 decades, Bistro 555 will transport you to the different regions of France with traditional bistro fares. Our specialties include Escargot in sizzling garlic butter, onion soup topped with melted gruyere cheese, Moules-Frites, Cassoulet, and profiteroles. We also serve wood-oven fired pizzas. Bon appetit!

Top review

William

Dined 6 days ago

04/25. Upon arriving we were greeted promptly by the hostess and taken to the table. There we were offered a choice of water. Our wait staff were very attentive the entire evening, and the courses were delivered with minimal waiting. The menu has excellent choices for all courses, and the salads were very fresh and delicious. 2 of us were craving for beef bourguinion, which was outstanding and plentiful. The wines are top notch and reasonably priced- we enjoyed 2 bottles of Bandol red.2 of us enjoyed cool sorbet and a pistachio ice cream for dessert, after which we were totally satisfied. This is an excellent spot for adults who enjoy great food and wine in a refined but casual atmosphere.We have been here about 5 times. Conversation is easy here with minimal noise. I love the menu choices, the service, and the wines. Going back next month for the lobster pot pie!

Chez Nous French Restaurant

4.8

4.8 (2289)

$31 to $50

French

Kingwood / Humble / Atascocita

About the restaurant

Chez Nous is a modern French Restaurant where traditional French cuisine meets the needs of the American market. Chez Nous is renowned in its new world interpretation of the Parisian Classics. Seasonal menu items are prepared by Chef Stacy Simonson and highlight the fine locally produced ingredients served in an elegant yet comfortable setting.

Top review

Jonathan

Dined 6 days ago

Very elegant atmosphere and intimate setting. The staff was very attentive and welcoming. Thank you!

Bistro Le Cep

4.8

4.8 (1034)

$30 and under

French

Westchase

About the restaurant

Opened in 2001, Bistro Le Cep features French home cooking at its finest that can be best described as deeply flavored, elegant, yet straightforward. Combining traditional fine dining with a modern perspective, Bistro Le Cep will impress you and your guests with mouth-watering specialties inspired by authentic age old country recipes. We feature a well stocked bar and our extensive wine list includes an exceptional selection of grand vintages, as well as coveted wines from small producers.

Top review

KathleenVIP

Dined 5 days ago

Always a treat to dine here! And a special treat today to have Joe roaming the dining room---ever the gracious host!!

Le Jardinier - Houston

4.8

4.8 (229)

$50 and over

French

Heights / Washington

About the restaurant

Michelin-starred Le Jardinier is a unique and refined restaurant from Michelin-starred Chef Alain Verzeroli located in The Museum of Fine Arts Houston.

Rooted in timeless French approach, Chef Verzeroli has created a menu where plants play a prominent role: seasonal fruits and vegetables, fresh herbs, and greens are complemented by wild and sustainable fish with local Texas meats. All our breads are gluten-free and baked in house.

Le Jardinier's light-filled space will evoke a feeling of relaxed-luxury and incorporate custom art pieces with outdoor dining set within an Isamu Noguchi-designed sculpture garden. In 2024, Le Jardinier was awarded one Michelin Star at Texas' Inaugural Michelin Guide.

Top review

RobertVIP

Dined on Apr 12, 2025

A wonderful meal with very nice service. We can't wait to go back to Houston so that we can visit Le Jardinier again.

Brasserie 19

4.8

4.8 (2741)

$50 and over

French

River Oaks

About the restaurant

Brasserie 19, located in Houston’s 77019 neighborhood, offers a modern amalgamation of French brasserie fare and well-known American influences. The menu utilizes the freshest seasonal ingredients in thoughtfully prepared dishes. Brasserie 19 boasts an expansive, carefully developed wine list. Brasserie 19's sophisticated yet unpretentious interiors are bathed in deep blues, cool greys, and whites, with antiqued woods and white marble used throughout. Blue velvet banquettes are paired with woven chairs and complemented by white linen-covered tables to create a casually elegant setting for lunch, dinner or weekend brunch. Brasserie 19 serves lunch and dinner 7 days a week, as well as brunch on Saturdays and Sundays.

