French Restaurants

Christine & Carmelyna’s Kitchen. Small BYOB with a unique Chef to table experience, serving New American influenced cuisine.

Showcasing the bounty of locally grown produce and organic ingredients, celebrity chef Eric Ripert has dished up yet another success with 10 Art. His mission is simple: to offer the best of contemporary American cuisine. His menu is exemplary: Ripert’s elegantly fine-tuned technique balances the complexity and heartiness of many of his most notable dishes. The Steamed Mussels are served in a chorizo and white wine broth, while the Pork and Beans highlights braised pork belly in a summer bean ragout. Understated and masterful, the Bouillabaisse has market fish and shellfish in a saffron and tomato broth.

Rittenhouse Square is home to the Parisian oasis, Parc Brasserie. Capturing the true essence of sophisticated café cuisine, Parc presents guests with a comfortingly satisfying menu of French classics. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are served up with a fitting degree of care, and flavor, as Parc maintains the Starr Restaurants’ high standards for quality and service. From the Onion Soup to the Beef Bourguignon, the bliss is in the bite. Linger over a comforting café au lait on the patio or enjoy a leisurely sip of wine at the zinc bar at Parc Brasserie – that Parisian holiday is only …

Chef Peter Woolsey uses his know-how and talent to create classic French dishes that can be found across various regions in France at Bistrot La Minette. The elegant flair and friendly wait staff give the restaurant a warm and luxuriously casual atmosphere. Try such dishes as the Magret de Canard au Cassis, a pan-roasted duck breast, grilled white asparagus, potato confit, and black currant sauce, or try the Gateau L’Opera, a multi-layered almond sponge cake with chocolate ganache, coffee butter cream, and crème Chantilly. Give Bistrot La Minette a chance—your taste buds will thank you!

Owner and Chef Peter Gilmore brings more than 30 years of experience to Gilmore’s Restaurant. This remarkably talented chef worked for 22 years as Chef de Cuisine at Philadelphia’s Le Bec-Fin before venturing out on his own. Located on West Chester’s main drag, Gilmore’s Restaurant offers classic French fare with an American twist. Dishes like Confit of Boneless Duck Leg and Escargots sit side-by-side with Shrimp Corn Dogs and Foie Gras Pizza (from humanely raised ducks). Although Chef Gilmore has a little fun with his menu, it does not mean there is anything lacking in the classic French tradition. The …

Nestled into its charming Midtown Village locale, Olivier Desaintmartin’s second Philadelphia feat, Zinc, is the essence of class meets comfort. In a city filled with attempts at the French bistro, Desaintmartin sets this 11th street gem above the rest by offering unfussy bistro classics and an exclusively French wine selection. Zinc offers diners the rare chance to feel right at home with a dining room décor that features exposed brick, dark polished wood, bistro chalkboards and authentic Parisian paintings. Complete with a knowledgeable and friendly staff, Zinc’s quaint, romantic appeal is reminiscent of a true bistro a vins one might …

GiGi caters to the palates of the world by offering a menu that highlights specialties from Italy, Thailand, and Spain--to name a few. European sidewalk café-style seating and a private outdoor terrace encourage a social experience that carries over into the main dining room, as well. Boasting unique tapas selections to be shared among friends and an impressive array of signature cocktails, GiGi welcomes visitors to stay and mingle. Pass dishes like the Rare Seared Tuna Tequitos and the Jerk Chicken Skewers around the table and marvel at how fast they go.

Before Patou came to Old City with its ultra-hip appeal, Patrice Rames already had a Philadelphia success nestled atop the Marketplace Design Center in Center City. Since 1987, Patou’s sister restaurant Bistro St. Tropez has been serving Philadelphia foodies the finest of French food, and has given five-star French spots some stiff competition. In Bistro St. Tropez you will find the illusion of Provence amidst simple elegance, classic French cuisine, and a predominately French wine selection—all presented with Rames’s signature classic style that gives Philly a true taste of France.

