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The Top French Restaurant in Each State

The Top French Restaurant in Each State

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French cuisine was always considered the best for a multitude of reasons. From the formal techniques and pride in the way it was presented to the rich history behind its dishes, and having a French chef was a sign that a restaurant (or a wealthy individual) knew what fine food was and how to get it. But recently, it has fallen a bit in popularity. Once considered the world’s finest cuisine, other nations’ fares have usurped its title, with Mexican, Japanese, Italian, and Chinese leading the pack. 

Many of the best chefs cooking in U.S. restaurants today have had French training, either in formal cooking schools like the Cordon Bleu or through stints at restaurants in France, but the food they’re cooking has a vast range of flavors. Menus that were once solely French are often now fusions, incorporated with items from Japan, India, Vietnam, Peru, or Spain, or be just plain old- or new-style American. The restaurants everybody seems to want to go to, especially in the big coastal capitals, are more likely to be Italian, Mexican, or Korean, than French.

Although French cuisine may have taken a tumble, there’s still something about la cuisine française. Whether it’s bistro fare like pâté or onion soup or intricate contemporary masterpieces of the kind that might be served at such Michelin three-star places as the French Laundry in Napa Valley or Le Bernardin in Manhattan – or anything in-between – French cooking at its best offers a complexity and subtlety that still pleases our palates, however much we might also enjoy spaghetti alla carbonara, tacos de birria, or bibimbap. (These are the best Michelin three-star restaurants in the world.)

24/7 Tempo consulted reviews and ratings on sites including Gayot, Michelin, Time Out, Culture Trip, and Yelp, as well as numerous local and regional sources to compile a list of the top French restaurant in each state. We considered not only various markers of quality (star ratings, effusive critical praise, etc.) but also, insofar as it could be determined, the fidelity each establishment pays to authentic French culinary traditions, whether classical or contemporary.

The competition was stiff in some states where there is a wealth of French restaurants to choose from – California, Illinois, New York, Texas, and Nevada, all had numerous eateries. In other cases (Wyoming, West Virginia, the Dakotas), it was more difficult to find a well-regarded restaurant that served French food exclusively or even primarily, but we eventually came up with credible representatives of the genre for those states too. (If you aren’t into French food, consider this list of the best Italian restaurant in every state.)

Here is the best French restaurant in every state

Alabama: Chez Fonfon

Busy Waiter by Ralph Daily
Source: ralphandjenny / Flickr

Busy Waiter (CC BY 2.0) by Ralph Daily
  • Location: Birmingham
  • Sample dishes: Provençal stuffed zucchini, trout with capers and brown butter, Basque cake with Chantilly cream

Alaska: Crow’s Nest

Source: Courtesy of Cara H. via Yelp

Source: Courtesy of Cara H. via Yelp
  • Location: Anchorage
  • Sample dishes: Pork belly rillettes, black cod with sauce Choron, certified Black Angus beef ribeye bordelaise

Arizona: Le Sans Souci

Source: Courtesy of Laura A. via Yelp

Source: Courtesy of Laura A. via Yelp
  • Location: Cave Creek
  • Sample dishes: Coquilles St. Jacques, mixed grill à l’anglaise, peach Melba

Arkansas: Bienvenue

Source: Courtesy of Stephen L. via Yelp

Source: Courtesy of Stephen L. via Yelp
  • Location: Springdale
  • Sample dishes: Escargots en croûte, rabbit pithiviers, roasted Cornish hen with Parisian potatoes

California: The French Laundry

Source: Courtesy of Ruth G. via Yelp

Source: Courtesy of Ruth G. via Yelp
  • Location: Yountville
  • Sample dishes: Rouelle of Dover sole, “prime rib” of Elysian Fields Farm lamb, gougère of cave-aged Comté, and black winter truffle “fondue”

Colorado: French Alpine Bistro

Source: Courtesy of French Alpine Bistro via Yelp

Source: Courtesy of French Alpine Bistro via Yelp
  • Location: Aspen
  • Sample dishes: Steak tartare, cheese fondue, coq au vin

