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Overhead view of a table full of French food, desserts, and cocktails.
A spread of food at Gaslight
Gaslight/Official Site

11 Great French Restaurants in Boston

From Paris to Provence, eat like a French person without leaving Boston

by Terrence Doyle Updated
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A spread of food at Gaslight
| Gaslight/Official Site
by Terrence Doyle Updated

French food — especially in its most buttery and decadent forms — is a treat, and there’s nothing wrong with treating yourself to a little continental magic from time to time. Who doesn’t love a plate of stinky cheese, cassoulet, or beef bourguignon?

Also worth remembering: Not all French food is heavy. Provence is famous for the vegetable casserole ratatouille; you can’t think Côte d’Azur without thinking tapenade; and the favorite dish of the Marseillaise is a fish stew called bouillabaisse. You can eat a pound of butter while eating French, but you don’t have to.

Tip: While this map focuses on full-service restaurants in Boston proper, the Greater Boston area also features a number of outstanding French bakery and cafe options worth exploring. Start with Cafe Madeleine in Boston’s South End and then move beyond the city to Little Crepe Cafe in Cambridge, Ma France in Lexington (a French grocery shop with baked goods, charcuterie, cheese, and lots more), Clear Flour Bread in Brookline (serving French and Italian breads), and Mamadou’s Artisan Bakery in Winchester and Arlington, not to mention the recently opened Colette Bakery in Medford.

Restaurants began to reopen for outdoor and indoor dining in June, but the pandemic continues on, and many diners are sticking with takeout and delivery for now. And as the cold weather rolls in, restaurants that provide outdoor dining options will be harder to come by. Fortunately, some of the Boston area’s best purveyors of French food offer takeout and delivery.

This map has been updated with details on each restaurant’s current status in terms of takeout and delivery availability, outdoor seating, and indoor seating. Note that this should not be taken as endorsement for dining indoors, as there are still safety concerns: For updated information on coronavirus cases in the area, please visit the Massachusetts coronavirus website.

Also note that some of the city’s best French restaurants remain temporarily closed at the moment and have thus been temporarily removed from this map, including Miel (currently only serving breakfast), Bistro du Midi, Bastille Kitchen, Grand Tour, and Bar Lyon. Recent months have seen several permanent closures as well: The now-closed Les Zygomates and Bar Boulud have been retired from the map.

Here’s where to eat like the French without leaving the Boston area.

This map was originally published on May 24, 2018, and it is updated periodically; the date of the most recent update appears above.

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Ma Maison

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Chef Jacky Robert’s Cambridge Street joint, located on the edge of Beacon Hill and the West End, offers French classics like coq au vin and Provençal-style frog’s legs. Ma Maison also doesn’t shy away from organ meats, serving calf’s liver on the regular menu as well as a few weekly specials, such as sweetbreads on Wednesdays.

Ma Maison is currently open for indoor dining, outdoor dining (its patio has heaters), and takeout (call the restaurant.)

272 Cambridge St, Boston, MA 02114
(617) 725-8855
(617) 725-8855
A cream puff topped with chocolate sauce sits on a white plate on a white tablecloth. A vase of colorful flowers sits in the background.
Profiterole at Ma Maison
Ma Maison/Official Site

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Troquet on South

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Troquet serves some damn good roasted fish, and it has a damn good wine list too. A little pricey, but worth the splurge if you can swing it. If it’s been a few years since your last visit, note that Troquet relocated to a larger space in early 2017 in Boston’s Leather District; it’s no longer on Boylston Street.

Troquet is currently open for indoor dining, outdoor dining, takeout and delivery through Caviar, and delivery through Seated.

107 South St, Boston, MA 02111
(617) 695-9463
(617) 695-9463
Closeup of an elegantly plated chicken dish with asparagus, mushrooms, and a brown sauce surrounding the chicken on a white plate.
A chicken dish at Troquet on South
Troquet on South/Official Site

Menton

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Under the umbrella of “modern fine dining,” Barbara Lynch’s Menton is mostly French but also sort of Italian, but it’s French enough to make this map. Get the seared foie gras, and have a glass of wine while you’re at it.