Top review

Eva

Dined on Apr 15, 2025

Excellent wine menu at all price levels and wonderful service. The charcuterie board was a great starter for the table; carpaccio tender and flavorful. The birthday girl at our table didn't like one of the dishes she ordered (gnocchi with rabbit confit) and the treasure of a waiter comped it! We have and will continue to frequent B19.

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Popular dish

Charcuterie & Cheese Board

Popular dish

Salmon

Experience

Tour de France Prix Fixe - Paris/Champagne

Cafe Rabelais

4.7

4.7 (1038)

$31 to $50

French

Rice Village

About the restaurant

Houston’s Café Rabelais serves sumptuous French cuisine in its classic, European-inspired eatery. Fantastic starter options include the mouth-watering smoked salmon plate, the white bean and vegetable soup, as well as a variety of decadent cheese plates. Café Rabelais’s specialty dinner entrées include the seared duck breast with Szechuan demi-glace, the seared snapper in rich beurre blanc, the vegetarian orzo pasta with purple cauliflower and feta cheese and the red wine marinated ribeye with eggplant.

Top off your Café Rabelais French feast with an unforgettable dessert, like the mixed nut and chocolate silk pie “fondant au chocolate sur croute de noix” or the fruity “sorbet du jour” and wash it down with a fresh, hot espresso.

Top review

Eileen

Dined on Apr 17, 2025

Such a peaceful and delicious lunch. As always. Thank you.

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Experience

Albert Bichot Wine Dinner

Experience

Mother's Day Prix Fixe

Toulouse - Houston

4.7

4.7 (2600)

$31 to $50

French

River Oaks

About the restaurant

Toulouse Café and Bar recalls a Fin de Siecle Parisian Café where you are likely to bump into friends and find yourself in conversations with neighboring tables. At first glance you will notice the bustling activity that characterizes Toulouse: wait staff with wine openers and hot plates of food, people chatting and laughing, the clink of wine glasses… the atmosphere is sophisticated and good moods are contagious.

In the tradition of all fine bistros, Toulouse has imaginative and seasonal menus that provide exactly what its patrons long for: cozy tables open to the street, mouth-watering specialties a la Française, delicious desserts made from scratch and an extensive wine list. Enjoy the tastes of France with our exciting yet comforting dishes such as our famous quiches, an expertly cooked trout almondine or the best mussels in the city.

Dine with us and be transported to Paris, if only for a moment.

Top review

BibiM

Dined 6 days ago

We loved it! Thank you to management for maintaining a great atmosphere.

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Popular dish

Zucchini Squash Chips

Popular dish

Lobster Bisque

Bistro Menil

4.7

4.7 (1824)

$30 and under

French

Montrose

About the restaurant

Bistro Menil offers European-inspired, American fare paired with craft beer, cask wine and thoughtfully selected wines by the glass or bottle.

Top review

Virginia

Dined 5 days ago

Our favorite place to eat in all of Houston. Under the trees, quiet, great food, service, ambience, wonderful part of Houston.

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4.5

4.5 (2905)

$50 and over

French

Galleria / Uptown

About the restaurant

Artisans Restaurant, under the visionary leadership of owner Jacques Fox and the culinary expertise of Executive Chef Eric Cruz, delivers a unique dining experience that melds French eclectic cuisine with fine steaks and fresh seafood. The expansive menu includes French favorites such as Le Tartare de Bœuf, Les Escargots Bourguignon à la Crème d’Ail, La Poêlée de Foie Gras, Le Loup de Mer du Chili, La Longe d’Agneau Poêlée, Le Canard Confit with Sauce à l’Orange Pimentée, and La Côte de Veau. Each dish showcases artistic flair and is served in a setting of breathtaking décor. Guests at the Chef’s Table can watch as the culinary team expertly crafts these creations, making every visit a memorable event. Recognized as one of the "Best of the Best" by the Houston Chronicle, Artisans sets the standard for exquisite dining. For connoisseurs of the finer things in life, Artisans is the quintessential culinary destination.

Top review

Nia

Dined on Apr 17, 2025

We went for my son’s 25th birthday and he wanted to do the 6 course meal. He loved it! Man even though it is small bites we were all full by the end. Would recommend. Our server was great. Will go back for happy hour!

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Une Poêlée de Foie Gras

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