Connecticut: Luc’s Café

Source: Courtesy of Kay W. via Yelp

Source: Courtesy of Kay W. via Yelp
  • Location: Ridgefield
  • Sample dishes: Oeufs mayonnaise, pâté de campagne, Hudson Valley duck confit

Delaware: Le Cavalier

Source: Courtesy of Le Cavalier At The Green Room via Yelp

Source: Courtesy of Le Cavalier At The Green Room via Yelp
  • Location: Wilmington
  • Sample dishes: Salmon à la greque, steak frites, profiteroles

Florida: L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon

Source: Courtesy of Sarah M. via Yelp

Source: Courtesy of Sarah M. via Yelp
  • Location: Miami
  • Sample dishes: Crispy langoustine with basil coulis, scallops in cilantro broth, filet mignon

Georgia: Café Alsace

Source: Courtesy of nytha c. via Yelp

Source: Courtesy of nytha c. via Yelp
  • Location: Decatur
  • Sample dishes: Tarte flambée, ratatouille en croûte with merguez sausage, crème brûlée

Hawaii: Michel’s at the Colony Surf

Source: Courtesy of Cara C. via Yelp

Source: Courtesy of Cara C. via Yelp
  • Location: Honolulu (O’ahu)
  • Sample dishes: Lobster bisque à la Michel’s, chateaubriand for two, Michel’s chocolate soufflé

Idaho: Bacquet’s

Source: Courtesy of Bill A. via Yelp

Source: Courtesy of Bill A. via Yelp
  • Location: Eagle
  • Sample dishes: Baked Camembert, salmon champenoise, médaillon de veau chasseur

Illinois: Les Nomades

Les Nomades by Lou Stejskal
Source: loustejskal / Flickr

Les Nomades (CC BY 2.0) by Lou Stejskal
  • Location: Chicago
  • Sample dishes: Wild mushroom soup with truffle foam, duo of braised lamb and grilled veal tenderloin with cassoulet beans, warm cherry clafoutis with lemon verbena ice cream

Indiana: Petite Chou Bistro & Champagne Bar

Source: Courtesy of Petite Chou Bistro & Champagne Bar via Yelp

Source: Courtesy of Petite Chou Bistro & Champagne Bar via Yelp
  • Location: Indianapolis
  • Sample dishes: Duck rillettes, chicken paillard, lobster frites

Iowa: Chez Grace

Chez Grace restaurant, Coralvi... by Alan Light
Source: alan-light / Flickr

Chez Grace restaurant, Coralvi… (CC BY 2.0) by Alan Light
  • Location: Coralville
  • Sample dishes: Mesclun salad with goat cheese, pan-seared Hudson Valley foie gras with caramelized pear, steak au poivre

Kansas: Georges French Bistro

Source: Courtesy of Nyla K. via Yelp

Source: Courtesy of Nyla K. via Yelp
  • Location: Wichita
  • Sample dishes: Smoked salmon crêpe, duck à l’orange, chocolate mousse cake

Kentucky: La Folie

Source: Courtesy of Karen B. via Yelp

Source: Courtesy of Karen B. via Yelp
  • Location: Lexington
  • Sample dishes: Salade lyonnaise, rosemary chicken, bombe au chocolate

Louisiana: Ciro’s Côte Sud

Source: Courtesy of Shannon S. via Yelp

Source: Courtesy of Shannon S. via Yelp
  • Location: New Orleans
  • Sample dishes: Moules frites, côtes d’agneau grillées aux herbes de Provence, tarte tatin à la mode

Maine: Petite Jacqueline

Source: Courtesy of Michelle C. via Yelp

Source: Courtesy of Michelle C. via Yelp
  • Location: Portland
  • Sample dishes: Vichyssoise, trout amandine, pot de crème

Maryland: La Ferme

Source: Courtesy of Alice J. via Yelp

Source: Courtesy of Alice J. via Yelp
  • Location: Chevy Chase
  • Sample dishes: Crème brûlée au foie gras, grilled Dover sole, sweetbreads in lemon-caper butter sauce

Massachusetts: Ma Maison

Source: Courtesy of M. F. via Yelp

Source: Courtesy of M. F. via Yelp
  • Location:Boston
  • Sample dishes:Uncle Lucien’s country pâté, frogs’ legs provençale, magret of duck with red cherries