Menton is currently open for indoor dining.

354 Congress St, Boston, MA 02210
(617) 737-0099
(617) 737-0099
An elegant yellow marble table is set with two dishes of food, two glasses of wine, and two neatly pleated cloth napkins.
Menton
Wayne E. Chinnock

Also featured in:

La Voile

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This Cannes-inspired bistro offers great lunchtime snacks like chicken liver paté, which comes with onion confit, cornichons, and toast, as well as entrees like sole meunière and steak frites. There’s a Brookline location, too.

La Voile is currently open for indoor dining, outdoor dining, takeout through the restaurant, takeout and delivery through DoorDash, and delivery through Uber Eats.

261 Newbury St, Boston, MA 02116
(617) 587-4200
(617) 587-4200
Wooden board covered with pate, charcuterie, and a silver gravy boat full of small pickles
A paté plate from La Voile
La Voile/Official Site

Also featured in:

Deuxave

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Back Bay’s Deuxave is very suitable for special-occasion dining, and the crispy duck confit is hard to beat. Don’t miss the cocktail list, and definitely save room for dessert.

Deuxave is currently open for indoor dining, outdoor dining (its patios has heaters), and takeout (call the restaurant.)

371 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, MA 02115
(617) 517-5915
(617) 517-5915
Rectangular white dish of fancily plated French food, including a sizable piece of seared foie.
Deuxave
Andy Ryan Photography

Also featured in:

Rochambeau

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Rochambeau is known for decadent brunches filled with oysters and other raw bar snacks (and bubbly). The brioche French toast and crepes are also worth ordering. The multi-level restaurant — located right by Eataly at the Prudential Center — also has an all-day cafe attached.

Rochambeau is currently open for indoor dining, outdoor dining, takeout (call the restaurant, curbside pickup available), and delivery.

900 Boylston St, Boston, MA 02115
(617) 247-0400
(617) 247-0400
A plated cut of duck lightly topped with greens
Duck à l’orange at Rochambeau
Rochambeau [Official Photo]

Also featured in:

Mistral

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This longstanding French-inspired restaurant in the South End offers excellent versions of classics like sole meunière, as well as fresh takes on other classics, like tuna tartare. Brunch is also popular (the pictured cinnamon buns are a must.)

Mistral is currently open for indoor dining, outdoor dining, takeout (with curbside pickup), and delivery. Call (617) 351-2618 for takeout and delivery orders.

223 Columbus Ave, Boston, MA 02116
(617) 867-9300
(617) 867-9300
Overhead view of two plump cinnamon buns smooshed next to each other in a black cast-iron rectangular pan.
Cinnamon buns at Mistral
Rachel Leah Blumenthal/Eater

Also featured in:

Aquitaine

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From the aluminum bar top to the hexagonal black and white tiles to the big blackboard special menus to the crimson booths, Aquitaine looks the part of a Parisian brasserie. The steak frites are exceptional, which also helps.

Aquitaine is currently open for indoor dining, outdoor dining, and takeout and delivery through Caviar and DoorDash.

569 Tremont St, Boston, MA 02118
(617) 424-8577
(617) 424-8577
A brunch spread, including an egg dish, waffle, and bloody mary, served on a table with a white tablecloth. One of the plates has the restaurant name, Aquitaine, printed along the edge.
Brunch at Aquitaine
Aquitaine/Official Site

Frenchie

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A bit literal, don’t you think? By all means order the croque madame in all its runny yolk glory. For dinner? A whole branzino, perhaps. The Frenchie team also has a newer restaurant in Cambridge, Colette, that is equally worth checking out.

Frenchie is currently open for indoor dining, outdoor dining, and takeout and delivery through Caviar and DoorDash.

560 Tremont St, Boston, MA 02118
(857) 233-5941
(857) 233-5941
A whole roasted branzino in a pan, with a hand sprinkling salt over it, at Boston’s Frenchie
Branzino at Frenchie
Brian Samuels

Petit Robert Bistro

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Petit Robert Bistro has been dishing out French food on Columbus Avenue for nearly 15 years now. Go full French and try the coq au vin.