Thomas' is full of pleasant surprises, from the American menu that fuses both creative and comfort foods to the wide selection from the bar that pleases both beer and wine lovers. This Philadelphia favorite was opened in 1982, and the interior boasts spacious rooms with a relaxed atmosphere. The menu features favorites such as Shrimp Bruschetta and Braised Pork, created by Executive Chef Kevin Smith. Enjoy a weekend brunch which features a selection of innovative salads and breakfast entrees. With special events every night of the week, such as karaoke, Wine Wednesdays and live music, Thomas’ Restaurant and Bar is …

Savona takes the idea of home and builds around it. Located right in an old two story Victorian house, one can enjoy the qualities of fine dining with lush tapestry curtains and exquisite vase art near the tables. Savona recently added a bar for extra wine and cocktail fun to go along with the menu which features plenty of French entrees. The private dining options are surrounded by wine options- literally. The Savona bar also features take out so one can just drop by for a quick drink and then run off to whatever they need to do without feeling …

A Philadelphia mainstay for 40 years, the Happy Rooster is a mixture of old-school refinement and quirky charm, making it a favorite spot among locals and visitors. Opened as Philadelphia's first vodka and caviar bar in 1968, it was famous for its great food and old-boys’ club feel. When new owner Rose Parrota took over in 2000, she made a few changes. What remains offers a refined, but cozy dining experience. The menu is a selection of classic dinner fare with a few contemporary twists, and the bar offers a diverse wine list. On any given night, you can find …

Only a few strides removed from the Forrest Theater in the gentrified neighborhood of Wash West, the Caribou Café corrals a hip mix of city crawlers, theater goers, local and national personalities, and plain old Philly folk. The festive décor in this vibrant slice of France frames the intoxicating upbeat insouciance that replicates the spirit and verve of the real-deal French café. The moderately priced menu focuses on regional everyday French standbys while simultaneously providing a gastronomic tour of France. Diverse delights from Alsace to Provence tempt the palate – all interpreted delectably by Maitre Cuisinier de France, Olivier Desaintmartin.

Amid the leafy scenery of historic Chestnut Hill sits one of the city’s finest Asian restaurants: CinCin. The brilliance of owner Michael Wei combined with the superior culinary talents of Head Chef Jimmy Huang allows diners to enjoy Asian- and French-fused dishes in an atmosphere that features serene colors and beautiful etched glass. The food is a flawless combination of two cultures that creates a taste different than most. A full bar and friendly service from an accommodating staff puts this place amongst Chestnut Hill’s best. It’s elegant enough for date night but also great for family night. Make a …

Located in the prestigious Rittenhouse Hotel, gazing over downtown Philadelphia's most elegant square, Lacroix has become a landmark of its own right - with an air of graceful distinction. Romantic and evocative, the dining room beckons with the luminous glow of candlelight. Guests are invited to indulge in the world-class menu, composed of the freshest ingredients of the Eastern seaboard. This composition of International Progressive cuisine, prepared with profound expertise by Master Chef Jon Cichon, includes mouth watering additions such as Elysian Fields Lamb Carpaccio and Hudson Valley Duck.

Being in one of the most beautiful locations in Philadelphia, the views of the statues and the fountain that grace Logan Square set the tone for a romantic and soothing evening. All about art and refinement, the Fountain Restaurant (located in the Four Seasons Resort) is one of the rare restaurants where the noise level is kept close to none because of the soundproof walls and ceilings. The mouth-watering “spontaneous menu” features four savory and two sweet courses or diners can choose the a la carte, which inlcudes Maine lobster and grilled Cervena venison chops.

Situated in Philadelphia’s ritziest neighborhood, Rouge takes on the persona of a Parisian café with ease and elegance. Rittenhouse Square is chichi central, and the undeniable draw of this city favorite isn’t the food – it’s the view. Whether you’re looking outside at the bustling park or inside at the attractively attired clientele, Rouge is a place to see and be seen. The menu is upscale comfort – American with a French flair – and the prices are an obvious reflection of its trendy reputation. Where image and appetites collide, Rouge guarantees a truly unique dining experience for all of …