Michigan: The French Lady

Source: Courtesy of The French Lady via Yelp

Source: Courtesy of The French Lady via Yelp
  • Location: Birmingham
  • Sample dishes: Quiche forestière, chicken basquaise, madeleines

Minnesota: Meritage

Source: Courtesy of Fern K. via Yelp

Source: Courtesy of Fern K. via Yelp
  • Location: St. Paul
  • Sample dishes: Billi-bi saffron-mussel soup, pommes frites with béarnaise sauce, cherry-glazed magret of duck

Mississippi: Anjou Restaurant

Source: Courtesy of Anjou Restaurant via Yelp

Source: Courtesy of Anjou Restaurant via Yelp
  • Location: Ridgeland
  • Sample dishes: Savory zucchini beignets, crawfish crêpe, Angus center cut filet with maître d’hôtel butter

Missouri: Café Provençal

Source: Courtesy of Chiara P. via Yelp

Source: Courtesy of Chiara P. via Yelp
  • Location: Kirkwood
  • Sample dishes: Grated celery root salad, daube de boeuf, tarte au chocolat

Montana: 2nd Street Bistro

Source: Courtesy of James D. via Yelp

Source: Courtesy of James D. via Yelp
  • Location: Livingston
  • Sample dishes: Artichoke barigoule, rabbit fricasée, lamb ragoût

Nebraska: Le Voltaire

Steak & Frites - Le Voltaire -... by Shelby L. Bell
Source: vwcampin / Flickr

Steak & Frites – Le Voltaire -… (CC BY 2.0) by Shelby L. Bell
  • Location: Omaha
  • Sample dishes: Assiette de charcuterie, côte du porc en croûte de pistache, lemon and lavender gâteau

Nevada: Guy Savoy

Source: Courtesy of Restaurant Guy Savoy via Yelp

Source: Courtesy of Restaurant Guy Savoy via Yelp
  • Location: Las Vegas
  • Sample dishes: Artichoke and black truffle soup, quail stuffed with foie gras, chocolate fondant

New Hampshire: Bridge Street Bistrot & Wine Bar

Source: Courtesy of J P. via Yelp

Source: Courtesy of J P. via Yelp
  • Location: Portsmouth
  • Sample dishes: Wild mushroom crêpe, swordfish provençal, apple clafoutis

New Jersey: Brasserie Mémère

Source: Courtesy of Brasserie Memere via Yelp

Source: Courtesy of Brasserie Memere via Yelp
  • Location: Closter
  • Sample dishes:Soupe aux carottes, loup de mer à la vapeur, kouign-amann

New Mexico: Le Troquet

Source: Courtesy of Tony V. via Yelp

Source: Courtesy of Tony V. via Yelp
  • Location: Albuquerque
  • Sample dishes: Escargots à la bourguignonne, filet de saumon dijonnaise, poulet Cordon Bleu

New York: Le Bernardin

Source: Courtesy of Nikkie N. via Yelp

Source: Courtesy of Nikkie N. via Yelp
  • Location: New York City
  • Sample dishes: Warm scallop “tartare” with caviar, poached lobster with truffled gnocchi, pistachio praliné

North Carolina: Bouchon

Source: Courtesy of Paul N. via Yelp

Source: Courtesy of Paul N. via Yelp
  • Location: Asheville
  • Sample dishes: Assiette de deux pâtés maison, poulet rôti au thym, pain perdu à la mode

North Dakota: Maxwell’s Restaurant & Bar

Source: Courtesy of Birdie H. via Yelp

Source: Courtesy of Birdie H. via Yelp
  • Location:Fargo
  • Sample dishes:Red wine/tomato/basil bisque, bison meatballs with vermouth cream sauce, grilled New Zealand lamb rack

Ohio: L’Albatros Brasserie

Source: Courtesy of Elise C. via Yelp

Source: Courtesy of Elise C. via Yelp
  • Location: Cleveland
  • Sample dishes: Chicken liver and foie gras mousseline, bouillabaisse for two, pig’s feet with sauce béarnaise