Petit Robert is currently open for indoor dining, outdoor dining, takeout and delivery through Caviar, and delivery through Uber Eats.

02118, 480 Columbus Ave, Boston, MA 02118
(617) 867-0600
(617) 867-0600
Exterior photo of a restaurant with a floor-to-ceiling window along the front. A red banner at the top has the restaurant’s name on it, Petit Robert Bistro.
Petit Robert Bistro
Petit Robert Bistro/Official Site

Also featured in:

Gaslight Brasserie du Coin

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Gaslight’s menu is vast and full of the French greatest hits, but the restaurant does fish best. Get the special, whatever it is, or get the pan-roasted cod.

Gaslight is currently open for indoor dining, outdoor dining, takeout and delivery through DoorDash, and delivery through Grubhub.

560 Harrison Ave, Boston, MA 02118
(617) 422-0224
(617) 422-0224
Overhead view of a table full of French food, desserts, and cocktails.
A spread of food at Gaslight
Gaslight/Official Site

Also featured in:

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Ma Maison

272 Cambridge St, Boston, MA 02114

Chef Jacky Robert’s Cambridge Street joint, located on the edge of Beacon Hill and the West End, offers French classics like coq au vin and Provençal-style frog’s legs. Ma Maison also doesn’t shy away from organ meats, serving calf’s liver on the regular menu as well as a few weekly specials, such as sweetbreads on Wednesdays.

Ma Maison is currently open for indoor dining, outdoor dining (its patio has heaters), and takeout (call the restaurant.)

272 Cambridge St, Boston, MA 02114
(617) 725-8855
(617) 725-8855
A cream puff topped with chocolate sauce sits on a white plate on a white tablecloth. A vase of colorful flowers sits in the background.
Profiterole at Ma Maison
Ma Maison/Official Site

Troquet on South

107 South St, Boston, MA 02111

Troquet serves some damn good roasted fish, and it has a damn good wine list too. A little pricey, but worth the splurge if you can swing it. If it’s been a few years since your last visit, note that Troquet relocated to a larger space in early 2017 in Boston’s Leather District; it’s no longer on Boylston Street.

Troquet is currently open for indoor dining, outdoor dining, takeout and delivery through Caviar, and delivery through Seated.

107 South St, Boston, MA 02111
(617) 695-9463
(617) 695-9463
Closeup of an elegantly plated chicken dish with asparagus, mushrooms, and a brown sauce surrounding the chicken on a white plate.
A chicken dish at Troquet on South
Troquet on South/Official Site

Menton

354 Congress St, Boston, MA 02210

Under the umbrella of “modern fine dining,” Barbara Lynch’s Menton is mostly French but also sort of Italian, but it’s French enough to make this map. Get the seared foie gras, and have a glass of wine while you’re at it.

Menton is currently open for indoor dining.

354 Congress St, Boston, MA 02210
(617) 737-0099
(617) 737-0099
An elegant yellow marble table is set with two dishes of food, two glasses of wine, and two neatly pleated cloth napkins.
Menton
Wayne E. Chinnock

La Voile

261 Newbury St, Boston, MA 02116

This Cannes-inspired bistro offers great lunchtime snacks like chicken liver paté, which comes with onion confit, cornichons, and toast, as well as entrees like sole meunière and steak frites. There’s a Brookline location, too.

La Voile is currently open for indoor dining, outdoor dining, takeout through the restaurant, takeout and delivery through DoorDash, and delivery through Uber Eats.

261 Newbury St, Boston, MA 02116
(617) 587-4200
(617) 587-4200
Wooden board covered with pate, charcuterie, and a silver gravy boat full of small pickles
A paté plate from La Voile
La Voile/Official Site

Deuxave

371 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, MA 02115

Back Bay’s Deuxave is very suitable for special-occasion dining, and the crispy duck confit is hard to beat. Don’t miss the cocktail list, and definitely save room for dessert.

Deuxave is currently open for indoor dining, outdoor dining (its patios has heaters), and takeout (call the restaurant.)

