clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile
the exterior of Parc restaurant with sidewalk tables and awnings that say “soupers” and “diners”
The exterior of Parc.
Parc

Philly’s Essential French Restaurants

For when a steak frites, bouillabaisse, or escargot craving hits

View as Map
The exterior of Parc.
| Parc

Back in 1970, when Philadelphia was a much different place, a young Georges Perrier opened Le Bec-Fin and put the City of Brotherly Love on the map as a French food destination in the U.S. Today, Philly’s food scene is celebrated for many reasons, and Perrier’s legacy lives on in quality French restaurants that range from bistros to fine-dining specialists. Get ready to tear apart a baguette and drink some vin rouge: Here are the essential French restaurants in and around Philly.

For all the latest Philly dining intel, subscribe to Eater Philly’s newsletter.

Read More
Eater maps are curated by editors and aim to reflect a diversity of neighborhoods, cuisines, and prices. Learn more about our editorial process. If you buy something or book a reservation from an Eater link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics policy.

Matines Café

Copy Link

This Chestnut Hill newcomer has quickly built up a loyal following throughout the Northwest part of the city. Styled after a Parisian café, Matines Cafe features croissant sandwiches and quiche at breakfast while lunch brings a list of sandwiches on croissants and baguettes, including the Haute Dog with a bechamel-doused sausage. Arthur and Amanda de Bruc, the cafe’s husband-and-wife owners, both grew up in Paris.

Philly’s most popular French spot is a bit Paris, a bit Disney World, all by way of Stephen Starr. The interior, with its brass fixtures, glowy lights, and cloudy mirrors, was inspired by the Belle Epoque period and the menu covers all the greatest bistro hits, including onion soup, escargot, steak frites, towering seafood platters, baguettes, trout amandine, and beef bourguignon. Set right on Rittenhouse Square, Parc is also known for its sidewalk tables that face the park.

Royal Boucherie

Copy Link

Old City’s lively, candlelit brasserie is known for its raw bar, charcuterie, and steak au poivre, and a big alcohol-free drinks menu ups the inclusivity factor here. If the weather is warm, ask for a table on the hidden second-floor deck.

Forsythia

Copy Link

At Old City restaurant Forsythia, chef Chris Kearse creates modern versions of classic French fare, like ricotta beignets with bacon marmalade. Forsythia also boasts a solid wine list featuring primarily French producers plus a few locally made bottles for good measure. Try to catch one of the restaurant’s FrenchAF tasting menu dinners, which spotlight one ingredient — morels or pork, for example.

a skillet full of broth and a fin-on fish sprawling out of the skillet
Forsythia.
Lexy Pierce

Caribou Cafe

Copy Link

For more than 25 years, Caribou Cafe has been repping Paris on Walnut Street in Washington Square West. The atmospheric spot has high ceilings, a long bar, antique mirrors, and large doors that open out onto the street for alfresco dining. Bistro fare is the specialty, including French onion soup, house-made pate, a croque-monsieur, and crepes.

J'aime French Bakery

Copy Link

Bastien Ornano came to Philly from Aix-en-Provence to sell perfect French pastries, first at this Washington Square West bakery and now also in a new Rittenhouse location called J’aime French Cafe. Try the popular lemon tart or a merveilleux, which combines meringue and whipped cream rolled in spéculos cookie crumbs. For a lunchtime delight, J’aime’s simple baguette with ham and butter rivals any elaborate hoagie in town.

The Good King Tavern

Copy Link

In true French bistro style, the menu at Bella Vista corner spot Good King Tavern changes daily, with specials written on a chalkboard, including a duck of the day. Co-owner Chloe Grigri is also behind charming Le Caveau upstairs, where you’ll find French wines and French hot dogs, and cozy new Rittenhouse wine bar Superfolie.

cast iron of raclette with pile of charcuterie and greens
The Good King Tavern.
The Good King Tavern

Bistrot La Minette

Copy Link

The Philly spot that feels the most like a true French bistro is owner Peter Woolsey’s charming Bistrot La Minette in Queen Village. The escargot is a must-order: nine perfect Burgundy snails, each in its own ramekin with an individual crouton and garlic herb butter. The rest of the menu is full of other lovely French ingredients and preparations, including haricots vert, mustard-braised rabbit, and foie gras terrine.

bistrot
Bistrot La Minette.
Bistrot La Minette

Townsend

Copy Link

Chef Townsend Wentz’s eponymous restaurant has won high praise for its refined take on French techniques and dishes. The menu at Townsend, an East Passyunk Avenue staple, includes beef tartare, escargot in vermouth cream, and cote d’boeuf for two. The restaurant also has an excellent wine list and bar.