Oklahoma: Fait Maison French Restaurant

Source: Courtesy of Raiza S. via Yelp

Source: Courtesy of Raiza S. via Yelp
  • Location: Edmond
  • Sample dishes: Provençal fish stew, organic chicken breast with sauce Albuféra, signature millefeuille with pistachio cream and raspberries

Oregon: St. Jack

Source: Courtesy of Caleb G. via Yelp

Source: Courtesy of Caleb G. via Yelp
  • Location: Portland
  • Sample dishes: Pâté en croûte, moules marinière, peach blancmange

Pennsylvania: Forsythia

Source: Courtesy of Rina D. via Yelp

Source: Courtesy of Rina D. via Yelp
  • Location: Philadelphia
  • Sample dishes: Duck confit omelette, salt meadow lamb crépinette, brown butter financier

Rhode Island: Pot au Feu

Source: Courtesy of Justin C. via Yelp

Source: Courtesy of Justin C. via Yelp
  • Location: Providence
  • Sample dishes: Truffle-scented wild mushroom pâté, marinated chicken livers lyonnaise, pot au feu

South Carolina: Ville Sainte Bistro

Source: Courtesy of Misha C. via Yelp

Source: Courtesy of Misha C. via Yelp
  • Location: Mount Pleasant
  • Sample dishes: Frogs’ legs in white wine garlic sauce, ravioli dauphinoise, pan-seared flounder with brown butter lemon sauce

South Dakota: Enigma Restaurant

Source: Courtesy of Enigma Restaurant via Yelp

Source: Courtesy of Enigma Restaurant via Yelp
  • Location: Rapid City
  • Sample dishes: Mushrooms Avignon, steak frites with sauce Madagascar, chocolate lava cake

Tennessee: Once Upon a Time in France

Source: Courtesy of Nikhil R. via Yelp

Source: Courtesy of Nikhil R. via Yelp
  • Location: Nashville
  • Sample dishes: Velouté of lobster with truffles, steak tartare, jumbo shrimp à  la Marseillaise

Texas: Chez Nous

Source: Courtesy of Geoff R. via Yelp

Source: Courtesy of Geoff R. via Yelp
  • Location: Humble
  • Sample dishes: Soupe à  l’oignon, roasted rack of young New Zealand lamb with Dijon-rosemary crust, passion fruit-raspberry soufflé

Utah: Courchevel Bistro

Source: Courtesy of Courchevel Bistro via Yelp

Source: Courtesy of Courchevel Bistro via Yelp
  • Location: Park City
  • Sample dishes: Smoked trout rillettes, Mary’s chicken ballotine, chocolate tart with Chartreuse ice cream

Vermont: Bistro de Margot

Source: Courtesy of Chad V. via Yelp

Source: Courtesy of Chad V. via Yelp
  • Location: Burlington
  • Sample dishes: Foie gras and lobster crème brûlée, medallions of monkfish with chanterelles, Paris-Brest

Source: Courtesy of Katie A. via Yelp

Source: Courtesy of Katie A. via Yelp
  • Location: Great Falls
  • Sample dishes: Warm oysters with béarnaise, vegetable Napoléon, grilled duck breast with Grand Marnier sauce

Washington: Le Pichet

Le Pichet by Scott
Source: archxs / Flickr

Le Pichet (CC BY-SA 2.0) by Scott
  • Location: Seattle
  • Sample dishes: Assiette of Bayonne ham, brandade de morue nîmoise, roast chicken with favas and fennel for two

West Virginia: The French Goat

Source: Courtesy of Heather B. via Yelp

Source: Courtesy of Heather B. via Yelp
  • Location: Lewisburg
  • Sample dishes: Endive salad, pan-roasted chicken with Mediterranean spices, buttermilk blancmange

Wisconsin: Cadre

Source: Courtesy of Lis H. via Yelp

Source: Courtesy of Lis H. via Yelp
  • Location: Madison
  • Sample dishes: Escargots, daube de boeuf, gâteau Basque

Wyoming: The Bistro

Source: Courtesy of The Bistro via Yelp

Source: Courtesy of The Bistro via Yelp
  • Location: Jackson
  • Sample dishes: Frisée aux lardons, coq au vin, venison filet with wild mushrooms and blackberry jus
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