371 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, MA 02115
(617) 517-5915
(617) 517-5915
Rectangular white dish of fancily plated French food, including a sizable piece of seared foie.
Deuxave
Andy Ryan Photography

Rochambeau

900 Boylston St, Boston, MA 02115

Rochambeau is known for decadent brunches filled with oysters and other raw bar snacks (and bubbly). The brioche French toast and crepes are also worth ordering. The multi-level restaurant — located right by Eataly at the Prudential Center — also has an all-day cafe attached.

Rochambeau is currently open for indoor dining, outdoor dining, takeout (call the restaurant, curbside pickup available), and delivery.

900 Boylston St, Boston, MA 02115
(617) 247-0400
(617) 247-0400
A plated cut of duck lightly topped with greens
Duck à l’orange at Rochambeau
Rochambeau [Official Photo]

Mistral

223 Columbus Ave, Boston, MA 02116

This longstanding French-inspired restaurant in the South End offers excellent versions of classics like sole meunière, as well as fresh takes on other classics, like tuna tartare. Brunch is also popular (the pictured cinnamon buns are a must.)

Mistral is currently open for indoor dining, outdoor dining, takeout (with curbside pickup), and delivery. Call (617) 351-2618 for takeout and delivery orders.

223 Columbus Ave, Boston, MA 02116
(617) 867-9300
(617) 867-9300
Overhead view of two plump cinnamon buns smooshed next to each other in a black cast-iron rectangular pan.
Cinnamon buns at Mistral
Rachel Leah Blumenthal/Eater

Aquitaine

569 Tremont St, Boston, MA 02118

From the aluminum bar top to the hexagonal black and white tiles to the big blackboard special menus to the crimson booths, Aquitaine looks the part of a Parisian brasserie. The steak frites are exceptional, which also helps.

Aquitaine is currently open for indoor dining, outdoor dining, and takeout and delivery through Caviar and DoorDash.

569 Tremont St, Boston, MA 02118
(617) 424-8577
(617) 424-8577
A brunch spread, including an egg dish, waffle, and bloody mary, served on a table with a white tablecloth. One of the plates has the restaurant name, Aquitaine, printed along the edge.
Brunch at Aquitaine
Aquitaine/Official Site

Frenchie

560 Tremont St, Boston, MA 02118

A bit literal, don’t you think? By all means order the croque madame in all its runny yolk glory. For dinner? A whole branzino, perhaps. The Frenchie team also has a newer restaurant in Cambridge, Colette, that is equally worth checking out.

Frenchie is currently open for indoor dining, outdoor dining, and takeout and delivery through Caviar and DoorDash.

560 Tremont St, Boston, MA 02118
(857) 233-5941
(857) 233-5941
A whole roasted branzino in a pan, with a hand sprinkling salt over it, at Boston’s Frenchie
Branzino at Frenchie
Brian Samuels

Petit Robert Bistro

02118, 480 Columbus Ave, Boston, MA 02118

Petit Robert Bistro has been dishing out French food on Columbus Avenue for nearly 15 years now. Go full French and try the coq au vin.

Petit Robert is currently open for indoor dining, outdoor dining, takeout and delivery through Caviar, and delivery through Uber Eats.

02118, 480 Columbus Ave, Boston, MA 02118
(617) 867-0600
(617) 867-0600
Exterior photo of a restaurant with a floor-to-ceiling window along the front. A red banner at the top has the restaurant’s name on it, Petit Robert Bistro.
Petit Robert Bistro
Petit Robert Bistro/Official Site

Gaslight Brasserie du Coin

560 Harrison Ave, Boston, MA 02118

Gaslight’s menu is vast and full of the French greatest hits, but the restaurant does fish best. Get the special, whatever it is, or get the pan-roasted cod.

Gaslight is currently open for indoor dining, outdoor dining, takeout and delivery through DoorDash, and delivery through Grubhub.

560 Harrison Ave, Boston, MA 02118
(617) 422-0224
(617) 422-0224
Overhead view of a table full of French food, desserts, and cocktails.
A spread of food at Gaslight
Gaslight/Official Site

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