June BYOB

Copy Link

This upscale Collingswood BYOB from chef Richard Cusack, who worked at Le Bec-Fin, Parc, and Le Cheri, and his wife, Christina Cusack, serves a seasonal menu of photogenic French dishes. Make sure to order something served tableside with flair at June BYOB, like a whole Muscovy duck pressed in an antique French duck press and flambéed crepes Suzette.

bone-in fowl and potatoes  in a bowl
June BYOB.
Dan Heinkel

Matines Café

This Chestnut Hill newcomer has quickly built up a loyal following throughout the Northwest part of the city. Styled after a Parisian café, Matines Cafe features croissant sandwiches and quiche at breakfast while lunch brings a list of sandwiches on croissants and baguettes, including the Haute Dog with a bechamel-doused sausage. Arthur and Amanda de Bruc, the cafe’s husband-and-wife owners, both grew up in Paris.

Parc

Philly’s most popular French spot is a bit Paris, a bit Disney World, all by way of Stephen Starr. The interior, with its brass fixtures, glowy lights, and cloudy mirrors, was inspired by the Belle Epoque period and the menu covers all the greatest bistro hits, including onion soup, escargot, steak frites, towering seafood platters, baguettes, trout amandine, and beef bourguignon. Set right on Rittenhouse Square, Parc is also known for its sidewalk tables that face the park.

Royal Boucherie

Old City’s lively, candlelit brasserie is known for its raw bar, charcuterie, and steak au poivre, and a big alcohol-free drinks menu ups the inclusivity factor here. If the weather is warm, ask for a table on the hidden second-floor deck.

Forsythia

At Old City restaurant Forsythia, chef Chris Kearse creates modern versions of classic French fare, like ricotta beignets with bacon marmalade. Forsythia also boasts a solid wine list featuring primarily French producers plus a few locally made bottles for good measure. Try to catch one of the restaurant’s FrenchAF tasting menu dinners, which spotlight one ingredient — morels or pork, for example.

a skillet full of broth and a fin-on fish sprawling out of the skillet
Forsythia.
Lexy Pierce

Caribou Cafe

For more than 25 years, Caribou Cafe has been repping Paris on Walnut Street in Washington Square West. The atmospheric spot has high ceilings, a long bar, antique mirrors, and large doors that open out onto the street for alfresco dining. Bistro fare is the specialty, including French onion soup, house-made pate, a croque-monsieur, and crepes.

J'aime French Bakery

Bastien Ornano came to Philly from Aix-en-Provence to sell perfect French pastries, first at this Washington Square West bakery and now also in a new Rittenhouse location called J’aime French Cafe. Try the popular lemon tart or a merveilleux, which combines meringue and whipped cream rolled in spéculos cookie crumbs. For a lunchtime delight, J’aime’s simple baguette with ham and butter rivals any elaborate hoagie in town.

The Good King Tavern

In true French bistro style, the menu at Bella Vista corner spot Good King Tavern changes daily, with specials written on a chalkboard, including a duck of the day. Co-owner Chloe Grigri is also behind charming Le Caveau upstairs, where you’ll find French wines and French hot dogs, and cozy new Rittenhouse wine bar Superfolie.

cast iron of raclette with pile of charcuterie and greens
The Good King Tavern.
The Good King Tavern

Bistrot La Minette

The Philly spot that feels the most like a true French bistro is owner Peter Woolsey’s charming Bistrot La Minette in Queen Village. The escargot is a must-order: nine perfect Burgundy snails, each in its own ramekin with an individual crouton and garlic herb butter. The rest of the menu is full of other lovely French ingredients and preparations, including haricots vert, mustard-braised rabbit, and foie gras terrine.

bistrot
Bistrot La Minette.
Bistrot La Minette

Townsend

Chef Townsend Wentz’s eponymous restaurant has won high praise for its refined take on French techniques and dishes. The menu at Townsend, an East Passyunk Avenue staple, includes beef tartare, escargot in vermouth cream, and cote d’boeuf for two. The restaurant also has an excellent wine list and bar.

June BYOB

This upscale Collingswood BYOB from chef Richard Cusack, who worked at Le Bec-Fin, Parc, and Le Cheri, and his wife, Christina Cusack, serves a seasonal menu of photogenic French dishes. Make sure to order something served tableside with flair at June BYOB, like a whole Muscovy duck pressed in an antique French duck press and flambéed crepes Suzette.

bone-in fowl and potatoes  in a bowl
June BYOB.
Dan Heinkel

Related Maps